Top 10 December Home Tips

1. Handyman for the holidays

You’re busy — don’t be afraid to ask for help! Chore Taskers, the less expensive option to our handyperson service, is available on Saturdays through the holiday season to help you with chores large and small. Perhaps you need help carrying or moving boxes or setting up Christmas trees or Hanukkah decorations. The Chore Tasker shows up on time, is organized and efficient. They can help with anything that doesn’t require a skilled handyman or carpenter. Ask for help! Schedule a Chore Tasker

2. Spruce up your home!

Is your guest bedroom looking a bit worn? Does your entryway have scuffs and dings on the walls? Consider repainting before holiday guests arrive. Our EPA-certified craftspeople are experts in both interior and exterior painting; they use only the finest products and paints, such as Benjamin Moore. Did you know that all contractors who work on homes built before 1978 are required to be EPA certified? This applies to renovation, repair and painting where lead-based paint is disturbed. Refresh your home safely so you can enjoy the holidays. Request a painting estimate

3. Do you feel a draft?

Sealing drafts is one of the best and smartest ways to reduce your home’s energy costs in winter as well as summer. Check your home for drafts in areas close to doorways and windows. Weatherstripping minimizes door, window and attic hatchway drafts throughout your house by preventing heated air from escaping and cold air from entering. Easy-to-install options include high-density foam seal tape, spray foam sealant and window film. You can also install door sweeps on exterior doors. Shop your local family-owned hardware store for door/window gap sealing products and expert advice.

Or if you’d prefer some help, schedule a Get Dwell handyman

4. Kitchen & bath remodeling — a good investment

According to the 2024 Zonda Cost vs Value Report, a minor kitchen remodel yielded 94% return on investment (ROI) and a mid-range bathroom remodel yielded 69% ROI in the Chicago area. Whether you’ve been contemplating a pre-moving remodel, refreshing your outdated kitchen or bath, or making your home more user-friendly, contact us for a remodeling estimate.

5. Safeguard your attic with a comprehensive assessment

If you have an HVAC system with a built-in humidifier, check the humidity level. It should be set at 25%–35% during winter months. Too much humidity causes condensation in your attic that can lead to mold and mildew; too little can cause dry skin and throats. A Get Dwell attic assessment can identify a number of problems with ventilation, insulation, pests and leaks. These include:

• exhaust ducts and vent stacks that don’t continue through the roof to the outside as they should
• inadequate, damaged or missing insulation, which increases energy costs (gas & electric)
• damage/droppings from animal intrusion and wood-destroying insects
• water stains, rot and mold, which indicate leaks

Identifying potential attic problems helps avoid future costly repairs, is good for the air you and your family breathe, and good for the planet. Request an attic assessment estimate

6. Prevent ice dams this winter

Variations in roof temperature can cause ice dams to form. When the snow melts up top, it slides down toward the bottom of your roof and ice forms, preventing melting snow from draining off. Ice dams can lead to serious and expensive roof damage and subsequent leaks. We recommend removing the snow with a roof rake. If an ice dam has already formed, use a snow rake to prevent further damage. Stop into your local family-owned hardware store to get your snow rake before they’re all gone!

7. Ensure a worry-free winter

Heating cables installed along roof edges, overhangs, valleys and downspouts keep melting water flowing through gutters and downspouts all winter long, preventing ice dams and icicles from building up over pathways and doors. Featuring weatherproof exteriors and internal heating elements, roof heating cables melt snow and ice to avoid accumulation. They need to be powered by outdoor-rated plugs that connect to an interior or exterior GFCI outlet; we recommend they be used with a temperature-sensing control. Hiring one of our qualified electricians to install heating cables ensures proper setup and compliance with local building codes. Leave this job to us — stay off your roof! Schedule heating cable installation before the snow flies.

8. Get a grip

Installing grab bars inside your shower and next to the bathtub and toilet is an easy way to provide stability and safety for those living in or visiting your home. Shop for them at your local family-owned hardware store. Store associates can answer any questions you may have about installing them yourself. No time? No skills? For professional, expert installation, schedule installation with us — we’ve got the experience to get it done right.

9. Refresh your walls

Take a look around your home’s walls and ceilings. Do you see dings, nicks and holes — abuse from kids, pets and houseguests? Our many years of experience have made us experts at drywall, plaster and wood repair. Restore the original beauty of your home before holiday guests arrive. Or make a resolution to freshen up your home in the new year. Request a drywall repair estimate

10. Stay sharp

Kitchen knives get lots of use during the holidays. Little known fact: using a dull knife is more dangerous than using a sharp knife. Sharp knives enable you to cut food easily, reducing the chances of slippage and injury. Prepare for holiday gatherings this month by bringing your knives into your local family-owned hardware store for sharpening. Or shop their selection of in-stock knife sharpeners.