You can either invest a weekend or a lifetime into home renovations. Improving your home can add to its value. You can also run into disaster. This article can help you to make good decisions when it comes to planning new projects and to ensure that you don’t make critical errors.
Prior to installing paneling, paint stripes on the old wall. Regardless of how much care and caution you use when putting up paneling, old walls have a tendency to peek through. Take the time to measure and mark where panels will meet. Paint wall strips with a color that is going to match the paneling color.
Many older houses have carpet in them, but after decades of living the carpets look stained and outdated. Wood floors offer lasting appeal and more durability than carpeting can offer.
Prior to starting an interior painting project, be sure and run a damp cloth on all walls and baseboards to get rid of dirt, grime and dust. That helps the paint to stick to the walls that much more, and will help you avoid the hassle of frequent touch-ups or more coats of paint.
As you undergo a bathroom remodel, don’t forget to install adequate lighting. Sometimes people focus more on the fixtures and don’t consider the lighting until it is too late. Be sure to light your medicine chest/mirror well. Put good lighting on the ceiling in a fixture that is easy to disassemble for bulb replacement.
If time or money is not an option, select a yard that will have little or no maintenance. There are many plants that can survive with little water. A low maintenance yard will save you time, and low water requirements will save you money.
Look for low levels around your property, paying special attention to the areas around your home’s foundation. Any area that would allow water to pool up or run through the area must be filled with soil and compacted as well as possible to prevent damage to your yard. Water digging away by the foundation can even seep into your house or rot wooden parts of your house.
Use a quality primer before repainting glossy walls. Doing this improves the paint’s ability to stick to the wall, which will prevent the new coat of paint from peeling off the walls. Using primer will make color changes easier if you are going from dark to light and cut down the number of needed coats of paint.
Use some varnish and wallpaper to make a back splash in the kitchen. Purchase wallpaper with the design you want. Measure out the dimensions of the wall space and be sure to cut large so you have a little extra to work with. Place paste on the wall, and let it rest for a few moments until it gets tacky. Hang your wallpaper and then smooth out bubbles. Then, trim up the edges with a razor for a clean look. Then, varnish. Have fun with your brand new, inexpensive back-splash.
Demolition should never be rushed through during improvement projects. You may be tempted to just take out the old structure and get to building the new stuff. But, you never want to accidentally remove wiring simply because you failed to ascertain whether any electrical components remained.
Be sure to turn off your water main before you begin working on your water pipes. Before attempting to repair or replace your sink, locate and turn off your home’s water supply.
When you are working with wood and you have a precise spec, never substitute a guess for an actual measurement. Remember to use a level, speed square and tape measure.
Exterior Paint
One home improvement project that can make a dramatic difference in your home’s appearance and attractiveness is to go for a full exterior paint job. Exterior paint can greatly improve the look and value of your home. When you pick a different color, it will make you feel like you have a new home.
Look at your roof for damages that may have happened over the winter when the weather turns. You will want to look for curling or blistering of shingles and do some repairs. Taking care of minor damage to your roof when you see it will prevent you from having to take care of major and expensive issues later.
Give good effort to your home’s curb appeal. Add edging around trees and bushes. Have some nice shrubs around your property. Maintain a clear walkway. You can also hire someone to power wash your home to give it a fresh clean look. Wipe down all windows so they are spotless. All these things can leave a lasting impression on those who come to view your home.
Unless you know a lot about electrical systems, it is best to leave that to a professional. He/She will know the safest and most effective ways to achieve your goals. However, if you attempt to tackle this project on your own, it could end up costing a lot more money if you damage the system.
Ask for a copy of blueprints when beginning any major home improvement project. The cost of this is well worth the “peace of mind” you get. In addition, the records will stay on file with your home, in case you decide to sell, buyers will be aware that all the upgrades were correctly done.
Make sure any contractor that you’re considering has the proper licensing your state requires. Look this up on your state’s website or call the appropriate department. Unlicensed contractors can be scam artists or they could have done something wrong to have their license revoked.
Improving your home truly means doing a good job. Bad choices could actually detract from your home’s value. Using these simple tips, you can avoid living with disasters.