Ellicott City
10325 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 465-9633
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM
Repair Shop Hours:
Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
Saturday 9AM-2PM

Columbia
8895 McGaw Road
Columbia, MD, 21045
(410) 465-0500
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM

Ellicott City
10325 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 465-9633
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM

Repair Shop Hours:
Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
Saturday 9AM-2PM

Columbia
8895 McGaw Road
Columbia, MD, 21045
(410) 465-0500
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM

Fall is almost here. The weather will start to cool down, and you will likely spend more time indoors. You may, therefore, want to spruce your interior and make some home improvements to make your home as comfy as possible before autumn arrives. No idea how to go about this? Below are some DIY projects you can carry out during the fall.

Get Some Weather Stripping for Your Doors and Windows

A lot of cold air can leak around old entry doors if the weather stripping on the doors has worn off. If you have noticed this development and have no idea how to go about it, you can rest assured that this project is enjoyable and easy to carry out.

Tools Required for These DIY Projects

  • Hammer
  • Coping saw
  • Hacksaw

Required Materials

  • Weatherstrip kit
  • Door sweep.
  • Vinyl bulb for door sill

You can get the above materials from a well-stockedĀ Ellicott City & Columbia hardware store. The weatherstripping comes in different types. The wrapped foam type is durable, withstands abrasions, and is flexible to fit a wide range of gaps, while the metal flange type with slots for screws is more adjustable than the wooden one. There is also weatherstripping made of vinyl or silicone that has a smaller profile and cleaner look, although it won’t fill wider gaps in a complete way like the wrapped foam type.

Sometimes the gaps in the doors are a result of loose hinges. Lift the door by the doorknob to check if that is the case. If the door moves upwards when you lift it by the doorknob, tightening the hinge screws could solve the door draft. Should that not be the cause for the draft problem, you can begin the project.

The first step is to measure the height of the door from the top jamb to the threshold and then the top frame from side to side. Once you are done, cut the weather strip to fit each of these measurements. Scissors are the most suitable for cutting the foam part of the weather stripping, while you can cut the wood flange with a hacksaw or fine-tooth saw.

The next step is to tack the weatherstripping in place and ensure the entire length of the strip seals against the door before driving in the nails.

Clean and Repair Your Attic

Attics in many homes are left to gather dust and cobwebs and act as hiding places for pests and rodents. You can take your time to clean and dust the attic and seal the leaks, as they allow in water and act as an entrance for pests that can wreak havoc in your home. Foam insulation can seal these leaks and keep your house warm. However, do not close the vents, as they help eliminate humid air. The right type of paint will do an excellent paint job in hiding the water spots and color changes resulting from leaks.

DIY Projects Include Work on Your Gutters

Your gutters get laden with leaves during the fall that can block the passageways and impede drainage. Fall is the best season to clean and repair your gutters to get them in good working order as you await the winter. You can clean the debris off your gutters using a spatula, while a plumber’s snake can help you pull wet leaves out of clogged downspouts.

Should you notice any leaks or rusty spots that have opened up due to expansion and contraction, it is advisable to cover them with gutter repair tape. Scrape the tar using a wire brush to ensure a clean surface for bonding. Once the surface is clean, cut the tape with scissors or a razor knife and stick it to the inner wall of the gutter, ensuring it covers the curves and corners. Press firmly to eliminate the wrinkles and ensure the tape fits firmly into the gutter. Buying a new one would be more prudent if the gutter is rusted beyond repair.

You can also fasten loose and hanging gutters by installing fascia hanger brackets for more DIY projects. All you have to do is screw one end of the bracket onto the fascia and hook the other onto the front lip of the gutter.

Clean Your Carpet

someone cleaning their carpet as one of their DIY projects for fall.
Close-up of steam cleaner cleaning a very dirty carpet.

Fall is the best time to clean all the dirt your carpets have gathered during the summer. While vacuuming does a great job of picking up surface dirt on the carpet, it is not enough to remove dirt, stains, and allergens stuck deep between the fibers. A more abrasive wet cleaning method is needed to extract the dirt entrenched deeper in the carpet.

You can use a carpet cleaning machine to achieve the desired cleaning standards. You could also clean it without a machine, although this is more time-intensive.

Materials Required

  • Baking soda
  • Carpet Shampoo
  • Water
  • Spray bottles
  • Towels

Before beginning the cleaning process, remove all items resting on the carpet and open up your windows to speed up the drying process. Also, start on the far corner and work towards the door or room threshold to avoid walking over the just-cleaned areas.

Process

  • Sprinkle the baking soda over the carpet and vacuum thoroughly to remove debris and odors.
  • Spray a mixture of carpet shampoo and warm water over the carpet, but be careful not to saturate the fibers.
  • Brush the surface with a carpet brush to remove trapped dirt.
  • Use absorbent towels to dry the area and get rid of the moisture.
  • Fill the spray bottle with fresh water and spray over the same area.
  • Use another set of absorbent towels to dry the remaining moisture.
  • Brush over the carpet with a carpet grooming brush.

Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

Your lawn mower could use some tuning up after extensive use in spring and winter. One way to ensure your lawn mower runs efficiently is by changing the oil and air filter. First, turn up the engine to warm the oil for better drainage. Then stop the engine, remove the drain plug and empty the oil. Replace the drain plug and fill the mower with new oil until it’s visible through the oil fill hole. Changing the air filter ensures the mower burns less gas, as a clean air filter ensures a proper fuel/air ratio.

Start Your DIY Projects at Clarks Ace Hardware

Ready to get on with any of the above DIY projects? Our hardware store is full of the tools and materials to get you started. Better still, our experts can help you with these and other projects. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 410-465-9633. You can also contact us online or visit our physical store at 10325 Baltimore National.