| Home improvement projects abound in the spring, | | | | to fall and do a lot of damage to your roof. |
| summer, and fall, but what home repair projects do | | | | • Clean drain gutters and keep downspouts |
| people do in the winter? Answer: All the projects | | | | pointed away from the house. Water from |
| that happen the rest of the year. However, projects | | | | downspouts should be at least 10 feet away from |
| such as replacing windows, painting rooms, and | | | | the house. |
| putting on a new roof are difficult to start and even | | | | • Clear your roof of debris to prevent a fire |
| harder to follow through on in the winter because of | | | | and to lessen the likelihood of damage when a storm |
| the weather. Solution: Wait until spring. | | | | comes. |
| Plenty of other home repairs are more appropriate | | | | Check the Heating System |
| for the winter like securing your home so that it can | | | | Replace the furnace filter at least once a year and |
| survive that winter weather. Now that winter has | | | | check them monthly. A dirty filter not only reduces |
| arrived, follow these maintenance tips to secure your | | | | the efficiency of heating your home, it can also start |
| home for the winter: | | | | a fire. |
| Sweep the Chimney | | | | Invest in a setback thermostat. Keeping your home |
| Have your chimney cleaned. The easiest way to do | | | | at the same warm temperature all day is more |
| this is to hire a professional. Leaves and birds nests | | | | expensive. Get a thermostat that will regulate the |
| stuck in a chimney can block ventilation and endanger | | | | temperature in your home, and set it cooler when |
| your health. At the very least, check your chimney | | | | you are gone. Cost of this type of thermostat is $30. |
| once a year. | | | | Keeping vents open and removing dust will make |
| Have a chimney cap installed to prevent water and | | | | your heating system more efficient. Having all vents |
| outside debris from entering your chimney. | | | | open will also make sure air is distributed evenly |
| Seal Doors and Windows | | | | around the house. |
| Caulk or weather-strip gaps around doors and | | | | Fire Prevention |
| windows to prevent warm air from escaping and cold | | | | • Pick up smoke alarm and carbon monoxide |
| air from coming in. Pick up a caulk gun for about $40 | | | | detectors. Change the batteries often. |
| at your local home improvement store. Caulk in a 10 | | | | • Buy a fire extinguisher if you don't already |
| ounce tube costs about $10. | | | | have one. If you do have one, check the expiration |
| Consider installing storm windows if they are not | | | | date. Yes, they do expire. |
| already installed in your home. They are a more | | | | • Use a fireplace screen when you are out |
| cost-effective option to replacing windows and are | | | | of the room to prevent sparks from catching fire on |
| just as efficient. | | | | the carpet or paper nearby. |
| Insulate, Insulate, Insulate | | | | • Keep paper, boxes, clothes, and other |
| Make sure the insulation in your attic is adequate. Not | | | | combustible material away from the furnace and |
| sure? Because insulation depends on where you live | | | | leave the furnace room door open. |
| and involves the level of resistance to heat flow, ask | | | | When you have finished winterizing your home, think |
| the staff at a local home improvement center how | | | | about projects for spring. A new deck, a remodeled |
| much insulation is recommended where you live. Most | | | | kitchen, and freshly painted rooms are all great |
| houses need at least 12 inches of insulation. If you | | | | springtime projects. Write down your expectations, a |
| can see the ceiling joists, you know you don't have | | | | schedule of when particular steps of the project |
| enough insulation as these are about 10 inches. | | | | need to be completed by, supplies needed, and |
| Insulate your attic door as well to prevent warm air | | | | estimated costs of everything. Whether you elect to |
| from escaping. Seal any holes leading down into the | | | | complete projects yourself or hire a knowledgeable |
| house with spray foam, looking for open plumbing or | | | | contractor, have in mind what you want and set |
| electrical. Not only does the right amount of insulation | | | | aside enough time to get the results you deserve. |
| keep your home warmer in the winter, it keeps it | | | | Certain home maintenance projects, such as getting |
| cooler in the summer also. | | | | a chimney sweep require an experienced professional. |
| Check the Roof | | | | Other tasks are simple enough to complete on your |
| Ok, it's cold, but make a quick trip up to the roof if | | | | own, but contractors are available to assist with |
| you can. | | | | every maintenance tip listed above. No job is too |
| • Replace loose shingles or have a | | | | small for an experienced home repair professional. All |
| professional replace them. Damage sustained from | | | | Around the Home ( is a national home improvement |
| snowstorms or rain that stains indoor ceilings from | | | | contractor directory. Homeowners can find |
| the roof is costlier and more difficult than replacing a | | | | established, quality contractors with experience in |
| few loose shingles in the first place. | | | | home improvement contracts and repairs such as |
| • Trim any tree limbs that are hanging over | | | | handyman contractors specializing in home repair and |
| or touching your roof. Storms can cause these limbs | | | | maintenance. |