While you’re stuck at home during the pandemic, it’s a great time to take care of those home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. Since you’ve been staring at the same four walls every day, you probably have a good idea exactly what you need to take care of. But there may be some projects you might overlook such as DIY gutter cleaning or upgrading your home security system. Here are 15 DIY projects to start and finish during this quarantine.
Freshen Up Your Fence
Now that warmer weather has arrived, it’s an opportune time to get some sun and freshen up your fencing with new paint or an upgrade. If you don’t currently have a fence, there are many video tutorials online for you to learn how to build one using simple materials. It’s a project as simple as DIY gutter cleaning that you can finish in less than a weekend. It will also help you increase your home’s value and home security while you and your family are under self-isolation.
Roofing Repair
If you need a new roof, you may want to wait until the quarantine is over to hire professionals who can do the job right. If you try to do it yourself, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover any mistakes you make. However, there are a few things you can do yourself to repair your roofing. You can do things like applying a sealant to patch a roof leak or replace a couple of damaged shingles. You’ll be better off leaving extensive work to the professionals in order to not void your warranty.
Plumbing Quick Fixes
There are a few quick plumbing fixes you can tackle while you’re under lockdown. Any cracks in seals in your kitchen or bathroom can be caulked to prevent leaks and water damage. Leaky faucets and running toilets can be addressed by replacing them with newer models that have easy to follow instructions included. If you have a problem with water pressure with your showerhead, inspect it for lime accumulation. If there’s a visible buildup, remove the showerhead and spray plate and immerse them in a descaling solution then rinse and dry thoroughly before replacing.
Another thing you may want to take care of during quarantine is replacing your washing machine hose. It’s recommended that you replace it every five years or so to prevent leaks. Drain clogs are also a major annoyance every homeowner needs to address at some point. To prevent clogs in your shower, use a hair catcher, and clean it out every few days. Avoid dumping grease, fat, or large chunks of food down your kitchen sink.
Clean And Repair Your Gutters
Walk around the outside of your house and inspect the downspouts and gutters. Your gutters should be cleaned at least twice each year. If you didn’t clear them out before winter, it’s time for some DIY gutter cleaning. You should also make sure that your downspouts are at least five feet away from the house’s foundation to prevent water leakage into your basement.
If your gutters aren’t operating as they should, there are some simple gutter repair fixes you can do yourself. You can tighten up loose gutters by installing fascia hanger brackets to hold them securely in place. If you find water dripping behind your gutter, it’s because there is no flashing. Fasten a gutter apron with sheet metal screws to eliminate water collection. Also, make sure that seams and connections are properly sealed to reduce leaks.
Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding patio doors can offer you an amazing view of the outdoors for you to enjoy while you’re stuck inside. If this is your first time with glass door replacement, you may want to leave this project in the hands of a professional. If you’re still feeling confident, make sure you measure the opening before you head to the hardware store to get the perfect fit. Make sure you have the right tools as well. You’ll need leakproof flashing, extension jambs and shims, support blocks, filler strips, PVC cement, and sill pans. Keep in mind that these doors can be quite heavy, so you may want to have some help during installation.
Spruce Up Your Deck
When you finish up your DIY gutter cleaning, you might want to spruce up your deck by refinishing it. Sand the entire surface and rails and make sure you remove all flaking paint or stain. Wash your deck thoroughly and then apply a new coat of stain or paint. Clean up your outdoor furniture and ready the space for a few parties once social distancing is lifted. Add some plants and flowers to give the space some much-needed color.
Freshen Up Floors
You can save thousands of dollars on floor refinishing if you decide to do it yourself. It can be a fairly simple project, but you may need to rent some machines at your local hardware store to sand the floors. Once you sand the floors, you apply stain to match the color of your flooring. You can finish the job by applying a protective wood finish for a brand new, shiny look. While you’re tackling your interior flooring, you may want to work on your garage flooring as well.
If your flooring is carpeted, you can rent a carpet cleaner for a day and give them a good scrub. You can rent a machine for about $30 per day or buy one for around $150 or less. If you don’t have the skills or cash to replace worn or damaged flooring, you could add a few colorful area rugs to brighten up your home and hide any unsightly blemishes.
Reorganize Your Garage
Speaking of garages, you’ve probably been using this space as a dumping ground for all kinds of miscellaneous stuff. Clearing out the clutter will help you regain control of the area. You may want to come up with a good organizational system to avoid buildup clutter in the future and easily find what you need.
Think about the items you have left after you’ve gotten rid of the clutter and ask yourself if the garage is the best place to store these items. Could they be stored in various other areas of your home? For example, you could install shelving or use filing cabinets to store collectibles and important paperwork. It’s also a good idea to use storage tubs with clear labels that identify what items are being stored rather than having to dig through boxes to find seasonal items.
Install New Hardware And Fixtures
When it comes to home improvement projects, many people think of the kitchen first as the place to start. But perhaps a full renovation isn’t the best idea because of the pandemic. You can still make small changes that will make big improvements by installing new hardware and fixtures. You can find drawer pulls and knobs easily online along with the screws and fasteners you’ll need. This project can be simpler and quicker than DIY gutter cleaning and give your kitchen a brand new look without disturbing your daily routine.
Kitchen and bathroom faucets can be updated in a matter of a few hours. You can expect to spend anywhere from $60 for a basic design to $300 or more for touchless faucets to help you practice better hygienic hand washing during the quarantine. Before you begin work on this project, you may want to watch a few DIY tutorials online to make sure you have all the tools you’ll need. You can also update your cabinets with a fresh coat of paint. Finish your new look with under-cabinet LED lighting strips to give you more visibility to work on your culinary creations during quarantine.
Create A Home Gym
Because of the pandemic, it’s hard to get a good workout in because you can’t go to your local gym. You can take walks outside, but it increases your risk of coming into contact with others and getting infected. You can solve this issue by converting unused space into your home and creating a home gym, which may be more fun than DIY gutter cleaning. You can convert an unused guest room or clear an area in your home for some equipment. You can find an exercise machine that can be folded up when not in use or add a yoga mat and some free weights.
Clean And Prep Your Outdoor Equipment
If you live in an area where snow is no longer expected, it’s time to prepare your snowblower for hibernation until next winter. Before storing it, empty the fuel from the snowblower into a gas can that contains fuel stabilizer. Clean up your snowblower by lubricating any moving parts. Be sure to pull the spark plug and work a small amount of oil through the motor by yanking the cord a few times. Inspect your augur and scraper blades for any damage or wear.
Once that’s finished, it’s time to get your lawnmower ready for the summer season. If it ran properly last summer, all you’ll need to do is gas it up and you’re ready to go. If your lawnmower isn’t working properly, you may be able to get it going by pulling out and cleaning the carburetor, replacing the spark plug, and giving it an oil change. If you have an angle grinder and sanding pad, you can sharpen the mower blade.
Paint Your Walls
Painting your walls can be a simpler home improvement than DIY gutter cleaning and provide a maximum impact on making your home look and feel better. All you need is a few cans of paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and painter’s tape. You may want to patch up any cracks or nail holes first and apply primer before you begin your painting project. If you are looking for a way to spend some more time outdoors, you can freshen up the exterior of your home and doors. This project would be best to do after you finish your DIY gutter cleaning.
Boost Attic Insulation
Installing additional insulation in your attic can help you save money on your monthly energy bills. Most of your home’s heat loss during the winter occurs because warm air rises up and escapes through your roof. In the summertime, the sun’s heat beats down and heats up your house, making your air conditioner work harder than it needs to. Proper insulation can protect you from both of these situations plus prevent damage from icicles and ice dams. Check to see how much insulation your attic has and what’s recommended for your climate and then add batt insulation to give your home energy savings a significant boost.
Clean Dryer Ducts
If you’re looking for a quick home improvement project that’s even simpler than DIY gutter cleaning, tending to your dryer ducts is a great place to start. Your dryer ducts are critical in order for your dryer to run properly. It can also help prevent a potential fire from happening in the future. To clean them as you would with DIY gutter cleaning, you’ll need to get a dryer vent brush kit, drill, screwdrivers, and have a vacuum with a long hose attachments. You can easily find instructions for cleaning through many different video tutorials available online.
Beautify Your Landscaping
You can make your yard more beautiful by planting a garden or adding a few flower beds. You can order seeds and starter kits online to help you get started. Clear up any fallen branches and other debris that may have accumulated over the course of the winter season. Power wash your home’s exterior as well as driveways and sidewalks. Since you may have to spend summer at home, you might want to update your outdoor furniture or install a hammock or fire pit to make S’mores.
By tackling these DIY home renovations projects, you’ll have a space you can truly enjoy being quarantined in. You’ll also increase your home’s overall value as well. There are plenty of things you can do to keep yourself occupied while you’re waiting for the lockdown to be over that can pay off for you in the future. Once the quarantine is over, you’ll be able to show off all your hard work and accomplishments to your family and friends.