The first thing that comes to the mind with the word winter is the festive season. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and NewYear all bring with them loads of excitement and endless series of guests, gifts and bouquet of delicacies. Often this leads to a situation where there is very little or no time left for doing minor but critical home improvement activities.

Typically, home improvement for winters should be done in the fall only. If by any reason you have missed doing the necessary home improvements in the fall then it becomes imperative that you execute them as soon as possible. Some of the important do it yourself (DIY) home improvement projects that one can undertake for making a better home are:

• Roof Check: Checking the roof for leaks and cracks is something that should be taken up on priority. The roof of a house faces lot of beating by the sun in summers as well as rain in the rainy season. Proper roof check should be done to access its damage. A check can be done by looking for shingles lifting, wooden chippings or shavings. Replacing of these broken parts should be done carefully; help from a friend who has undertaken this kind of work in the past can be taken. One should never do the roof check alone, at least two people are advised to do roof check and one of them should stay at ground. It is always an option to take professional services for the roof repair work.

• Furnace and Fireplace: In winters, one of the most frequently used things in a house is the furnace or the fireplace. Furnace should be checked for damage to its pipes and the body. Changing of the air filters of a furnace if advised. Getting a fireplace ready for winters is a not at all complicated; there is only one thing to do, ‘Cleaning it'. This is best done in the fall season and would be a very cumbersome process in winters. Black charcoal like soot remains in the chimney and the fireplace should be cleaned properly.

• Garden care: Taking care of your precious plants is important as winter is a harsh time for them. Proper mowing and raking the leaves would help the roots of the plants get the food and nutrient they need easily. Dry leaves and other lawn waste could be dumped in a compost pile to be used later for gardening. Pruning of all flowering plants should be done to make them ready for winters. Although usually done in fall, weed removal and fertilizer application should be done as early as possible, doing this makes the soil ready and nutrient rich for spring.

Before undertaking any home improvement Do It Yourself projects, it should be noted that proper safety precautions are taken. In case you have doubts about undertaking any specified activity then it is advisable to consult a professional for guidance.