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If you finally have time and other necessary resources to tackle some DIY home projects, you might wonder where to begin. If you already have a project in mind, you might want to walk through the steps needed to get the results you envision.
Here are four tips to help you make the most of your time, energy, and budget.
1. Assess Each Project’s Risks and Prepare Accordingly
Just like any job site, you want to make sure that you and your crew stay safe for the duration of the project. Here are some crucial ways to approach each project with safety at the forefront:
- Inspect your ladder to make sure it is in good condition
- Practice smart ladder placement
- Keep a fully stocked first aid kit handy
- Incorporate safety items as needed, such as goggles to protect your eyes from debris and earplugs when working with loud power tools
- Follow instructions completely
- Check your power tools to make sure cords are not damaged
- Monitor the weather for inclement conditions while working on outdoor DIY home projects
2. Embark on a Repurposing Project Using Pallets
People are tracking down discarded pallets and using them for a vast array of projects, from charming crafts to essential home renovations. A few unique projects home repair enthusiasts have come up with for pallets include:
- Bed frames
- Cabinets
- Wall shelves
- Storage boxes
- Wine racks
- Garden furniture
- Garden retaining walls and other landscaping projects
- Cat shelters and dog houses
The wooden pallet has become an object of creative inspiration, allowing DIYers access to inexpensive or free wood material to turn it into something new, useful and beautiful.
3. Avoid and Resolve Leaks in Plumbing Projects Using Small but Vital Pieces
Whether you are repairing a leaky sink faucet or renovating your kitchen, there are some essential pieces you need to bring everything together and keep the dry things dry. Since plumbing pipes must work through your home, following non-linear paths, you need to make sure you have the appropriate o-rings at each joint. Projects that require o-rings include toilets, water heaters, and washing machines and dryers, which means that o-rings must have a certain degree of heat tolerance and the ability to maintain a seal in varying temperatures. O-ring seals, generally made of an elastomer, sit in a channel or groove between two joints, surfaces or components intended to mate or push together. They become compressed to create and maintain a tight seal, so carefully choosing these pieces is crucial to your plumbing projects.
4. Fortify Your Drafty Windows
It isn’t always necessary to replace drafty windows. Investigate other solutions to help save money in the short-term on repairs and in the long-term in energy costs. Money Crashers recommends occasionally checking the caulk line that holds your windows in place. If you discover cracks, dryness and other signs of weathering, take out the old caulk with a sharp knife or box cutter and apply a new bead of caulk along the seam.
Tackle Your DIY Home Projects With Confidence
By focusing on safety and preparation, repurposing materials when possible, obtaining the right components for plumbing projects and breathing new life into your old windows, your projects will run smoothly. With these tips, you can keep costs low, and you will love the results.
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This content is sponsored by Hubert Dwight.
Photo: Shutterstock