DIY

Are you looking to spruce up your home? Often, bathrooms take a big chunk of time and money. One main piece is the bathtub—it can really make or break how good a space looks. Are you thinking about giving it some love with a refinishing job?

This could be fun if you’re into DIY projects. It lets you turn old stuff into new without spending too much on replacing things completely. But should YOU do this yourself? We’ll explore more in our chat today—let’s figure out whether DIY tub revamping works for you!

Understanding Bathtub Refinishing

Refinishing your tub, or reglazing as some call it, can really spruce up an old bathtub. It’s a way to fix and update the surface of a worn-out bath without replacing the whole thing. There’s no need for expensive demolition jobs or messing with plumbing. First, they sand everything down smoothly.

Are there any chips or cracks? They get fixed next. Then comes primer and paint layering on top, followed by this final topcoat that makes it all shiny like new again. Plus, any small blemishes like stains will be covered, too, so you end up saving money while also getting fresh-looking bathroom appeal.

Pros and Cons of DIY Refinishing

Going DIY on bathtub refinishing can be rewarding and kind to your wallet. You get a fresh look without shelling out for labor costs, and you set the pace yourself! However, it’s not all smooth sailing.

This task is time-consuming and messy, with lots of details involved. Don’t forget about safety! Some chemicals used are hazardous, so proper ventilation matters. Also, remember that consumer-grade materials may mean your work doesn’t last as long compared to pros’ jobs.

Choosing the Right Materials and Tools

To ace a DIY tub refinishing, you need the right stuff. Special paints and coatings are key. Gear up with sandpaper, brushes, rollers, and masking tape for crisp lines. Gloves and respirators are your best friends here.

Also, ensure your bath is free of soap or other residues so that the new finish sticks well. Doing this homework in selecting supplies really makes a difference in how long-lasting and classy it ends up looking.

Finishing Touches and Maintenance

Once you’re done refinishing, some final steps can make your tub last longer and work better. Always wait for the recommended curing time before taking a dip. This lets the finish set just right!

Regular cleaning helps, too, but stick to gentle cleaners. Adding a new bathtub stopper might also be a good idea. It boosts both the function and look of your refreshed bath. Tiny details like these really count towards nailing that DIY job!

Conclusion

Doing a DIY tub refinishing right can definitely be your win. It’s cheaper and less hassle than redoing the whole bathroom, yet still makes it feel new!

Just remember to understand how to do it, weigh upsides against downsides, pick quality materials, and keep up with cleaning afterward. Done properly, this all ensures that a sparkly bath stays the star of your home for many more years.

If you like to save money or are just always trying to learn to do new things, doing things yourself can be fulfilling, fun, and very inexpensive! The DIY lifestyle is becoming more and more popular as people are beginning to realize that they are more than capable of doing some things themselves. That being said, you can’t always DIY everything, and especially if it’s your first attempt at something you may need a little help.

If you’re curious about spending less and doing more things yourself but aren’t sure where to start, read on for some ideas. There are some things you’ll be able to figure out quite easily without much advice while other things may require you to do a little research first. Here are 3 things you may need some how-to tips for before attempting them on your own.

Manicures And Pedicures

While you most likely won’t hurt, injure, or seriously harm yourself if you mess up a manicure or pedicure, there are certainly a ton of does and don’ts as well as tips and tricks that can help you to do a much better job.

It’s always best to go to a professional salon if you’re able to, but if you can’t for any reason and you want to try it at home, there are many kits and products out there that can help you to achieve the look you desire when you do your own nails. Just be sure to read up on it first and follow the instructions properly to avoid mistakes that may be difficult to remove.

Home Renovations

If you’re doing simple home renovations that don’t involve the use of dangerous equipment, you may be inclined to try to do them yourself. This way you’ll be able to save money, get your home looking exactly how you want it to, and be able to teach yourself some new skills along the way. Of course, DIY home renovations aren’t for the faint of heart and you should always be extremely careful.

Be sure to do as much research as you can on whatever type of renovation you plan to do, and be prepared to call in extra help if necessary as well. If you mess up, you may end up having to have a professional come in and fix it for you, and that’s OK too.

Baking

Not everyone is a good cook and many consider baking to be even more challenging than cooking. If you’ve never baked before but would like to, there are definitely some things you should know first. Read some simple “how to” tips online before attempting your first bake and you’ll be sure to do better than you otherwise would.

Becoming a DIYer may not be easy but it’s worth it in the end! Just remember that sometimes you’ll need a little help and you’ll be just fine.

Creating a budget for your home renovation can be one of the most complicated parts of the process as a whole, and it’s crucial that you get it right.

Whether you’re renovating for your own pleasure, to flip a quick purchase, or to start listing your family home, making sure you have the money to do the job right is vital.

Take some time for research now, and check out a quick look into some helpful tips for accurate home renovation budgeting.

Set a firm total for the budget

Before you start itemizing everything you need done during your renovation, you should focus on setting a firm ceiling for your budgeting efforts. For instance, you can renovate up to four rooms for under $50,000 if your budgeting skills are honed and refined.

The total of your budget needs to be firm for obvious reasons. The cost of a renovation can easily soar out of control without strict direction for the process.

Decide on what you really need

Take the time to sit down and consider what is most important about your upcoming renovations. The most important changes should be prioritized in the budgeting process to assure the funding is available.

If the decision making comes down to two different aspects of the renovation, consider cost versus value to help make the decision making process clearer.

Consider cost versus value for each project

Even if you’re doing the renovations on a home you plan to inhabit for a while, there’s equity to be gained from the improvements.

If you’re faced with a situation where you have to trim something from your plans, consider the cost of the project versus the amount of equity you’ll gain in the property once the job is complete. The situation anc choice will become much clearer once you’ve done the math.

Properly vet the professionals doing the work

Before you make a final decision on a contractor, you should take the time to do some research. Call and meet with at least three different contractors to gain an accurate feel for the industry.

You’ll learn what you really want and how to achieve it by experiencing more than one way of getting the job done. Don’t sell yourself short, and don’t skip this step in the budgeting process.

Research various materials needed for the renovation

Some materials used in renovating your home don’t have to be the most expensive offer on the floor to do the job in a reliable and long lasting way.

Pressure washing a house comes with many benefits – from improving your property’s visual appearance and adding curb appeal, to keeping your home in good condition and lowering the chance of future repairs. If you’re considering a pressure wash for your home, there are a couple things you should know before moving forward.

First, decide what areas of the home’s exterior you’re going to clean. Next, find the power washer that can best suits your needs. Different pressure washers work differently. For example, certain equipment operates with multiple pumps, each delivering a different result. The function of a pump is to control the water pressure, and they’re powered by either gas or electricity. Gas pressure washers typically generate more power, but electric pressure washers don’t require as much maintenance.

Some other things to keep in mind are the PSI, or pounds of pressure per square inch, and GPM, gallons of water per minute. The level of PSI and GPM varies from machine to machine, which may persuade you to try one piece of equipment over another, depending on your needs for your project. It is recommended that you estimate how much power you’ll need from the unit, such as light, medium, heavy or extra-heavy power. These sizes have a PSI ranging anywhere from 2,000 to over 3,300 lbs. You don’t want the pressure washer to cause damage to your home, so thoroughly research before deciding on a piece of equipment.

Best Practices For Pressure Washing

Once you have the right machinery for your project, you’re ready to begin. In order to avoid any damage, cover any sensitive or vulnerable areas with plastic drop cloths to avoid damage.

To accommodate the pressure of the jets, prepare the area before spraying. It’s a good idea to disinfect any areas covered in mold or mildew.

If you would like to learn more about power washing specific areas, check out our infographic which illustrates the items around the house that can and can’t be power washed.

Author Bio: Debisree Saha is Senior Marketing Strategist at SIMPSON, a leading manufacturer of electric and gas pressure washers. She has 10 years of experience in the industry and focuses on marketing strategy and execution.

Although most young families want to buy a home instead of rent a property, the largest issue when it comes to owning your own home is the number of repairs that you will have to carry out, especially as your home gets older. To reduce the number of repairs that your home needs, here are some top tips on the home maintenance that you can carry out to reduce the cost and effort of making reparis.

Invest in Wooden Flooring

If you have previously installed carpets or linoleum into your home, you will know that carpets generally last between 5 and 15 years on average, with even the best, high-grade carpets only lasting a maximum of 20 years. This can be expensive in family homes, as carpet replacements are generally extremely costly and disruptive, with most families replacing all of the carpets in the house at the same time. However, replacing these carpets with wooden flooring can help to reduce the need for this type of repair in the future, as wooden flooring can last throughout your family life, as long as you maintain it correctly, for example, by polishing the surface regularly. At woodfloors-farnham.co.uk, they can help you to find the best type of flooring for your home, with their engineered wood floorings offering a durable and high-quality option for family homes.

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Clean

However, one of the best ways to reduce the need for repairs and maintenance in your home is to clean it on a regular basis. Cleaning should not only be a spring activity, and monthly deep cleans can help to maintain your furniture and fittings. This is because dust can damage and scratch the surfaces of furniture, and the longer you leave dust, the harder it will be to remove. Dust can also increase the amount of moisture on furniture, which can soften wood and other materials. Not only this, but dust can also prevent appliances from working correctly, as it can interfere with their interiors.

Replace Grass

Family gardens are often one of the most neglected areas of the home, especially in the winter months when it becomes less appealing to upkeep them. However, it can be simple to maintain your garden easily, by replacing traditional grass surfaces with other materials. Many families choose to replace grass with patios, decking, or paving materials, which need much less maintenance than grass in the form of a sweep every so often. However, if you miss the green appearance of your lawn, why not try artificial turf, which can give you the natural look of a garden without the high maintenance?

Add Protective Measures

To end the need for repairs, you should also consider protective measures for the exterior of your home, such as storm doors and window frames, which are both attached to the outside of these fixtures in order to prevent damage from factors such as the weather. You may also consider adding PVC trim onto your roof in order to ensure that it stays like new for as long as possible.