I guess you could say I’ve been involved in-home improvement projects quite often in my life. At this very minute my husband is finishing the drywall in our living room, and will soon be painting it. While it’s great to see the finished product, the process can be very messy.
When doing a DIY home improvement project, put safety first. Make sure you wear protective equipment such as a hard hat and goggles when needed. Use power tools (especially ones you are not familiar with) with extreme caution. Read the directions and ask for help when needed. Home improvement stores are a great resource of information.
Venetian blinds can be vacuumed but at some point, they need to be washed. One way to wash them is to put them in the bathtub and use a brush and solvent to clean off the accumulation of dust. An easier way, may be to wash them while still hanging. Put a plastic drop cloth underneath to keep water off the floor.
Seriously reconsider adding a swimming pool to your backyard. A pool can be an enjoyable addition to a home. What some people fail to realize is that they are also very expensive. Not only are there the initial costs to consider, there is also the cost of regular upkeep. Make sure you have the money and time required, to keep your pool area from falling into disrepair, before you spend the money on it.
Avoid making expensive renovations based on personal tastes. Spending $1,000 a tile on your bathroom may seem like a good plan but the odds are if you eventually sell, you will not recoup that money. If the change is not something that can be appreciated by someone other than you, consider doing something different.
Use school glue on your wall paper repairs. This cheap glue dries clear and works whether you are repairing a turned up corner, a tear, or a bubble that wasn’t properly addressed when the wall paper was hung. The squeeze tip bottle even allows you to easily insert the glue into small places.
When you are doing your next project, make a place where your garbage can go. Removal of debris can be expensive; however, with proper planning, your project can stay on budget.
It is important to work from the bottom up in a home improvement project. This is the exact opposite approach than you would take for many other projects, but there is a lot more mess involved in home improvement. Make sure to consider the order that you want your projects completed in.
A roof replacement is one of the more expensive home improvement projects. Get estimates from at least three roofing companies and be sure to check their references. Lots of choices in roofing materials exist today, such as metal roofing, lightweight tiles, composite shingles and conventional wood shakes. A knowledgeable roofer or contractor can help you find the right choice for your home.
We have a home which is over 100 years old and updating it has been an ongoing process over the past five years. We have a new dining room, two new bathrooms and half of a new kitchen. Recently, my husband installed four new windows and put new siding on half of the house. I can’t wait for the whole thing to be done!