Practical DIY Projects to Complete Over a Winter Weekend


(StatePoint) While many home renovation projects are best tackled during the warmer months, there are specific minor repairs and tasks that are important to address in winter.

These quick projects are easy to complete in a weekend and will make for a more cozy, organized winter home.

Service the Furnace. It’s easy to get behind on regular home upkeep duties during the busy holiday season. But now that the holidays are over, it’s time to take stock of your furnace. During winter months, dirt and debris buildup on the furnace air filter can keep your home from being heated efficiently. If you haven’t already, replace the old filter and be sure to swap in a new one every three to six months to ensure proper heating and cooling.

Tend to the Woodpile. If you plan to use a fireplace this season, protect your woodpile from the harsh elements, like sleet and snow. Store the wood in an open storage area that allows the wind to pass through and cover the top of the pile with a tarp to keep the wood from getting wet. Secure the tarp with The Original Duck Tape brand Duct Tape for a long-lasting and durable hold. The easy-to-tear tape will create a strong hold that will keep your logs dry and in place throughout the cold season.

Reorganize the Basement. Before packing up all your holiday décor, head to the basement and sort through other seasonal items and clutter. Fix and seal broken storage bins or tree and wreath bags with Duck Max Strength brand Duct Tape. You also can use this time to update labels to ensure belongings are properly stowed away and can be found quickly the following year.

Keep the Cold Out. Stop chilly air from seeping into your home by checking areas where drafts are most common, such as around doors and windows. To prevent the cold air from coming in and the heat from escaping, seal the gaps around windows with weatherstrip seals, and the openings under doors with a draft seal. This simple DIY project will keep rooms warm and cozy and can even save you money on your heating bill.

Taking advantage of downtime over a winter weekend to catch up on these routine maintenance projects will ensure your home continues to run smoothly from season to season.


More Resources

Manhatten Paving-Asphalt Paving Seal Coats
Why should you even consider sealing your asphalt driveway?Seal your existing parking lot to:Establish all weather surfaces that are maintenance and dust free, thus saving you overall asphalt maintenance costs in the future.Maintain the existing pavement in its present condition by delaying or eliminating further aging due to water, sun, heat, and humidity.
Kitchen Remodel - How to Survive
You have decided to make the plunge and begin to plan your kitchen remodeling project. There are so many questions and you're not sure where to start.
Making Space for Sacred Space
When you read a great inspirational book, prayer, or article, don't you think to yourself, "What a great idea! I should do more daily rituals, prayer, meditation."? It always seems like a great idea, right? We know that sacred practices and sacred space bring peace, harmony, joy, and ease into our lives.
Deck Building Basics
In my previous article, "planning for a new deck," I outlined the steps for planning for a new deck. This article takes the process one step further.
Waterproofing Basement Walls
Although representatives from waterproofing companies may guarantee results from their product or service, it is wise to keep in mind that there is no magic solution to waterproofing basement walls. In order to save costs on unneeded repairs, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to find the cause of the leak.
Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway
The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway or patio complements a home in a way that is unmatched. It adds a level of quality and elegance to a home entrance that can not be achieved with either concrete or asphalt.
Which Lamp Should I Choose?
With all the lighting choices out there, you may want to reconsider just purchasing a lamp for your lighting needs. Whether you are looking for interior lighting or outdoor lighting, you can find many options pretty easily.
Apartment Inspection Checklist
You have found an apartment you like and you are eager to move in this lovely place. Hold on! Before you sign the lease with the landlord, some inspection is necessary and it might save you a lot of trouble.
Roof Cleaning - Making Your Old Roof Look Like New!
Many Florida residents that have come from the North are surprised by the idea of roof cleaning - and even more surprised by the fact that many communities here in Florida require it. Reasons for cleaning include aesthetics, property values, energy efficiency, and increased longevity of the roof.
Installing a Home Theater System
Thinking about installing a home theater system? You're not alone. Home theater is one of the fastest growing areas areas in home entertainment and the advent of DVD recorders and HDTV means your set-up can now be entirely digital, without an inch of video tape in site.
Understanding Air Purifiers
Purchasing an air purifier can be confusing, and you do get an awful lot of information thrown at you when you visit the different manufacturing websites, don't you? How can you tell what's what, and why do we need air filters anyway? And how do air purifiers work? Is the air really that bad? Haven't we been breathing the same air for thousands of years? Yes and no. First of all, we've been breathing the same air for thousands of years, but we live in a symbiotic relationship with the plants around us - that is, we rely on each other to survive.
Persian Carpets - Popular Styles
There are numerous styles of Persian carpets. In fact there are over 300 different variations.
I Need What Part?
One of the first things you learn as a homeowner is that you may own your home, but you don't actually live in it full time. You get to spend the rest of your time living in the hardware store or hardware dept of your local retail store.
Color Help: Color Theory and Design Psychology
Color theory is an entire science unto itself, and to get a full picture of how it all works, I'd suggest picking up a few art books. In this article, however, we're going to take a brief look at the essentials of color theory, in light of the concepts of Design Psychology.
The Health Benefits Of Drinking Water - Is Bottled Drinking Water Healthier Than Filtered Tap Water?
Water is a key ingredient in a healthy diet and lifestyle. There are many health benefits of drinking water.
Sparkling, Clean Lighting Will Add The Perfect Touch To Your Home
When one thinks of the many factors that affect the look of a room, most people think only of the paint and furniture. In doing so, they overlook the most important factor: Lighting.
Beautiful, Sparkling Chandeliers!
If you want to add extra spark to rooms, consider adding chandeliers to the rooms. Chandeliers offer added elegance and charm as well as light.
Rodent Proofing Your Home
It's that time of year where rats and mice are apt to enter our homes. Lets talk a bit about their abilities and senses first.
Creating Dynamic Window Coverings Without Breaking the Budget
When creating dynamic window coverings, it's important to choose carefully, because your window coverings will become the focal points of a well-decorated room. But choosing the right window treatments, at the right price, takes some thought about not only the look you're hoping to achieve, but also about the nature of the space itself.
A Well Chosen Bathroom Vanity Will Make Your Bathroom Look Great!
A bathroom vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom. Regardless of how well the rest of the bathroom is decorated, it just won't look right without the right bathroom vanity cabinet.

More Home Improvement Information:

Related Articles

Planning Permission Tips UK - Conservatories - Dispelling a Myth
It's now well into the new year and the residential development scene has got off to a good start again. All this talk about 'slow down' certainly hasn't affected peoples desire to improve rather than move.
Outdoor Kitchens - Simple and Sophisticated
After September 11, many of us decided to stay closer to home. We are electing to remodel our existing homes instead of buying new and moving.
Planning Permission UK - Tactics if Appealing to the DOE for a Planning Refusal
Tactics of Appealing to the DOE - There will be times in any Design Agents career when a clients scheme will be refused Planning Permission. Fortunately, our experience is now at a point when we can normally forecast these schemes & steer the client away from that design solution.
Electrical Safety and Power Tools
Power tools are one of the greatest conveniences for getting handyman jobs and professional jobs done quickly, but since power tools often run on electricity, it is essential that safety instructions are followed.Here are a few quick power tool safety tips.
Hand Stripping Furniture
Directions for HAND Stripping.Work with plenty of ventilation, safety goggles or glases, and skin protection.
Electric Radiant Floor Heating
Electric radiant floor heating systems are heating systems designed for use under carpeting, area rugs, tile, stone, and laminate wood floors and have been used in Europe, South Africa, and Australia for over 20 years.Radiant heat does away with the age-old problems of cold rooms by offering easy-to-install zone heating.
Making Space for Sacred Space
When you read a great inspirational book, prayer, or article, don't you think to yourself, "What a great idea! I should do more daily rituals, prayer, meditation."? It always seems like a great idea, right? We know that sacred practices and sacred space bring peace, harmony, joy, and ease into our lives.
Basic Methods of Foundation Waterproofing
It is absolutely necessary to waterproof the foundation of your home. Foundation waterproofing is a critical step in maintaining your home's value and an important measure for preventing very serious damage.
Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter - Overlooked Sources of Heat Loss in the Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long - the heat loss, cold drafts, and wasted energy! Well if your home has a folding attic stair, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home!These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause your heat pour out and the cold outside air pour in - costing you higher heating bills, causing cold drafts, and wasting energy.Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home.
New Trends in Design & Comfortable Living
For the past several years I have seen the emergence of a new trend called 'Lifestyling'. Lifestyling encompasses many elements on gracious living, extravagant and memorable entertaining, architecture, home design, and tips on where to live comfortably in spaces large and small, with less effort or clutter than you can imagine.
Installing a Toilet
The installation of a toilet is a relatively easy job for a homeowner. With a couple of wrenches, a screwdriver and a few shims a new toilet can be installed in about one hour.
How to Install a Ceiling Fan - A Simple Guide
A Complete manual on how to install a Ceiling Fan may take more than just an article; it may all even take up an entire booklet. Let me just give you a simple, no-nonsense essential guide in installing a ceiling fan.
Interconnects for Your Audio/Video System - Choosing The Proper Cables
Research & DevelopmentI began designing audio and video interconnect cables in 1988. I was asked to develop custom interconnects for discriminating audio and videophiles, who wanted to see and hear the quality of their components and the source material without added personality from their interconnects.
Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?
A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical clocks have faces and hands.
Spring Into Action: Home Maintenance
Spring has sprung! Even more important than buds, birds, and bees, spring brings buyers! When buyers are looking for a place to nest, they would really rather not see problems. As it turns out, nearly every home inspected has problems or imperfections of some sort or size.
Strongly Scented Candles: Use your mouth, nose and eyes to tell
Triple scented, heavily scented, strongly scented - these are all phrases candle manufacturers are using to tout their claim that their candles have more "smell" for your buck. In reality, these claims only act to confuse most consumers.
Rodent Proofing Your Home
It's that time of year where rats and mice are apt to enter our homes. Lets talk a bit about their abilities and senses first.
How To Choose Decorative, Recessed Locking Mailboxes
Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailboxfor your home? There is a large selection of mailboxes fromwhich to choose, and you may wonder which is the rightmailbox for you. A recessed locking mailbox is a perfectway to keep your mail safe from prying eyes, and can beinstalled on the exterior of your home or as part of afreestanding mailbox.
Work From Home and Make Money from On-line Rewards and Incentives Programs
You'll be amazed at how much free money you can make when you work from home answering surveys, accepting offers, and reading e-mails. Simple tasks like these can help you earn cash without leaving the house.
Summer Is Here! Consider Tackling Key Home Improvement Projects While The Weather Is Good!
Summer time means barbeques, baseball, camping, and yes, Home Improvement Projects! As the weather gets nice and the days get longer so do lists of home improvement projects. Here are a few projects which are best done in the summer maximizing the long days and the good weather!Gardening/Landscaping: Depending on which part of the country you live in it may be too late to plant a garden from seed, but you most likely still have time to get your garden going using starters.