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As the seasons change and our tastes become a little more defined, many people get tired of looking at the same-old-same-old in their homes. Not everyone is out to completely remodel their dwellings, but most are going to tackle a home improvement project or few. Make sure you're doing it right by following the tips below.

JG Builders of Greenville

1 Augusta St #305

Greenville, SC 29601

(864) 478-8260

If you have a tear in your screen-door or window-screen, here's a quick tip you can use that will save you money. For tears that are small, use a bit of clear nail polish. For a slightly larger tear, apply a bit of cling wrap to each side of the screen. This quick patch will do until you decide to replace the screen.

If you heat with a wood stove, smoke will cause your walls to become dingy and you will need to repaint more often than if you heat with a furnace. It is worthwhile to wipe the walls and ceiling down with a damp sponge to remove as much soot as possible before putting on a new coat of paint, when you do repaint.

Making sure that your basement is weatherproof is the first step to creating a living space in there. If your basement is dry and never leaks or floods, it is a great way to save money on your renovation. However, if your basement is perennially flooded or damp, it not only makes way for mold, but also makes the space uninhabitable. Before beginning your remodeling project, make sure to weatherproof your basement.

Buying fancy decorative pillows can be expensive and occasionally they may not all match. A great way to get around this problem is by buying some sewing and fabric your own pillow cases or pillow coverings. Sew the outside of the case and then use stuffing from your unwanted and old pillows to fill the new ones if you choose to make your own pillows.

Oftentimes it doesn't have to match. That is a great thing about home decor. You can buy a great dining room table and mix and match chairs. This is great for cottage and country-styled homes. Buying a table second hand and adding chairs from different places actually creates a great design element, as well as a sense of accomplishment. Give those used chairs a chance to shine!

Make sure to shut off the water supply to those rooms before beginning work on any plumbing or fixtures if you are beginning a renovation in your kitchen or bathroom. It may seem obvious but it can be easily overlooked which can be messy or even costly.

Use PVC PVC and cement primer to attach two PVC pipes. You need to use these products only on your pipes because other cements or glues can cause the pipe to leak later. Also make sure the surfaces are clean and dry.

Chances are you may need some major updates to keep the sinks and tubs looking fresh if you live in an older home with its original fixtures. Finding mint-condition vintage fixtures is time-consuming and expensive, but modern fixtures don't quite jive with a vintage room. Instead, consider refinishing your porcelain, fiberglass, or cast-iron fixtures. The process is far more affordable and can be completed fairly quickly.

Replacing lights is an important task when making home improvements. Most people notice the lighting of a room when they walk into it. The type of lighting needed depends on the room. Dining rooms and living rooms benefit from chandeliers because it gives the room a relaxing feeling for instance.

Choose wallpaper patterns carefully. Avoid using overpowering patterns in small spaces conversely, using a bold design in a very large room will make it appear cozier. Never use a patterned wallpaper if you have patterned carpet or window coverings. For a room full of awkward corners and recesses, pick a wallpaper with a random design that the eye doesn't tend to follow. This will help to disguise any imperfections in the walls.

If you're doing sheetrock taping, remember to get a taping knife that's made out of stainless steel. A taping knife will be easier to clean and is longer-lasting than a regular knife. Take good care of your tools. Clean them and store them properly, and they will last longer.

Save money by purchasing a drain snake. You won't have to buy drain cleaners nearly as often. Drain snakes aren't for people who are inexperienced, so you might need a plumber to show you how it is used for the first time. Snakes come in a variety of sizes so make sure you get the one right for your pipe.

Do you want to gain a little closet or floor space in your next home improvement project? Relocate your water heater to your attic! Modern water heaters are produced in efficient, reliable "low-boy" designs that you can tuck safely between your ceiling and your roof. This allows you to gain a little extra storage space.

To save a considerable amount of money and get virtually the same effect, install granite tiles instead of a solid piece of granite slab. Granite counter tops are very popular, but can be quite expensive with slabs priced at around $5,000. However, granite tiles can provide the same visual appeal, yet cost a small fraction of the slab's cost.

If you are planning to improve your home, don't be in too big a rush with the demolition aspect of your project. You'll be so eager to start on the new work that you'll want to tear down the old stuff as quickly as possible. You definitely don't want to rip any wires from a wall without realizing the electrical component is attached.

Save energy and money by using passive solar heating. Use thermal drapes on your windows and keep them open during the sunny part of the day in winter and closed during the sunny part of the day in summer. Be sure to seal out drafts around windows and doors to prevent unwanted hot or cold air from entering.

When you are updating your home do it one room at a time. Taking on too much do it yourself home improvement at one time can be stressful, create a mess within your home, and perhaps burn you out. You can save yourself time and money by taking it one step at a time.

Now you should be much more prepared when it comes to home improvement. With this information from this article you should now be an expert if you thought that you were ready before! The tips that were given should have provided you some advice that can help you get started with improving your own home.