12 Warm-Weather Home Projects to Start Now
By Pro.com
Special to Yahoo Homes
Warm weather greets us most mornings now, making this the best time to begin household tasks that can’t be done in extremely high or low temperatures. The benefits for starting this work now are numerous. Keeping doors and windows open lets paint and other finishes dry more quickly. Family members can stay outside longer than normal, keeping the interior work area free of renovation traffic.
You’ll want to get both your home and yard ready now so you don’t miss out on any summer fun. Consider one or more of the following:
1. Add a Deck
If you only do one home improvement project this year, this one will raise your property value considerably when you decide to sell your home. Decks provide extra space, enable you to invite more people to your parties, gives your home aesthetic appeal and the cost for a deck works well for those on a budget.
2. Refurbish Your Deck
You already have a deck, but the weather from previous years has gotten the best of it. Start with a thorough cleaning, and then seal the cracks and crevices before applying at least one good coat of paint or stain.
3. Pressure Wash Your House
Depending on the size of your house, you may or may not want to take on this job yourself. If it makes sense and you’ll use it often, buy a pressure washer. Otherwise, borrow or rent one. Be sure to select the correct spray or you might just remove the paint from your home along with the dirt.
4. Paint Your Home’s Exterior
Prolonged dry, warm weather and painting go together well because dry wood absorbs paint better and the paint will dry faster. A new coat of paint improves your home’s curb appeal and can increase the home’s value.
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5. Repair or Replace Your Roof
Some roofing materials like the adhesives and underlayment require an outdoor temperature above 40 degrees. Now is the ideal time to take action with your roof, whether it’s replacing a few tiles or totally replacing your old roof.
6. Get Ahead of Summer Pests
If certain critters normally become a problem in the summer, you can try a natural deterrent now to keep bees, wasps, mice and other pests away. Or, call a pest control company to find out what kind of infestations are expected this summer and create an unwelcoming environment for them now.
7. Install a New Front Door
For an affordable upgrade to your décor and your security, buy a new wood, metal or fiberglass door. It’s also another way to make the outside of your home more appealing. Supposedly a red door means welcome, white signifies purity and serenity, purple symbolizes energy, blue suggests abundance and prosperity and green represents balance and compassion.
8. Update Your House Numbers
Often first responders like firefighters, police officers or paramedics can only find you by your address. You want that to be large, clear and illuminated in the dark. In some jurisdictions, it’s against the law not to have obvious house numbers displayed. You also may want to paint them on your curb making it obvious where you are.
9. Clean Your Carpet
If you enjoy the backbreaking job of moving furniture, you can do this yourself. However, many professional carpet cleaners will do the heavy lifting for you and even put furniture back in its place. Carpets dry faster when you can leave the doors and windows open in warm weather.
10. Paint a Concrete Floor
Oil-based or latex floor paint usually adheres to interior concrete. You’ll want to test it first to make sure no areas of the surface collect water. If they don’t, then paint away. No sealer or protective coatings required.
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11. Insulate the Attic
This helps your HVAC system work efficiently during the summer when you’re using your air conditioner. Also, an attic fan will blow away super-heated air and not burden your cooling appliance with it.
12. Caulk Windows and Doors
Prevent drafts and save money on heating. Summer makes the ideal time to do this because the caulk hardens properly and sticks to wherever you apply it.
Pro.com is a website founded in 2013 by service industry entrepreneurs and former Amazon executives to simplify home services -- especially research on contractor fees and qualifications.
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