Things You Can Do To Avoid A Frightening Home Repair In The Future

In your enthusiasm to do up your house yourself, you may commit the bloopers described below. But, we have a solution for each of them.

1. Removing wallpaper

If you plan to repaint the walls of your house, and you need to remove the wallpaper, do not attack the walls with sharp objects in the attempt to take off every last scrap of paper. You will only end up destroying the wall to such an extent that it will require refinishing. This will not only increase the labor required, but also the expense.

The solution is to simply scrape off air bubbles and peeling paper if the wall paper is thin. However, if the wall paper is thick, you should only scrape off the parts that are easily removable. Then, apply a coat of drywall mud before painting.

2. Installing windows

Before you start installing windows in the house and realize you may have placed them inside-out, it is a good idea to read the comprehensive manual provided along with the product.

3. Installing ceiling fans

If you don’t quite know what you’re doing, installing ceiling fans could become a disaster. If you mount the fan on the existing electrical box without realizing that it is made of plastic instead of metal, you may end up with your ceiling in tatters. Usually, plastic electrical boxes cannot support the weight of a metal fan, and once you switch on the fan, it begins wobbling and crashes into the ceiling.

The electrical box is a crucial component of a hanging ceiling fan. It is directly screwed onto the ceiling joist so that wires can run through it. Plastic electrical boxes can only support lightweight accessories. You should not attempt to fix a metal fan to it, for which there are sturdier boxes.

4. Dampness

Often, the source of dampness in the house goes unnoticed. It usually results from a leaking sprinkler head, which may have broken down or become clogged. It may also have shifted position, thus delivering water inside the house instead of on the flower beds.

The smart solution to this problem is to regularly check for any signs of damage to the sprinkler heads. Repairing small damages early will help prevent huge expenses later.

5. Installing drain pipes for sprinklers

You need a certain amount of expertise and knowledge in order to put in place an underground water sprinkler system for the lawn. If you live in a cold country, you should know how to drain water from your pipes before the temperature drops. Otherwise, the pipes will freeze and any residual water will turn to ice and expand. This will put pressure on the pipes, causing them to burst. As a result, your once-beautiful lawn will turn into a muddy mess.

The solution is to drain the water from the pipes on your own once in a while, following the manufacturer’s instructions. But, it is best to hire irrigation and sprinkler professional who will use an air compressor to remove residual water from the pipes. This is particularly helpful for people living in cold countries.

6. Installing a garbage disposal

If you do not know how to install your garbage disposal unit properly, you could be in for a nasty shock. Most disposal units have a hole where the dishwasher drain is plugged in. This hole is usually blocked by a plug, which has to be removed before the drain is put in. If you fail to do that, dirty water from the dishwasher will gush out of the sink.

The simple solution to this problem is to remove the plug using a screwdriver and a hammer before attaching it to the dishwasher. It isn’t difficult and can easily be done by the resourceful homeowner.

7. Mounting a TV

People who are novices at mounting televisions on the wall may risk damaging the wall as well as the television. The entire wall may come crashing down if the television has been mounted in the wrong place. Some builders build old-fashioned houses with walls that use two types of materials – laths or thin, horizontal wood beams and vertical studs. The combination is glued together using plaster. If you do not know what you’re doing, you may end up fixing the television to the laths, instead of the studs. Naturally, the laths cannot support the weight of the television, and the entire object can fall.

The solution? Be careful when hanging heavy objects on the wall, especially in old houses. Usually, there’s just wood behind the plaster. Use a stud finder, or put in a nail or a long screw in the place on the wall where you think the stud exists. If you feel any bounce or you find the nail giving way, look for another spot.

About the Author:

Robert Bryant is a blogger and passionate writer. He likes to write about Home Improvement, Online Marketing, Legal Issues, and SEO etc. You can follow him on Google+.