Know when you are getting in over your head, and know when to call a professional. This article should help you determine what types of repairs you can do yourself, cheaply and easily, and what types of improvement projects require specialized skills.

You can increase your home’s value with one project. If you’re looking to sell your house, then consider doing one or two small things. One example might be a new splash of paint on the interior and exterior. Such a simple and inexpensive upgrade on your end can add an enormous amount of value when selling.

Aluminum tape is a great way to patch cracks along your roof. Separate the paper backing and apply the sticky tape to a clean surface. The seal it creates will be waterproof.

Porches need repainting at times. Make sure you apply a high quality exterior paint product. It’s important that you select paint that has the same base. For example, you want to use oil paint over oil-based paint or latex paint (water) over paint with a water base. It’s best to use oil-based paints for trim, since it’s more durable. It should not, however, be used on decks or other outdoor flooring, as it tends to become very slippery when it snows.

Go with real floors over laminate if you have the money. Laminate looks like real wood but it cannot be refinished. Years from now, whoever owns the house will need a brand new floor.

Attaching PVC pipes to each another is easy, and requires just a bit of PVC primer and cement. You need to make sure you use products designed for PVC so they’ll hold and not leak. Also make sure the surfaces are clean and dry.

Be sure to keep your own records when you work with a contractor on a home improvement project. You cannot leave this responsibility up to the contractor. Save any contracts and invoices related to your project. This can help you and the contractor stay focused on the current tasks.

Paint your old walls with coordinating stripes before installing paneling. Even the most meticulously installed paneling tends to show small areas of the old wall beneath. To start, simply measure where the panels meet. Cover that area with a strip of paint that matches the paneling, so it will be virtually invisible.

Drain Snake

Save money on repair bills by purchasing a drain snake. You will avoid the cost of buying expensive drain cleaners. Using a drain snake can be difficult the first time. You might need a plumber to show you how before you try yourself. Be sure that the snake you use is the correct size for the drain, or damage may occur.

As you read in the beginning, there are certain home improvement projects that you will not want to do if you have no experience. Take the advice given in this article to save yourself from starting a project that you cannot finish. By doing this, you will save time and money.

Do your own homework if you can’t afford a professional designer. You can get a lot of information and inspiration from books, magazines and websites. You never know where you will find an image that will determine the future of your renovations. You can also uses these magazine pages for do-it-yourself projects.