December always brings with it a sense of nostalgia, festive cheer, and the impending doom of knowing you only have a short time before you need to get your act together on January 1st.
That’s right, the time to write your New Year’s resolutions has arrived, and for 2022, your home isn’t off the hook. By coming up with just a handful of tasks to complete around your house, you can help it start the New Year in better shape. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Check for damage around your house.
The truth of the matter is, the most costly and extreme damage that faces many houses happens over a long period of time. To avoid this and catch any issues before they become emergencies, make it a priority to do a check up around your home. Look for water stains, ruined paint, warped floorboards, and other problem areas and address them ASAP.
Clean up your deck.
Yes, your deck does exist outside, but that doesn’t give you the excuse to never clean it. Take a little time to clear any debris from your structure, both around the deck boards themselves as well as posts and stairs. You want to keep those areas open to avoid rot that can lead to structural damage in the future.
Check windows and doors for gaps.
As homes age, their windows and doors tend to move and form gaps. This can be caused by your house settling, or simply by age and use. Walk around your house and check all of your windows and doors for gaps, especially where they meet up with trim. If you find any, go ahead and caulk them right away to avoid further problems.
Adjust doors and windows to stop energy leaks.
This is important if you do find any gaps in your doors and windows while inspecting them. Caulking can work wonders, but if your window or door needs a little more attention, especially where they open and close, do your best to adjust the feature so that you stop any air from leaking through it. When energy leaks like this, you are not only costing your family comfort, but you are paying for it with your monthly utility bills.
We at McCray Lumber and Millwork wish you—and your home—a happy and healthy New Year!