Category: DIY

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Should I fix my roof – DIY or professional tips

roof DIY professional

In this article “Should I fix my roof – DIY or professional tips” we consider should I bother fixing my roof in a DIY or professional manner. If you’re in the market for a new roof or repairs, here are some installation benefits.

Benefits of New Roofing and Maintenance

While a new roof or even maintenance can be an expensive up-front cost, the pros can significantly outweigh the cons. Some signs you could need a new roof include water leakage in the roof space after rain or wet conditions. Often this could result in mildew or mould on ceilings and interior walls. Sometimes exterior paint, siding and sheathing; and missing or damaged tiles could be the cause.

The Return on Investment (ROI) for repairs or replacement can be extremely high, especially if you are trying to sell your home. Often buyers will undertake a professional building inspection before they purchase a home. A damaged roof, or subsequent damage caused by one, will be a quick detractor from potential buyers. A new roof installed by a licensed contractor will carry a warranty, attractive for anyone looking to settle, avoiding on-going maintenance concerns.

With new materials and changes in installation methods, a new roof will help keep your home energy efficient. Your home will be active in keeping the outside and inside environments separated. The cost of your utility bills will decrease. The risk of mould, mildew and other damage will drop, leaving you and everyone in your house healthier. In addition to improving the internal health of your home, a new roof can exponentially improve the external appearance of your home. The result is your home will have better street appeal. If you’re trying to sell a home, this can be the initial attractor. Remember getting buyers past the front door is key!

The Basic tips of Roof Installation and Repairs

  1. To begin with, make sure you have a clean, well-organised working space. Be mindful of dangerous areas, such as power lines. Ensure that you have the right tools for the job. Working on elevated roofs always has its dangers, so make sure you’re operating safely, and minimise the risk of any fall.
  2. Tear off the existing roofing (such as tiles, nails, metal and more) and prepare the surface.
  3. Repair any damaged structural members now that it’s visible before any new installation of roofing material.
  4. Install roof deck protection, leak barriers, starter strips and tiles.
  5. Be sure to use the correct nails for your roofing project to prevent problems down the line, such as tiles blowing off the roof.
  6. After the tiles are installed install ridge vents, valleys, flashing or ridge-cap tiles. Also adding ventilation (such as attic fans) will help to ventilate the roof spaces in your home.

Replacing or repairing my roof – DIY or professional?

Even if you have a working knowledge of how to install a new roof, you need a plan. Just trying to repair it will need careful consideration and planning. Even then it could still be too dangerous a job to undertake as a DIY project. Not to mention it always takes longer than you think. One recommendation is not to leave your roof space unprotected for any extended period. Exposing the insides of your roof will leave you vulnerable to the elements. The weather should be monitored. Any rain, snow or adverse weather can result in internal damage to your home. Hiring a contractor could be a more efficient and safer way to install a new roof or make necessary repairs since the project will go quicker without as many potential hiccups.

Author: Avid Handyman
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Green and Healthy Lawn Essentials

green and healthy lawn

A green and healthy lawn is the ultimate goal for any land owner, but getting there isn’t always easy. You water, you fertilise, you weed, but you still think your lawn could look better. However, you don’t want to spend every free moment or a huge sum of money caring for your lawn. Fortunately, you don’t have to. By following these essential lawn care practices, you’re sure to get the lush green lawn of your dreams.

When to Weed

The best time to weed your lawn is whenever weeds first pop up. You can use chemical weed killers to rid your lawn of unsightly plants, but they may damage your grass. Your best bet is to remove any weeds you find including the roots and discarding them away from your lawn. Resist the urge to mow them down with your grass, as this will often spread seeds and leaves the root system behind, giving new weeds the opportunity to pop up. A few moments of weeding here and there will keep your lawn looking its best and save you time, as the job will only get worse the longer you put it off. Regularly weed your lawn in the early spring and summer to stay ahead of the game.

However, we know that sometimes these weeds will get ahead of you and spot weeding is just not possible. That’s when applying a weed killer to your lawn may be the best approach. Weed killer will only work when weeds are actively growing. Good seasons to use weedkiller are autumn and late winter. You need to get to the weeds early before they flower. So if it gets hot in spring, they tend to flower quickly and set seed.

Other Tips:

  • Never apply weedkiller straight after mowing as the weed killer needs leaf to attach to
  • The lawn needs to have moisture in it before applying weed killer, so a day or two after rain is ideal
  • Only apply when your lawn looks green and healthy, not when you going through a drought
  • Check the forecast, and never apply weedkiller before any rain as the chemical will be washed away.

When to Fertilise

The best time to fertilise your lawn is in the early spring when the ground is moist. Fertilising at this time of year helps stimulates root growth, giving your lawn the ability to grow thicker and healthier. A thicker lawn means that weeds will have less of a chance to grow in the first place. The thicker grass will use the bulk of the sunlight, water, nutrients, and space the weeds need to grow and proliferate.

When and How to Water

Rather than watering your lawn a little bit every day, try giving it a good soak as needed instead. Soaking your lawn promotes deeper root development, which creates stronger, healthier grass. Simply sprinkling your lawn means that only the surface soil and root systems are getting watered, which promotes the growth of weeds and sickly looking grass. This could also cause dead spots in your lawn, which is prime real estate for weeds. Also, resist the urge to water your grass at night. Night watering could cause fungi or bacteria that are harmful to grass to grow in the soil. This is because the ground won’t have a chance to dry out properly overnight.

Other Tricks for a Green and Healthy Lawn

To keep your lawn looking green year-round, cut it to a height of one and a half inches for the first and last mows of the season. As the weather warms, raise the blade height to two inches. A sharp mower blade will result in a straighter cut, making your lawn appear decidedly green. Finally, mow your lawn regularly so you only cut the top third of the blades, which should be left on your lawn. Leaving large piles of clippings on your lawn can cause damage, so you’ll want to rake those up. However, the top third of a blade of grass, which will decompose quickly, adds essential nutrients such as nitrogen to the soil. By leaving these clippings, you’re giving it the opportunity to grow greener, healthier, and thicker than ever before.

Written by: outdoor garden lover

 

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Should I move or renovate – money and disruption

Renovate bathroom home money disruption
  • Is staying in your location really necessary?
  • Do you have the budget?
  • Does the floor plan need changing if I relocate?
  • How much temporary disruption to my lifestyle can I handle?
  • Will renovations increase your home’s value?
  • What’s your long-term plan for the home?
  • How does moving affect property taxes?
  • What effect will this have on my mortgage?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you may be leaning more toward one option over the other. If you’re still unsure, here are some pros and cons to both choices.

Relocation Benefits

  • Fresh start: You have the opportunity to begin new! The chance to meet new people, and move away from something you don’t like. It may be the opportunity to change your everyday scenery.

    person standing in front of a new house, with a smile on their face
    www.pinterest.com

     

  • Extra money: Perhaps you want to move, but don’t want to sell. You can use the house as a source of income by renting it out.
  • Renting: Maybe now is the time to consider renting? See our other article relating to the benefits of buying or renting a home.
  • Personal gain: Maybe the house you’re leaving is too large or too small now. Relocating gives you the option to find the house that suits your needs now.
  • Moving: When you move, clutter and useless items can be discarded.

Relocation Disadvantages

  • Taxes: Generally, you don’t pay capital gains tax if you sell the home you have previously lived for more than a year. However, if within this period, or if its not your primary residence, you will be up for some taxes if you sell the property. Additionally, you can’t claim income tax deductions for costs associated with buying or selling your home. Most states charge stamp duty when you buy a property, including a home.
  • Moving: When you relocate houses, it is known to be a very stressful activity. Something that may not be needed at this time in your life. There are costs to loading everything into a truck; whether it’s for moving across the street or town. Moving causes disruption in our lives until we develop a new routine.
  • Selling: If you decide to sell your home, the process could take months, leaving you with more expenses. Money can be “tight” if you’re stuck in this position.

Renovation Benefits

  • New look: Remodelling allows you to recreate an old space into something new, by giving it new life.

renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and white cabinets
www.limitlessrenovations.com

  • Cost efficiency: If you could consider taking on one room at a time, there is no large upfront cost. You can update what you need so that it fits within your budget. You don’t have to renovate everything, just what you want. There’s also the chance to take on some of your renovations in a DIY fashion.
  • Personal touch: Your individual needs are met when you renovate. Whereas buying a new home may have a few features you want, but not all the features.
  • Familiarity: You already have a comfort level for the house and how everything operates within.

Renovation Disadvantages

  • Key issues: If your home needs a complete overhaul, wouldn’t it just be easy to buy something already built with most of your needs?
  • Do the numbers stack up:  Is the investment worth it after you crunch the numbers, particularly when you are looking at renovating the whole house?
  • Money difficulties: If you don’t have the cash, remodeling can require a homeowner loan, which generally is loaned at a higher rate than a regular home loan. You would need some equity or security. It may be difficult to get approved.
  • Permits: Depending on what you’re changing in the house, you may have to get building permits particularly if some structural changes are needed.
  • Construction: Remodelling means

Closing Summary

When deciding whether to stay or go, there are a number of factors to consider. These include your budget, your needs, and your long-term plans for the home. If you decide to stay, you may want to consider renovating your home. This can be a cost-effective way to update your home and make it more comfortable and stylish. However, it is important to be aware of the potential costs and disruptions involved in renovations.  If you decide to move, you will need to consider the costs of moving and selling your home. You will also need to find a new home that meets your needs and budget. Ultimately, the decision of whether to stay or go is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best decision for you will depend on your individual circumstances.

Here are some additional tips for making your decision:

  • Talk to your family and friends about your decision. They may be able to offer you valuable insights and advice.
  • Do your research. Read articles and talk to experts to learn more about the pros and cons of staying or going.
  • Make a list of your priorities. What is most important to you in a home?
  • Get a financial advisor. They can help you understand the financial implications of your decision.

         

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        DIY vs Professional home project

        DIY handyman home renovation Professional home project

        Is it better to  take on a home project in a do it yourself (DIY) fashion vs. engaging a professional to complete the work? I imagine this question gets asked a lot every week in households all over the world, particularly if you are not that handy like me! It certainly has at my house over the past few weeks.   In this article, we will cover off questions to consider before embarking on a DIY project. We will talk about the potential to save thousands of dollars, compared to, is it really worth it?

        Potential to save thousands of dollars

        In recent storms, my fence fell over due to the high winds and fallen trees resting on it. It obviously needed fixing. My first thought was to get professionals to provide three quotes. I was quite shocked at the high price of the quotes (and the pricing differential!).  However, the quotes did involve replacement of the fence. The tradesmen don’t seem to want to repair the fence and replacement is the suggested course of action. As the fence was still in good condition i.e. straight but leaning, it got me thinking, could I fix the fence myself and potentially save thousands of dollars?

        DIY, Is it really worth it?

        The web is a fantastic resource, and based on the relatively simple task, my cost estimates showed I actually could save thousands of dollars. So I decided to give it a go. What could go wrong? After two weekends of hard labour, plan revisions (due to human error) and multiple trips to the local hardware store it was done. On reflection, I am jubilant with the result, which was very effective and did save me thousands of dollars. There is also the satisfaction of doing the task yourself and the pride of a job well done!

        Personally, I have found the key points to consider are the (1) size of the savings, (2) complexity of the job and (3) time vs. money tradeoff. As a non-professional taking on something for the first time, estimating the complexity or time to complete the job may be very inaccurate. So you should leave some fat in your estimations and then you decide is it really going to be worth it. For example, I did not take on our recent bathroom renovation as I did not think the amount I could save (if any) outweighed the effort and difficulty of the job.

        Questions to consider before embarking on a DIY job

        • What are the potential savings?
        • How difficult or complex is the task?
        • Is the time vs. money tradeoff worth it? (i.e. forgoing family or other personal time)
        • Do you have the required tools already?
        • Is the job potentially life threatening? (i.e. electrical work)
        • Have I got some good mates that may be able to lend a hand?
        • Does it have to meet the applicable standard for that code, if so will it when I finish the project?

        If you can get through those questions and are still keen to proceed with the DIY, I wish you the best of luck and may see you at the hardware store on the weekend!

        Author:  Professional Banker