subject: Stay Away From These Home Improvement Pitfalls [print this page] Home improvement is the most cost-effective way to get a new home in this economy. In a buyer's market, it is too hard to find someone to buy your home at the price it is valued. Instead of dealing with the real estate hassle, why not improve the home you already have? This article has tips on how you can make your current home seem new.
Do your homework before starting to demolish. It might seem easy, even fun, to rush into a demolition and start cutting holes or ripping down walls. Always check first for electrical wires or components that are still attached. It might be too expensive to completely remove the structure, so it's better to double check first.
Rotting decks, chipping paint and ceilings that have water damage are things that you can easily see when looking through the home you are considering buying. There are things like electrical problems, structural damage, roof defects, poor ventilation and many others that can only be found by a professional inspector. Invest some money prior to purchasing a home and save a lot of money in the future on repairs.
Is your kitchen sink stopped up again? Have you tried products like Draino to no avail? Well, before you call that plumber, or buy a plumber snake, try to use a plunger first! Yup, the same thing that can unclog your toilet works just as fine when you are trying to unclog your kitchen sink. Just add a little water in the sink to create a seal around the plunger and plunge away!
Thinking green about home improvements not only means being environmentally friendly, but it also means taking action on your lawn. If the lawn looks horrendous with bare spots and weeds, seed and fertilize it. If it is damaged beyond repair get a new sod laid to give your home a great new look.
If you live in a rural area, consider purchasing a power back up generator. When the lights go out and sometimes your heating even depends on it, you can be without power for hours or even days in seriously harsh weather. A power generator can help you take care of the necessities that you can't do without when the electricity is out.
Room dividers are useful for defining living areas in homes with open floor plans. Purchased shelving units or folding screens always work well. However, simpler screens can also be made easily; hang fabric panels on dowels attached to the ceiling. Dividers allow privacy and visually break up large spaces into areas with specific purpose, such as computer nooks or exercise areas.
If you think you may have black mold, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Black mold is extraordinarily toxic, and many homeowners who try to remove it themselves end up in a hospital. It is best to leave this type of removal to the professionals, and let them work to keep your family safe.
Updating your home can be an expensive and lengthy process. However, if you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of engaging in any home improvement project, no matter how large or small, you can save both time and money. By following the advice in this article, you can avoid common pitfalls and learn the best ways to make the most of your investment in your home.
