By Glenda Taylor
You don’t have to spend a lot of time and effort to keep your house in top condition. Some of the best improvement projects don’t require pulling permits or hiring pros. We’ve put together a list of the smartest, but smallest, DIYs you can take on to boost your home’s potential and your quality of life. These practical projects won’t eat up an entire weekend—just a bit of time here and there.
Replace Weatherstripping
If you thought the only time to replace your weatherstripping was right before winter to keep out frosty drafts, think again. It’s also vital to check and replace worn weatherstripping before summer arrives. With drafts blocked, your rooms will be more comfortable, you’ll save on air conditioning costs, and you’ll keep unwanted bugs from sneaking in through gaps.
Treat Your Sewer Lines
A clogged sewer is messy and smelly, and can result in pricey plumber’s fees to repair. Protect your sewer, and your wallet, by using a main line sewer cleaning product (available from DIY stores) two or three times a year. The product works overnight to clear away any residue that’s beginning to settle in the lines, thereby protecting your home’s plumbing pipes from costly clogs.
Add Window Well Covers
If your window well fills with water every time it rains, install a water-shedding window well cover to keep out the downpour and reduce the risk of leaks in your basement. Egress window wells are designed to drain into your home’s drain tile system, but over time, they can become clogged. By installing window well covers, you’ll protect your basement from water and you’ll also keep out leaves, debris, and the occasional toad that hops in by accident.
Install Downspout Extensions
Water and foundations don’t mix. When water pools around the foundation, say, from roof and gutter runoff, it can seep downward and leak through basement walls. Saturation causes some types of soil to swell, putting unwanted lateral pressure on foundation walls and increasing the risk of cracking. To minimize the amount of water that collects around your home, consider adding downspout extensions. They are simple to install and will direct rain runoff away from your foundation where it won’t cause structural problems.
Prune Shrubs Near Your House
They might look pretty but branches from shrubs and bushes planted close to your home can scrape and damage valuable siding when the wind blows. Even your prized rose bush can cause abrasion damage to some types of siding in windy conditions.
Install a Ceiling Fan
Enhance your room’s decor and increase your comfort by replacing a plain ceiling light fixture with a ceiling fan and light combo. A ceiling fan provides gentle welcoming breezes on hot summer days and helps recirculate the heated air that settles near the ceiling during cold weather months. Winter or summer, you’ll be more comfortable, and you’ll save on cooling and heating costs.
Dim Your Lights
Bright lighting is nice when you’re preparing food, but it can be stark and annoying when you’re trying to relax and unwind after a long day at work. The solution? Install dimmer switches in place of your regular on/off light switches. You can adjust the light to just the right level of brightness and save energy at the same time. Just be sure to pair your new upgrade with dimmable light bulbs.
Open and Close Water Valves
It takes very little time—and it’s free—but it can prevent costly valve replacement down the road. Over time, water valves (those little on/off regulators) found under your sinks and behind the commode, can seize up due to scale buildup. Twice a year, twist the valves closed and back open. That’s all it takes for your valves to remain moveable and functional.
Clean Faucet Aerators
Tiny pebbles, debris and hard water deposits can clog faucet aerators, leaving you with slow-running water. Twice a year, or more frequently if the water is running slowly, twist off the aerators (on the ends of the spigots, sometimes tucked just inside the opening) and drop them in a small container filled with vinegar. Let them soak overnight to dissolve scale, then replace them to keep your water running effectively.
Boost Entry Appeal
You don’t need to paint your whole house to give your home exterior a fresh look. Upgrade a dated front door knob by replacing it with a substantial lockset and handle. Add a fresh coat of high-quality exterior paint to a faded entry door, and position a couple of large flower pots on either side of the door for a fresh look. Replace rusty mailboxes and porch lights with new models to increase your home’s wow appeal. Your guests and neighbors will notice the difference.
