Don't hold off on the Small Stuff Forever

Sometimes bad things happen, but they don't have to be permanent reminders. Backing into a driveway, a simple misjudgment of distance leads to the garage door getting crunched. Sleeping through an alarm clock ruins a whole morning and that slammed door left a hole in the wall. These small and sometimes large reminders of bad days can bring down a good day as well.  If a home doesn't have a fix it box, create one.  A small tub of drywall spackle and a plastic spreader and a piece of sand paper. A 1 to 2 inch paint brush, a small can of primer and access to the wall paint can fill out any quick kit.

Each step in a small repair should take no longer than a commercial break and the time between will allow for drying. Just be sure to remember each step.

If the screen door was caught by a sudden gust of wind that broke the hinge again, look beyond the hydraulic unit to the source of the problem. Some homes, particularly those on the tops of hills or connected to valleys will always have some trouble with wind. Trees can help block some strong winds, but take time to grow. Instead perhaps consider a well placed outdoor storage shed. Look for one that can be mounted or bolted into place. If a light shed is placed to block heavy wind but remains unsecured, it is more likely to be pushed till it blocks the very door it was meant to protect.

Perhaps a great vacation was ruined when a raccoon got trapped in the garage and then dug at the garage door trying to get out. The strong claws of the animal scratched every inch of the door leaving any insulation that was inside the lower part of the door. This repair will not only remove the bad memory, but allow the garage door to be fully insulated and weatherized. Contact a garage door service to see if only the damaged panels can be replaced. It might be easier and cheaper to replace the complete door, but that is decision to be made with an estimate in hand.

A clean house and bright sunshine can perk up a moderate mood. Lacking as much sunshine in the winter months, plan a few fall weekends to make minor repairs. Putting off repairs will only delay the happiness; it can't make the repair cheaper. Replaced screens can allow windows to be opened on good days and the air system turned off. Repaired garage door dents can be fixed during a quiet time at work, and not scheduled during the holidays when in-laws are coming in and there are meals to be planned and gifts to be wrapped.

Bring some sunshine to a bad day and make some necessary home repair. Whether it is the garage door or the heating unit needing a service keep on top of the to- do list and don't let mistakes from the past bring down the future.