Nearly everyone has at least one thing that they would like to see changed about their home. Fortunately, many home improvements are projects that even a novice homeowner can tackle. You can, with a little planning, easily accomplish projects like cabinet refacing, adding decorative molding to walls, windows, doors, or outdoor projects like improving your gutter system. Some things, however, are best left to the pros, especially if they involve electricity or plumbing. This article will help you decide if your home improvement project can be done by yourself, or if you need to call in expert help.
If you have a water leak coming from your faucet or beneath the sink, hire a professional. You can collect the water while you are waiting.
It is a very good idea to own your home. Most people want to decorate their house and make improvements to fit their lifestyle, but when you rent you need to ask for permission to make certain improvements. It is much better to do that in your own property, as it doesn’t make any sense to spend thousands of dollars to improve someone else’s property.
Look for the line of nails! If you need to snug up a protruding piece of paneling or drywall you can normally tell where to add a new nail or screw just by closely observing the surface of the panel. It was installed by nailing it to the underlying wall studs and evidence of those studs will likely still be visible.
Do you want to gain a little closet or floor space in your next home improvement project? Relocate your water heater to your attic! Modern water heaters are produced in efficient, reliable “low-boy” designs that you can tuck safely between your ceiling and your roof. This allows you to gain a little extra storage space.
Interior lighting can be used to create the illusion of spaciousness in narrow hallways or nooks. Install light fixtures above eye level along the length of the corridor in such a way that the light is directed downward. In addition to making the area feel larger, it can also be used to illuminate family portraits and decorative wall elements.
Changing the upholstery on your furniture will give your room a fresh new look and cost you far less than buying new furniture. It is quite an easy fix for dining chairs and stools but you will likely have to hire a professional to do the work on big pieces, like sofas.
While it is important to express your own individuality in your home renovations, it is equally important to keep your projects in sync with neighboring properties. Going to far in your renovations might be great for TV, but it’s not useful for much else. Outlandish things like that can make it tough for you when you wish to sell the house.
Check with your local fire department to determine what you can, or cannot store in your garage. Storing combustible materials (such as gasoline or used oil) is usually prohibited. Fire departments can restrict the storage area in your garage to prevent fires or make it easier for them to control it.
Before performing renovations on your home, you should make sure you find the permits that you need well in advance of the actual renovation project. If you do not get these permits, then you will not be able to carry out your project when the time comes. If you are not sure about the proper permits that you need, hire a professional general contractor.
If the standpipe in your laundry room overflows when your washing machine drains, check for a clogged vent pipe (usually on your roof). You can also snake the drainpipe, as small socks or pocket debris may exit the washer and become trapped in the pipe. If no clogs are located, you may need to make the standpipe taller or replace it with a wider pipe that can handle your washer’s output.
Be prepared for the plumbing work to take longer than anticipated. Whether you are installing a shower, a sink or a toilet, have a backup plan in case you and your family have to go without for a while. Make sure everyone showers before beginning the work or arrange with a family member to let you spend the night if need be.
As you have read in this article, with just a little planning and some investigation, you can take on basic home improvement projects and make your home a happy, healthy place for your family. By knowing what projects you can do and what projects you should leave to the experts, you can even save a significant amount of money. So pick up that hammer and those nails, and have fun with your next home improvement project!
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