SaturDIY: 6 Projects to Do Before Daylight Savings Time

Get ready to Spring Forward! Daylight savings time is March 12. As you’re setting clocks ahead and getting used to a new routine, why not use this weekend to take advantage of an extra hour of daylight and cross some small but important home maintenance projects off your to-do list?

1. Check Smoke Alarms: Smoke alarms save lives—but only if they’re working properly. Give your devices a quick test to make sure they’re in working order, and if you have battery-powered alarms, swap out old batteries for a fresh set. You should also check the expiration date on your smoke alarms, and if they’re more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones.


2. Clean Heating Vents: When was the last time you gave vent covers a good cleaning? Start by vacuuming the vents to remove dust and dirt, then wipe the covers and the surrounding wall with a damp microfiber cloth. If the covers are really dirty, remove them and give them a quick soak in hot, soapy water before drying thoroughly and replacing. Once clean covers are in place, install Heat & Air Deflectors to make the distribution of air throughout your home more efficient and keep your house more comfortable in any season.


3. Dust Ceiling Fans: It can be a shocker to realize just how dirty ceiling fans can get. Grab an extendable microfiber duster to wipe away built-up dust, or slip a pillowcase over the blades and use your hands to slide the pillowcase off the blade, catching any dust inside.


4. Change Filters: Filters play important roles throughout your home: they help maintain the air quality of your home, filter water, and keep appliances running smoothly. It’s easy to overlook this important to-do, so do a quick inventory of all the filters in your home and clean or change any that are in need of replacement. Consumer Reports suggests checking these filters on a regular basis:
    
   
   
   
   • Refrigerators
   
   
   • Dishwashers
   
   
   • Water filters
   
   
   • Air purifiers
   
   
   • Range hoods
   
   
   • Over-the-range microwaves
   
   
   • Clothes dryers
   
   
   • Vacuum cleaners
   
   
   • Dehumidifiers
   
   
   • Room air conditioners
   
   
   • HVAC systems
   
   
   
   


5. Clean the Dryer Vent: Clogged dryer vents cause nearly 17,000 fires in the United States every year. Keep yours running safely and efficiently by cleaning the vent at least once a year. Start by unplugging the dryer and pulling it away from the wall; if you have a gas dryer, you should also turn off the supply valve. Disconnect the duct from the back of the dryer, then use your hand to carefully scoop out as much lint as you can from the pipe. Using the hose attachment of a vacuum, clean around the hole at the back of the dryer and then suck as much lint as you can out of the duct. Next, head outside and remove the vent cover and vacuum out the dryer vent from the outside. Reattach the vent cover and ductwork before plugging the dryer back in.


6. Inspect Screen Doors and Window Screens: The return of Daylight Savings Time may mean you lose an hour of sleep. But it also means that we’re that much closer to the return of warmer weather. Make sure you’re ready for sunny days by checking screen doors and window screens for tears. Small holes or tears can be easily repaired with Frost King Screen Patches. These self-adhering patches instantly repair damage and are almost invisible, and can be used on either aluminum or fiberglass screening—just press them into place and you’re done. If the damage is more extensive, you may need to replace the screens entirely with Frost King Screen Spline or pick up some B. Marvin Adjustable Window Screens: set them in your window frames, expand them to fit, and then close the window sash to hold the screen in place.