The month before Thanksgiving is a great time to take on home improvement projects such as siding replacement.
Thanksgiving is a popular holiday for hosting large dinner parties with extended family and friends. If you’re going to be hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, you probably want your house to look it’s best. Even if you’re not hosting a large gathering, the end of November is a great deadline for overdue home improvement projects. Before the demands of end-of-year holidays and harsh winter weather prevent you from completing these home improvement tasks, you should consider tackling the following projects to keep your house beautiful and inviting through the winter.
Exterior Paint Projects
The last full month of fall offers enough warm, or at least sunny days, which make exterior paint touch-ups a viable project. Adding a fresh coat or a sealant to surfaces that may be covered by snow is also wise. Paints aren’t recommended for application on days with temperatures lower than 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, however.
Fix Home Appliances
Before Thanksgiving, you’re going to want to be positive that your ovens, burners, and dishwashers are in top shape. Additionally, clothes washers and dryers are going to be used more, especially if you have family staying over.
Seal Gaps and Install Insulation
You don’t want a chilly draft invading your home in the winter, so now is the time to review your home’s caulking and weather stripping. An energy auditor can come in and inspect the areas in which you can improve. Fixing your insulation now means saving heating costs throughout the winter.
Power Washing
Power washing your home’s exterior windows not only increases your home’s appearance but prevents the growth of mold and mildew.
Fireplace Repair
Even if your fireplace is rarely used, it should be inspected to ensure its safe operation. You should hire a professional to inspect the chimney for flammable buildup or bird nests, as well as other parts of the working fireplace.
A Furnace Tune-Up
Your furnace is going to be working hard this winter, so you want to make sure everything is up-to-date and working properly. If not, burst or frozen pipes can flood your home and leave you without heat.
Repair or Replace Siding
Once your tree’s leaves have fallen, you can spot any formerly hidden exterior spots in need of improvement. If you notice shoddy spots, replace or repair them now before winter moisture increases damages.
Replace Windows
Another way to ensure good insulation for the winter is to inspect your windows for drafts. If your windows let in the chill air or gather condensation or frost, you may want to consider a replacement. Glass with multiple panes, spacers or fillers will help solve this problem.
Roof Repair
If your roof has any leaks, cold weather can quickly aggravate them. The last problem you need this season is a room full of snow!
Carpet Cleaning
Fall is an excellent time for cleaning your home’s carpets because it is the best time for opening windows for ventilation because the weather in autumn isn’t humid anymore, and it isn’t yet freezing.
Maintain Your Gutters
To help keep water flowing away from your house, inspect your gutter system. You can even add mesh guards to keep leaves and debris from creating blockages throughout the season.
Repair Driveways and Walkways
The small cracks and gaps in your driveway or walkway’s concrete can quickly expand during freezing, wet weather. If these cracks grow bigger, this could be a hazard for pedestrians and will eventually require much larger repair jobs.
Plan Ahead for Spring Home Improvement Projects
If you’ve been considering a larger home improvement project, use the fall and winter months to research potential architects and engineers. You can even get started on drafting plans, so when springtime rolls around you will be ready to get started on your major home remodel.
Build Your Dream Home With T&G Builders
T&G Builders, located in Berlin, MD, has been a premier waterfront custom home builder and home improvement contractor serving Worcester and Sussex Counties for over 25 years. We are a locally owned and operated business known for our uncompromising commitment to quality, our passion for using innovative technology and premium materials to complete projects, and our exceptional attention to detail. In addition to building custom homes, we also specialize in remodeling your current house into your dream home! Our skilled team can assess your needs, determine the right design for your addition or improvement, and complete the entire construction process.
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