Now’s The Time To Do Those Winter Projects

Around-the-house projects for the winter probably outnumber the days bad weather will keep you inside. But if you plan now to do them, spring won’t bring a sudden halt before you even get started.

What are these projects? That depends a great deal on your home. But there are some that may be common to every household. For example:

Storage space. How many times have you griped that you’re not using your storage space efficiently? Now is the time to reorganize that closet, to finally organize that cabinet, to sort out the old and donate it.

There are businesses that will do all this organization for you, of course, or you could do it yourself.

Home centers and some hardware stores now carry several types of do-it-yourself room or closet organizers.

Remember the cardinal rule, though. Measure first, buy second.

Wood projects. Got anything of wood around your home? Towel bars? Toilet seats? Shelves? Window ledges? I’ll bet some could use new stain and a protective seal.

Plumbing. While this word is enough to scare most people, don’t let it keep you from repair or maintenance projects on a small scale.

Do you have a faucet that drips? How about a faucet handle that’s “cranky” and won’t turn properly? Is there a green mildew buildup around the base of a faucet? How about finally changing those ugly faucet handles you’ve hated for years?

Light switches. Dissatisfied with those old light switches? Replace them. The variety of styles is incredible.

Strip. As in weatherstrip. Do you sit around in a coat each evening because cold outside air permeates your home? Weatherstripping has never been easier. Whether it’s a roll of synthetic rubber or a plate you screw to the bottom of your front door, anyone can do it, sometimes without any tools.

Dangers. What kinds of potential dangers are there around your home that you could fix now?

How’s the charge on your fire extinguishers? If they’re low, have them recharged. Look on the extinguisher label for a telephone number you can call to find the closest recharging facility.

Lubricate. If you have a roll-up garage door, consider lubricating the wheels and screw-drive before it gets stuck. Be sure to use a salve lubricant. Using a spray will work on an immediate basis but won’t last. In fact, it will only attract dust and dirt.

Remember those hinges that make your doors squeak? Now’s the time to lubricate them also. A simple household oil - lightly applied - should cancel that squeak.

Polish. Got any brass around the house that needs polishing and protecting? There are kits on the market for doing both. Find one with a lacquer application.

If you just want to protect your newly cleaned brass with what you have on hand, use a good automobile wax.

Tile. Got a few cracks in your tile grout? If there are many, consider removing the grout and replacing it with new.

However, if there are only a few, try off-the-shelf products specifically designed for fill and protection. The only problem is that the fill-in spots may not match other areas.