The Minnesota Homeowner's Fall & Winter Exterior Prep Checklist

Gutters first

Ice dams form when melting snow refreezes in clogged gutters and backs up under your shingles. Clearing gutters and confirming downspouts drain freely before the first hard freeze is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent winter roof leaks.

Check your roof while you still can

Once snow sticks around, a real roof inspection isn't practical until spring. Look now for missing or lifted shingles, and note any black streaking, algae left untreated all winter has months to keep spreading before you can address it.

Wash the exterior before the salt season

Road salt spray, sand, and winter grime are much easier to rinse off siding that's already clean than to remove once it's baked on by repeated freeze-thaw cycles. A fall house wash also removes summer's algae growth before it has all winter to set in.

Windows and screens

Store or clean screens before winter rather than leaving them dusty in the frame, pollen and grime left all season are harder to remove in spring. If storm windows or interior glass show hard-water spotting from summer sprinklers, treating it now means a clearer view all winter.