Before the craziness of the holiday season begins, there are probably a few home tasks you’ll want to get out of the way (especially with the snow we can get here in Westchester). In case you forgot some, The Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual helpfully reminded us of these winter-preparation projects:
Insulating: The manual has an entire section on home climate, which includes tips on how to keep even the coldest rooms warm.
Prevention of ice buildup: Icicles hanging off your roof may look pretty, but ice buildup can cause major roof damage if not prevented. The manual explains how large chunks of ice (called ice dams) form on your roof and offers methods to prevent and remove them.
Garage optimization. If your two-car garage has become a black hole of boxes, bikes, and outdoor tools, the manual has plenty of organizational tips and projects that will help you turn your garage back into a place for cars. You’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to brush snow and ice off your car every morning.
The manual, which is published by the Reader’s Digest Association (visit their White Plains location’s website here) is also chock-full of indoor projects to do when you’re stuck inside for winter, and the new edition contains a section on storage projects. Come spring, your kitchen, closets, and bathrooms could be complete with handy shelves, compartments, and storage racks—all DIY.
More Westchester Weather: Could The Hudson Valley Ever See Buffalo-Like Snow?
And if you’d rather plan for warmer weather, the manual’s 2014 edition has an all-new section on landscaping. Building a patio in your backyard might not be such a big project after all: The manual says it’s really just a series tasks done one at a time. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert. The Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual is written in simple language with plenty of illustrations for every project—perfect for even those of us who can’t tell a pipe wrench from a monkey wrench.
