When summer hits, you’ll want to be relaxing on your deck with a gin and tonic in one hand and a book in other. You won’t want to be worrying about all the small home repair tasks you neglected to tackle – those small annoyances have an effective way of piling up into one major source of stress.
To help you get everything out of the way before the relaxation weather kicks in, here’s a list of seven small home repair tasks to tackle immediately. None of them are hard – some require a little elbow grease, while others require making a simple phone call. While we know it can be hard to keep your home clean, make sure to pay extra attention to these 7 areas so they don’t become large problems!
Get Rid of Mould
Especially in damp areas, or with improperly ventilated homes, mould can build up. This causes both unsightly marks on your walls, ceilings and tiling, and– more importantly – a health hazard, as mould is dangerous to breathe. Depending on the severity of the mould problem, you might be able to tackle it yourself with some household bleach; if it’s in the walls or under the carpets, you might have to call in professionals.
Patch Holes in the Drywall
Dents and holes happen, but you don’t have to live with the sight of them. Patch holes in your drywall using drywall patches, Spackling or joint compound. The link provided above in a great step-by-step for the process.
Fix Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets are as annoying as they are prevalent, and while some faucet repairs can be undertaken by a handy homeowner, most should be left to a plumber. Especially more involved processes like laundry room faucet repair need the careful, experience hand of a pro.
Slap on a New Paint Coat
Nothing makes a home feel new quite like new paint. It’s wild how a new coat of paint can transform a drab old home into a vibrant new one. Get your Spring Cleaning out of the way before you pain though – it will make everything so much easier.
Update Your Windows
Old or inefficient windows end up losing you a lot of money, especially if you live somewhere with hot summers. The poor insulation promotes heat transference, meaning your air conditioning will not be as effective. Try installing double glazed windows, which, in addition to stopping heat transference, also keeps harmful UV rays from damaging your furniture and art.
Waterproof Your Basement
In many parts of the world, summer is a time of frequent downpours. To build up your defenses before storm season, consult with a licensed plumber about waterproofing your basement, adding weeping tiles, sump pump, backup sump pump and other necessary installations.
Pest-Proof Your Home
With the warm weather come the ants, fruit flies and other pests. Keep your home dry, your surfaces clean and keep your food scraps sealed. For bigger pasts, ensure that any cracks or holes leading into the home are sealed properly (in a pinch, steel wool with work to fill holes!)
Summer should be a time of relaxation. Get these small home improvement tasks out of the way before the summer hits – you’ll be glad you did!
