Simple Home Repairs To Lift You Out Of The Winter Funk

Does Winter's Doldrums Have You Down?

Grab a screwdriver and fight back with some easy home repairs that will raise your spirits and get your home ready for spring. 

Accomplishments, even little ones, can go a long way towards a sunny outlook. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy and quick home repairs you can do when your are in the thick of winter. 

In each room, look around and take stock of what needs fixing or improving. Focus on the small, quick-fix changes, not the major redos. Small household problems can have big effects. 

Here are a couple of good starting points:

• Squeaky Door Hindges - Spray a little WD-40 onto the hinges, moving the door back and forth to work in the lubricant. Or try rubbing the hinges with petroleum jelly. If these tricks don’t work, lift the hinge pins about halfway and lubricate them with three-in-one oil, using a rag to catch drips.

• Creaking Floors - For a temporary fix, sprinkle talcum powder over the noisy area and sweep it into the cracks. Be sure to remove any traces of powder if you’re ever going to refinish the floor.

• Stained Tub - Combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.

Tackling these smaller projects will give you the confidence and motivation to move up to bigger ones on your list. 

Simple DIY home improvements are not only fulfilling and cost effective, but they are also a great way to maintain the value of your home. 

Give us a call or contact us online and let us help you tackle your next project! 

Click Here To Check Us Out!

Julie & Mike Paradise 
Local Owners 
978-582-1176

10 Basement Clutter Clearing Tips

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind? 

Our basements can all too easily become a dumping ground for every piece of junk and clutter we think we might need someday, or just don't want to make a decision about right now. Plus, this space is often one of the largest storage areas in your home. 

Put these two facts together and you can easily accumulate a mountain of stuff in this space, to the point where finding anything is nearly impossible. 

Here are 10 tips for clearing out your basement and maximizing your storage space. 

                                                     

Take a deep breath and dive in!

1. Spread Out Your Stuff — Are you staring at lots of boxes of stuff? Empty each one out into the middle of the room. It will force you to go through everything and make a decision.

2. Pile, Pile, Pile — Create separate piles and label them. KEEP. DONATE. RECYCLE. TRASH. 

3. Deal With It — As you clear out, touch every single item. No leaving anything for "later." Deal with each and every item as you pick it up - decide to keep it, donate it or toss it. 

4. Everything In It's Place — Separate the “keep” pile into new categories — craft supplies, toys, sports equipment, ect. Assign each category a location, tuck craft supplies in clear plastic bins and stack them on a shelf. Send sports equipment to a sturdy bin in the garage. Label everything!

5. Work On It Every Day — Even if it’s just for 20 minutes. Every bit of time adds up, and it’s less overwhelming than caging yourself down there for hours at a time.

6. Ditch The Cardboard Boxes — Don’t use cardboard boxes for storage in your basement. They crumple, dent and they don’t protect items from dampness. Instead, use sturdy, preferably clear plastic containers. Clear containers will help you to best find what you need when you need it.

7. A Dumpster Is Your Best Friend — Have one ready in the driveway. Every item out of your basement and into the dumpster is a small victory.

8. Take Breaks — When indecision sets in, you need to walk away for a bit. You’ll come back with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

9. Shelve It — Shelves are important in a basement declutter, since you’ll need to keep your valuables safe from flooding. Metal shelving is affordable and easy to assemble, and it withstands heat and humidity better than wood.

10. Hang It Up — Use hooks and pegs to store items up off the floor, freeing more space.

Use these great starting points to whip your storage space into shape! 

Let us help you with your next project! Give us a call or contact us online.

Click the link below to check out which bin size would work best for your project:

Click Here To Check Us Out!

Julie & Mike Paradise

Local Owners 

978-582-1176