Big home renovations projects are fun, however costly. But are they really the important ones? It goes without saying that completing a big reno is very rewarding, but did you find other smaller issues that you looked after along the way?

Sometimes it?s easy to get all caught up with the big things while some of the smaller issues around the house get put on the back burner. Things like adding new counter tops to the kitchen is a great job to get done, but did it get done while bypassing the weather stripping that needs to be done around the front door? I know that adding new weather stripping around the front door isn?t as glamorous as adding new hardwood.

This is just one of many little things that can go undone. What I?m talking about are just priorities. It?s winter ? what are we doing replacing the bathroom vanity when the cold air is coming in all around the front door? Some of the smaller repairs, although not noticeable, can be more important to us that the big fat ones. I am by far the worst offender as far as letting the little ones slip by.

A good suggestion would be to take some time to look after some of those small things we all let slip by. Check to see if all the windows close all the way. Do you need to clean out the track? This is something that you may not ever think of but could cause the window not to close all the way.

Also check all the exterior doors. Do they close tightly enough? Check the weather seal around the door to see if it contacts properly. I?ll bet you find some need attention some way or another. This is a big heat loss area. Adjusting and tightening the screws will help then to operate better.

Fix any leaky taps too. We all know how much hot water gets wasted this way it?s all about the dollars. If they need a new set of washers; this only takes a few minutes and can prevent trouble when you don?t have time to deal it.

Close off or open up any heating vents that may or may not be needed. Drain off a gallon of water from the bottom of the hot water tank. This lets all the sediment free so the tank can run more efficiently. Getting that old dirty water out of there is just a good idea in general.

Check the furnace filter. Change it if it looks at all dirty. Filters are cheap and have a lot to do with the air flow and air quality in the house. Check under all the sinks. Look carefully at the drains for small leaks. This is one that you want to catch before it goes bad. If you can open the black ?P? trap under the sink then do so. Be ready with a towel and pail. Clear it of any debris and collect all the money and jewelry. Finders keepers.

Remove the dryer vent hose and clean it out. Check all the connections for the clothes washer. Be sure they are tight and that the valves all work properly. Even go as far as checking all the cabinet door catches in the kitchen and bath. I have never noticed one that didn?t need re-alignment. I even noticed that the seal around my refrigerator door was all misshaped. To repair this all I did was tape it back into place.

Level the fridge and stove while you?re at it. It?s nice when the fridge door will close on its own. An important one is to check the freezer and be sure the cord is in the outlet all the way and not hanging on ready to be knocked loose. Take a flash light and look around all the places that we never think about. Look for trouble like water damage.

It?s always better to find these things before they create large issues for us later. A lot of the dumb little things I mention involve sealing the cold air out or in with fridges. This is all money ? money you?re paying for energy. Other small adjustments like doors and catches can prevent the total failure of the item in the future or perhaps just better operation.

Sometimes it?s not about the money it can be about preventing small little problems that can make your life difficult down the road. That is a big part of home improvement; make your life easier whenever you can.