You may plan to live in your home for decades, or you may plan to sell quickly, but home improvement is always a good idea. Just a few basic repairs can dramatically boost the value of your home. This article is going to go over some of the things that you can do to make your home more improved.
Drywall Mud
Utilizing drywall mud to texture walls can add some visual interest and hide many imperfections. It’s easy to texture. Put the drywall mud on. Use tools to give it texture. A stiff brush will work, as will a sponge, a fork and even a plastic bag. Anything that gives an interesting texture.
Construction adhesives are great at stopping floor squeaks. You may have to work in tight spots but your efforts are well worth it. Secure the floor joists to the existing adjoining subfloor planks with glue from a caulking gun.
One great place to start a home improvement project is your kitchen. Get started by cleaning the walls off. This mixture will not only remove grease but also prep the walls for a new coat of paint. A good color choice for a kitchen is tan. Your kitchen will always look great if you choose this color.
When you plan for any home improvement project, be sure to decide where you will put the debris that accumulates when any work such as this is undertaken. You’ll find that trying to handle waste disposal on the fly is both frustrating and expensive; you can save yourself money and headaches by making arrangements ahead of time.
Some things often overlooked when doing home improvements or updating are gutters, downspouts and chimneys. Make sure to inspect these parts of your home so you can make necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters.
When looking to sell your home, be sure to define all of the spaces in your home. Place the appropriate accessories and furniture in each room. Well-defined areas will help buyers visualize how the space can be properly utilized. Well defined spaces makes a house attractive, and it will be easier to sell.
Wall-to-wall carpeting was common decades ago, but the carpets in these older houses are often badly deteriorated. Wooden floors are classic and will last considerably longer than even the most plush carpet.
Any renovation you make must keep the home’s occupants in mind, especially if seniors live there. One good example of this is a shower stall that can simply be stepped into or rolled into with a shower chair. Even better, railings can do a world of good.
If you’re getting a contractor to take on some home improvement projects for you, it’s crucial that you ensure they’re properly insured. Should they cause damage to the house and lack proper insurance, you may end up having to sue them. Contractors who are insured will carry insurance, so make sure to ask to see this.
Always make sure that any new kitchen cabinetry is securely fastened to wall studs and not just into the wall. Always find and clearly mark the studs in you walls before installing anything so that you can securely attach things. You can purchase a cheap stud finder for this job.
Popcorn Ceiling
Before trying to remove a popcorn ceiling yourself, have it tested for asbestos. Asbestos needs special care when removing and disposing of it, as it is a dangerous substance; the only time there is a problem, however, is if it is disturbed. If your popcorn ceiling does have asbestos in it, you will have to find a licensed company to remove it for you.
You may want to get a dormer window if your attic is spacious. Dormers are able to provide enhanced character to the house as well as a significant amount of additional interior space. Making your attic useable will increase the value of your home and offer you more living space, all for a small cost.
Before doing any work on any kind of gas appliance, you must be sure the gas is turned off completely. Any little spark can ignite this invisible gas. Even though you may not have disconnected the gas line, you still may have let gas loose while moving things.
A large-scale indoor home improvement project can be terribly disruptive to your family. It’s a good idea to schedule work on the project for times when people are out at work or school. This will minimize the amount of stress for everyone involved.
Do not rush into a home improvement job. Always cover your furniture before you start painting. Your furniture will likely be ruined if you splatter paint on it. Furniture can be protected from paint with simple sheets.
Replacing your siding with stucco can be a very expensive project. Be sure that you are properly prepared for the investment that comes with this option. You might really want to do it in a specific manner, but there is always a way that is similar but cheaper.
If your community gets together, you will be able to build a community toolbox for everyone to use. Borrow and loan the more specialized tools you need for certain projects so that you and your neighbors split up the costs of acquiring them. You could even share tips with your neighbors.
If you want to keep a running list of quick home improvement projects to tackle in your spare time, make a habit of inspecting your home for minor problems on a monthly basis. Air leaks would be an example of this. Once the leaks are detected, you can begin to insulate, which will lead to savings on your utility bill.
A well-chosen home improvement project should not be underestimated. Putting in one weekend full of work can change your homes’ appearance. You are now equipped with lots of useful ideas for improving your home. Just pick one and start working.
