Save Money and Master Easy Home Improvement
Whether you're renting or buying a new home, you should know some basic skills so you don't have to call your landlord -- or expensive home contractors -- to get some things fixed around the home.
Thankfully, you only need to master a few basic skills to handle most any minor home improvement and repair projects that arise. We'll give you the types of projects you'll likely undertake, and then the skills you'll need to do them properly.
Plumbing Skills
There are plenty of plumbing nightmares: Your toddler drops three rolls of toilet paper into the toilet, and then hits flush, for example.
So learn some basic plumbing skills. Know how to shut off the water to stop that overflowing toilet. Learn to use a pipe snake to clear the kitchen drain of the potato peels from Sunday night's dinner. Have an understanding how pipes fit together so you know what you can -- and can't -- do.
Caulk Talk
Many things need to be caulked from time to time -- your kitchen, your bath and the windows. It's an easy skill to learn, but practice makes for a smooth bead of caulk. Learn to use a caulking gun to keep your bathroom tub tight and windows leak-free. Learn about the different types of caulk as well so you use the right type for the job.
Painting Pizzazz
Nothing brightens a place faster than a good coat of paint. Painting skills can help you improve your interior design, but is also a must for the exterior of most homes. Invest in the proper tools, learn about proper paint prep, and keep your home looking great without spending a lot of money.
Treating Your Windows
Learn how to hang a curtain rod level, or install a set of blinds. Over the years you will have to replace window coverings. If you have kids, perhaps you'll do it many times... It just requires a little skill with a drill, and knowledge of wall anchors and screws.
Wall Wisdom'
Hanging pictures is a bit of an art, but the better you become at it, the fewer holes in your walls! Learn when you need to use wall anchors and how to find wall studs. Laying out your all art on the floor before you hang will help you to create a pattern and a spacing that you like without putting unnecessary holes in the walls. The same skills you get from hanging blinds will be utilized here.
Get Current on Electrical
The first thing I suggest do it yourselfers learn about electrical is that if you plan on doing simple things such as installing a light dimmer, make sure you always, always, always turn off the electricity first. Leave bigger jobs to the professionals. (And if you don't know how to turn off the juice, just call an electrician for any job you're thinking of doing on your own: better safe than sorry.)
Tool Skills You Need
All these project areas require just basic tool skills that you usually find yourself using over and over. Knowing how to use a drill safely can save you a lot of time, and make almost any installation project easier. You can use a hand saw for most do it yourself projects.
Where to Get the Skills
Home improvement skills that are appropriate for do it yourselfers are taught at home warehouse stores across the nation, usually for free.
The Internet can also be a great resource for learning these skills, but many sites online are run by amateurs. So be careful about who you accept advice from. Home forums can be a great place to get feedback form other experienced home owners as well.
Finally, don't overlook getting instruction from friends, family and neighbors. Chances are good you know someone who would love the opportunity to share their knowledge with you.
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