60-Minute Home Improvement Projects

Update your hardware. The most time-consuming part of this job might be selecting the new doorknob, door or drawer pull from the dizzying amount of choices at your local home improvement center. But once you make your purchase, installation in many cases requires nothing more than a screwdriver. If you’re placing pulls on doors that never had them before, create a template out of wood or cardboard that will ensure you drill your holes in the same spot on each cabinet door. And while you’re at it, install childproof locks that will stop either your kids, grandkids, visitors or pets from getting into unsafe places. The Danze Parma Dual Hands-Free Kitchen Faucet saves water and reduces the spread of bacteria with an LED sensor that automatically shuts water on and off. Switch out your faucet. Sick of your current drab, impossible-to-clean or leaky faucet? If you can wield a wrench, you can install a new one quickly and easily. Simply unscrew the connections from your old faucet and screw in your new faucet. Just remember to turn off the water supply before you start the job, and you’ll be done quickly (with no spills to clean up). This is an easy solution that can help update your kitchen or bath. Add an aerator, and you’ll lower your water bill as well. Put Safety First Routine maintenance can reduce your risk of household injuries and ailments. Clean out your dryer ducts. Ever sense that your dryer doesn’t work as quickly as it used to? Lint could be the culprit. But buildup not only affects efficiency, it also increases your risk of fire. In fact, “failure to clean” is the leading cause of clothes dryer fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. To clean your ducts, you’ll need a vacuum and some muscle to move your dryer away from the wall. Once unplugged, disconnect the ductwork and vacuum as well as you can. Inspect your electrical. Conduct an audit of your electrical outlets. Insert outlet covers into unused plugs and covers over power strips and secure any loose wires as a childproofing measure. Look for overloaded circuits and power cords and adjust as necessary. Frayed cords should be replaced as should any light switch that is hot to the touch and cords that run under carpets, which are all fire hazards. Replace your furnace filter. To improve air quality as well as efficiency, furnace filters should be checked for dirt monthly and changed at least every three months, according to the Department of Energy. “A nice new filter will substantially reduce airborne dust particles,” says Hunt. “If you have allergies, spend a few bucks extra and get a better filter." Replacement is a cinch. Just swap the old one for a new one and you’re done. Clean Up the Outdoors Don’t be surprised if a pressure washer becomes your new favorite household gadget. It has a multitude of uses and gets big jobs done quickly. De-grime your house. With a pressure washer, there’s no need to crawl on the roof to clean your gutters. Just aim and spray. A pressure washer also cleans grime off your gutters as well as your vinyl siding and can be used to clean your second floor windows. Just make sure that all your windows are securely closed before you start. A pressure washer is the perfect tool for removing the dirt and grease embedded in concrete, among other materials. Photo courtesy of Thompson’s Water Seal. Scrub your pathways. Sidewalks, walkways and driveways can become stained by wet leaves, mildew and automotive leaks. A power washer can get rid of these eyesores. Do an end-of-summer cleanup. Have patio furniture, kids’ toys and inflatable pools that need to be scrubbed down before they’re stored away, but don’t want to spend hours wielding a scrub brush? A pressure washer can get the job done quickly. Build raised flowerbeds. These beds, made from durable pressure-treated wood, make your yard look more organized. Add landscape fabric to the base and you can stop the growth of messy-looking weeds as well. An 8-foot-square garden bed can be built in less than an hour, says Brad Staggs, licensed contractor who hosts the DIY Network program, Talk2DIY Home Improvement. All you need are eight, 8-foot long sections of pressure-treated lumber, screws, construction adhesive and landscape adhesive. With a drill and a saw, you simply cut pieces to size and secure them together. Add dirt and you can start planting. Visit here for more information on this project. Maintaining and improving your home can seem like a job in itself, but it doesn’t have to. Small projects that can be done quickly can greatly improve the appearance of your home without taking up your entire weekend.

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