Considering a home improvement project? Before you begin, safeguard yourself against disaster by learning as much as possible about your chosen plan of action. Read these tips to learn how to make the most of your home improvement projects.
Considering the cost of hiring a plumber, you will probably want to do some of the simpler plumbing tasks yourself. An essential tool is the pipe wrench. It is adjustable, so it can fit a pipe perfectly, and it provides an excellent grip and leverage. This one tool will more than pay for itself.
Improve your home and lower your water bill by changing out your toilet with a more efficient model. Many companies have reduced the amount of gallons it takes to flush and they even feature options, such as flushing only liquids or solids, so you can control how much water is used, depending on what is in the toilet.
When improving your house, take the neighborhood’s character into consideration. Adding classic Victorian details to your home would look out of place in a neighborhood with Cape Cod homes. You have to remember that you’ll likely sell your home in the future, and this will be much easier if it fits in with the neighborhood around it.
Recycle your plastic bottles to use as cord keepers! Smaller bottles like pill bottles work well to keep small appliance cords from tangling and bigger bottles like those vehicle oil come in work great for big shop extension cords. Just clean the bottles thoroughly, cut off the top and bottom, and use the resulting sleeve for your cords.
If you are renovating the exterior of your home, don’t neglect the garage door. In many homes, the garage door is the biggest single architecture feature of a home as it is viewed from the street. A new garage door or even just a coat of paint on the old door, can really make a difference.
If you live in a home that was built before 1990, consider having your attic re-insulated with newer materials and energy saving foam. Newer home insulation technology can save you hundreds of dollars in less than a year by improving the overall efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
If your home isn’t complete with a shower, it is wise to think about having one installed. In addition to being significantly more accessible than a tub, you can greatly reduce the amount of water used by your household – especially if you have children. The numbers don’t lie. A quick shower consumes only 25% of the water that a full bathtub does.
Does your floor appear old and worn out? If you have a lot of energy and a lot of time on your hands, you will be able to remove your old flooring and install pre-glued wood tiles on your own. Some might consider this cheap, but it can be acceptable. It is also so easy to install that you can do it yourself.
If you are serious about improving your home, then use the information learned as best as you can. If you want your house to look its best, the sole way to do it is by making use of these tips for home improvement.