Now that the kids are back in school, you might have more time to focus on home improvement projects. Autumn is the perfect season for making preparations for the winter and addressing indoor and outdoor problems that you might have been putting off all summer. There are plenty of cost effective DIY projects you can tackle, and as for the big ones—this is an especially slow time for contractors so give them a call!
Clean Out the Gutters
Image via Flickr by Field Outdoor Spaces
Not a favorite task among homeowners, but cleaning out your gutters is a job that must be done—preferably before the frigid air makes it unbearable to be outside and up on a ladder. When you remove leaves and other debris from your gutters, water flows more easily and is less likely to make a detour into your house. A backed-up gutter also can cause damage to the roof. While you’re up there, consider installing mesh guards to prevent your drainage system from getting clogged up in the first place.
Repair or Install a Deck
Now that the deck isn’t being used as often, it’s the good opportunity to address those much-needed repairs. Does your deck have a loose or falling apart railing, ripped deck boards, or a faded finish? These problems may get worse over the winter months. Therefore, these are excellent reasons to call in a professional contracting company. Typically, these fixes can be done in less than a day. If you’d like to get a head start on next year’s warmer months, it’s not too late to get a new deck project going. Cedar, perhaps?
Install a Programmable Thermostat
This small, DIY quick-fix is not only energy efficient, but money saving too. Putting in a new, programmable thermostat will allow your home to be on a smarter heating/cooling schedule, which is especially great when you’re not home for long periods of time. Your heating bills won’t be such a shock and the temperature in your home will always be at your level of comfort.
Paint the Front Door
Painting the front door takes but an afternoon, yet the results last much longer. You can make your door look newer simply—and its curb appeal—will benefit too. Such a project is not advisable during the sweltering heat, as the paint will dry faster than you can apply it. Aim for 50 degree weather. Any colder and the paint won’t adhere properly.
Power Wash the Exterior
If you’d like your home to look newer, but don’t want to invest in an exterior paint job just yet, consider giving your home a power wash. The transformative results will amaze you. Your house exterior can collect a lot of dirt and debris over the years—nothing that a professional can’t handle!
There are many smart, cost-effective projects you can take on during the autumn season. Not only will these fixes improve the value of your home, but make it a more pleasant place to live when the colder temps roll in.