There are many reasons to work on updating and renovating your home. It can be somewhat overwhelming to start any home improvement project. The following advice can help you prioritize your home improvement projects.
Use nails to drill some holes in your paint can’s rim. Why? Typically, paint will spill out and run down the can when you put the lid on it. Driving several holes in the circumference of the lid should do the trick.
Changing air filters is paramount. Doing so keeps the air in your home cleaner and helps your heating and cooling systems run more efficiently. Most service calls that get repairmen out to homes are thanks to dirty filters building up crud in the machines.
If you are in need of a screen for your window, consider making your own. Frame kits can be cut to any window size, and then it’s just a matter of attaching the screen with the cording and an inexpensive tool. Some windows require special screens, but you could add external screens to a window with the use of adapters.
Gutters, downspouts and chimneys sometimes get overlooked during yearly maintenance and home improvements. Make sure to inspect these parts of your home so you can make necessary repairs. Chimneys are more prone to fires when they are not cleaned at regular intervals. Likewise, debris often clogs gutters and downspouts, and this can cause water damage if it is not taken care of regularly.
A combo washer-dryer may be the answer if your space is too small for individual units. You can fit many combo washer-dryers in the space of a dishwasher. These machines wash and dry clothes in the same unit.
It goes without saying that you must turn off electricity before you work on any electrical wiring, lighting, outlets and so forth. If you neglect to do this, you increase the risk of sustaining damage, injury or even death.
When working on a home improvement project, it is easy to forget that your supplies are a target for thieves. That’s why these supplies should be located in a secure spot whenever you are not using them. When the project is in a secure home, simply lock up the supplies inside. A lockable storage unit can prevent theft in an open house.
Most lampshades are actually quite boring. You can use a few stencils and a little paint to liven them up. Doing this will add personality to your room and take away from your boring lampshades.
One good habit for keeping up with home improvement work, is to allocate a budget for home repairs and upgrades. By dedicating a reasonable amount of your income to home maintenance and upgrades, it will help keep your house in much better shape. If the budget is not completely used up one year, put it towards a bigger project the following year.
Instead of buying one or two expensive pieces of furniture or trendy decor, consider opting for high-quality materials or fixtures. The reasoning is logical; the decor and furnishings do not typically sell along with the home. Fixtures will often stay where they are and make the home worth more.
You should always check to see if the company you have hired is legitimate. If that company doesn’t provide their physical address and just conducts business via phone, they may be small-time and may not be reputable. Stick to reputable companies only.
Home leak about 20 percent of their heat through glass windows. Cut that loss in half by applying a 2nd glaze to big windows. You’ll see the difference in your heating and cooling bills right away. You will also notice greater comfort in your home.
An air conditioner is a necessary evil in many locations. Pretty up your exterior air conditioner with a trellis, or hide it behind a bush. Ornamental grasses like pampas grass are another option; just be sure to leave approximately one foot of space between the roots and the edge of the unit.
There are lots of various dangers to be wary of when taking on a home improvement project. Don’t buy wall board, sheet rock and drywall that has been made in China. China exports a great abundance of drywall to the US and has been since 2005. A lot of it does not have the same quality control that American made drywall does. It’s not only the crumbling and buckling you have to worry about. Some Chinese drywall can actually emit harmful gases.
When you are remodeling your home, do your plumbing and electrical projects first. Plumbing and electrical repairs often require inner wall access, so plan these repairs first before you paint walls or do renovations. If you already have your walls open for renovation, then it is a perfect time to improve or replace old wiring and plumbing.
Smoke Alarms
Clogs in gutters can cause damage to your home’s exterior. One of the top causes of basement leaks are gutters clogged that cause run-off on the side of your home. Make it a priority to clean your gutters every season.
Install smoke alarms in your home to maintain safety and save money on insurance. This effect is greater with older homes since insurance companies tend to assume that more recent homes are more fire-resistant. These smoke alarms could even save your life and your belongings if a fire starts.
Adopt flexibility as your home improvement mantra. For example, time frames never seem to work out. Sometimes you have to pay more than you had initially planned. Therefore, to keep yourself sane, be flexible; sometimes changes must be made.
As much as a fifth of all heat and cool air in homes is lost through windows. Glazing your large windows can cut this leak in half, saving you money.
You should repair faucet leaks. Before you know it, a tiny leak could spring out of control resulting in a much bigger and costly problem. Also, drips have the potential to stain your surfaces and damage cabinets and countertops. It is very easy and cheap to fix or replace a faucet. Repairing wood or other items damaged by a leaking faucet might not be.
Protective guards or screens placed over your gutters is a great solution for tree-covered homes. A gutter guard keeps leaves, sticks and other debris from filling your gutters needlessly. Using a hose to spray down minute debris from the top of a guard is usually all that is needed to clean them.
Chandeliers are becoming more and more popular. Even some very fancy and very attractive chandeliers can be purchased for well under $500, and they can add over a thousand dollars worth of value to the home. Choose one that is 200 – 400 watts for optimum brightness.
People often make the mistake of thinking that new underfloor, radiant heating or central vacuuming system alone can sell a property. In the meantime, they do nothing for the exterior of the house. First impressions are very important to buyers. First impressions are important when it comes to your home.
Improving a home does not have to be an overwhelming ordeal. Whether you are doing things alone or hiring a professional, with these tips you’re going to be ready to complete your home projects in no time.
Before starting a new project, you should alert your neighbors of the schedule for your project. It can be irritating to live next to construction. Your neighbors will like knowing when they will be disturbed and for how long.