DIY Network – Home Improvement How-To & Projects : DIY Network

Owning a home is just the beginning. There are regular upkeeps and maintenance that ensure that your home not only looks beautiful all the time but is also secure from internal damage and external weathering. Home repair is an exhausting and challenging proposition for homeowners. Especially if you are totally new to the task.

As a result, the long list of tasks to be delivered within a short span of time can be quite unnerving. Most the times some minor tasks are overlooked leading to further damages. This hampers the job even further. A ready list of ‘KNOW HOW’ before the next session of home repair can act as quick tips to help you get the job done easier and better.

Dos -

1.Go through a quick inspection of your building or apartment. Maintain a checklist of the areas that have to be repaired. Always invite the home inspection officer a few weeks ahead for consulting and thorough inspection. It would help to identify the problems areas before home repair.

2.A lot of time the DIY technique helps to save your valuable resources. It includes activities cleaning, waxing, remodeling of furniture and floors. Even issues like painting, redesigning the rooms and gardening can be accomplished without any professional help.

3.Always check whether your home insurance covers the cost of accidents and home repair costs. Only a few banks and mortgage firms provide additional loans for home repairs. Often the home insurance provider cover gardens as well as your home office contents.

4.It very important to check with the homebuilders and home improvement firms before signing a contract. Consult your real estate attorney regarding the legal details of the working terms and conditions.

5.Always opt for the builders and home repair service providers who cover an annual maintenance and repair. It is done over minimal fees that can be repaid within no time by the home loans. Always remember to renew the service contract with your home improvement firm.

Don’ts -

6.Never assign the task to a home improvement firm outside the territorial or zonal builders. You would be breaking the laws.

7.You must hire professional help for specialized technical home improvement tasks like plumbing, wiring, gas lines, roof repairing and brickwork. When comes to installing your fireplace or repairing the electric geysers never rely solely on that do-it-yourself tendency. Neglecting serious cable wires or that plug on the kitchen sink may cause further accidents.

8.Do not ever tie-up with any contractors or builders outside a working contract. Do check about the background of the company.

9.Never forget to ask your home insurance provider the details of the contents insured. An ideal home insurance would provide the costs of home repair. It should include your house and its fixtures, fittings, garages, bicycles. Some of the companies would even provide you with insurance for the tennis court, swimming pools, bathtubs, gates, walls, patios, driveways, walks and fences. Most often the insurance firms are not willing to cover such objects. But with the monetary funds from mortgage and home loans it becomes convenient to pay for home repair.

10.Never sign any legal documents regarding work contract before scrutinizing.

And most importantly — planning plays a crucial role. It becomes necessary to discuss the details and the schedule with all members of the family before conducting any home repair activity. This will add to the comprehensiveness and reduce the need for change later.

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It’s definitely time to clean your car when someone writes “wash me” on the surface.

Even if your car hasn’t reached that point, a good cleaning of the inside and outside prevents the buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt, reduces the potential for rust from road salt and helps ensure the visibility needed for safe driving, according to the Car Care Council.

The first step is to remove the clutter from inside the car, including items that have accumulated in the trunk that can add extra weight and reduce gas mileage. Once this is done, thoroughly clean and vacuum the inside and wash the windows.

When washing the outside, make sure to include the tires, wheels and the underside of the fenders to eliminate any road salt or grime. The Council recommends cleaning the wheels and tires with a mitt and using a separate mitt to wash the body. This will avoid contaminating the vehicle’s paint with debris from the wheels and tires.

The body of the vehicle should be washed using a product sold specifically for cars. Starting at the top, wash one section at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap as you go.

Work your way down toward the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. Clean the fenders and bumpers last, since they will have the most dirt and grime that can contaminate the wash mitt.

The car should get a final rinse by removing the spray nozzle from the hose and letting the water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle. To avoid water spots, dry the vehicle with a chamois or other product made for drying.

The last step is to wax the car according to the manufacturer’s instructions for application. Waxing should be done out of direct sunlight and every six months. It goes a long way toward protecting the vehicle’s finish and makes subsequent washes easier.

If you identify any stone chips, rust or other problem spots while washing your vehicle, the Council suggests having these taken care of immediately to prevent further damage.

Keeping your vehicle clean not only protects your valuable investment, it can foster a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s a task that takes very little money or effort, but has huge returns.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the Be Car Care Aware consumer education campaign, which promotes the benefits of regular vehicle care. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

admin Auto Bumpers, Car Care Council, Chamois, Clutter, Debris, Dirt And Grime, Fenders, Gas Mileage, Mileage, Road Salt, Rust, Safe Driving, Spray Nozzle, Stone Chips, Sunlight, Visibility, Water Cascade, Water Spots, Waxing, Wheels And Tires