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Home Improvement Ideas For Any Homeowner
Home improvement is the most cost-effective way to get a new home in this economy. In a buyer's
market, it is too hard to find someone to buy your home at the price it is valued. Instead of dealing
with the real estate hassle, why not improve the home you already have? This article has tips on how
you can make your current home seem new.
Wallpaper borders are no longer as popular as they once were. However, you can add nice designs
to your wall without them. Buy some stencils at your local craft store in a theme that matches your
home decor and paint them in a line on your wall where normally the wallpaper border would go. This
creates a nice visual effect for your eyes to follow in the room.
Sometimes home improvement is necessary for reasons beyond our control. The roof may have been
damaged during a storm; the foundation may have developed a crack; or maybe the cold weather
caused some pipes to freeze up and burst. Most of the time these are unexpected repairs. Check with
your homeowner's insurance to see if the repair is covered.
Roofing
Suppose you are planning to replace your roof and are considering using either shingles or metal
roofing. Which is best? You need to take into account the pitch of the roof. Either material will work on
a steep pitch, but for a low pitch roof you should use metal roofing. Shingles will always leak.
One type of roof vent you can use with metal roofing would be one made of ABS plastic. They
normally come in the same color of the metal you will be using. They are easy to install with metal
screws and stand up well when you are considering the elements.
Make sure to have your home inspected before starting any major renovations. Checking for roofing
issues, termites, electrical issues and plumbing beforehand can save you a lot of trouble down the
road. Finding issues like these when you are halfway through a renovation process can be a
nightmare on your budget.
Gutters
It is wise to trim any branches that are overhanging your roof. In a storm they may break off, fall and
spear your roof. In a snowstorm they will dump their load of snow, which may accumulate as ice.
Also, falling leaves from these branches may accumulate and cause dampness on the roof, and clog
the gutters.
If you notice icicles or an ice jam in your rain gutters over the winter, you have a real problem on your
hands. If the snow on your roof melts and builds up in frozen rain gutters, it can back up under your

2. shingles and damage your roof. Call someone in to check both the rain gutters and the roof come
spring.
Make sure that you clean your downspouts and gutters at least a couple of times per year to prevent
costly damage to your home. Overflowing gutters can actually cause water to leak onto interior walls,
and gutters clogged with pounds of wet leaves may buckle under the weight. This is especially
important in autumn, when leaves are shedding rapidly from the trees.
Downspouts, chimneys and gutters often get overlooked when it comes to home improvements and
as well as yearly updating. Inspecting these areas of your house is important to ascertain they are in
proper working order and also to make any needed repairs. If your chimney is not cleaned regularly it
may catch fire, and downspouts and gutters may become obstructed with debris, this can result in
water damage when not addressed.
Downspouts, gutters and chimneys often do not get the attention they deserve in an annual
maintenance schedule. Make sure to inspect these parts of your home so you can make necessary
repairs. If you do not clean it regularly, your chimney might catch fire; your downspouts and gutters
may clog and lead to some water damage if you don't pay attention.
As you can see, there are a variety of things you can do around your home, both inside and outside,
that will put your personal stamp on it. It doesn't have to be a major change, because even the
smallest things can make a big difference if done correctly and strategically.
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