Home Renovation Tips

1. To create a neat bead of caulk—

* Cut the tip of the tube at a 45° angle.

* Apply even pressure on the trigger as you move the caulking gun slowly across where you want the caulk to be.

* With a damp finger, slide with slight, even pressure across the line of caulk. If it’s too wet the caulk will be runny, too dry and the caulk will pull up, sticking to your finger. If you press too hard, it will squish out and make a mess. With a little practice, you will get the hang of it.

* Wipe the excess off your finger frequently. When you start again, overlap just a little where you stopped, and the finish will be seamless.

2. To remove a stripped screw, place a thick rubber band between the screw and the screwdriver.

You might need to go up a size on the screwdriver.

3. To keep from hitting your finger or thumb with a hammer, use a comb or bobby pin to hold the nail steady while you drive it in.

4. To drill straight, use a block of wood to the side or bottom of the drill as a guide.

5. Choosing paint colors can be harder than you think.

Start with your fabric as a guide, and choose at least ten paint chips to look at in the space. After narrowing down the selection, buy three or more samples to try on the wall. Live with the samples for a day or two, taking note how they look in the changing light throughout the day. A word of warning: Just because it looks good in one room, doesn’t mean it will work in another—try it out first.

6. Use a paint stir stick to scrape off the wax ring when replacing a toilet.

The stick is free, disposable, and will keep your tools from getting gunked up.

7. The rule of thumb when painting a room is from top to bottom: ceiling, walls, trim, touch-up.

8. Everyone’s heard, “Measure twice, cut once.”

Another thing to take into account is the amount the blade will remove from whatever you are cutting. When you measure, make sure to tell yourself whether to “Cut the line” or “Save the line.”

9. To remove mold from drywall, studs, trim, or tile

Scrub with a mixture of 1 quart water and ½ cup bleach with a soft brush until all traces of the mold are gone. Make sure to let it dry completely, moving it to direct sunlight if possible (trim or tile).

10. What to expect in a remodel—

* Dust

* Noise

* The Unexpected

* Cash Concerns

* Changing Your Mind

* Decisions, Decisions, and Even More Decisions

* Delays & Setbacks

* A Party When It’s Complete!

SOurce:  Home Renovation Tips