Friday, March 16, 2012

Build The Home Of Your Dreams Thanks To These Tips.

By Ian Jones


The art of home improvement is so much more than just putting in a new sink. It takes a great deal of research, a lot of hard work, and careful attention to detail to really make sure that things look nice and that they are safely installed. The tips below can help you improve your home improvement skills.

When designing a renovation for your home, consider the value to you of a personal touch versus the return on investment you will receive upon selling the home. The more individualized you make your renovation, the less likely it is that someone else will want to buy it for enough to cover the cost of the work.

To remove nicks or scratches from kitchen cabinets, recondition the wood with oil, and then install new handles or knobs. Another option is to replace just the doors or door fronts. This is a little work but far cheaper than completely re-facing your cabinets, and your kitchen will get a brand new look.

Always keep the big picture in mind when embarking on a long term home improvement project. Your budget may dictate that you break up a project into several smaller, more manageable pieces, but take care that the finished product doesn't look like a hodgepodge of unrelated, poorly thought out elements.

For a professional finish when painting furniture or other items, consider using spray paint instead of painting with a brush. You can better control the application of the paint, and when the furniture dries, it will not have any brush marks. Modern spray paint comes in a huge range of finishing textures and colors, so you can find paint to complete almost any project.

A basic handyman's toolbox should contain the following things: hammer, nails, adjustable wrench, vice grips, one interchangeable head screwdriver, a set of Alan wrenches, 3 and 1/2 inch screws, a drill, glue or epoxy putty, a metal file and/or sandpaper, and a handyman belt. These essentials will get you through most basic jobs.

Patch holes in drywall using mesh. First spread a layer of drywall mud into the hole and around its edges. Then press the patch into the mud so that it adheres evenly to the surface of the wall. Trowel the mud carefully over the patch, allow to dry, and then sand to smooth.

If you have a limited budget for updating your home and want to make the biggest impact value-wise, tackle your kitchen. New counter tops, cabinets, flooring, fixtures and appliances can add both value and appeal to your home if you decide to sell it, and you can enjoy the updates yourself if you plan on staying a while.

When installing tile onto a floor, shower, tub, or anywhere where will be moisture, remember to install a cement backer board. The cement back board will keep moisture from reaching the drywall. When water interacts with the dry wall, damaging mold and mildew can form on the wall.

When making renovations on your home, you should avoid simply choosing the lowest price from a contractor. Many times, it will be too good to be true and you will have to pay a large amount of money to fix damages. Besides that, it can be very stressful for you. Save yourself the hassle and find the best contractor you can find instead of the cheapest.

For slow-draining toilets caused by tree roots, use a foaming tree root remover in your toilet every six months. While regular granules of copper sulfate do work, only the tree roots that come into contact with the granules are killed. A foaming product fills the entire pipe with solution, ensuring that all of the roots die and break off, leaving your pipes free and clear.

Is your garage door looking a little bit drab? Try to add some color to it by painting it with a fresh coat of paint. Because you constantly move your garage door it can get worn down quickly. If you add a new coat of paint, your garage will look fresh and new again.

This tip might seem like it is common sense, but you'd be shocked at just how many people do not shut off the main water supply before attempting plumbing repairs. You might cut off the water to a direct outlet, like the sink or toilet, but as long as the main is still online you could end up flooding your home.

It is extremely important to change your air filters. Not only is it more healthy for the air that you breathe inside your home, but it is better for your heating and air conditioning unit. Many of the service calls that these repairmen face are due to build up that has gotten into the machine from dirty filters.

The above smart tips will get you looking at home improvements like a professional, so your projects will all sail straight for success instead of taking a more expensive, roundabout way to getting where you ultimately want to be. With the right attitude and mental preparation, you can transform your home into a dream home.




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