Easy Tips For Being Your Own Handyman (or Handywoman)

TIP! If you use mud for drywall you can put texture on your walls and hide problems. Adding texture is simple.

So, you’re at the point where you want some change. You want to enter the world of home improvement, right? There is no better time to get started. You, no doubt, have many questions, and this article will cover them. Read on for some helpful hints to help get you on your way towards tackling your next project with confidence.

TIP! Any plumbing and wiring issues should be addressed first when doing any home improvement projects. The wiring and plumbing is located inside your walls so any repairs to them will need to happen first.

Whenever your roof needs redoing, you should insert white tile. If not white, then ensure it is light colored. Lighter colors reflect the sun instead of absorbing it, which means your attic will not be so hot. You may save a lot of money on your cooling and heating bills.

Weather Stripping

TIP! Prior to purchasing and installing blinds, make sure you measure carefully. Without proper measurements, you might find yourself unable to install blinds correctly.

If you’d like to improve your home’s energy efficiency levels, place weather stripping by your doors and windows. Weather stripping can be purchased cheaply at your local hardware store, and is easy to apply. It’ll keep hot and cold air sealed out, meaning that the systems you use to heat and cool your home will be more effective. It can even reduce those drafts that always seem to appear on chilly nights.

TIP! Don’t skimp on the quality of paint you use to paint your home’s exterior. Using paint of the highest quality will ensure that the paint job lasts for a long period of time.

Baseboard that are stained rather than painted are more appealing. The warmth of stained wood will add value to your home. In addition, stained baseboards hide scuff marks and are easier to maintain than painted baseboards. There are many colors of stain to match your decor.

TIP! Be honest with your contractor about how much you can afford if you are trying to do a large-scale project. If your contractor knows your budget up front, he can use the best materials that fall within your price range.

Use bleach to maintain a clean toilet bowl. Bleaching your toilets may smell bad for a while, but it will decrease your chances of getting sick and spreading germs as well as making your toilet nice and shiny. You may want to use scented bleach if the odor is offensive.

TIP! You need to be flexible when you undertake home improvement projects. Although you likely want a certain renovation project completed by a certain date, there are sometimes complications that arise that prevent the project from being completed by this time.

A little wallpaper can add appeal and distinction to your bookcase. Choose a fun and original wallpaper design. Then you simply fix the wallpaper into the rear of the bookcase, so that it will be visible behind your books. Doing this can take your bookcase from an item in your room to the focal point.

TIP! There are many home improvement projects that are inexpensive, but yield high savings. Installing Energy Star qualified light bulbs will reduce your carbon emissions and use 75 percent less energy than your current incandescent bulbs.

It’s simple to hide extra supplies in your floor or attic. You can put up your big pieces of molding or wood in these areas. Just hammer some furring strips in place across a pair of exposed joists and slide in what you want to store.

TIP! Astonishingly enough, many homeowners are content to live for years with the same interior paint schemes that were in place when they moved in. Sometimes these color schemes don’t increase the value of their home.

As you begin your home improvement project, take care not to demolish too quickly. It is always wise to find out what is behind a cabinet or wall prior to demolishing it. It can be really expensive if you damage electrical or plumbing systems by mistake.

TIP! When you are about to start your improvement project, be sure to write out your plans from the beginning to the end. Obtain a second opinion from a trusted source to see if there are any steps you missed or anything you didn’t take into account.

You have to sand any wood you plan to stain and then use a damp cloth to wipe it off. Using fine sandpaper will help create a smooth finish. Using a wet rag to wipe off the item will eliminate dust and ensure the finish remains smooth.

TIP! Use decorative painting on the walls to add a dramatic effect for less money. There are many different painting techniques to choose from, and painting supplies are rather inexpensive.

An excellent method for improving the safety of your home is to pad sharp furniture. You can do this with either corner protectors or foam tape. You should also be sure that any loose wiring is taped down, it can pose a choking hazard for young children.

TIP! A great alternative that you can do is to change the outside siding on your home is stucco. Stucco is a simple, age-old process, but requires some expertise in application and special forms to hold it in place, so you may want to hire a professional.

Natural lighting in the basement is something that most people don’t have in their homes. Plan your basement well so that it gets enough light coming in. Many basements are located only partially underground. If this is the case, you should be able to place professional windows that allow a natural light to flood the room.

TIP! When you are doing woodwork, do not ever try to eye any measurements, angles or surfaces. Always use your level, tape measure or speed square.

Serious drainage problems can surface during rainy periods if gutters are clogged. Leaky gutters on the sides of houses can cause water to seep into the basement, which will eventually cause a flood. You should take time, and clean your gutters before you have to deal with the mess.

TIP! Talk to your neighbors about creating a tool pool. Ask around before buying an unusual or rarely used tool, especially if you’re only going to need it once.

Many people feel that low ceilings are too constricting. Fortunately, window treatments may add a much-needed makeover with color and the illusion of larger square footage. You can make your ceilings seem higher by positioning your window treatment a good distance above the windows.

TIP! Remember to make your caulking nice and pleasing to the eye. Every so often, give the caulk bordering your sink and bathtub a once-over.

Now, you are all set to tackle those home-improvement projects. You already knew some things, but now you know more. It is our sincere hope that these tips have given you the basis for a strong start on your home improvement plans and a happy and successful completion.