The weather is getting colder and many on us are starting to spend more time indoors. Here are a few home improvement projects to tackle to prepare for the colder weather.

 Give Your Doors TLC

Many homeowners love the strength, price and look of wood exterior doors but forget that they require a little extra TLC. Since they are open to the elements, your doors need to be treated regularly with paint or vanish to protect them, prevent rotting and maintain their quality.

Work on Your Floors

Have you been wanting to change your flooring, but haven’t had the chance? Whether you want to convert from carpet to hardwood, or try tile or bamboo, this is a great time to address your flooring and upgrade your home.

Update Your Paint

Your neutral colored walls may not give you the energy boost you need to make it through the many gray days that haunt us during the winter months. Change this by brightening up your surroundings. Have you always wanted to use red paint on your accent wall? Try it now. Updating your paint color during the colder months can lift your mood and change the look of your entire room. Be conscious of the paint you choose though. Since you’re stuck inside and may not be able to ventilate your space, it’s more important to use a eco-friendly, low-VOC paint and avoid the toxic fumes.

Need a caulk that seamlessly matches your paint color of choice? You can create a custom caulk with our Create-A-Color kit.

Change the Furnace Filter

It is a good idea to replace your filter every few months. This is generally a task that most homeowner find simple and easy to complete. Just run down to your local home improvement store and grab a filter to use. The standard filter typically costs under $10 while the high-efficiency versions cost closer to $20.

Seal It Up

Once the temperatures drop, you can usually begin to feel the areas in your home where the cold air is seeping in. This is usually an easy fix that can be remedied with a caulk or sealant just as long as you know how to choose the right caulk for the right project. First inspect the seams around your windows and doors for any gaps. Other places to inspect include, interior/ exterior light fixtures, areas where pipes enter/exit your home and around any vents.

Don't Forget the Pipes and Water Heater

The last thing you need in these winter months is to deal with a water leak due to pipes that burst. To prevent this, make sure that you wrap any exposed pipes or spigots with foam installation when you know that the temperature will dip below freezing. If you know that your won’t be using the spigots, then play it safe and turn off the water valves that feed them. Many people also let their faucets drip when freezing temperatures are expected to prevent frozen pipes. For your water heater, some recommend adding a thick blanket or using a insulation kit to keep the water inside hot while it’s not in use. You can usually find a kit at your local home improvement stores.

Look at Your Bathroom

Is it time to change out your fixtures? Could your sink or vanity use an update? Does your grout or caulk need to be redone? Could the room use a new coat of paint or new tile? Has there been any water damage?These tasks are easy to accomplish as day projects. I will warn you though, that once you get started, you may find more and more things you will like to change. Know the limits of your expertise and once you reach them, call in a professional that can fulfill your vision.

Insulate. Insulate. INSULATE

This task is a great winter project that will upgrade the energy efficiency of your home. It will help your home to retain more warmth, lower your energy bill and the environment will love your home a little more because it’s more eco-freindly. Let all of this motivate you as you crawl up into the attic. This is often where applying installation with have the most impact because “heat rises.” The rule of thumb for installation is usually, “Apply the installation until you can no longer see the floor joists.” While you’re on a roll, you can also inspect the installation in your basement and crawlspaces as well.

Tend to Your Gutters

Whether it is ice, snow, leaves or other debris, unclogging your gutters is a must. This will be an ongoing task you will periodically perform throughout the season. Clogged gutters can cause many issues to your home, like flooding, damage to your foundation or siding. When you think about the consequences, it definitely makes the time it takes to lug around your ladder time and energy well spent.

Address the Clutter

By the end of the year, many of us have acquired more possessions and probably need to make room for the things on our Christmas list. Make Spring Cleaning a little easier on yourself by selecting a few rooms to reorganize in your home now.

—

Are you a pro with tips of your own?  Contact us at  blog@reddevil.com to share your knowledge or comment below.

Do you have questions about your home improvement project? Connect with us at blog@reddevil.com or comment below to receive help from one of our pros.