A home you want to live in forever or a home you plan to sell are truly the same when it comes to home improvements. Even very basic projects can have a big impact on the value of your property. In this article, we share great tips on making solid improvements to your home.
Oil Based Paint
You may need to repaint a porch. Make sure to use quality outdoor paint. You want to make sure you use paint that will work over the old paint. Use oil paints over oil paints and water-based paints over old water-based paints. Be careful with oil based paint on surfaces that have foot traffic because it become slippery when wet. However, oil based paint is fine on house trim.
When deciding on which home improvements you are going to do, consider only those that make sense. For example, it is not a wise invest to install a sun room with no insulation in the colder climates. Cater to what is desired, and do not try to go beyond the means of what the climate calls for.
If you wish to do an easy home improvement project, get to a store and purchase some paint. A new coat of paint is just the thing to make an entire home seem brand new, and only requires a bit of time and money. Applying a fresh coat of paint is a fantastic way to increase your home’s attractiveness and entice possible buyers.
It’s a good idea to have a professional take a look at your existing floors before you commit yourself to the expensive proposition of installing all-new hardwood. You could have gorgeous hardwood flooring that needs refinishing hiding beneath carpeting or linoleum. You will come out on top with a nicer floor, and save money!
Turn off any water supply before you start any bathroom or kitchen project. Find the shutoff valve before you do any work near pipes or other water supplies. Doing this can help prevent water damage.
When replacing locks, you have two options. You can only replace the cylinder or you can replace the whole assembly. The cylinder, which contains the tumblers and accepts keys, is the critical piece of the lock. Simply purchase a cylinder replacement if you misplace your key. Should you prefer complete security changes, or to enhance your door, the entire unit should be replaced.
Be sure to note the ingredients in the products you use for removing clogs in drains. All cleaners are different. Certain ones contain harsh ingredients that can be dangerous. Don’t use crystallized cleaners since they may stick to the insides of the pipes and constantly damage them. Your drain cleaner should be compatible with the septic tank.
Homeowners should never hire unlicensed contractors to work on their home improvement jobs. All sub-contractors and general contractors in every state are required to have certification. Although the requirements are not a guarantee that your contractor is competent for the job, they are required by law. You also want to be sure that they carry adequate insurance so that you are not at risk of a huge loss if they happen to cause damage to your home.
One improvement that can make your life easier is replacing ordinary paneling in areas with many pipes with waterproof paneling. “Green board”, as it is known in the trade, is water resistant. It will also resist any moisture better than regular boards so is a great choice for this type of use.
If possible, make home improvements immediately after noticing an issue. A good deal of damage results from things that are easy to overlook or postpone. However, this is a dangerous thought. Because all of your home’s systems are connected closely, it can take no time for damage to spread. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess.
Sealing Grout
Sealing grout after the tile is laid is very important. Grout isn’t waterproof on its own. If it is not properly sealed, moisture might ruin the grout and cause mold or mildew to appear. Also, when grout is unsealed, it stains easily. Sealing grout makes it easy to clean the grout later. Additionally, it will save money in repairs that become necessary when mildew is a problem.
To maintain hot water while traveling through pipes during the winter, you should insulate all plumbing. Any hardware store will have a selection of foam insulation and other products to help you easily cover your pipes and protect them from the cold. It will make sure the lines don’t freeze and so you will not have to replace them.
If your home improvement project is on a tight schedule, be willing to shell out more money for the job. The contractor would love it if he was paid a ton to get the job done. This is because they will deserve more money for working quickly. As long as you are both on the same page about this, your job will get done on time.
It is easy to perform many of the home improvement projects yourself. But, if the repairs needed are complicated, you may need to hire an experienced contractor. Certain drywall jobs, simple plumbing repairs, and interior painting can be done without professional experience. This will save you a lot of time and hassle with hiring someone.
The lowest price may not be the best deal when it comes to building contractors. It may look like a bargain up front, but many contractors will bid low in order to secure the job, and tell you later about the extra money you will need to spend. Many times you get what you pay for when it comes to home improvement contractors. Make sure you know exactly what work needs to be done so you can price it properly and select a contractor from a good base of understanding.
There’s a lot to be said for home improvement projects. Just spending one weekend can make your home look different to people. Hopefully, this article has given you some food for thought. Simply pick a project and get started on it.
