Homeowners constantly face the ever-daunting problem of renovating and improving property. While certain fixes require various handymen, many damages can be fixed without having to hire any extra help. Here are 8 DIY home improvement skills that will help you save time and money while polishing up your Boston home.
1. Spackling Drywall
An almost unavoidable issue is damaged drywall. In most cases, drywall will pick up a few holes from objects that were hung or installed by the tenant. These holes, and the various dents and dinks, can easily be fixed by using a spackle compound. Spackle compounds come in a pre- mixed paste, as well as an unmixed powder that can be mixed with water to create the desired consistency.
Once you have the spackle, you will need to prepare the hole/dent by removing any debris. Smooth out the area with fine grit sandpaper. Once the area is smooth, fill the hole with the spackle material; a putty knife will make this easier. Using the putty knife, scrape off any excess spackle so that the wall is flat. Let the spackle dry for roughly 2-3 hours, then gently sand the area with fine grit sandpaper until it is consistent with the surrounding wall. Home improvement done!
2. Bathroom Caulking (the Simple Home Improvement that can Save you Thousands)
Old caulking can cause lots of leaks and excessive water damage to tiles and floors. As years go by, an uncaulked or inadequately caulked sink or bathtub can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage. Because caulk degrades over time, it’s recommended to replace it once every year or so. Don’t worry though, replacing the caulking is simple, and it usually takes less than 30 minutes.
First, scrape out any old caulk, and clean the area with rubbing alcohol. Simply apply the caulk on the edge of the tub, shower, sink, etc. To make the caulking look cleaner, you can use masking tape to create a precise, straight line of caulk. Once applied, you can use your finger to flatten out the caulk,…