Home Performance
Home Performance
August Weekend
Project Tips
Autumn is approaching, so now is the
perfect time to prepare your home for the upcoming colder weather.
Here's where to begin:
First weekend: garage
door service
Make sure the tracks,
springs, and any other moving parts of your garage door are well lubricated
with motor oil. Next, take a look at those big, heavy, springs and make
sure that there is a safety wire run inside of the spring.
Check the garage door
opener's safety reverse system. There should also be an electric
eye that protects the bottom edge of the garage door. If your garage
door doesn't have at least these two safety systems, replace the garage
door opener!
Finally, clean the
weather stripping along the frame of the garage door and at the bottom.
Wash the exterior of the garage door.
Second weekend:
Add attic insulation
The EPA's Energy Star
Program recommend at least 12 inches of insulation (R-38) for most homes.
Homes in colder climates should have around 16 inches (R-49) of insulation.
Third
weekend: Clean and sanitize all garbage cans
The garbage can is
probably the most under rated appliance in the home. Once a month, take
all indoor trash cans outside for a thorough cleaning.
Fourth weekend: Protect
your home from robbery
It will be getting
darker earlier, meaning burglars get to start their work day earlier.
Look for potential entry points.
Trim back bushes to
keep entry points exposed, replace some landscaping with plants that
have thorns for a natural way to prevent burglary, add motion detectors
to some of your lights, make sure the doors to your home have secure
locking systems (and never give the key to your home to anyone when
you leave for vacation). Stop newspaper delivery and mail if you
travel. And have an alarm system to monitor fire and carbon monoxide.
Additional home improvement ideas like these and more can be
found at Moneypit.com.
