Pipes and such tend to last for a while, but replacing plumbing is something that every do it yourselfer is going to face at some point. DIY home plumbing shouldn’t just be an emergency skill, you should know how to do plumbing as a preventative measure, as well.
There are many reasons you might need to replace existing plumbing. Perhaps you have a leak. It might be time to clear out the pipes under the sink or tub. Whatever the occasion, you should keep a journal of when you changed each washer or seal. This will help you with maintenance and you’ll be able to keep up everything over time. There’s really no use in waiting until water is spraying from a pipe to replace the gasket there.
Keeping a detailed DIY home plumbing journal is the first step to continuous maintenance. Next, you need to actually set up a calendar. An annual checkup is an excellent idea and anything that needs to be redone or replaced should be at this point. Most experts recommend doing this check in the spring, especially after a cold winter.
Check for cracks and worn seals. Pipes that are cracked, but not yet leaking should still be replaced. Why wait until they are drenching your basement? You should also look for leaking joints and other potential issues.
If you know how to do plumbing checks, you’ll be able to maintain your home and keep it relatively free of plumbing emergencies. DIY home plumbing is much more enjoyable when you aren’t working amid huge puddles! Keep in mind that replacing plumbing can be a good way to save money in the long run.
Many people decide to get into floor refinishing on a whim. They peel back the carpet in a living room or bedroom, discover gorgeous wood and the dream begins. DIY refinishing of a floor can be a pretty big project, but it also is great practice for wood refinishing! Once you’ve finished an entire floor, you’ll be an expert.
First you need to start by removing any existing sealer, paint or stain. How you do this depends on what type of finish the floor already had. You may have to use a paint remover before sanding.
Make sure any nails are pounded in below the surface of the wood. You don’t want them ripping through your sander, so take the time to look over the entire floor. Floor refinishing can definitely be time consuming, but DIY refinishing is worth it. You’ll learn everything about wood refinishing from start to finish just on one floor.
Get a sander if you don’t have one. The orbital ones are easiest to use, but you should practice on scrap wood before you start in on the floor. Make sure you get a smooth, even finish by starting with a heavy grit and moving to a finer one for the final sanding. Eventually, you should get to 100 grit paper.
To stain, clear the floor first of any sanding dust. Then apply the stain in one corner where it won’t be noticed, to test. If you want a heavier stain, use a brush, for lighter applications, use rags instead.
Finally, apply a sealant to complete the floor. This should be applied with either a brush or a roller. Make sure you apply with the grain for a more even finish.
Wood refinishing might take a while, but when you’re finished, your DIY refinishing skills will be great and floor refinishing won’t pose a problem anymore.
No one likes to end up with a rough or textured wall while house painting unless it’s deliberate. DIY home painting carries this risk however, if you’re new to this type of finishing. Here are a few painting tips to ensure you get a nice clean, smooth finish to your project.
1. Make sure the wall is smooth. You’ll see all the imperfections in the wall after painting, unless you fill in any holes or dimples and sand it. This all takes time, but in the end, it will be worth the extra hours you put into it.
2. Remove any bubbling or peeling paint. If the surface of the wall isn’t nice and smooth, you’ll need to look at removing the paint before you start over. This can be done with paint thinner or with a scraper, depending on how you want to work.
3. Use primer. A layer of primer paint can really help level things out. It will also even out any color irregularities and can make your entire finish seem much smoother. Try applying with a roller for a nice, smooth surface.
As long as you are using quality paint and a good quality paintbrush or roller and following the above painting tips, you should end up with a nice paint finish in any DIY home painting project. Just be sure to take the time to prep the walls before house painting for best results.
Chances are you have something in the house that could use some wood refinishing or cabinet resurfacing. Most people have quite a few things in their homes that would look amazing with a little do it yourself refinishing. DIY refinishing refers to everything from floor refinishing and cabinets to bathroom refinishing.
Surface prep is vital. Whether you are looking at cabinet resurfacing or floor refinishing, you’re going to need the right surface. Make sure you take the necessary steps to get rid of any dirt, debris or previous finishes. It’s time consuming but in the end, well worth the effort, as you’ll have a beautiful, clean surface to work with.
Test your stains and finishes first. Before you jump into staining the entire floor, test the stain in a small section that won’t be noticeable. If you have some of the same wood from previous do it yourself refinishing projects, you can test on that. This ensures that you’re getting the best wood refinishing results.
Take your time. Rushing DIY refinishing projects will only result in messes. This is an area where patience is really a virtue, so take the time to do the job right and it will look great when you’re done.
Whether floor refinishing or cabinet resurfacing, the key to great DIY refinishing is simply taking the time. Don’t rush the drying . . . if you try to rush your do it yourself refinishing project, you’re going to end up with poorly stained wood, blotchy wood refinishing and blistered paint. Prepare your surface, test the finishing products and then let it all dry properly. This applies whether you’re working on the window trim or bathroom refinishing.
Replacing plumbing and general plumbing repairs are often shunned by do it yourselfers for a number of reasons. First of all, it seems far more difficult than it actually is and many people feel that DIY home plumbing is . . . well, a little gross. If you know how to do plumbing, though, you will find that you can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in a year.
Just the money saved makes replacing plumbing on your own very much worth it. However, there are some other advantages, as well. If you’re interested in helping other people out, you can earn some money, as well.
Of course, knowing how to do plumbing takes time, like everything else. There are some parts of it that are less than enjoyable, such as clearing out a clogged pipe, but when you consider the alternative . . . waiting until a plumber is free to unclog it, you’re much better off.
Most people don’t realize that plumbing is very straightforward. If you make sure you have the right tools and take the time to do the job properly, as you should with all DIY projects, then it won’t be long before you’re confident in your ability to fix just about anything around the house.
Learning how to do plumbing can be as simple as watching videos or reading articles online, or more complicated, tagging along with a pro as he works. DIY home plumbing is much like other DIY projects, you just need to practice what you learn. Replacing plumbing, repairing leaks, and clearing out clogs are all things that you can easily do on your own once you know how.
