Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Do it yourself projects don’t have to be about “getting dirty” climbing under the house, in the attic, or on the roof. There are several quick projects you can take care of that will save you money as well as prepare for the winter and next spring.
Driving rain, wind, snow, and freezing temperatures wreak havoc on outdoor surfaces when you let them. Hopefully you’ve taken care of the tough chores like cleaning the roof and gutters. Now it’s time for an easier task down on the ground. Smaller projects would be cleaning and resealing a birdhouse, or decorative treasures around your property. Bigger projects would be doing the same for a deck or gazebo. If you don’t have much experience, starting with a smaller project would be the wise decision. Here are the steps for resealing a deck. For most climates, it’s a good idea to reseal your deck about every other year.
You might want to consider applying some color but this will be more time consuming, especially if a previous sealant has been applied. If a previous sealant has been applied, it must be completely removed with a chemical stripper, sanding, or both. If the original sealant isn’t removed, the color coat won’t soak in. After removing the old sealant, follow the cleaning instructions in step 2 again before applying a final sealant over the color coat.
It’s all about the changing weather this time of year. You probably still have lawn furniture out. Now is the time to give it a last cleaning for the year and store it away out of the coming winter weather. Cleaning it with a mild solution before putting it away will keep it looking good for another summer season. Leaving it out in the winter elements is the fastest way for the finish to fade and look dull and worn next time you go to use it.
The same thing goes for your grill, gardening tools, lawnmower, and other outdoor belongings that you’ll want looking good for the next warm weather season. If you don’t have a garage or shed to store them in, cover these with tarps before the winter winds, rain, and snow flies. Be sure to tie down the tarps so that they don’t end up in your neighbor’s yard when the first storm blows in.
Please leave a comment about your own DIY projects and experiences or if you have questions/comments about this article.
Author bio: Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 35 years and writing about real estate investing for 10 years. He also draws upon 30 plus years of business experience including 12 years as a manager at Boeing Aircraft Company. Brian currently lives at Lake Cushman, Washington. A vacation destination, a few short miles from a national forest. With the Pacific Ocean a couple of miles in the opposite direction.
