Thursday, March 29, 2012

Home Improvement Secrets You Would Need To Know

By Ian Jones


Home improvement projects can be so much work. Moreover, if you are a newbie, there is a lot that you should be considering and keeping in mind as you get started. From gathering your supplies to knowing when it is time to give in and get a professional, you need these home improvement tips to guide you through the various stages of any project you could take on.

A cheap way to really change the look of a kitchen is to simply change the knobs that are found on the cabinets. You can go to a home improvement store and find a large selection of knobs. You will be able to find knobs that really show off your personality and fit the style of your home.

Remodeling your kitchen is a time consuming process. Don't create more work for yourself by hastily removing your old cabinets and damaging your walls. Carefully check to make sure you have removed all the screws and nails holding the cabinets to the walls, and use a putty knife to remove any caulk adhesive.

Any time you must remove your toilet, have a new wax ring on hand for replacing the old one. These rings are very inexpensive, and it's worth the peace of mind to maintain a good seal between your toilet and the drain pipe underneath it. Old wax rings or those that have been removed and reused can disintegrate, causing nasty leaks and damage to your flooring.

Painting is a perennial task. Water-based latex paints make for the easiest clean-up. You only need soap and water. But sometimes oil paint is best for a job. It is longer lasting. When cleaning up from oil paint, use cooking oil on your brushes to dissolve the paint. Then you can use soap and water.

Make sure that you and your family members know how to shut off the water supply to your home in case of an emergency. If you wake up to a burst pipe, gushing water heater or other unexpected fountain, you need to be able to kill the supply immediately to prevent damage and a sky-high water bill.

When committing to a home improvement project, be sure to do a lot of research in regards to property values. There are actually many things that you can do to your home that are cheap and can greatly increase your property value. With that being true, the opposite is as well, so do your research so that you can prevent spending money and ultimately, end up lowering your property value.

Make sure that there is no electrical wiring in any part of the structure that you plan on demolishing. You don't want to start tearing something down only to discover something that may be too expensive to relocate. You may be in a hurry to start your project, but you don't want any surprises later, so you need to take your time.

Chimneys, gutters, and downspouts can often get overlooked during home improvements and yearly updating. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly and make any repairs necessary. Your chimney can catch fire if not cleaned on a regular basis and gutters and downspouts can become clogged with debris, which can lead to water damage if not addressed.

Maybe the house or apartment you're living in is great, but the view to the outside is not. If you have any offending sights that you wish to conceal, consider putting some plants or flowers on your window sill or in a window box. If you would like to take drastic measures in concealing your offending view, plant some shrubs or large trees in front of your window. This can ensure that you have a nicer view.

Before you start enjoying your backyard this summer it is a good idea to evaluate the condition of your deck. Check for rotting wood or holes and repair or replace the problem areas. You will be prepared for the summer and this will save you time and money in the long run.

If you live in a home that was built before 1990, consider having your attic re-insulated with newer materials and energy saving foam. Newer home insulation technology can save you hundreds of dollars in less than a year by improving the overall efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.

If you're thinking about doing home improvement work, get a home inspection first. If you've owned your home for at least a decade there may be some damage that could affect the safety of your home. Have a home inspector come through and check your entire house, then pay for any repairs before you spend all your money on improvements.

Never take on a home improvement project that you aren't fully confident that you can complete. Even if you want to do-it-yourself, if you aren't confident that you can finish the project on your own you should obtain professional assistance. This will prevent you from realizing halfway into the project that you aren't able to get it done, which can cost more than getting a professional from the start.

If you want to try home improvement on your own, it could be a great experience. However, there are times when a professional is the best option for your needs. At the same time, you want to know how to take care of things on your own while you are taking care of the professionals you employ. All of these things are important to all home improvement projects. Make sure you are using the advice in this article so you can get started appropriately.




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