The winter months are the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects. With shorter days and colder temperatures, finding the motivation to get out and enjoy outdoor activities can be challenging. But now’s the perfect time to make much-needed improvements to your home. Here are ten of the best home improvement projects you can do this winter.
Wash Your Windows
The first project to tackle is washing your windows. While you may be tempted to put off this task until spring, it’s best to do it now. Once winter passes, pollen and other allergens will start showing up in the air, making it difficult for those with allergies to open their windows and let in some fresh air. So, take advantage of the colder weather now and clean your windows inside and out for a clearer view.
Replace Your Furnace Filter
As the temperature drops, your furnace will likely be getting a lot of use. To keep it running efficiently and ensure that air is running cleanly throughout your home, make sure you replace the filter every three months or so. A clogged filter can reduce airflow and your heating system’s effectiveness. It’s also a good idea to have your furnace inspected annually to ensure it’s running efficiently.
Dye Test Your Toilet
Another common home improvement project to tackle this winter is performing a dye test on your toilet tank. This simple test can help you check for leaks and detect any costly water damage that may be occurring in your home. All you need to do is add a few drops of food coloring or brightly colored liquid ink into the tank, wait for a few hours, and then check if the color has traveled into the toilet bowl. If it has, you may have a leak that needs to be fixed.
Install New Lighting
Not only can new lighting fixtures make your home look more modern and inviting, but they can also save you money in the long run. Look for energy-efficient LED bulbs that use less power and give off a brighter light than traditional incandescent bulbs. New lighting can help brighten up dark corners of your home or add some much-needed ambiance.
Update Your Faucets
One of the easiest ways to upgrade the look and feel of your home is by updating your bathroom or kitchen fixtures. New faucets are often more efficient than older models, but they can also give an outdated space a fresh and modern look. From single-handle pull-downs to wall-mounted styles, there are plenty of options available that will fit your budget.
Re-caulk Doors & Windows
Re-caulking doors and windows around your home is an inexpensive way to improve insulation and save money on energy bills this winter season. By sealing off any drafty areas that may be letting cold air into your house from outside sources, such as windows or doors that don’t fit tightly against their frames anymore due to age or wear over time due to weathering conditions over multiple seasons of use.
Clean Out Gutters & Downspouts
Cleaning gutters and downspouts are essential to maintaining a healthy roofing system for any home during every season. But during winter, it’s even more crucial as snow can accumulate quickly in your gutters and downspouts, causing more debris buildup. If not appropriately cleaned before building up too much, debris buildup could cause costly damage later.
Add Insulation To Basement Floors & Walls
Adding insulation around basement floors and walls helps keep cold air from entering through cracks in those areas while also helping maintain even interior temperatures throughout your house year-round. Proper insulation is crucial during winter when temperatures drop drastically outside, causing uneven temperature levels inside your home if your insulation isn’t installed correctly. Make sure your basement walls and floors are adequately insulated to improve the overall comfort level of your home.
Repair Drafty Doors & Windows
Drafty doors and windows allow cold air into homes during winter, resulting in higher energy costs. Improper seals allow heat out while letting cold air in, which will drive up your overall energy costs. Inspect your windows and doors for any signs of gaps or loose seals, and if you find any, consider adding new energy-efficient seals to improve efficiency. This simple step can help save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
Regrout Bathroom Tiles
Bathroom tiles can quickly become discolored over time due to water buildup or lack of proper cleaning. But regrouting them is a relatively simple process that can help make your bathroom look much cleaner and more modern. Not only does this improve the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom, but it also helps increase the longevity of your tile as well. With the right tools and materials, such as a grout removal tool, grout float, and epoxy grout sealer, you can easily breathe new life into your bathroom’s old tiled walls and floors.
Get Your Projects Moving!
Winter is often seen as a time when outdoor activities take center stage. However, it can also be an excellent time for tackling indoor projects such as upgrading lighting fixtures, repairing drafty doors and windows, insulating basement floors and walls, cleaning gutters and downspouts, and installing programmable thermostats. All of these projects will help keep you warm this season while saving money on energy bills! So don’t let these colder months pass without making some improvements—your wallet (and body!) will thank you!
