craigrouh: The Boomer Budget: Home Maintenance Musts

This is a Guest Post by Karen Ho Fatt, interior designer. If you would like to Guest Post for Baby Boomers US, check out our Guest Post for Us page.

Most Baby Boomers are feeling the pinch in their wallets these days. You may have uncertainties about your job or the economy, or have increased expenses as kids head off to college. Maintaining your home may be the last thing on your mind right now, but ignoring your home can pave the way for costly problems down the road.

Major remodeling projects may not be in your budget, but even a few minor repairs can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your home. You?ll also save on energy costs and avoid repairs later.

Take an afternoon to make a realistic assessment of your home. Make a to-do list of the things that need to be done and prioritize that list. Maintenance is an on-going part of owning a home, and it can seem daunting.

As Kin Hubbard said, ?The man who owns his own home is always just coming out of a hardware store.?

Tackle a few items on the list each month, though, and before you know it, your home will be in tip-top shape ? without breaking the budget.

Energy Saving Repairs

Even if you have not managed any repairs in the fall, a warm winter day is a good time to tackle these repairs, which can make your house more comfortable during the winter, and substantially reduce energy costs. First, seal any gaps around windows and doors with a waterproof caulking. Install a sweep under the front door and draft stops along the sides. Install storm windows and reverse the ceiling fan to send warm air downward.

Have your utility company conduct an energy audit of your home to uncover potential losses of heat. This service is usually free or offered at a nominal charge, but the information you gain can help you develop strategies to save money in the future.

Switch to CFL bulbs, which use 60 to 75 percent less energy and last ten times longer than regular bulbs. Buy these bulbs, which cost more than traditional bulbs initially, in bulk at warehouse stores or online to save money.

Install a programmable thermostat, which automatically lowers the thermostat when you?re not home, reducing wear on the furnace, as well as energy costs. Add insulation to your attic to up the savings even more.

Promote Good Drainage

Inadequate drainage can increase moisture in your basement, causing mold and mildew growth, and can eventually cause structural damage. In most cases, this problem is easy to correct.

Start by cleaning and maintaining your gutters. Choose a dry, windless day to clean out gutters at least once each year. Use a steady ladder to reach the gutters and clean out leaves and debris with a rake or broom. Wash the gutters once you?ve removed the gunk with a pressure washer set on low, or a garden hose with a spray attachment. Look for leaks in the gutters and repair small holes with a silicone caulking. If your gutters are old and rusted, you may be better off replacing them with new plastic or aluminum gutters that won?t rust.

Ensure that the soil around your home sits at a 30 degree grade from the home?s foundation to the surrounding landscaping, so water drains away from the house. Avoid planting water-thirsty plants within 6 feet of the house, and install drainage pipes, if necessary.

Keeping Up Appearances

These repairs are affordable and important but essential for a smooth running home. You can now relax, set up a patio set with fire pit table outside, light a fire, have a few cocktails and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You have just extended the life of your home and until next year, freed yourself of some maintenance worries. One of the best ways to maintain your home?s value is simply to keep it up. Prune trees and shrubs every spring, and remove weeds and debris from flower beds. Arborists? mulch, which is made from tree debris that has been sent through the wood chipper, is available free in many communities. Use mulch to give flower beds a finished look, while conserving moisture and reducing weed growth.
Paint is my favorite method for sprucing up a room, or even the entire home. A gallon of paint will set you back less than $30, and you can complete a whole room for under $100. Painting a room is easy enough for most do-it-yourself enthusiasts to tackle and can really change the appearance of your home. Check with your home owners association, though, before painting the outside. Most HOAs have covenants regarding paint color.

About the Author: Karen Ho Fatt is an interior designer and garden expert who enjoys sharing her knowledge of the home and outdoors. She shares some of the best fire pit reviews on lp fire pits and fire bowls for the patio on her website. On cool Canadian winter evenings, you may find her relaxing with her fellow boomers by the fire.?