Home improvement projects can range from simple paint jobs to major renovations and additions. Somewhere in the middle of those two extremes lies a very important aspect of home improvement–regular maintenance. Without a specific plan on how to keep your home in top shape on a consistent basis, you could end up doing far more actual improvements due to neglect. Check out some ideas here on things you can easily do to minimize future projects.
Unless the pipes throughout your home, both inside and out, are very old, they will likely last for years. This is true unless, of course, you neglect to protect them from the elements. Particularly with outdoor pipes, and ones inside your basement, they need to be routinely wrapped in the winter months. This will ensure that freezing temperatures do not cause the pipes to burst. At the first sign of freezing temperatures, empty outdoor faucets of any accumulated water and then place insulated caps over the outer areas. Wrap all exposed pipes with weatherproof materials and secure them from potential wind and heavy rains.
If you notice cracks in the outdoor siding or the inner walls of your home, seal them immediately. This will not only protect you from the elements and keep your utility bills in check, but it will also keep insects from getting into the wood and making nests there. This could include termites and any other number of unwanted pests. If sealed early on, the cracks will not worsen and cost much more to fix.
Equip your home with dimmer switches in place of the older style of light switches that merely have an “on” or “off” position. This will allow you to regulate the ambiance inside every room, and can reduce utility consumption, resulting in savings for you and having a lesser impact on the environment. It can also significantly increase the average life of your lighting fixtures.
Consider installing ceiling fans in the most used rooms throughout your home. The soothing effect of constant motion and cool breezes can create a calming influence for your family. It is also much more environmentally friendly and cost efficient than using air conditioning. Some experts suggest that freon and other components of air conditioning units can actually be harmful to humans. Look for ceiling fans with reversible blades, which can also help to disperse warm air during the winter months.
Even for very small drips or leak in faucets, check for where the leak is originating, them replace that part. There is often no need to replace the whole faucet or even to make major repairs. Remove the small part in closest proximity to the leak, and take it to a home improvement store to find a replacement for it. You may be surprised at how easy it is to fix leaks on your own without paying expensive plumbing bills.
Repairs and regular maintenance may not be the most exciting part of home improvement, but can give great satisfaction when it helps to avoid major problems down the road. Use the ideas here to keep things running smoothly throughout your house year after year.