TipsSeasonal Maintenance Tips
Most common fall home projects: clean gutters out, change screens to storms, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, change HVAC filters, tighten hand rails, test programmable thermostat, drain your water heater.
Check faucets for leaks and replace washers or repair the faucet as necessary.
Every fall, inspect your home’s weather stripping around doors and windows and repair or replace if necessary.
Check gauges on home fire extinguishers to ensure a full charge. Replace if necessary.
To get rid of “water hammer” noises, drain the plumbing system. Open the faucet furthest from the water meter and the faucet closest to the meter and allow the water to flow to a lower-level sink or floor drain. Draining the system restores air to air chambers. Close the lowest faucet and refill the system.
Use weather stripping on every door and window. Your energy bill will be more efficient once you minimize the outside air that enters your home. This will save you a substantial amount on energy costs in the long run.
Kitchen Tips
Clean underneath your range hood. Remove and clean or replace your range hood filters regularly. You will be amazed at the amount of grease that can accumulate here. Keeping this area clean reduces the risk of kitchen grease fires.
Use a vacuum with a narrow nozzle to clean condenser coils on the back or underneath your refrigerator. Clean coils keep your refrigerator running efficiently
When you consider installing new cabinets in your kitchen, consider using wood cabinets. They are durable and stand up well to daily use. Some of the most popular woods for cabinets are oak, rich cherry and maple. All of these wood types are suitable for staining, so in the future if you decide to change up the color, it is easy to do.
Bathroom Tips
Consider putting in radiant heat floor tiles in your bathroom. These tiles give off heat as well as providing a great looking floor.
When you consider installing new cabinets in your bath, consider using wood cabinets. They are durable and stand up well to daily use. Some of the most popular woods for cabinets are oak, rich cherry and maple. All of these wood types are suitable for staining, so in the future if you decide to change up the color, it is easy to do.
If your bathroom feels a little tight, consider changing your vanity for a smaller one.
By re-tiling your bathroom you can get a completely different look. By re-painting the bathroom can make it appear bigger, and compliment your new tiles.
General Home Tips
Be sure that you have sufficiently cleared an area both on the ground and above before you light that fire pit!
Having a safe escape plan well in advance can help everyone to stay calm. Get together and devise a plan on how to deal with emergency situations.
By adding built-in shelving to your garage you can increase your usable floor space.
Home Improvement Tips
Homeowners should never hire unlicensed contractors to accomplish home improvement projects.
If you are going to be making improvements around your home using bricks, purchase extra ones to use as needed. It can be very difficult to find matching bricks at a later date when repairs or additions are required. The style of bricks changes frequently.
One home improvement project that always pays dividends is finishing a basement. You gain extra space for your family to use and enjoy, and a finished basement can improve your home’s resale value by up to 10%, depending on the finishes.
Repainting your walls can really give your home a younger feel. A simple coat of paint can change the look and feel of a room quickly. It is best to pick some light colors that go with the decor you already have.
Once you have decided to start a home improvement project, don’t just focus on the end result. It is much more important to plan out what you have to do to accomplish your goal.
One great way to add value to your home is to add an additional bathroom, especially if it is on a different floor.
Home improvements add both beauty and livability to a home, they can also increase your home’s resale value.
You can boost your home’s value and improve its curb appeal by adding high-gloss paint to its shutters and front door.
If your front porch is starting to show wear and tear, you might need to have it repainted to bring back that welcoming look.
New blinds are a rather simple home improvement project that will surprise you at the difference it can make.
Mounting a TV on a wall mounted bracket can free up floor space, which can make a huge difference in a small room.
Adding a bar in your basement or family room can be a great addition to any home.
Green improvements are often a good choice for your home. It’s a great way to add value and be friendly to the environment at the same time.
New floors can update the look and feel of any room in your home.
When you consider installing new cabinets in your kitchen or bath, consider using wood cabinets. They are durable and stand up well to daily use. Some of the most popular woods for cabinets are oak, rich cherry and maple. All of these wood types are suitable for staining, so in the future if you decide to change up the color, it is easy to do.
Remodeling Magazine says that the number one home improvement for recouping your return on investment is the addition of an attic bedroom. The national average of what you can expect to recoup is 72.5% of the cost once it comes time to sell the home.
Imagine how a new entry door will add a fresh look to the exterior of your home. Simply repainting a front door battered by the elements and bleached by the sun could take years off the “face” of your home.
