| Home improvements don't have to be major | | | | rewards. Keep reading for some suggestions. |
| undertakings and you don't need to uproot your | | | | 1. Spring Clean Your Plumbing |
| family, tear down your house or go thousands of | | | | Once a year, spend a few days attending to your |
| dollars in debt just to get a new look for your | | | | home's plumbing. Unplug any clogs, tighten any |
| home. | | | | dripping pipes, clean up under the sinks and update |
| There are a couple of great ways to make home | | | | or replace any old and tired faucets. |
| improvement easier. One is to take on a project | | | | You'll bring new life to your bathrooms and |
| in small stages. The other is to do quick and easy | | | | kitchen and stay on top of any potential plumbing |
| projects that may seem small, but still punch a lot | | | | problems. If you do encounter a major plumbing |
| of "wow" factor. | | | | issue, don't be afraid to call in a professional. Doing |
| If you decide to take on a major home | | | | so is not an admission of failure (guys)! |
| renovation plan and want to try splitting it into | | | | 2. Check Your Electricals |
| small stages, go for it. This is a great way to | | | | While you shouldn't undertake any electrical work |
| balance your money and life. By spreading your | | | | that you're not trained for, there are a few tasks |
| renovation over a few months and a few | | | | you can handle around the house to stay on top |
| projects, you won't feel like your life has been | | | | of it. |
| taken over by the renovations, and you can avoid | | | | First, replace any old or burned out bulbs in the |
| going into debt. | | | | house, taking time to dust and clean all your light |
| To do this, start with a plan. For example, you | | | | fixtures. Try replacing all your bulbs with energy |
| can begin by redoing the windows. In a few | | | | efficient ones for big savings over time. Then, |
| weeks, you can then start painting, tearing down | | | | check all your fuses and replace any that are |
| or rebuilding any walls. For your next step, update | | | | worn down or broken. |
| any light fixtures or plumbing. Then, redo your | | | | 3. Wash or Paint Your Walls |
| floors room-by-room. Finally, add the finishing | | | | Painting a wall will freshen up a room instantly. |
| touches of new appliances or updated furniture. | | | | Start by covering up any holes or scratches in |
| You can actually attack your projects in any | | | | the wall and remember to use a few coats to |
| order you prefer. The point is to do the work in | | | | get an attractive, professional finish. |
| sufficiently small phases that they neither leave | | | | If you're not up for a full day of painting, try |
| your time or wallet depleted! | | | | washing your walls with a very diluted bleach and |
| If you're not ready for a major home | | | | water, or soap and water solution. This will |
| improvement schedule, try taking on smaller | | | | brighten the room, get rid of odors and wash out |
| renovation projects that can bring satisfying | | | | smells from pets, cooking or smoking. |