Keep the Gutters Clean
The gutters are an important system for your home. They funnel water off of your roof and away from the foundation. Over time, gutters will collect leaves, pine needles, and other debris and become clogged. Set a reminder to clean your guttering at least two times each year, generally in the spring and the fall. However, if your home is surrounded by trees, you may find the need to clean the guttering more frequently. By doing so you help to prevent roof damage, water leaks, and erosion around your foundation.
Learn a New Home Improvement Skill
As a homeowner, you have probably realized that upkeep and repairs are never-ending. Home maintenance costs can be expensive, so to save money and learn to do some improvement tasks yourself. Make a personal New Year’s resolution to learn a new skill. Your local hardware store may offer how-to clinics. Some community colleges provide continuing education classes that help you learn tasks and skills to maintain your home. YouTube is only one of many online resources for learning new skills. You might learn to install light fixtures, paint a room, or make basic plumbing repairs.
Goals for Home Improvement: Decluttering
Clutter around the house makes cleaning difficult and leads to anxiety and stress. Make it a goal this year to declutter your home. Decluttering simply means getting rid of items you no longer want, need, or use. It’s a simple process if you start small. Choose a single cabinet, drawer, or bookcase and get to work. Choose items to donate to a charity, throw away any trash, and decide how to best store your remaining belongings. A clutter-free home is easier to maintain and it looks tidy and welcoming.
Deep Clean the Carpets
Carpeting makes our homes feel warm and comfortable. However, carpets can trap mold, dust, and pet dander. Especially if you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, you need to make time to deep clean the carpets at least twice a year. Rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire a company to take care of the task. Deep cleaning the carpets makes them look like new and helps improve the indoor air quality in your home.
Make One Minor Repair Each Month
There are probably several smaller tasks around the house that you keep putting off. Minor chores and upkeep are easy to ignore, especially if they don’t affect your daily life. Make it a home improvement goal to accomplish at least one minor task each month. Fix the dripping faucet, recaulk the bathtub, or clean the skylights. Repair a squeaky door, replace the missing cabinet handle, or tighten loose handrails. Look around your home and make a list of tasks you would like to accomplish this year. Add them to your calendar and set a reminder on your phone.
Prudent Home Inspections provides inspection services to customers in the Washington DC area. Contact us to schedule an appointment.