Home Improvement

Many people want to get in on DIY home improvement. Curiosity might have killed the cat, but curiosity for individuals who engage in DIY home improvement is gold. The reason for this is that often, curiosity is the strongest “hook” in every DIY home improvement project.

Fascinatingly enough, this curiosity pushes people to pursue seemingly daunting tasks: replacing the electric gate closer, repairing faulty electric wiring, fixing broken furniture, replacing worn-out parts of the wall, etc. Though the general success rate for these attempts varies, there remains the fact that many people continue with their DIY projects, sacrificing time and cash just to complete a project.

The pleasure is in the making, as they always say. But, there would be less distress ahead if common distress issues are known and avoided.

The usual distress spots

1. Willingness to end- no DIY home improvement project would prosper if you are not willing to “attack” a project until its logical conclusion. DIY sometimes has a terrible name because some people start two or three projects and abandon them midway.

What happens when a person treads on the perilous territory of DIY home improvement laziness? The house will be in shambles, or at least will suffer from a lot of clutter.

One should not sacrifice the beauty of a home to do it yourself shenanigans. If you don’t have enough will power to really replace the door that you just forcefully removed with your power drill, then perhaps it’s time that you place it back to where it was before.

Never start a huge project that you cannot end at all. To do so would be a waste of valuable resources.

2. Lack of skill- let’s face it. Not everything in life could be achieved through sheer willpower alone. You should take time to learn and develop the necessary skills as well.

If you have no prior experience with carpentry, that can be remedied by studying the basics of carpentry. If you don’t know how to tinker with the electrical system of your house, then that’s okay, do your research first before you start pulling out the wires from their rightful places within the walls.

DIY or do it yourself is not guesswork- its far from it. In its best manifestation, do it yourself is the application of what you learned on your own so far. Though some people might consider it play, it really isn’t. DIY home improvement is not about messing around with a few pieces of wood and some nails, laughing about how horrible the finished product is and throwing away the product of your labor.

This pervading mindset in DIY is harmful in many ways- first, it tarnishes the very basic precepts of DIY, and furthermore, it defeats the purpose of “doing it yourself”. If you go about it like a simple school project, chances are you would be wasting cash on something that you should have just bought in a shopping mall or a department store.

Fascinatingly enough, the thought of improving one’s home is attractive to the “experts” of DIY as it is to individuals who’ve had no prior experience in do it yourself projects. Though it is everyone’s right to alter features of a home that they invested themselves, there still remains the fact that if the DIY home improvement is not carried to its logical conclusion, then loss, and not gains would be the consequence.

The pros

• In many instances, building chairs, small tables and cabinets from scratch will save you a lot of money, provided that you have the patience to design and do specific DIY projects for these articles.

• Plumbing? No problem. Many devices that handle hot and cold water connections, for instance, can be installed manually. What are manuals for? But, there is the risk that you might not get it right the first time. But this shouldn’t stop you from trying your hand at installing that groundbreaking new shower heater.

• Repainting the house is achievable. All you need is the basic know-how of painting and the right equipment. In this case, you will save money, but you will have to set aside a weekend or two to end repainting the whole house.

• A sense of achievement of course would be the greatest reward for any DIY project. If you do a DIY project perfectly, and your work lasts for years, you’ll certainly feel excellent about the whole attempt at being a professional craftsman yourself.

The cons

• If a DIY project is in its infancy, and you’ve just begun to get a hang of finding the materials and designs yourself, there may be times that what resources you spent in finishing a DIY project would be more costly than a finished product that can be bought in a shopping mall or a furniture store.

• Failure is not an option, but a possibility. There may be times that you lose vital components of any DIY project like time, patience, and sometimes even cash. Be prepared to accept that some projects might not be that fantastic after you’ve executed what you’ve plotted. It’s all part of “doing it yourself”.

• DIY electrical projects can be executed flawlessly. But there is a risk factor especially if it’s your first time to deal with the electrical system in your house. Replacing wires that run through walls, up the ceiling and into rooms is tough business- so refer to the original plans of the house before proceeding to knock out the original installations. Electrical installations are often secured, so make sure that if you’re laying out meters of new electrical wire, you know how to safely attach the wires permanently against the walls, or within the walls.

• Time constraints are often the largest killers for DIY projects. Many beginners are often discouraged by how hard it is to complete a medium size DIY project. Sometimes, multiple projects are started, but none are finished. This sometimes causes problems, because unfinished projects may clutter the house and render some spaces in the home unusable.

Many fans of DIY renovation discriminate between two particular classes of projects. The 1st class involves major restorations in the house, including :

Replacing of floors
Installation of new insulation
Installation of a new roof
Installation of wooden fences around a yard

The second sort of DIY are smaller projects that delivers creative pleasure to the ones entering into them. These tiny projects often involve adding small yet helpful objects within the house. Though a lot of them involve one kind of furniture or another, these smaller projects are commended for those that are just starting with  <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=http://seneconstruction.com/diy-home-improvement/> DIY home-improvement </a>

Tiny thoughts but nice results

Sparetime, a small bit of money and plenty of excellent concepts is all that you need to consider your own DIY do-it-yourself project. These are some concepts to get you started

Windows- if you have been thinking for the longest time the windows in your bedroom are creepy at night, why don’t you replace them? In contrast to well loved belief, it is easy to replace windows. All you want are some conventional tools like a crowbar and a hammer, or a saw in some examples. Simply measure the window’s dimensions and get a window of the very same size. Take down the ancient window frame, taking greatest care not to hurt the glass. Then simply install the new window sets using window glue and some bolts or nails.

Gates- gates can be customised. If your own gate permits it, you will try to install name plates on your own gate, to identify your place simply. This would be a smart thought particularly if you live in a housing neighborhood, where homes typically look alike.

Additional application table- if you do not have enough table when you go out for a yard picnic, why not build one yourself? All that you need would be tiny planks of wood and a small ingenuity.First work out what particular table size you would like.After making the right measurements, simply follow the configuration of picnic tables you see everyday and voila, you’ve got your own picnic table. DIY projects that involve wood are typically sturdy because wood is a strong material.

Floor design- uninterested in perceivable scratches on your floor? A way to successfully cure ancient floors is just installing new vinyl.Vinyl comes in a selection of colours and designs so you’d be having lots of fun and selections by simply selecting the design you like. The installation of vinyl is even simpler- you just need contact cement or different types of powerful adhesives to connect the vinyl to your floor. Just find the centre of the floor area employing a nylon thread and divide each area into quarters. Start with one quarter and end by cutting to size when you reach the edge.

Wall design- wallpaper is still in. You just have to know the way to install wallpaper correctly. First, the walls must be free from mud, moisture or grease before the applying of the adhesive.Let the adhesive dry a bit first before attaching the wallpaper in tiny, manageable strips.Watch your bedroom or <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href= http://seneconstruction.com/diy-doors/ > your DIY living room </a> burst into life with the new look.

With an ever-expanding network of home improvement television shows and DIY magazines, the do-it-yourself home improvement sector has taken off. Homeowners everywhere are rushing to their local hardware stores, ready to rip out their bathroom tile or tear down ancient kitchen cupboards.

As excited as you may be to get started on your first DIY home improvement project, there are a few considerations you should first take into account. You need to plot, know your project, budget, and be aware of your space. To learn more about these basic, but crucial, DIY home improvement tips, keep reading.

1. Plot, Plot, Plot

Before you even start a DIY home improvement project, you should have a full plot in place. And prior to making that drive to the home hardware store, place together a folder with all your measurements and a complete list of everything you intend to buy, right down to the last nail.

People get excited about projects and don’t want to get right to it instead of “wasting” time plotting. But, By plotting out the phases and details your project, you’re less likely to overspend on unnecessary materials or find that you need to backtrack over already-completed work.

Plotting prevents mishaps such as needing to stop work and call a plumber because you forgot to verify whether there were pipes running where you wanted to place in that door. Plotting also decreases overspending, such as buying three cans of paint when you only needed two.

Meanwhile, researching your project will help to avert the more costly mistakes. By reading books, watching relevant DVD’s or researching online information about the project you want to tackle, you’re less likely to botch a job and more likely to complete it with a professional end.

2. Budget

Along with plotting, comes budgeting. As you plot the details of your project, keep a running tally of the expense for each material. If you don’t know how much something costs, check the Internet or call your local retailer to obtain a price ahead of time.

Once you have your budget, add 10-20% extra. Nearly every home renovation project, DIY or not, runs up against unexpected expenses – it’s just a reality of life’s uncertainties. Whether it is materials that cost more than you expect or a surprise problem that needs to get fixed, you’ll need to have the money ready to take care of it. Every excellent DIY’er knows to have a small extra on hand.

3. Know Your Project

Before you attempt to tackle a major home improvement project, make sure you know what you’re doing. Use resources like books, your local hardware clerk, the Internet and how-to videos to get a excellent grasp on the project you will be undertaking.

If you feel like the project is out of your league, don’t hesitate to call in a professional.

4. Know Your Space

This tip is related to plotting, but make sure you have enough space to take on your project. Don’t try to fit a new island in your kitchen if there isn’t sufficient room for it. Try to live by the ancient carpenter’s adage of “measure twice, cut once.”

GIVING YOUR KITCHEN A COMPLETE MAKE OVER…AND DOING IT ON A LOW BUDGET AT THAT— DEMOLITION: PHASE ONE Um Um excellent, excellent ancient home made banana pudding and chocolate cake. I can nearly smell it now, the aroma slowly filling the air with tasty foods and tasty treats that makes your mouth watery just to reckon about it. And what about all the main entrees that go along with the tasty deserts? It’s no wonder that in our house the kitchen is our favorite place for food and excellent conversation and I suspect that is right for most American families…and probably for families around the world as well. What better place for friends and like ones to gather than in the kitchen for excellent things to eat and excellent things to drink. With mom in the kitchen mixing a whole lot of like with everything she prepares, how can it get any better than that?

Practically every home, condominium, townhouse and apartment has a kitchen in it, but sometimes after years of much use and abuse, kitchens can become worn, outdated; no longer functional and in some cases down right depressing. Ceilings that have collected smoke, soot, dirt and even insect bile no longer make looking up a pleasant experience; not to mention drywall (sheetrock) that looks like it might fall down any given day. Walls that have accumulated layers of thick nearly immovable grease and cooking oil that looks yucky. And the floor looks like it has been a long, long time ago since it was new and attractive looking. You see, kitchens take more abuse and have to endure some of the most extreme conditions, unlike any other room in your home, therefore, it is only natural that over time it will need a complete upgrade and that is what this article is all about. We did a kitchen total make over for one of our clients and we are going to tell you just how we did it…and on a very meager budget as well. Perhaps, this can be some sought of informative guide that can help you with your kitchen make over—at least we hope it does. So sit back and take a ride with us as we offer pointers and tips on how you can transform your kitchen into a gorgeous new and exciting place for a much lower cost than if you hired a contractor to do it. Let’s get started.

DEMOLITION: OUT WITH THE ANCIENT

Before you can start implementing new and exciting changes to your kitchen you must first take the time and get rid of the ancient. When it comes to demolition I like to start at the top and work my with down, in other words, I like to start with the ceiling and work my way down to the floor. Your approach may be just the opposite and if that is what you’re comfortable doing than so be it. But before you start make sure you have on all your safety gear and safety goggles on. The operative word is safety and working safely is paramount to everything else. If you need to file a permit with your local officials by all means do so. And if you feel uncomfortable doing this type of work hire a contractor. This type of work is dirty and nasty and it can be very, very perilous; so be careful and avoid any and all accidents. We do this for a living and we abide by these same rules and safety measures that I’m giving you, so practice safety every step of the way.

Before I start to tear out the ancient drywall in the ceiling, I remove the lighting fixture in the ceiling and then I cover the expose electrical wires with electrical tape or electrical twist caps. If need be, go to your breaker box and turn off the electricity that leads to the kitchen. Again, if you’re uncomfortable doing this, then be sure to contact a reputable contractor and leave all the cares and responsibilities for him to deal with. This type of work is not for everybody and everybody is not comfortable doing it. But for those who are and those who want to do it than let’s continue on. Generally speaking, when it comes to tearing out ancient drywall you can use any number of tools to get the job done, but I prefer to use a hammer and sometimes even a shovel. Ceilings are usually eight feet high and higher, so I use a tool that allows me to stand on the floor and reach up and tear the drywall out. If your ceilings are higher you may need the use of a stepladder or even scaffolding, it just depends on what is more comfortable for you. Most of the tools use for demolition can be rented from your local rental center, or you can buy tools and equipment from your neighborhood home improvement center—the options are open.

Once the drywall has been removed from your ceiling you will need to go on and remove the nails/screws that held the drywall in place. Simply remove the nails with a hammer and the screws with a screw gun/cordless drill. You must remove all nails and screws from the ceiling joists in order to install the new drywall.By now all the appliances, cookware, dishes and counter top items should have been removed from the room, if not, you should do it now. If you can’t remove your stove and refrigerator make sure it is covered well. It would be ideal to have everything removed from the room, but, sometimes that is not an option; so all that you cannot remove from the room just make sure it is completely covered to protect it from dirt, dust and flying debris. If your ceiling is a plaster ceiling and it is in need of repair, you might want to call a plaster contractor to take a look at it, but if it is in relatively excellent condition with the exception being a few hair line cracks then you should be able to do that yourself. And if you have a ceiling that is wood then by all means check to see if the wood is warped: bowed; broken; splintered or just plain ancient hideous; if so, it should be repaired or removed. In order to give your ceiling a fresh new attractive look you must do away with the ancient and start anew.

DEMOLITION: PHASE TWO

With the ceiling completely removed and the ceiling joists cleaned of ancient nails/screws we can proceed to remove the walls. This can be hard to do if some of your large appliances are still in place. Getting behind the refrigerator and stove will be hard to do with them still in place, but if you are doing a complete make over to your kitchen then nothing should be left in place. You really have to find a place to store your large appliances as well as the smaller ones. If you are going to replace them then you should be able to get the company that’s delivering your new appliances to carry them off for you, if not, then you might have to arrange to have an independent trash hauler pick them up for you at an additional charge, I’m just not sure how that works in your area. But if you plot to reuse them as part of your new kitchen decor then make sure they are well covered and protected. Plastic covering should suffice, but be sure to use multiple layers of plastic for added protection. Make sure the dishwasher has been disconnected and went out of the room and remember to turn off the water supply line so that you will not flood your home and possibly your neighbors as well. This part can get really serious so you might need to consult with a plumber to help you and removing faucets and so forth. Remember, if you’re unfamiliar with this aspect of demolition don’t hesitate to call in a professional plumber that is reputable in your area. You could be in for a very large lawsuit(s) if you make a mistake in this area, so tread these waters with the utmost of care.

TEARING OUT THE CABINETS AND WALLS

Somehow ancient kitchen cabinets really get a terrible rap, although for years when they were in their prime they were the darling of the kitchen, they were loved and adored, but now that many moons have come and gone and they have lost their luster and charm, they have become the scorn of many a housewife. So now is the time to say excellent riddance to them—both top and bottom set. They are no longer needed or wanted and the time has come for their demise. Say goodbye to your ancient friends and let the demolition commence. And now that they have been completely removed somehow your kitchen look miraculously larger…and much more roomier. This can only start your imagination to start running non stop at all the possibilities for your new kitchen make over, but wait a minute there we have more work to do…much more work to do.

Before you start taking out the ancient walls in your kitchen, first check to see if there is any baseboards, trim or even shoe moulding that needs to be removed before you proceed. If indeed it is then by all means remove it before you attempt to tear out the walls; it will make it much more simpler to do then to leave the trim and baseboards in place. This is also a excellent time to remove all doors and door casing too. You really don’t want any hindrance when it comes to tearing out your walls. Again, a excellent hammer will suffice when it comes to tearing out your walls, but you may prefer a sledge hammer or a small handle shovel, or a crow bar; whatever feel comfortable and workable for you—use that. Make sure the electricity is still off because you don’t won’t to be electrocuted due to negligence on your part, so be ever watchful and stay alert. Like the ceiling, you must remove all the ancient drywall that’s covering your studs in order to facilitate a complete kitchen make over. So get rid of all that ancient drywall and start fresh. If there are some pieces and panels of drywall that looks excellent, then by all means allow it to remain, but in my opinion it would just be best to remove the remaining pieces/panels and go with all new drywall.

REMOVING THE FLOORING

With everything practically cleaned out of the kitchen there should be only one thing left—the floor. Whatever it is; vinyl, linoleum, ceramic tile, natural stone, or whatever, it must be removed in order to make way for the new flooring. If you choose to keep it; that might be a viable option if it is stable and in excellent condition, that is excellent enough condition to apply a new floor on top of it without causing a problem or premature floor failure. I personally like to remove all existing flooring to avoid any possible problems down the road and not only that but I am just as concern with the subflooring that lies underneath the end floor. And my concerns don’t stop there because the foundation is the key to a successful flooring project. It doesn’t matter what type of flooring you choose to install, one thing is for sure, if your foundation is terrible your flooring project will subsequently end in failure…and that’s a written guarantee you can bank on. Make sure your foundation is solid and level and ready to receive a end floor on top of it. If you need to call out a foundation contractor don’t neglect to do it.Assuming that you have chosen to remove your ancient end flooring, make sure you have done it thoroughly.

DEMOLITION:CONCLUSION

In your quest to remodel/renovate your kitchen it is imperative that you remove the ancient in order to make room for the new. Personally, I really do delight in doing demolition work. Although it is hot and sweaty work (doesn’t matter what season of the year), I truly delight in removing the ancient and making way for the new. But in caution just let me say this: demolition is not a time for indiscriminate destruction, instead, it is a time for careful plotting and even more carefulness when it comes to executing your plans. Demolition can be a real opportunity for irreversible destruction cause by a careless worker that’s working in a mindless way. Instead of using this as an opportunity to get familiar with the anatomy of your kitchen, a foolish person will use this as an opportunity to vent rage or worst to have fun. Both attitudes or inappropriate for this type of work and both attitudes are responsible for countless injuries and many deaths that have occurred while doing demolition work. So be smart and stay safe.

Disclaimer: This author assumes no responsibility for any injuries or deaths that might occur base on the content of this article. This article is written for the sole purpose of informing and entertaining. Please be advise to call a reputable contractor in your area. Thank you.

About the Author

Donald Thomas is owner and CEO of AMERICAN PAINTING AND PRESSURE CLEANING,INC.He has been in the home improvement business since 1984. Please feel free to visit our website for more full length feature articles and a whole lot of clean tools and equipment. http://www.americanpaintingandpressurecleaninginc.com