The first day of spring has arrived! Soon spring blossoms will usher away the winter cold, and now it is time to take care of a few important improvements around your home. The cold, harsh weather can damage your home. Below are some spring home improvement projects that can help to reduce the damage that cold weather brings!

  • Repair storm doors and weatherstripping. Harsh winter temps and strong winds can take a toll on storm doors. Many times doors can become bent, broken or can pull away from the doorjamb. It is important to repair these damages as drafts can cause expensive energy losses.
  • It is vital to have your air conditioner serviced before warm weather. Having a professional check the system and make sure it is in good running condition before you start it for the season can save money and headaches. Be sure to change your filters as well as a good furnace filter can help reduce allergens. When filters become clogged with dust, efficiency is reduced. Change filters quarterly or sooner if they look dirty.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts. No one likes this chore but it is very important to make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good working condition before summer storms.
  • It is important to repair any water damage that might have occured during the winter. Damage can be repaired easily on the outside of the home by filling the area with an epoxy patch, rather than replacing the damaged area. For small areas that need repair, use a chisel to dislodge most of the loose, rotted wood. Drill a few 1/4-inch holes into the damaged wood. Soak the entire rotted area with liquid epoxy "consolidant" to transform the area into a sturdy base for filler. Let the wood absorb it for about 5 minutes, then reapply, wait, reapply, and continue until the wood ceases to accept consolidant.