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(BPT) – That chill in the air means one thing: It’s time to winterize your home. Taking a few simple steps now to repair and protect your home from Mother Nature can help save on time, energy bills and costly repairs this season. Here are 10 easy-to-accomplish projects to tackle before winter really sets in.

1. Seal windows and doors.

Small cracks and gaps between window frames and doors allow water, insects and cold air to creep inside. Protect and keep your home warm by replacing worn exterior caulk with new sealant, like DAP^® Dynaflex Ultra™ Advanced Exterior Sealant. Backed by a Lifetime Mold, Mildew and Algae Resistance Guarantee, Dynaflex Ultra utilizes DAP’s exclusive WeatherMax Technology™ for all-weather, waterproof protection that won’t crack, crumble or discolor over time.

2. Fill large gaps.

Gaps and spaces larger than one inch wide – such as a large hole or areas like plumbing stacks, siding edges or floor-wall junctions – should be filled to block drafts and unwanted pests. Try a foam filler, like DAP^® MaxFill™ Triple Expanding Sealant, that provides three times the expansion for an airtight seal.

3. Protect against pests.

To avoid issues with rodents and other pests trying to stay warm this season, use DAP^® Mouse Shield™ to seal up gaps and cracks inside your garage, attic and basement, under sinks or around pipe/electrical penetration. Mouse Shield™ is specially treated to block mice, birds, bats and tree squirrels, as well as ants, roaches, spiders and bees. The foam also seals and insulates to help save on energy.

4. Repair surface damage.

Little cracks exposed to harsh winter elements can quickly grow with the constant freezing and thawing of trapped moisture. For a durable bond that won’t yellow or crumble with time, fill cracks with DAP^® Platinum Patch™ Advanced Exterior Filler. Formulated with exclusive WeatherMax Technology™, Platinum Patch is weatherproof, waterproof and mold, mildew and algae resistant. Use it to repair damaged siding or decks, metal doors, fences, garage doors and even brick or concrete walkways.

5. Check your furnace filter.

If the filters are dirty, your furnace has to work harder. Regularly changing the filters in your central air and heating system can significantly improve its efficiency and longevity, while easing the pressure on your wallet. In most homes, filters should be changed monthly in the heating season. You should also have your furnace serviced periodically to make sure it is working properly.

6. Improve your insulation.

Insulation deteriorates over time, so you may want to add more material in your attic. Other places to add insulation are in crawl spaces and exposed areas of decks. In addition, an insulating cover over your attic opening also helps trap in the heat.

7. Clean your gutters.

Fallen leaves can quickly clog gutters, which can result in major roof or gutter damage once the weather turns snowy or icy. Clean them out now before temperatures drop further.

8. Reverse your fans.

During winter, the warm air generated by your heating system naturally rises to the ceiling, while cooler air sinks. Reversing the direction of the blades will push the warm air back down, helping cut heating costs.

9. Protect your pipes.

Burst pipes can cost a fortune to replace. Find the pipes in the home that pass through unheated areas, like crawlspaces, and insulate them with foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation. In extreme cases, put heating tape on first to ensure that the pipe does not freeze.

10. Stock up on supplies.

When that first winter storm hits, don’t be caught empty-handed. Ensure you have the right snow removal tools, including a reliable snowblower, shovel and ice scraper. In addition, stock up on rock salt or sand for your walkways to improve traction and melt snow and ice.

(BPT) – Cooler weather has arrived and the holidays are quickly approaching. That means it’s time to focus on your home decorating and, while you can always buy your holiday décor, making it can be so much more fun. Kick off your decorating by breaking out the wood, power drills, Arrow Fastener tools and other materials to create unique wall art that will literally light up your holidays and say “Family.”

Follow these steps from blogger Serena Appiah from ThriftDiving.com and you’ll be able to invite your family to enjoy your handiwork with you.

1. Assemble your materials.

To build this project you’ll need: Arrow Fastener T25 Professional Low Voltage Wire/Cable Staple Gun, 3/8″ wire cable staples, Arrow T50X TacMate and 5/16″ T50 #505 staples. You’ll need a jig saw, power drill and brad point drill bit as well as a large drill bit for pilot holes. Finally, you’ll need 3/4″ plywood if staining word art, 3/4″ MDF if painting word art, string lights, large “Family” stencil, stain or paint, foam brush for staining, paintbrush for painting, sandpaper, dust mask, boards for DIY picture frame (optional), D-ring picture hangers, wall hooks and wood glue.

2. Create the stencil.

To make this light-up word art, you’ll need a large stencil. If you’ve got a personal cutting machine (such as a Cricut or Silhouette), you can easily create a large stencil. However, those machines can be costly. A more cost-effective way to create a stencil is to download a free font you like at DaFont.com, then create your own large stencil at Rasterbator.net. Once the font is downloaded, open a Word document and type the word “Family.” Save the document (or screenshot the word) as a .jpg picture file. Next, head over to Rasterbator.net and follow the instructions to enlarge your .jpg picture file. The website will create a PDF of multiple sheets that you can now print on your own printer in a large version of your word “Family.” Cut out the word and tape it together.

3. Trace and cut.

It’s time to trace and cut out the word. Use your 3/4″ plywood or 3/4″ MDF board and trace out the entire word, being careful not to move it. Once the word is traced out, use a jigsaw with a fine-cutting scroll blade to cut out the word. Plan to spend about one hour cutting out the word. You’ll want to take your time around the corners, using drilled pilot holes to insert your jigsaw blade in the tight areas.

4. Time to sand.

Once your “Family” word art is cut out, sand it smooth with fine sandpaper. Use the power drill with the brad point drill bit and cut out holes for the lights. The size of the brad point drill bit will depend on the size of the lights you’re using, so choose the appropriate drill bit size. Insert the string of lights as you add your holes, making sure that the holes are spaced appropriately for the length of your lights. Be sure to use a sacrificial board on the back side to avoid ripping out the back of the board when drilling holes. Sand smooth after all holes are added.

5. Apply the stain.

Stain your “Family” word art next using a stain of shade that appeals to you. If you’re painting, use a brush and paint it.

6. Insert the lights.

Insert the lights into the holes. Since you’ve already used the lights as a guide when drilling, you know that the lights fit appropriately.

7. Apply Arrow Fastener wire/cable.

Use the Arrow Fastener wire/cable stapler to adhere the cable to the back of the word art. The curved staples protect the wire from being damaged. Be sure to use a board underneath to give the word art some support while stapling. Twirl and loop excess wires and then secure to the back of the word art. Next, add hooks on the back to hang it on the wall. Try different positions to make your word art hang straight, or angle it upward for a bit of flair, which looks really good when using a script font for your word art.

8. Add your DIY frame (optional).

If you want, you can make a DIY frame to hang around your word art. Cut four boards with mitered corners. Then use the Arrow Fastener T50 or T50X TacMate with the appropriate-length staples to glue and staple it (and clamp) together. Hang around your word art to accentuate it.

For more project inspiration around the holidays or anytime, visit www.arrrowfastener.com.

(BPT) – When selling a home, you want the best possible offer from homebuyers. To capture attention and boost bids, consider these eight tips.1. Invest in the bath and kitchen to impressBuyers focus on kitchens and bathrooms, making these rooms worth t…

(BPT) – That chill in the air means one thing: It’s time to winterize your home. Taking a few simple steps now to repair and protect your home from Mother Nature can help save on time, energy bills and costly repairs this season. Here are 10 easy-to-accomplish projects to tackle before winter really sets in.

1. Seal windows and doors.

Small cracks and gaps between window frames and doors allow water, insects and cold air to creep inside. Protect and keep your home warm by replacing worn exterior caulk with new sealant, like DAP^® Dynaflex Ultra™ Advanced Exterior Sealant. Backed by a Lifetime Mold, Mildew and Algae Resistance Guarantee, Dynaflex Ultra utilizes DAP’s exclusive WeatherMax Technology™ for all-weather, waterproof protection that won’t crack, crumble or discolor over time.

2. Fill large gaps.

Gaps and spaces larger than one inch wide – such as a large hole or areas like plumbing stacks, siding edges or floor-wall junctions – should be filled to block drafts and unwanted pests. Try a foam filler, like DAP^® MaxFill™ Triple Expanding Sealant, that provides three times the expansion for an airtight seal.

3. Protect against pests.

To avoid issues with rodents and other pests trying to stay warm this season, use DAP^® Mouse Shield™ to seal up gaps and cracks inside your garage, attic and basement, under sinks or around pipe/electrical penetration. Mouse Shield™ is specially treated to block mice, birds, bats and tree squirrels, as well as ants, roaches, spiders and bees. The foam also seals and insulates to help save on energy.

4. Repair surface damage.

Little cracks exposed to harsh winter elements can quickly grow with the constant freezing and thawing of trapped moisture. For a durable bond that won’t yellow or crumble with time, fill cracks with DAP^® Platinum Patch™ Advanced Exterior Filler. Formulated with exclusive WeatherMax Technology™, Platinum Patch is weatherproof, waterproof and mold, mildew and algae resistant. Use it to repair damaged siding or decks, metal doors, fences, garage doors and even brick or concrete walkways.

5. Check your furnace filter.

If the filters are dirty, your furnace has to work harder. Regularly changing the filters in your central air and heating system can significantly improve its efficiency and longevity, while easing the pressure on your wallet. In most homes, filters should be changed monthly in the heating season. You should also have your furnace serviced periodically to make sure it is working properly.

6. Improve your insulation.

Insulation deteriorates over time, so you may want to add more material in your attic. Other places to add insulation are in crawl spaces and exposed areas of decks. In addition, an insulating cover over your attic opening also helps trap in the heat.

7. Clean your gutters.

Fallen leaves can quickly clog gutters, which can result in major roof or gutter damage once the weather turns snowy or icy. Clean them out now before temperatures drop further.

8. Reverse your fans.

During winter, the warm air generated by your heating system naturally rises to the ceiling, while cooler air sinks. Reversing the direction of the blades will push the warm air back down, helping cut heating costs.

9. Protect your pipes.

Burst pipes can cost a fortune to replace. Find the pipes in the home that pass through unheated areas, like crawlspaces, and insulate them with foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation. In extreme cases, put heating tape on first to ensure that the pipe does not freeze.

10. Stock up on supplies.

When that first winter storm hits, don’t be caught empty-handed. Ensure you have the right snow removal tools, including a reliable snowblower, shovel and ice scraper. In addition, stock up on rock salt or sand for your walkways to improve traction and melt snow and ice.

(BPT) – Cooler weather has arrived and the holidays are quickly approaching. That means it’s time to focus on your home decorating and, while you can always buy your holiday décor, making it can be so much more fun. Kick off your decorating by breaking out the wood, power drills, Arrow Fastener tools and other materials to create unique wall art that will literally light up your holidays and say “Family.”

Follow these steps from blogger Serena Appiah from ThriftDiving.com and you’ll be able to invite your family to enjoy your handiwork with you.

1. Assemble your materials.

To build this project you’ll need: Arrow Fastener T25 Professional Low Voltage Wire/Cable Staple Gun, 3/8″ wire cable staples, Arrow T50X TacMate and 5/16″ T50 #505 staples. You’ll need a jig saw, power drill and brad point drill bit as well as a large drill bit for pilot holes. Finally, you’ll need 3/4″ plywood if staining word art, 3/4″ MDF if painting word art, string lights, large “Family” stencil, stain or paint, foam brush for staining, paintbrush for painting, sandpaper, dust mask, boards for DIY picture frame (optional), D-ring picture hangers, wall hooks and wood glue.

2. Create the stencil.

To make this light-up word art, you’ll need a large stencil. If you’ve got a personal cutting machine (such as a Cricut or Silhouette), you can easily create a large stencil. However, those machines can be costly. A more cost-effective way to create a stencil is to download a free font you like at DaFont.com, then create your own large stencil at Rasterbator.net. Once the font is downloaded, open a Word document and type the word “Family.” Save the document (or screenshot the word) as a .jpg picture file. Next, head over to Rasterbator.net and follow the instructions to enlarge your .jpg picture file. The website will create a PDF of multiple sheets that you can now print on your own printer in a large version of your word “Family.” Cut out the word and tape it together.

3. Trace and cut.

It’s time to trace and cut out the word. Use your 3/4″ plywood or 3/4″ MDF board and trace out the entire word, being careful not to move it. Once the word is traced out, use a jigsaw with a fine-cutting scroll blade to cut out the word. Plan to spend about one hour cutting out the word. You’ll want to take your time around the corners, using drilled pilot holes to insert your jigsaw blade in the tight areas.

4. Time to sand.

Once your “Family” word art is cut out, sand it smooth with fine sandpaper. Use the power drill with the brad point drill bit and cut out holes for the lights. The size of the brad point drill bit will depend on the size of the lights you’re using, so choose the appropriate drill bit size. Insert the string of lights as you add your holes, making sure that the holes are spaced appropriately for the length of your lights. Be sure to use a sacrificial board on the back side to avoid ripping out the back of the board when drilling holes. Sand smooth after all holes are added.

5. Apply the stain.

Stain your “Family” word art next using a stain of shade that appeals to you. If you’re painting, use a brush and paint it.

6. Insert the lights.

Insert the lights into the holes. Since you’ve already used the lights as a guide when drilling, you know that the lights fit appropriately.

7. Apply Arrow Fastener wire/cable.

Use the Arrow Fastener wire/cable stapler to adhere the cable to the back of the word art. The curved staples protect the wire from being damaged. Be sure to use a board underneath to give the word art some support while stapling. Twirl and loop excess wires and then secure to the back of the word art. Next, add hooks on the back to hang it on the wall. Try different positions to make your word art hang straight, or angle it upward for a bit of flair, which looks really good when using a script font for your word art.

8. Add your DIY frame (optional).

If you want, you can make a DIY frame to hang around your word art. Cut four boards with mitered corners. Then use the Arrow Fastener T50 or T50X TacMate with the appropriate-length staples to glue and staple it (and clamp) together. Hang around your word art to accentuate it.

For more project inspiration around the holidays or anytime, visit www.arrrowfastener.com.

(BPT) – When selling a home, you want the best possible offer from homebuyers. To capture attention and boost bids, consider these eight tips.1. Invest in the bath and kitchen to impressBuyers focus on kitchens and bathrooms, making these rooms worth t…

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