Don’t let winter stand between you and home improvements Home Improvement Appliances

January 20th, 2011 by Grace Winston

Don’t let winter stand between you and home improvements

In the heart of winter, it can be easy to let go of your commitment to fix up your home. There are some advantages to doing home improvement projects in the winter: your contractor may have more time for you and may charge less as the company appreciates the work. And if youre housebound, its a great opportunity to handle small-scale repairs or improvements your own.

By now youve had enough utility bills to compare with last year and see if your home or heating system is performing up to snuff. Do a walk-through of your home and list the small things you intend to do before spring. Adding or replacing weather stripping is an excellent idea, as is installing smoke alarms you meant to put in last summer. Neither of these simple upgrades will add noise or pollutants to your home as you do them.

Winter Projects to Consider

If you hadnt noticed, the home improvement stores are less crowded this time of year. It can be a prudent time to buy supplies or scope out the work necessary for projects you intend to fire up in the spring. Materials costs tend to rise every year, so buying wood, hardware, paint and other necessities now can spare you money when the building season heats up.

Think about doing a small bathroom remodel now. Its likely that the use of the shower or tub is lower than it is in summer months. Lowes has a great step-by-step procedure on replacing your faucets. A small bathroom remodeling project continues to hold value through the roller coaster economy. Other spaces that may need attention are the panty or laundry room. Winter is a good time to add shelving, install low-energy lighting, or storage.

Think About Your Gutters, Too

At this point in winter, youll also have a solid take on the capacity and flow of your gutters. Even if its cold outside, choose a clear day to get outside and inspect them. Cleaning gutters is like taking out a great insurance policy against wall and roof damage.

As part of your outdoor inspection, have a look at your exposed pipes to check for leaks. You may need to replace some wraps or tape. Dont be stingy about it. Flood damage can be a nightmare.

All this done, get a nice hot cup of cocoayou deserve it.

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