Home Improvement 
There are currently 11 blog entries related to this category.
Six MORE Uses For Vinegar
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at 9:32am. 24 Views, 0 Comments.
But wait! There's more! In my last blog, I talked about five household uses for vinegar. It turns out, the stuff is even more useful than I imagined. So, for all you homeowners who love Do-It-Yourself projects, here are more uses for distilled white vinegar that should come in handy.
1. Testing the pH Balance of Your Soil
If you want a garden that flourishes, it's important to know the pH balance of your soil. Some plants prefer more acidic soil, while others thrive in more alkaline soil. But almost all prefer something that is more balanced. You can use vinegar to determine if your soil is too alkaline. Just put a handful of your soil into a small tupperware container and sprinkle a little vinegar on top. If the soil is too alkaline,…
Five Uses For Vinegar
Thursday, May 10th, 2012 at 8:22am. 41 Views, 0 Comments.
It seems like this blog has been all about finances and market fluctuations and buying and selling. Of course it should be mostly about that, but sometimes it's nice to sit back and talk about the things you can DO in your home once you've actually purchased it. So I try to throw in the occasional home improvement or household tip. Today's topic: vinegar.
That's right - vinegar. It's not just for salad dressing anymore. In fact, distilled white vinegar may have more uses outside of the kitchen than it does inside it! This handy (and cheap) liquid can help you with all kinds of home improvement projects. For instance:
1. Keeping Paint From Peeling on Difficult Surfaces
Sometimes you want to paint something that just doesn't hold…
Want Some Energy-Efficient Improvements? Let Progress Energy Help Pay For Them!
Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at 11:26am. 3709 Views, 1 Comments.
Making your home more energy-efficient is a great goal. Not only are you helping to save the planet, but you're also helping yourself save money! A more efficient home means lower energy bills. Are you tired of having a high electrical bill every month of summer? You might want to consider some of these improvements. And the best part? Progress Energy will help you pay for them!
The best way to determine which, if any, of these improvements your home might need is to get an energy check. Progress Energy offers a check of sorts that you can do right over the internet, but you might want to consider having an energy auditor come to your home and perform a room-by-room inspection. Thankfully, these checks are completely free and once they're done,…
Home Improvements That Will Help You Sell
Friday, October 7th, 2011 at 1:01pm. 147 Views, 1 Comments.
Right now, buyers can afford to shop around until they've found their perfect home. Few buyers are willing to buy a home that they will have to immediately put money into to make it right for them. With that in mind, many sellers are adding improvements to their home before placing it on the market. Though you won't likely be making all of your money back in the final sale price, these improvements will help you stand out in the market and boost your chances of selling your home quickly and for a good price.
Converting the Attic to a Bedroom
With kids moving back home and families taking in older family members, many buyers are trying to find homes that offer more bedrooms for less cost. If your house has an attic that can be converted…
Home Improvement Safety
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 at 2:39pm. 153 Views, 0 Comments.
Did you know that this year, 1 out of every 5 homeowners will injure themselves when tackling a home improvement project? Whether it's a hammer-meets-thumb smash or something far, far more serious, home improvement injuries are frighteningly common. And the worst thing is that most of then can be prevented with a little bit of foresight and caution. Here are some big safety tips that you should keep in mind before you tackle that big project.
Never Work Tired
Sleepiness can lower your reaction time almost as much as being drunk - and you know it's not a good idea to use a power saw while you're drunk. If you feel your mind wandering and your eyelids getting heavy, it's time to put the tools down and stop working.
Care With…
Weathering the Storm - Making Your Home Nearly Hurricane-Proof
Thursday, September 8th, 2011 at 11:55am. 167 Views, 0 Comments.
Hurricane Irene's devastating tour of the East Coast has reminded us that we are in the midst of this year's hurricane season. Here in Florida, especially, hurricanes are a very real threat each year. Since your home is likely the biggest investment you have, doesn't it make sense to protect it as best you can?
So what do you do to defend your home against the raging storm? Here are a few tips.
Roofing
Out of every part of your home, your roof is likely to be the most exposed to the elements. Strong winds can do severe damage to a roof. At best, you may lose a few poorly secured shingles, at worst the entire roof may go. But there are things you can do to prevent this.
The first thing you should do is check and see if the roof…
Changing the Light Bulb
Friday, July 29th, 2011 at 9:38am. 183 Views, 0 Comments.
How many Americans does it take the change the light bulb? Well, it turns out it's going to take every single one of us.
Legislation that was passed back in 2007 will fully go into effect at the start of next year. These new rules call for more efficient light bulbs and the complete replacement of Edison's classic incandescent bulb by 2014.
Why are we doing away with the bulb that we all know and love? Because the incandescent bulb, while a revolutionary invention, is also astonishingly inefficient with the energy it uses. Incandescent bulbs convert only 10% of the energy they take in into visible light. The other 90% is turned into heat. Not only does it use its energy poorly, but every light bulb you leave on also acts as a little…
More Remodeling Tips
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 at 11:01am. 233 Views, 0 Comments.
I've given other remodeling tips on this website, whether it's giving advice about making your existing home seem larger, or helping you decide which projects have the best chance of paying off when you go to sell your home, or even simple painting tips. But this blog will probably be everyone's favorite - simple ways to save money when remodeling.
Remodeling is always going to be a big expense (unless maybe you know a guy who knows a guy) but if you follow some of these tips you should be able to shave a few numbers off the final price tag.
1 - Take Care of All the Little Things at Once
If you have a small repair such as a broken fan or a leaky faucet, the repairman will likely charge you a set minimum price just to make the trip out to…
Saving Money and Staying Cool
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at 9:29am. 272 Views, 1 Comments.
Whew, it's nice to get back into the air conditioning. I don't know about you, but during summers like this I just love to come back to the comfortable oasis of a constantly chugging A/C. Of course, that's a luxury that we really have to pay for, isn't it?
It's estimated that Americans spend more that $22 billion a year just to run their A/Cs and cool their homes. How much was your electric bill last month? If it was anything like mine it probably feels like you contributed a big chunk to that $22 billion. But don't worry. There are ways you can reduce those costs without sacrificing your comfort.
Ceiling Fans
A Central Florida staple since the mid-1800s (when running water was used to power the spinning blades instead of electricity), ceiling…
Getting the Best Out of Remodeling
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 at 11:54am. 260 Views, 0 Comments.
Years ago, when the housing market was booming, the economy was healthy and the sky was filled with rainbows and flying unicorns, remodeling your home was considered a good investment. You were almost certain to get your money back - and then some - when you decided to sell. Unfortunately, those days are no more.
Though you're no longer guaranteed to earn your money back, remodeling can still pay off if you make wise choices about what you do. Here are a few tips:
- Fix What's Already There
Sure, it's tempting to add that extra game room, or that huge bathtub with the jets. Buyers may even thank you for it in the end (though don't expect them to raise their offers that much more). But what buyers won't thank you for are repairs. With a…