Before you get that shiny new tool for Christmas or commit to building your new puppy an insulated dog house, go through our list of DIY skills that you'll surely put to use in the new year and beyond.
Master a Cordless Drill/Driver
The cordless drill/driver is the most reached for power tool among home DIYers. The 12-volt size are compact enough to store in kitchen drawers. Gain a better feel for the clutch, speed, and power of your cordless drill/driver and you'll finish projects in less time and with more confidence.Project: To build confidence, drill pilot holes and drive screws into scrap 2x4s. Then step up to hanging photos or even building a work bench.
The cordless drill/driver is the most reached for power tool among home DIYers. The 12-volt size are compact enough to store in kitchen drawers. Gain a better feel for the clutch, speed, and power of your cordless drill/driver and you'll finish projects in less time and with more confidence.
Project: To build confidence, drill pilot holes and drive screws into scrap 2x4s. Then step up to hanging photos or even building a work bench.
Maintain Your Heating and Cooling System
There's no need to call in an expert to give your furnace or air-conditioner a seasonal checkup. You can maintain your heating and cooling system yourself by following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule, which will help prevent problems before they begin. Project: Depending on what type of furnace you have, you'll want to grab a flashlight and inspect the flue pipe for leaks, change the oil and air filters, and clean the floor and wall vents. Air-conditioner maintenance consists of cleaning or replacing air filters to keep the unit running at peak performance and clearing away any dirt and debris that may have accumulated around the air-conditioner coils which rely on clear airflow around the condenser.Here's a list of common heating and cooling problems to look out for, and how to fix them.
There's no need to call in an expert to give your furnace or air-conditioner a seasonal checkup. You can maintain your heating and cooling system yourself by following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule, which will help prevent problems before they begin.
Caution: HVAC systems, especially oil and gas heaters, can be dangerous to work on. Carbon monoxide, fuel, and oil, are all toxic and should be treated with the utmost caution. It's best to hire a pro for a yearly checkup, who can point out areas of concern for you to look out for during the year.
Project: Depending on what type of furnace you have, you'll want to grab a flashlight and inspect the flue pipe for leaks, change air filters, and clean the floor and wall vents.
Air-conditioner maintenance consists of cleaning or replacing air filters to keep the unit running at peak performance and clearing away any dirt and debris that may have accumulated around the air-conditioner coils which rely on clear airflow around the condenser.
Patch Holes in Drywall
Your walls can show damage from door knobs and nail holes, but the repairs are easy with do-it-yourself drywall repair kits that are available at any home center. These kits include: spackle, mesh, sandpaper, and a putty knife.Project: Depending on the size of damage to your wall, there are a few different techniques for fixing them. Here are 5 fixes for damaged drywall that cover the most common sized holes.
Your walls can show damage from door knobs and nail holes, but the repairs are easy with do-it-yourself drywall repair kits that are available at any home center. These kits include: spackle, mesh, sandpaper, and a putty knife.
Build a Wood Toy with Your Kids
Young children are fascinated with how things work, and by building a toy from scratch their curiosity will hit an all-time high. The satisfaction of building something with your child is priceless and now more than ever there are ways to do this no matter what your DIY skill level is.Project: Home Depot and Lowe's have basic woodworking kits for building cars and boats. A small hammer is all that's needed to assemble them. Encourage children to paint them or decorate with stickers when they are complete. If your kids are older and you're ready to up your DIY game, our list of 9 backyard builds will keep your family busy having fun all year long.
Young children are fascinated with how things work, and by building a toy from scratch their curiosity will hit an all-time high. The satisfaction of building something with your child is priceless and now more than ever there are ways to do this no matter what your DIY skill level is.
Project: Home Depot and Lowe's have basic woodworking kits for building cars and boats. A small hammer is all that's needed to assemble them. Encourage children to paint them or decorate with stickers when they are complete.
Paint a Room the Right Way
Painting might seem like the simplest of DIY tasks, but to do it right takes time and attention to detail. Don't skimp on cheap brushes for interior walls and take your time to prepare the area by clearing it of furniture and taping off windows and moldings.
Project: Prepping your wall surface is the key indicator of a successful paint job. Use soap and water to clean your walls before painting and patch and smooth out any drywall holes. Also remove any outlet or switch plates for best results and to spend less time taping.
No comments:
Post a Comment