15 Repairs You Need to Try at Home this Summer
Summer is here, and it’s a great time to take care of some home repairs. Repairing your home can be an inexpensive and hassle-free way to save money. You may need professional help for more challenging projects, but there are plenty of easy fixes that you can do yourself. We’ll share 15 common repairs in this guide that you should try at home this summer!
1. Replace old light bulbs with LED lights
Replacing your old lights with LEDs is one of the best things you can do to save energy and money. The newest LED lights can last anywhere between 20-100 times longer than the older incandescent bulbs.
LED lights also use less power than incandescent bulbs. This makes them much more efficient and eco-friendly! Replacing all your old light bulbs at home with these new ones could make a big difference in your monthly electric bill. If you spend $120 on electricity each month, replacing just three standard ceiling lamps would pay for itself within two years!
2. Paint your front door a bright color to make it stand out from the rest of the house
Paint your front door a bright color to make it stand out from the rest of your house. Not only will this allow you to find your front door with ease, but it can also be a great conversation starter for guests coming over! It also adds a lot of personality.
Hanging a stylized wreath on your front door is an easy and affordable way to spruce up the outside of your home. You can choose from many pre-made designs at local craft stores, or you could even try making one yourself out of dried leaves, wood pieces, and old string.
3. Install a new mailbox that matches your home’s exterior design
Matching your mailbox design to your home exterior is an easy way to add personality and curb appeal. If you have a brick mailbox, consider one with the same color tones as your house or even one with architectural designs.
4. Add rugs to make your space more inviting
Rugs are a great way to add some color and life to your living rooms and yard. You can find rugs in many different styles, but a quick search on Etsy will show you tons of examples for inexpensive options that are easy enough to add yourself or with the help of friends.
Try adding a modular sofa overtop of your rug to make a versatile space ready for any gatherings that you host.
5. Painting the Exterior of Your Home
Changing the color on the exterior of your home is a great way to brighten it up and give the property a new look. Paint colors don’t need to be all-out crazy, but you can start with just one wall or change out trim work for an inexpensive and quick update.
6. Removing Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings are a great way to add texture and style, but since they have a knack for collecting dust, they can also be tough on your lungs over time. If you have concerns about dust accumulation on your popcorn ceilings or want something new for the house, try cutting it out with an electric knife before painting it over with a flat finish.
7. Installing a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are great for making a room feel more comfortable on hot days. They’re also relatively easy to install, so you can save money by doing it yourself while knowing your hot summer days will be even more tolerable.
8. Fix Missing or Damaged Roofing
A damaged roof is hard to fix during the winter months, but if you plan to have any repairs done this summer, then make sure that the roofer covers all areas. Missing shingles or nails can cause water damage and lead to mold growth inside your home, which is never a good thing!
9. Clear Gutters & Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned out regularly. This can often get overlooked, but the debris that collects in them eventually has to go somewhere, and it’s usually dumped into your yard or driveway, which doesn’t look good!
10. Block Air Leaks
Air leaks in your home are a significant issue and can lead to higher utility bills and even mold growth. To make sure this doesn’t happen, seal up any gaps or cracks at ground level with spray foam insulation.
11. Patching a Hole in Drywall
Over time, you may find you’ve put some dents and holes in your walls. Rather than calling someone to do the repairs for you, this is a task that’s easy enough to take care of yourself!
12. Re-grouting Tile
Re-grouting your tile is a great way to get it looking as good as new. All you need is some grout and an old toothbrush or something similar for the job.
The grout needs to be mixed with water until it becomes a paste-like substance but not too runny. You’ll then want to apply this mixture evenly over your tile using a paint roller before smoothing out any gaps between tiles that may have appeared when applying the mix.
You may find that you don’t need very much of the grouting mix at all – meaning there will be lots left over for other projects around your home.
13. Pressure wash your deck
Giving your deck a proper cleaning is an excellent way to keep it looking fresh for years to come. What’s more, pressure washing your deck will also help reduce the risk of mold or mildew growth on its surface.
14. Window Maintenance
During the colder months, your windows may get a build-up of dirt and grime on their surface. This can cause them to fog, which, in turn, will limit the amount of natural sunlight coming into your home during the daytime.
15. Service Your Air Conditioner and Revamp Insulation
Your air conditioner and insulation can also benefit from a little TLC. Working with your HVAC technician to service the air conditioner unit, you can ensure that it will be running efficiently while saving money on energy costs in the long run. Meanwhile, replacing and upgrading insulation is an easy way of reducing drafts and ensuring heat retention within your home during the winter months.
Conclusion
We hope these tips have been helpful. Don’t forget that repairs are a year-round thing, and once your summer repairs are completed, you may want to look at repairs that should be done for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. If any repairs seem daunting to tackle on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a professional.