Westlake Village Real Estate Update: Home Improvement Projects For Spring

Spring is in full swing and many homeowners get the urge to get outside and take care of that "to do" list and make some important improvements around the home. During the long winter months, the cold, wet and harsh weather can damage your home. Below are some spring home improvement projects that can help to reduce the damage that cold weather brings!

Inspect storm doors for damage to theweatherstripping. This is usually recommended every few years as harsh winter temps and strong winds can take a toll on storm doors. Many times doors can become bent, broken or can pull away from the doorjamb. It is important to repair these damages as drafts can cause expensive energy losses.
Clean gutters and downspouts. No one likes this chore but it is very important to make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good working condition before summer storms.
It is vital to have your air conditioner serviced before warm weather. Having a professional check the system and make sure it is in good running condition before you start it for the season can save money and headaches. Be sure to change your filters as well as a good furnace filter can help reduce allergens. When filters become clogged with dust, efficiency is reduced. Change filters quarterly or sooner if they look dirty.
It is important to repair any water damage that might have occured during the winter. Damage can be repaired easily on the outside of the home by filling the area with an epoxy patch, rather than replacing the damaged area. For small areas that need repair, use a chisel to dislodge most of the loose, rotted wood. Drill a few 1/4-inch holes into the damaged wood. Soak the entire rotted area with liquid epoxy "consolidant" to transform the area into a sturdy base for filler. Let the wood absorb it for about 5 minutes, then reapply, wait, reapply, and continue until the wood ceases to accept consolidant.