Homeowners often run out of free time once summer ends, so now may be a good time to complete a number of do-it-yourself projects.

Install Ceiling Fans
One great summer DIY project that many homeowners might not realize can help them all year long is installing ceiling fans, and specifically those that rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise. While some fans can cost a bit of money – potentially hundreds of dollars depending upon brand and how many are being purchased – installing them now, while the weather is still hot, can significantly reduce cooling costs.

Because hot air rises, a ceiling fan that runs clockwise will pull cooler air up from the floor and redistribute it from the top of the room. This can have the effect of cooling a room by as much as 10 degrees in the summer, without the use of an air conditioner. Likewise, a ceiling fan running counterclockwise in the winter will push more of the hot air coming out of heating vents and radiators back toward the floor.

Projects for Your Home’s Exterior
Great summer weather for most folks won’t last much longer; therefore it’s always a great idea to ensure a home is completely prepared for the fall and winter months. Pressure washing pathways, decks and siding is a great way to beautify a home in just a few hours, without the need to repaint or repave. Renting a pressure washer for the day will usually cost less than $100 from a local hardware store.

Taking the time to clean out gutters and repair them before leaves start to fall and potentially compound clogs or lead to other drainage issues. Getting this done ahead of the winter months – when melting snow and ice can create major problems if left unaddressed – is vital.

The Right Approach
Now might also be the time to make sure you have the proper guidance/guidelines to actually do the DIY jobs you have set out to do. For example, using a power washer is a great way to keep a home looking beautiful, but if operated incorrectly, this tool can be dangerous both to the user and the property. Taking all due caution, studying how to use tools properly, and having the right safety equipment on hand is important

Likewise, when cleaning out gutters, having another person there to hold the ladder is a minimum safety measure that should be taken.

There are some home improvement jobs that should not be undertaken by inexperienced homeowners under just about any circumstances. A little research can go a long way toward determining what’s a reasonable project to DIY and what’s better left to the pros. 

Need help with your home project? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can recommend vetted service vendors to you,

Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty.  HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers. To learn more click www.hmsnational.com