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