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Page 16 2016 Fall Home Improvement LINCOLN DAILY NEWS SEPT. 27, 2016
to keep them accessible just in case, and a pegboard is
good place for that.
Removing and Replacing Plants
While the weather is still agreeable, now is the perfect
time to consider removing or replacing any old plants
in the yard. Removing old plants, while tiresome,
should prove cheap enough. All you need is a good
shovel, a pair of branch cutters, or possibly a hatchet
for thicker roots. By the time fall arrives, it should be
easy to tell which plants might not grow back at all
during the spring.
Replacing plants or bushes can wait until the spring,
unless you want to plant something new that will
help block the winter winds. In that case, if one has
the space for it, now is the time to plant evergreen
trees. Evergreens are relatively expensive, but could
ultimately be worth the cost.
Check the furnace
The furnace will certainly see its
use once winter arrives in full
swing. Now is the right time to
be sure it will still work properly
when winter comes. It’s one thing
if a small leak lets in the cold;
it’s another level of annoyance
altogether when the furnace dies
in the middle of December.
The easiest parts of maintaining a
furnace are still relatively cheap. Be sure to check the
furnace filter; it’s
likely time to replace the filter anyway after a summer
or more of gathering dust and filth.
Additionally, depending on the age of a given furnace,
you may be able to clean some of it yourself. What
seems like a troublesome pilot light, for example, may
really just be a case of excess carbon buildup. In that
case, all you need is a wire brush, some gloves, and a
stiff metal file. Be sure to turn off the gas or electrical
first; no need to blow up the house just because the
furnace is dirty.
Drain the Water Heater
If your home is like
most homes, the water
heater likely sits right
next to the furnace.
Since you’re in the
basement or the utility
closet, now is a good
time to check on the
water heater as well.
Most experts recommend draining the water heater
once a year to remove built up sediment. A buildup of
sediment doesn’t hurt anything per se, but it forces the
water heater to work a little harder, which uses more
energy and costs more money in the long run.
Luckily, draining a water heater only requires a little
time and a garden hose. Shut off the water beforehand,
and the power if you have an electrical heater. Attach
a garden hose to the drain valve that should sit at the
bottom of the tank. Run the hose outside, and open
the pressure valve, which is likely on the top of the
tank. The water will drain for a few minutes, and
then all you have to do is turn the valves back and
disconnect the hose. If you do it right, you’ll have new
water in the tank and extra money in your pocket that
you didn’t have to spend on energy bills.
Outlet and Switch Covers
This suggestion is more for the
sake of decoration, although it
can be a good idea to replace
your outlet and switch covers for
the sake of safety as well. Covers
can be purchased at any hardware
store, and all you need to install
them is a simple screwdriver. For
safety, be sure to shut the power
off first, especially before any
new installation. If you’re feeling
confident and you have the skill, now is the time to
install new outlets or switches, especially if you’re just
moving in. But that is a skill that not everyone has,
and a hazard you may not want to take a chance on.
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