The Year-Round Checklist for a Minnesota Home Exterior — Edina Edition
If you’ve lived in Edina long enough, you know our homes keep a calendar of their own. The roof groans a little in February, the gutters chatter in April, the siding takes on that soft July sun, and the front door swells just enough after a September rain to remind you it’s time to check the weatherstripping. Consider this a neighbor’s checklist for getting through the year—nothing fancy, just the rhythm most of us follow from Morningside to Braemar.
Winter: Keeping the Roof Calm and the Walk Clear
- Watch the roof after heavy snow. In deep cold, look for uneven snow melt or ridges along the eaves. Those often point to heat escaping or the start of ice dams—common in older Edina homes near Pamela Park and along 50th & France.
- Rake—don’t pry. A roof rake (from the ground) takes weight off shingles without jabbing at ice. Anything more aggressive tends to do more harm than good.
- Attic breathes, house relaxes. A quick peek in the attic on a cold morning tells a lot: frosty nails, damp insulation, or sunlight at a seam are little postcards from winter saying, “Check me.”
- Paths and porches. Clear snow from steps and the first few feet around the foundation. It keeps meltwater from pooling against siding when we warm up for a day or two in January.
Spring: Melt, Drip, Reveal
- Gutters first. When the snow retreats, downspouts show their hand. Make sure they’re connected and pushing water well away from the foundation—especially along sloped lots near Nine Mile Creek.
- Roof once-over. From the ground, look for lifted shingles, missing caps, or flashing that’s pulled back near chimneys. Spring sun is when quiet winter damage says hello.
- Siding rinse. A low-pressure rinse clears winter grit without forcing water behind panels. If you can write your name on the siding dust, it’s time.
- Windows & doors. Run your hand along interior frames on a windy day. Any cool streaks? That’s where weatherstripping or a bit of caulk earns its keep.
Summer: Heat, Sun, and Quiet Upkeep
- Roof in full light. Late afternoon along west-facing slopes tells the truth. Look for subtle shingle curling or spots that seem thinner. Heat makes small problems easier to see.
- Siding check. Fade happens—especially on south and west walls—but warping, bulges, or soft spots around hose bibs and deck ledgers deserve attention before fall storms.
- Windows that don’t sweat. On humid days, modern double-pane glass should stay pretty calm. Persistent fogging between panes signals a failed seal, not just summer air.
- Front door fit. If the entry sticks after a thunderstorm, test the sweep and threshold. A small adjustment now saves a September surprise.
- Trim and paint. Sun exposes hairline cracks in trim and fascia. A weekend with putty and a brush is the easiest kind of prevention.
Fall: Buttoning Up Before the First Hard Frost
- Clean and test gutters. Leaves from Centennial Lakes and backyard maples don’t ask permission. Flush downspouts; confirm water runs away from the house, not into planting beds.
- Roof edges & valleys. A pair of binoculars helps you scan the places ice loves: valleys, eaves, and around skylights. If anything looks lifted or shiny where it shouldn’t, jot it down.
- Seal the tiny things. Caulk hairline gaps around window casings and door brickmold. Think pencil lines, not finger-width repairs.
- Storm doors & screens. Swap as needed, oil the hinge pins, make sure latches catch easily with gloves on—you’ll thank yourself in January.
A Simple Monthly Habit (All Year)
- Walk-around, once. One slow lap around the house—look up at the roofline, feel along the siding seams, glance at the grade near downspouts.
- Listen for drafts. A windy evening tells the truth about windows and doors in a way a sunny afternoon never does.
- Note, don’t ignore. Keep a running note on your phone: “South gutter loose,” “Back door sweep,” “Shingle edge north valley.” Small lists beat big surprises.
Edina’s Pace
Most of us here don’t rush repairs; we plan them. We watch a spot through a season to see if it changes, then handle it when the weather cooperates. That approach suits Edina—steady, practical, built to last. Whether you’re near 50th & France or tucked by Braemar, the same truth holds: our homes do best when we give the outside a little attention in each season rather than all at once.
This checklist isn’t meant to be a project list for Saturday. It’s a way to move with the year so the house moves with you. In winter, keep the roof calm. In spring, let water run free. In summer, give sun-worn pieces a touch-up. In fall, button it all down and make it easy on your future self. That’s the Edina rhythm—and it works.
And if you’ve spotted something that might need a closer look — from a loose shingle to a drafty window — it’s never a bad idea to get a quick local opinion. In Edina, there’s always someone nearby who knows how to keep a Minnesota home ready for the next season.