Do you feel like your home could use some improvement? Remodeling or renovations are an excellent way to upgrade your home. While you can hire professionals to get the job done, you can also do it yourself. The best thing about making it a DIY project is that you will do it exactly how you want it. You might also discover other concerns in your house that need addressing.
A home improvement DIY project can work wonders for your mental health. It will give you a sense of achievement every time you complete a task, which improves your mood. You can also turn it into a bonding experience for the whole family. However, when taking on this project, you need to be careful not to make expensive mistakes and look for ways to save money. Below are ten home improvement tips to help you save money on your DIY project. Take a look!
1. Fix Plumbing Leaks ASAP
The plumbing system in your home does so much work since it’s used daily. That means the pipes and heater are susceptible to wear and tear, leading to leaks. While it might seem like a minor problem, fixing any leak immediately would be a brilliant idea. It is important to note that even a small leak can create big problems, the most common being that your water bill will go up at the end of the month. Therefore, your best option is to call a plumber when you notice a leak to prevent spending more money replacing the entire system.
Besides, a plumbing leak can lead to moisture buildup in the home, leading to mold. This can lead to health issues, especially if someone in the house has asthma. In addition to posing a health risk, mold can compromise the structural integrity of your home. That would lead to the need for expensive repairs and replacements. Therefore, fixing leaks immediately is in the best interest of your wallet, your family’s health, and the environment.
2. Refinish, Don’t Replace Hardwood Floors
Generally, refinishing your hardwood floor is more pocket-friendly than replacing it entirely. You will not spend money removing the old floor and buying new materials. The good thing is that you can refinish your hardwood floor multiple times. Every time you refinish your floor, all the scratches and dents disappear, leaving you with a beautiful floor that almost looks as good as new.
Note that refinishing the floor is demanding, which is why you might consider a hardwood service provider. If you make a slight mistake, it will show. However, if you do everything right, it can be a fulfilling DIY project that saves you so much money. One of the key things to do when refinishing your hardwood floors is to pick DIY-friendly sanding equipment. Consider using a random orbital sander since it doesn’t require much experience. Ensure that you always keep the sander level to avoid sander markings that are hard to remove.
It would be best to prepare the area adequately before you start working. Start by removing furniture and other items from your working area. Then clean the sanded floor thoroughly before going in with the finish. If you notice loose floorboards, secure them with finishing nails before recoating the hardwood flooring. Since sanding and refinishing generate a lot of dust and fumes, it’s vital to stock up on safety equipment like respirators, eye protection, and ear plugs.
Did you know that refinishing your floor wards off pests? You get a chance to seal crates and crevices that can harbor pests in your home. Therefore, you save so much money you’d otherwise spend getting rid of the pests.
3. Check for Roof Leaks Frequently
If your home’s roof starts leaking, you might be in for serious problems. A leak can damage your ceiling and attic. It can also damage any insulation you may have inside your roof. Other leaky roof problems include mold and mildew, sagging drywall, fire hazards, slip hazards, compromised structure, and energy efficiency. All these challenges are costly to fix, and you can only avoid them by checking for roof leaks frequently.
Fortunately, you can find a leak in your roof on your own if you know what to look for. The most significant indicator of a leak is water dripping during a rainstorm. Other signs you should look out for include water stains on your walls or ceilings, bulging sections on the interior walls, moldy odors, missing or warped shingles, and rust in the case of a metal roof. However, before you conclude it’s a leaking roof after noticing water damage, you must rule out other possibilities, such as faulty piping.
When examining your attic, be careful not to fall through the ceiling. Consider bringing a flashlight to inspect hard-to-see areas.
4. Keep your Plumbing System in Good Repair
The plumbing system is vast and complex, with many appliances linked together. It is one of your home’s most crucial systems, so always ensure it works correctly. One of the strategies to do that is preventative plumbing maintenance. Routine maintenance and plumbing repairs ensure the system does not break down, thus preventing significant problems.
During routine maintenance, a professional will inspect the entire plumbing system. If there is anything unusual, you can discuss solutions immediately. However, there are times when an issue will come up between routine maintenance appointments. When that happens, don’t wait for the next appointment. Instead, call for repairs as soon as possible. Some warning signs you should look for include dropping water pressure and unusually high water bills.
5. Don’t Neglect HVAC Maintenance
Routine HVAC maintenance is extremely important. While it’s recommended that you do it annually, you might want to schedule two appointments if you live in a region with severe weather. If you skip HVAC maintenance, you might not discover lurking issues, which might be present even if everything works. Gone undetected, these problems can later blow up into significant issues that require a lot of money to fix. Besides, damaged or worn-out parts can affect your HVAC system’s ability to perform climate control.
Another potential disadvantage of neglecting HVAC maintenance is increased energy bills. The system will not operate efficiently when the components are not adequately maintained. Therefore, it will use more energy to cool or heat the home. For instance, if the air filter is clogged, the system has to work harder to circulate conditioned air. HVAC neglect could also result in fires.
6. Update Your Home’s Wiring
You might be thinking, ‘Why would I need a wiring upgrade, yet everything seems to be working fine?’ Even when everything is working perfectly, you might need to update your home’s wiring, especially if the house is over 40 years old. Rewiring might not be the simplest thing to do, but with the help of a local electrician, you can minimize disruptions and turn it into an opportunity to add features that can increase the value of your home.
Updating your home’s wiring offers protection against electrical mishaps, such as shocks and burns. Other issues associated with faulty wiring include damaged appliances and power failures. Therefore, rewiring can reduce or prevent blackouts, making your home a more comfortable place to live. It can also increase the capacity while allowing you to create a more flexible configuration with separate circuits for major appliances.
7. Get an Asphalt Driveway
First impressions matter so much when it comes to your home, and since the driveway is one of the most prominent areas of your home, you want to make sure you are proud of it. That’s why getting a residential driveway paving made of asphalt would be a good idea. Due to its flexibility, asphalt is not likely to crack over time. It is also not subject to flaking, making it a durable option.
Another advantage of an asphalt driveway is its fast installation and usability. Based on the size of your driveway, it can be laid in one or two days. You can then use it after two days after installation. Additionally, an asphalt driveway is inexpensive to maintain. If you notice a crack, you can get a sealant from your nearest home improvement retailer and get the job done.
8. Install Artificial Grass
Artificial turf is an excellent way to spruce up your yard while helping the environment. Since it’s made of synthetic materials, you won’t require water to maintain it. Besides, the materials are often recyclable, so they can be useful even after removing the turf. Another advantage is that it’s low maintenance compared to natural grass. Therefore, it’s an ideal choice if you want a green space but don’t have much maintenance time.
Artificial grass is a more affordable alternative to natural grass. Although the upfront cost might be higher, you save more in the long run due to lower maintenance costs and the fact that it lasts longer than natural grass. A bonus advantage is that it’s pet friendly. Unlike natural glass, you don’t have to worry that your furry friend will ingest harmful chemicals or pesticides.
Notably, there is a wide variety of artificial grass available. While that can be good, it also means a more challenging time selecting the best one. Before purchasing, it would be a good idea to ask the suppliers for free samples and compare. Thinks to look out for include the texture and the blade density. A soft texture is a good choice, especially if you have children. You must also ensure the turf has good quality holed latex for drainage.
9. Insulate Your Garage Door
If you think about it, your garage door is the largest opening to your residence. That comes with its fair share of challenges you can mitigate by insulating the garage door. One of the most significant advantages of insulating your garage door is saving energy. The insulation reduces the transfer of air between the inside and the outside. Therefore, it saves you money on the energy bill. An insulated garage door is also quieter. Therefore, your neighbors can hardly hear when you are coming in or going out. That also means other people in the house can continue enjoying their activities indoors without disruptions from garage door noises.
Besides, insulating your garage door makes it stronger and more durable. With the help of a local garage door repair technician, you can insulate using spray foam or fiberglass. The result is a resilient door that can resist impact without breaking apart.
10. Take Care of Foundation Issues Early
Since your entire house stands on the foundation, you must keep your eyes open for the first slightest sign of trouble. Several issues can cause foundation damage, such as drainage, plumbing, climate, soil, and so much more. If you notice the problem and take action on time, you can lower the cost of repairs. Ensure that you walk around the perimeter of your house at least twice a year and look for signs of foundation damage.
One of the most common foundation issues is sinking. If there is no proper drainage system, water can pool around your home’s perimeter. Once the soil soaks in excess water, it can no longer support the foundation. Residential soil stabilizing is an effective way to increase soil strength. It is also a cost-effective way of converting low-quality soil into a powerful and impermeable medium.
You also need to be extra careful with roots. If you’d like to plant trees in your yard, ensure they are at least 20 feet from the perimeter. For shrubs, leave a distance of at least five feet. That way, even plants with invasive root systems cannot destabilize the soil under your house. You can also go an extra step and install a root barrier made of plastic, metal, or thick rubber.
Parting Thoughts
Although home maintenance is inevitable, significantly improving your home can lessen or eliminate the need for future repairs. Therefore, take up that home improvement project you have been considering and save yourself some money in the long run.