Sticky Tiled Floor

Sticky tiles, or self-adhesive floor tiles, offer an economical alternative to other floor remodeling options.  One immediately obvious benefit is that you can do it yourself and be your own handyman.  Self-adhesive tiles usually come in a box of 20 and are significantly cheaper than other floor remodeling options such as ceramic tile or hardwood.  The sticky tiles are also slightly cheaper than sheet linoleum, but they are much easier to install for even the novice handyman.  No need for a contractor, means a less expensive remodeling project.

There are different qualities of sticky tile.  In a room that gets moderate use, the tiles will last from three to five years.  Manufacturers promise an optimistic 20 years.  The better the initial product the longer the life of the flooring.  Look for a thicker tile that is more pliable with a thick top sealant coat.  As with linoleum, any texture to the surface will tend to hold dirt.

To install sticky tiles like a handyman:

• Make sure the floor surface is clean, dry, and even.
• Measure to the center of  the room from each wall.  Make an L shaped square to line up your first tile.
• Lay out the tiles for a “dry-run”.
• Adjust the tiles so that you do not have just a sliver of a tile left at the doorways.
• Go back to the middle and begin peeling the backing and sticking the tiles down.
• Use a rolling pin and press hard to make sure that the tile is completely glued to the floor.
• Cut tiles as necessary with a standard utility knife or box cutter.
• Keep an eye on your lines to make sure they are straight.
• Wait one day before moving furniture onto the tile.

When cleaning your handyman installed flooring, be sure to not use too much water.  Too much water can get in between the tiles, loosen the adhesive, and ruin your remodeling project.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/younghouselove/3760323392/)

There are smaller remodeling projects that can improve your bathroom, add style and help you sell your home.  A few inexpensive improvements include changing the knobs or pulls on the vanity or installing a new and updated light fixture.  If your vanity is really outdated, painting it could be the remodeling trick that can bring it back to life.  All of these simple improvements can be done by yourself, further reducing your investment.

A good way to find new looks for an older bathroom is to attend a home improvement show, look in magazines, or tour model homes in your area.  If you’re only planning minor remodeling, don’t get worked up about the amazing spa tub in that model home.  Instead, use your time to look at the smaller items such as lights, pulls, and faucets.  All of these smaller things will also help you sell your home.

In remodeling in an effort to sell your home, it’s really important to pay attention to detail and to put your money into the rooms that matter to buyer most.  With a couple hundred dollars, you can’t add square footage to your master bedroom or add a bathroom, but you can update the look and feel of your house.

Sweaty Toilet

A sweaty toilet is a common bathroom problem for many homeowners.  Fortunately, a plumber is not needed to remedy this bathroom problem.

Moisture on the outside of a toilet tank is formed by condensation from warm air that forms on the water-cooled tank. To correct this bathroom problem you will need to insulate the inside tank walls of your bathroom toilet.  Then follow these steps:

• Shut off the water supply,
• Drain and dry the inside of the tank, 
• Cut ½-inch-thick foam rubber to line the insides and bottom of the tank,
• Don’t let the foam interfere with moving parts or you will end up needing a plumber.
• Use silicone glue or rubber cement to hold the foam rubber in place.
• Do not refill the tank for 24 hours.

By following these simple steps, you should be able to cure the bathroom problem of having a sweaty toilet without the help of a plumber.

If in your area water is delivered at less than 50 degrees, you may have to install a tempering valve to mix hot water with the cold that flows into the tank.  Installation of a tempering valve may require that you hire a plumber, depending on your skill and confidence level.  Most people only find this problem to plague their bathroom in the winter months.

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Beautiful Deck Addition

Adding a deck onto your house is an excellent remodeling idea.  It will add usable living space and value to your home.  There are endless deck designs ranging from square or rectangular with rails to octagonal and open.  Some people build in seating or hot tubs and decks can even surround trees which add shade and privacy to your new outdoor space.  Staining a deck protects it and adds beauty to the wood.

Choosing a decking material may be the least thought about aspect of deck remodeling, but you live with your choice for  a long time.  There are basically three types of materials for use as a deck that is not covered by a roof: 

• Synthetic composite materials,
• Natural wood, or
• Pressure treated wood.

Pressure treated wood is the least expensive choice.  Staining a deck made of this wood will require a lot of pigmentation to make it look good and frequent care and remodeling will require a lot of pigmentation to make it look good.  Natural wood for decks is usually redwood.  It will naturally resist rot and and insects, but it will still require sealing and staining.  A deck made of redwood can be lightly stained to reveal its natural beauty and remodeling chores will be less frequent than with pressure treated lumber.

Synthetic materials are a newer choice and require no staining.  A deck made of these materials will last a lifetime and beyond.  It will require virtually no maintenance or remodeling beyond washing.

(Photo Credit:  www.flickr.com/photos/fuzzygalore/769119277/)

Fence in need of remodeling

Many wood fences and wooden gates will have warping or wear and tear problems over time.  The first handyman tip is to do annual maintenance or remodeling to try to prevent or postpone problems.  make sur that the wood, even cedar and redwood, is sealed at least annually.  Before the wettest season, inspect the wood’s condition and seal it again if necessary.  Remodelingn and handyman experts suggest using a power washer or deck wash product before applyingn a new coat of sealant.  There are clear sealants available or you can choose one with various levels of pigmentation.

A wood fence generally has the boards or slats fastened to the framing with nails, staples, or screws.  After a few years, the fasteners can work their way loose.  Another handyman tip and good remodeling idea is to periodically check for loose boards and tighten things up where needed.

Posts can also work loose if they were not originally set in concrete, as recommended by a good handyman.  Wood posts, whether they are set in concrete or not, can rot and become weak.  If your remodeling plans don’t call for replacing the post, which is really the proper way to fix this, you could temporarily support the wooden post with a steel one.

This handyman tip is to drive a steel post deep enough for it to be stable in the soil.  use wire to tie the wood post to teh steel one for support.  This will hold your fence firm until a more ascetically pleasing and permanent solution fits in your remodeling plans.

(Photo Credit:  www.flickr.com/photos/conquest97/204588199/)

• Clean the drain stopper of hair and buildup
• Use drano or other chemical drain cleaner
• Pour boiling water through the drain

If all of that failed, the problem is likely in the drain trap.  That’s the “S” shaped piping under the sink.  There are two ways to clear this part of the pipe.  A plumber will recommend trying a plumbing snake first.  A plumbing snake can be purchased at any hardware store.  The plumbing snake will break through the clog and as it beats the sides of the pipe, with hot water running, will move some of the buildup into the sewer.

The other method is harder or more likely to require a plumber.  You can remove the trap completely and replace it.  If your pipes are older and not made of PVC, there is a chance that teh fittings will be stuck together enough that you could break the pipe trying to get them loose.  Then you will definitely need a plumber and that is a good reason to try the plumbing snake first.

(Photo Credit:  www.flickr.com/photos/gcbound/118752848/)

(Photo Credit:  www.flickr.com/photos/gcbound/118752848/)

Windows that may be Painted Shut

Buying a home only to find out that the windows are painted shut is really frustrating.  Equally frustrating is remodeling and painting them shut yourself.  There are a few remodeling tips for getting that window working correctly again.

There are a couple things not to do when trying to get a window unstuck.  Don’t pound on the window or push and pull on the frame too hard.  You could knock the frame out of square, which will only compound the problem.  you could also end up damaging the glass itself, leading to yet another remodeling project.

For slider windows, look at the runners, usually made from aluminum, that the window should be sliding onto.  If there is paint on those, remove it by scraping.  Then take a utility knife and carefully cut the paint at the seems where the window is painted shut.  Be very careful when remodeling projects call for using a utility knife.  They are extremely sharp.  Never cut in the direction of any part of your body.  You may then need to use a putty knife at those seems to further pry the window from the frame.

Of course, the cure is really prevention.  if remodeling calls for painting an old window, open the window slightly and paint the areas that are not touching the frame, then just before the paint dries, close the window and paint the rest.  Be careful to not apply the paint too thickly and don’t paint the runners.

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A kitchen remodel can have a large impact on appraisal value

When you are remodeling your house, you should always keep the real estate appraisal in mind.  An appraisal of your house will tell you what it is worth at that time, taking into account some objective things like square footage and number of bathrooms.  The appraisal will also assess the value of some subjective elements of your remodeling efforts.

The subjective things are the hardest for home remodeling efforts to realize.  One is the condition of your property.  The appraisal will take into account upgrades and updates inside as well as out.  They will look at the quality of the materials used in remodeling a house.  The appraisal will also compare your house to others in the neighborhood or nearby areas.  Kitchen upgrades are an important area to consider when looking at a home’s value.

A competitive market analysis is done by a real estate agent and often comes close to the appraisal.  However, banks will only accept an appraisal for valuing a home.  An appraisal report contains more details about the house and appraisers are specially trained and licensed to do this work.  The appraiser is also an objective third party, whereas a real estate agent stands to make more money if your house sells at a higher price.

The lesson is that when you are remodeling, think about the appraisal.  Use quality products and up to date design to get the most value out of your house.

Newly Exposed Hardwood

Your house can look like an interior designer helped after a little remodeling.  Many older homes have hardwood floors underneath the carpeting.  If your carpeting is worn, you live in an older home, and you would like hardwood flooring, it may be worth taking a peak under your existing carpet in advance of remodeling.

Pick a corner that is normally covered by furniture and start at the baseboard.  It is usually pretty easy to get a corner of the carpeting to come loose by prying with a screwdriver or similar tool.  You’ll also have to pull up the carpet pad to see what is beneath.  It could be an interior designer dream, real hardwood.

To remove the carpet and expose the hardwood, you’ll need a few tools.  A utility knife is useful to cut the carpet into pieces that are easier to remove, roll-up, and move out of the house.  Carpet is attached to the floor with carpet strips along the baseboard.  These strips have upward facing tacks that are very sharp.  Use a remodeling crow-bar to pry the strips loose from the floor and be sure to wear gloves when handling the strips to avoid injury while you are remodeling.

The carpet pad will also need to be removed for this remodeling project.  The carpet pad is very easy to tear up, but you’ll find that it was held in place by lots of staples.  Staples in hardwood do not come loose very easily.  Some can be pried loose with a screwdriver, but a plier or vicegrip works really well for pulling them up.

If the hardwood is in good shape, all that’s left to do for this remodeling project is sweep, mop, move your furniture back, and enjoy your new space as if it were done by an interior designer.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/programwitch/3781977603/)