Home Fix-Ups

Saturday, March 1, 2003

(NAPSA)—Thecrisp autumnair, changing foliage and cooler temperaturesoffall are a good timeto tackle home improvementprojects. There are a numberof simple homeprojects aroundthe housethat will help prepare your homefor the winter months ahead. Here are some simple homefixup projects to get your home in shapethisfall: * Gutter Buster—Falling leaves, twigs and pine needles can block downspouts and cause rainwater to overflow gutters. Clean your gutters after most of the leaves have fallen and check for and repair any problems. To keep gutters clear for next fall, install meshor perforated leaf shields. Now Adhere This—Cracked bathroom tiles, peeling linoleum and chipped moldingcan easily be replaced to give rooms a fresh look. The Loctite Power Grab Pressure Pack™ (www.loctiteprod ucts.com) is a high-strength construction adhesive designed for multi-surface use on surfaces such as concrete, brick, veneer, treated lumber, plywood and drywall. In addition, the pressure pack is easy to dispense and no extra caulk gun is needed. Avoid Drafty Situations— Part of your fall chores should be checking your home’s doors and windows for areas where cool air can leak in, and warm air can escape. To make them draft free, make sure to maintain and upgrade weather stripping. All sorts of do-it-yourself materials are available: rope caulk, selfstick foam, and rubber weatherseals (www.duckproducts.com). The goal is to ensure that your windows and doors are snug but still operative. Keep the Heat—Fall is the perfect time to inspect insulation. Up to 80 percent of a home’s heat loss typically occurs aroundceilings, and can be dramatically reduced by adding insulation. Proper attic insulation is the key to cutting this loss, and will keep your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. If there is no flooring over ceiling joists, adding loose insulation is as easy as emptying the bags and spreading an even layer. If your attic has flooring, you may need to insulate between theroofrafters. No Smoking Section—Make sure to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the beginning of the season. Neat Freak—Sorting and reorganizing drawers, closets and cabinets can greatly improve the look of your home and it can be done without spending a fortune. Clean out your summer wardrobe and donate old clothing and furniture to local charities to help leave more space for items you use. With masking tape for labeling and a few plastic storage bins, boxes or baskets, you can easily bring orderto cluttered areas. Don’t feel like you have to tackle these home improvement tasks on your own. Have the entire family chip in and help out. And when you're done, be sure to reward everyone with a mug of hot apple cider.

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