Home repairs are inevitable. We’re constantly working on improving the quality of life that our homes provide for us, but some projects can be planned and others are sprung upon us at the worst possible time. Thinking through winter repairs should start in the summer or fall. Many repairs that you might consider this winter are designed to make your life all the more comfortable when the warm weather rolls around once more in the spring.
Replace worn-out carpeting.
Replacing your flooring is a great way to create a cozy feel in your South Florida home this winter. While the wintertime is mostly mild throughout the season – the reason why millions of snowbirds love traveling down south each year – there are some incredibly brisk days to contend with. New carpeting or a change to hardwood floors paired with tasteful area rugs can give your home a timeless feel that creates a unique vibe that will last for years, if not decades. Hardwood floors are a great upgrade that can be installed in a short window and they create a totally new feeling of comfort and luxury within the home. During this time when you are spending more of your free leisure time indoors, think about an upgrade that will stand the test of time and create additional value in your home when you decide to sell in the future.
Keep up with your heating elements.
The cold air requires homeowners to keep an eye on their heaters and other climate control devices. Central heating and air conditioning units need to be serviced regularly, but as the winter begins to set in you should consider calling a technician for a diagnostic test to make sure you won’t need an emergency heating repair or a new furnace later in the dead of winter. Fixes late in the season are often costly and can be delayed for a few days as many homeowners with the same problem frantically try to get technicians out to fix their home’s heating system as quickly as possible.
Replacing the furnace or central heating system early in the winter is your best bet if it looks as if you might not make it through the winter with your current appliance. These units often sit outdoors and are at the mercy of the elements through much of the year. In the Sunshine State, they may not be pounded with the same abuse as an air conditioner up north, but the rain and changes in temperature certainly take their toll on an HVAC unit’s housing. These can last up to about fifteen to twenty years with a little luck. Checking periodically on the health of your air conditioner or furnace is essential to maintaining a comfortable home through this most discomforting season.
Consider making an early start on the patio.
Wintertime is a great season for tackling outdoor upgrades that your family will enjoy in the coming spring as well. If your home isn’t in dire need of cold-weather repairs this season then thinking like other Floridians about a home improvement project that will increase your happiness in the coming months may be the best option for your family. The spring and summer days tops the list of reasons to consider moving to Florida, so preparing for their arrival in the months beforehand is a great way to take full advantage of these decidedly best days of the year.
Home upgrades during the winter fall into two categories, either emergency repair work in order to keep your home running smoothly through the colder months or preemptive lifestyle additions that will increase your quality of life in the coming seasons. Consider all your needs and options in order to make the most of this winter.
