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