Prepping Your Home Exterior for Winter: Essential Tips for Siding and Roofing in Des Moines

Midwest Seamless Expert
Aug 21
2 min read

How to Prep Your Home Exterior: Windows, Roofing & Siding

Key Reasons This Prep Matters

Proper exterior prep protects your home from water damage, improves energy efficiency, and ensures a smooth installation process—whether it’s for windows, roofing, or siding. It also helps installers work safely and efficiently with minimal disruption.

1. Inspection & Assessment

Start with a full inspection of windows, roof, and siding before any project begins:

Roof: Check for missing, cracked, or curling shingles; rusted flashing; signs of leaks inside the attic or ceiling.
Windows: Look for drafts, failed seals, rot, cracked trim, or worn weather-stripping around frames.
Siding: Inspect for warped, split, loose, or damaged boards or panels; check for gaps, cracks, and insect or water damage.

Repair any substrate issues—you want a solid surface for new installations of roofing, siding or windows.

2. Area Preparation Before Installation

Windows

Clear furniture, plants, rugs, decorations, blinds, drapes, and picture frames near the window areas—both inside and outside—to allow installation access and reduce risk of damage.
Secure pets in separate rooms and deactivate any window sensor systems beforehand.
Install drop cloths or plastic coverings to protect floors and furniture from dust and debris.

Siding

Remove or cover outdoor furniture, potted plants, grills, and decor near the walls to be worked on.
Trim and prune shrubs and tree branches within a few feet of the walls to allow room for removal and installation.
Keep driveways clear for contractor equipment and debris dumpsters.
Remove shutters, downspouts, light fixtures, or trim that may interfere with proper siding alignment and flashing installation.

Roofing

Clean gutters and downspouts, removing debris and repairing any damage to ensure proper drainage before roofing work begins.
Trim tree limbs near the roof to reduce potential damage and facilitate safer access.

3. Sealing, Flashing & Weatherproofing

Windows: Remove old caulk and apply new weatherproof sealant; install flashing in the correct order (bottom, sides, then top) to prevent leaks.
Siding: Apply house wrap, underlayment, and flashing according to manufacturer guidelines; flash around windows and trim before installing siding to seal against moisture intrusion.
Roofing: Ensure proper underlayment and flashing at roof valleys, around vents and chimneys, and along fascia boards.

4. Cleaning & Final Checks

Power‑wash siding, windows, trim, gutters, and roof eaves in spring or pre-installation to remove dirt, mold, debris, and reveal hidden damage.
Replace damaged weather‑stripping or caulk, and clean window tracks, frames, and drain holes.
Inspect roof shingles, gutters, vents, and downspouts once more before installers arrive.

5. Communication & Coordination With Contractors

Review final inspection and preparation list with the installation team before work begins.
Ask the contractor about how they’ll protect interior and exterior areas (e.g. drop cloths, plastic sheeting, cleanup plan).
Confirm schedule and staging areas for materials and debris removal.

Things to remember...

“A proper inspection and repair of roof, windows, and siding substrate sets the stage for energy efficiency and water-tight installations.”

“Clearing furniture, decor, plants and overhanging vegetation, and protecting your home with drop cloths makes installation smooth—and safeguards your investment.”