Practical DIY Projects to Complete Over a Winter Weekend


(StatePoint) While many home renovation projects are best tackled during the warmer months, there are specific minor repairs and tasks that are important to address in winter.

These quick projects are easy to complete in a weekend and will make for a more cozy, organized winter home.

Service the Furnace. It’s easy to get behind on regular home upkeep duties during the busy holiday season. But now that the holidays are over, it’s time to take stock of your furnace. During winter months, dirt and debris buildup on the furnace air filter can keep your home from being heated efficiently. If you haven’t already, replace the old filter and be sure to swap in a new one every three to six months to ensure proper heating and cooling.

Tend to the Woodpile. If you plan to use a fireplace this season, protect your woodpile from the harsh elements, like sleet and snow. Store the wood in an open storage area that allows the wind to pass through and cover the top of the pile with a tarp to keep the wood from getting wet. Secure the tarp with The Original Duck Tape brand Duct Tape for a long-lasting and durable hold. The easy-to-tear tape will create a strong hold that will keep your logs dry and in place throughout the cold season.

Reorganize the Basement. Before packing up all your holiday décor, head to the basement and sort through other seasonal items and clutter. Fix and seal broken storage bins or tree and wreath bags with Duck Max Strength brand Duct Tape. You also can use this time to update labels to ensure belongings are properly stowed away and can be found quickly the following year.

Keep the Cold Out. Stop chilly air from seeping into your home by checking areas where drafts are most common, such as around doors and windows. To prevent the cold air from coming in and the heat from escaping, seal the gaps around windows with weatherstrip seals, and the openings under doors with a draft seal. This simple DIY project will keep rooms warm and cozy and can even save you money on your heating bill.

Taking advantage of downtime over a winter weekend to catch up on these routine maintenance projects will ensure your home continues to run smoothly from season to season.


More Resources


Tearing Down the House
Last year, we bought this big ol' 1887 house. We are just now coming to grips with the magnitude of the "upgrades" planned.
Removing Your Old Wood Double Hung Windows
Last week I told you how to measure your wood window openings to properly order your new vinyl replacement windows. This week I'm going to explain how to remove your old windows.
Planning Permission Tips UK - Is Todays Popular Quest For Contemporary Design The New Bad Taste
Can you remember when people used to install slatted louvre windows as replacement units in their Victorian semis or the stone cladding revolution of the 1980's.We look back & 'tut tut' at these blunders with a comfortable glow of self satisfaction that we would never make such obvious design & development errors in our own projects - we have a far greater sense of good taste haven't we?Trends in the residential development world seem to go in huge swings of about 7 to 10 year cycles and it is often not until the end of one cycle we realise what the mistakes were which is usually triggered by the complete abandonment of the previous trend or methodology for another system.
Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off
Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves.
Scented Candles - Take Me AWAY!
Remember the old Calgon commercial-"Take me away Calgon!" There's only one thing that can take you away faster than a Calgon bath, and that's a scented candle. Whether you want a breath of fresh spring air, or you want to transport yourself to a South Sea paradise minus the hassle of airport security, crowded, delayed flights and lost baggage, grab a scented candle, and travel wherever your imagination leads.
How to Use Do-It-Yourself Toxic Mold Test Kits
VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many homeowners, landlords, renters, property managers, business owners, and employees want to know, and need to know, the precise identities of the various toxic mold species inhabiting their home, rental property, or place of work, according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of the mold book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation.
The Benefits of Small Dehumidifiers
So it's too humid in your 10' X 10' bedroom. Or perhaps the steam in your bathroom is starting to make the wallpaper peel.
The Techno-Witch and Magickal Appliances
My favourite episode of Bugs Bunny is the one where Bugs turns into a witch and says: "We ride vacuum cleaners now".It is true that the vacuum cleaner can be substituted for a broom to do a spell.
Metal Carports: Steel Carport Guide
Buying a carport to protect your investment can be a very frustrating task. With hundreds of manufacturers claiming to have the best product, how do you know who to trust? First you must ask yourself, are they out to make a buck, or to protect my truck? The first line of defense is to know what makes a good carport and the second is to trust your first instinct and know that you are protecting your mobile investments.
Mexico: Who Farted?
Do you have embarrassing gas problems? Do you find this problem creeping up on you when you least expect it? I bet not.If you have lived in the United States all your life, I bet you've never seen a gas main or line and have just taken it on faith that it is there pumping gas into your house.
Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui
Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the ancient Chinese art of luck management, which works by maximising the flow of energy (known as 'Chi') in your environment. Every object, inanimate or living, possesses its own energy field and also has an affect on the flow of Chi in your environment.
The Ten Most Important Feng Shui Design Tips
If you wish to learn how to manage interior design according to feng shui design guidelines, there are some major tips you must know. We wish to help you achieve a balanced and harmonic feng shui design for any environment you wish it to be.
How About a Jungle Mural to Put Some Swing Into Your Child's Room?
If your child loves all different types of animals, a jungle mural is a great way to make their room a fun and enjoyable place. You might be thinking how you will be able to achieve such a task, especially if you do not have artistic talents.
Art and Design
Maybe you've faced it before - a new house with an empty room or two. This room is just crying out for some furniture.
Ceiling Fan Blades
A ceiling fan consists of three basic parts, namely the motor; blades and the mounting device. The standard ceiling fans comprises of three to five blades.
Interconnects for Your Audio/Video System - Choosing The Proper Cables
Research & DevelopmentI began designing audio and video interconnect cables in 1988. I was asked to develop custom interconnects for discriminating audio and videophiles, who wanted to see and hear the quality of their components and the source material without added personality from their interconnects.
New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen
For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most of the companies producing aqueous Paint emulsions, the most preferred thickening agent was Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC).
Types of Table Saws
A table saw is one of the most popular pieces of machinery used for woodworking. It consists of a circular saw powered by an electric motor that is mounted onto a table.
Tuscan Style Decorating For The Kitchen
A Tuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm into your kitchen and make it a warm homey room to gather in. The Tuscan style incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents to create a time worn look.
Fixer-Uppers: What To Fix
You've bought a house, a fixer-upper you can make some money on. What improvements and repairs should you make? First of all, you need to know this before you buy, as I explained in another article.

More Home Improvement Information:

Related Articles


Types of Table Saws
A table saw is one of the most popular pieces of machinery used for woodworking. It consists of a circular saw powered by an electric motor that is mounted onto a table.
The Benefits of Radiant Heat, Comparison
What are the Benefits of Radiant Heating and how do they compare to other heating applications?You maybe be considering radiant heat to install into your existing or your new home but don't quite understand the advantages or the differences between heating applications? Well we would like to inform you of the benefits and the comparisons to other heating applications available.Some of the benefits of radiant heat are:Comfort: Let your bare feet soak up the warmth of soothing heat without the dust and noise associated with other heating sources.
How to Modify Your Landscaping to Protect Your House from Burglars
Believe it or not, landscaping can be an important part of a good home security plan. A burglar who is "casing the joint" from the street will choose the house with tall shrubs and trees that provide hiding places.
How to Install a New Toilet in 5 Easy Steps
If your toilet is old and in need of repairs, it is cheaper to replace it by installing a new one. This is quite easy to do and can be completed in an afternoon.
Grandfather Clocks Bring a Sense of Awe?Theyre So Tall
Standing tall and big are the stately grandfather clocks. They are huge, immense beings with personalities of their own, and do they tell time.
How To Buy A Conservatory In The UK
The first question is, what is a conservatory?There is no standard definition of what constitutes a conservatory (apart from "greenhouse"). This is one reason why quotes vary so widely.
Gas Stoves - Pros and Cons
Gas stoves are those preferred by professionals. The heat distribution is more even than that of electric stoves, and heat precision is more accurate.
Feng Shui Your Home, Work and Life For Balance and Harmony
Feng Shui describes the communication that takes place every day between you and your environment, be it your home, garden or work. This discipline investigates the universal feelings and reactions of human beings to all environments, including our world.
Fire Hazard Alert - Is Your Dryer Ready to Ignite
In recent years there has been many stories about dryers catching on fire. Should we be concerned? Yes of course.
Country Home Accessories
Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it's no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor.
Router Bits Basics
A router bit is a tool for woodworking giving a quality finish to woodwork. It cuts wood providing a way to give a clean and even a decorative edge to woodwork.
Can You Buy Luxury Home Brands Online and Save - Worry Free?
Are you frustrated with the high prices you've been quoted for luxury home decor?What if you could safely take advantage of the great selection and value of online shopping for home decor items that are normally $1,000, $5,000, even $10,000?Here's some great news for people who need to bring their new dream home or home renovation costs under control.Multitudes are making the most of their dollars by shopping for bathtubs, bath fixtures, fireplaces, and kitchen fixtures online with "customer first" outlet sites.
Is It Time For Solar Energy to Get Hot?
Solar energy has been around for quite a while and most people don't think about it much except for the ones who are already into renewable sources of energy. Environmentalists have always loved the idea of solar energy but what has kept it from going more mainstream, being more widely used and looked upon as something someone wants to spend money to install on their property? There have been improvements in the technology of solar energy, but has there been enough? Isn't the war on terror and the desire to be independent of foreign energy sources enough to persuade people to use solar energy? At what point will solar energy become the great and never ending source of energy many of envisioned many years ago?Well, I, for one, think that the time has just about come for solar energy to really take off because of one reason: it will be economically the right and smart thing to do.
Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter - Overlooked Sources of Heat Loss in the Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long - the heat loss, cold drafts, and wasted energy! Well if your home has a folding attic stair, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home!These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause your heat pour out and the cold outside air pour in - costing you higher heating bills, causing cold drafts, and wasting energy.Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home.
Bathroom Vanity Cabinets - Considerations Before Buying Bathroom Vanities Online
Bathroom vanity cabinets are an essential component of any bathroom and can add drama to your design and decor. Bathroom sink cabinets provide countertop space, a place for the sink and faucets and great storage below.
11 Tips for Stripping Wallpaper: How to Get Rid of Ugly Wallpaper!
I broke my promise to myself and stripped wallpaper again. The only reason I did this is for $100,000 profit.
If You Want to Bring Your Bathroom Up to Date, Consider Fitting a Shower Stall
Modern shower stalls look sleek and stylish. If you have the space, adding a shower stall in addition to your bathtub can be a great way to improve your bathroom.
The Secret to Your Home's Interior Design
The secret to your home's interior design is Love.If you love yourself, you create a home for your happiness.
Building A Pair Of Heavy Duty Saw Horses
Start out by measuring and cutting all your stock according to the cutting list and set it aside. Take the legs and mark out the tapers.
Heat Up the Hot Tub from 20,000 Feet
Homeowners are getting high-tech when it comes to controlling the appliances in their homes, but they insist the control systems are reliable, convenient and easily understood. Technology isn't fun to use if you feel like you need a master's degree in engineering to make things work.