Long gone are the dogs days of summer where drinking an ice cold beverage on the beach was a regular occurrence. It’s now Fall where everything is pumpkin-spiced and the weather is not too hot, but not too cold either. During the warmer months, we have a tendency to procrastinate and put off tasks around the house. That’s understandable because the heat can be unbearable in the Carolinas. Now is the time to fix up things that may have broken, clean up certain areas that have been neglected and improve the overall look and livability of your home. Below are a few home improvement projects to consider this fall that won’t break the bank, but will make an impact on your daily life at home.
Become More Energy Efficient
In the Fall, you want to keep the warm air in and the cold air out, right? Failure to do so can cause your HVAC system to work a little harder, which can escalate your electric bill. Nobody wants that. Caulking around doors, windows and siding is an easy way to save some of your hard earned money. To determine where you need to caulk, walk around the inside of your house with a lighted incense stick. If the smoke starts blowing, take care of that area. It’s best to caulk when the temperature is above 40 degrees, so that it takes.
Insulate Your Attic
Your attic is definitely the last place you want to be in during the summer. That is unless you are looking to soak your clothes in sweat in a short period of time! Aside from the heat, it’s best to wait until Fall to insulate your attic anyway. Why? Well, you are able to feel a draft when the weather begins to cool down. That’s an easy way of figuring out where you need to improve your insulation.
Clean Out The Gutters & Downspouts
Gutters are extremely underrated. They are one of those things that you don’t think about when they are working as they should, but when they don’t, you will pay the price. Clogged gutters can lead to overflowing water which can pool in your yard or mulch and bring added moisture to your foundation. To ensure that water is being tunneled correctly, grab a pair of gloves, a small bucket and a ladder. It’s useful to have someone help you with this task to either hold the bucket, make sure you don’t fall of your ladder or both. Once you are finished, take a bring up a hose and spray some water down your gutters to make sure that everything is working as it should.
Organize The Garage
Here in the South, many of us use the garage as an extra room to hangout and watch sports. If that’s the case, perhaps this project isn’t for you. This project is for those who park their cars in the garage and use it to store beach chairs, cornhole boards, sports balls, paint cans, the list goes on. As life goes on, more and more things pile up, which can lead to a messy environment. We recommend checking out Pinterest or YouTube for tips and tricks on how to organize this part of your house. You may be surprised how much you can actually fit securely in the garage!
As always, if you are looking to improve the look of your home with a new roof, James Hardie siding or an outside deck at your home in Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh or Wilmington areas, Contract Exteriors is here to help!
