The HomeDaddys staff is excited to have the crew over at HandymanConnection.com provide us with today’s guest post!

Home repair is a yearlong effort. However, the summer months emphasize specialized upkeep and home improvement projects that the rest of the seasonal home maintenance projects don’t have to deal with. In order for you to be comfortable in your house with everything working efficiently, it’s important to look into all aspects of your house, by doing so you can save money and stay on top of repairs that could worsen over time.

Deck repairs should be done before any problems arise. The last thing you want is to have people over on your deck and realize that a handrail is loose, that could turn into a major safety issue. With summer also being prime relaxing time on the deck, damage is sure to be noticed. The weather takes a toll on the deck, creating need for seasonal upkeep. Make sure to do the needed repairs before it gets worse. After the damage has been around for a while, repairing it can turn into an unnecessarily large and expensive project. Cracks can extend; wood can chip, boards can warp. Consider repainting or staining every once in a while to keep your deck in tip-top shape. If the lengthy project hours scare you away from home repair, consider using a handyman to get the job done before it gets worse.

With summer comes the enjoyment of fresh air through window and door screens. Don’t let a broken screen stop you from keeping the door open. Does it need adjusting? Should it be repaired or replaced? Having open windows can be enjoyable if the screen is in good shape. If there are rips, they could be inviting unwanted creatures into your home. Do the repairing while the summer is still here. That comfortable breeze is worth the effort.

Air conditioners are another often overlooked problem area. Check your air conditioner to make sure it is working properly. You might be throwing your money down the drain without you even realizing it. Leaks or loose connections may need repairing. Filters may need to be replaced. With frequent use during the hot weather, air conditioners need be working efficiently. Don’t waste your money by neglecting home repair.

Seasonal home upkeep can determine whether occasional repair takes a few hours or a few weeks. Make sure you keep up with any home repair issues that arise during summer. It can make the rest of the year more enjoyable and have your home working more efficiently. When some projects seem too impossible or time-consuming, don’t be afraid to get some help. Give Handyman Connection a call to get your free estimate today.

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The HomeDaddys staff is excited to have Ryan Corey of HomeOwnerIdeas.com provide us with today’s guest post!

Wallpaper can completely change the look and feel of a particular room within your home. If you are looking for something a bit more interesting than your everyday paint colors, or you are just looking to get a nice contrast to an opposing wall of one solid paint color, wallpaper could be the right option. Available in a wide selection of textures, designs, styles and colors, there are many different and unique ways that you may choose to re-do your space. Rather than hiring a professional to come in and apply the wallpaper for you, completing the project yourself will allow you to save money and achieve your desired results within a short period of time. If you have never applied wallpaper before, these tips will assist you in completing the process, guiding you step by step along the way.

Items Needed:

• Wallpaper
• Wallpaper Hanging Kit
• Paint Roller
• Putty Knives and Utility Knives
• Drywall Compound
• Primer
• Buckets
• Paint Brush
• Tray
• Sand Paper
• Level
• Sponge

Steps for Applying Wallpaper:

1. To begin applying wallpaper, you will first need to get the walls ready. Fill a bucket with warm water and use a sponge to wipe down the surface of the walls, removing any dirt and grime as you go. If there are any imperfections located along the surface of the walls, take sand paper and sand them down for a smooth surface to apply the wallpaper on.

2. After sanding, if there are any uneven spots or holes within the walls, take your drywall compound and apply it to the areas using a large putty knife. Allow for the compound to dry completely before continuing. After it has dried, sand down the surface for a smooth look and feel. Finish it off by dusting the surface with a sponge. You should now have smooth wall surfaces free of debris or dust.

3. Apply a clear primer to the walls before applying the wallpaper. This will give the wallpaper a better surface to stick to rather than applying directly over paint. Primer can easily be applied by using a paint roller. Use painters tape or a putty knife to stay away from priming the trimming. The primer will then need a few hours to dry completely. To speed up the process, simply open some windows throughout the room.

4. Because the last thing that you will want is for your wallpaper to be applied unevenly to the wall, you will want to start by drawing a guideline with a pencil. A level can be used to assist you in drawing a straight line to mark the areas that the wallpaper will be applied.

5. Select your wallpaper according to the color and style that you would like to appear throughout the room. Cut the wallpaper after measuring it and be sure to leave around an extra four inches at the top of the paper to leave room for error. If the wallpaper is currently rolled, roll it in the opposite direction so that it will lay flat.

6. Lay the wallpaper out on a flat surface or on the floor with the blank side facing up. Apply an adhesive to the paper and spread it around in a figure-eight shape so that it completely covers the back of the paper.

7. You will now need to pick up the wallpaper without sticking it to yourself or any objects around you. This can be done by folding in the corners and lifting it up from the dry sections. Apply the wallpaper to the wall according to the guidelines that you drew earlier. A few extra inches of wallpaper can be left at the top and bottom to remove later.

8. Use a smoothing brush to smooth down the wallpaper against the wall, removing any bumps as you go along. Once the wallpaper is applied, simply use a utility knife to trim away the excess wallpaper that is found at the top or bottom.

9. Repeat this process for all sections of the wall and use a Seam roller to press the overlapping seams of the wallpaper sections to each other.

About the Author

Ryan J Corey is a blogger from Homeowner Ideas, a remodeling, DIY and Design / Décor website made specifically for homeowners looking to save time and money on their interior and exterior remodeling projects.

The post DIY – How to Apply Wallpaper appeared first on HomeDaddys.

The Holidays are almost always hectic. But winter is also a great time to work on those 5 home improvement projects that add value to your home, lower your heating costs or enhance your frame of mind during the dreary months ahead.

As a top Louisville Realtor, I like to recommend which projects are the best “bang for your buck” by adding value to your home where it matters most.

Here are five great home improvement projects that you can handle during the cold months, without hiring a contractor. If you’re not the handiest tool in the shed, winter is a great time to hire a contractor, who typically have more availability during this season. You can negotiate a better rate, too!

So, let’s get started.

1. Update those lighting fixtures

One of these 5 home improvement projects that can really make your Holidays sparkle is installing new lighting fixtures.

What is the most popular exclamation on any home show? “This space is so light and airy!”

Humans love light. The more light, the better. You can’t add more windows to your home without major costs, but you can update the lighting fixtures.

Does your room have an old ceiling fan? Replace it with a new one that also has a built-in light.

Tired of the brass chandelier above the kitchen table? Go shopping, a select a beautiful, contemporary fixture that matches your current tastes.

Don’t forget, installing lights under your kitchen cabinets is not too difficult and adds instant style. Most home buyers also find it appealing.

2. Organize those closets and storage areas

When New Year’s Day arrives, many of us are thinking of resolutions for the upcoming year. A popular one is being better organized and more efficient with our time.

Winter is a wonderful time to go through your closets and donate items to charity, while organizing everything you plan to keep. Installing new shelves, drawers or clothing racks is a fairly straight-forward proposition.

Pick one room to start, declutter, then organize what’s left by what you use most often. Come the new year, you’ll have a sense of pride that you’re already ahead of the game.

3. Liven up the tired spaces with paint

The easiest way to update the feel of any room is with new, fresh paint.

Sick and tired of the same ol’ bedroom walls? Nothing will change a room’s appearance faster, or at a lower cost, than new paint.

Don’t let the winter doldrums get you down. Spice things up with some bold, new colors to brighten your mood.

If it’s frigid outside and you can’t open the windows, you may opt for a low-VOC paint that has less fumes.

4. Add insulation

Not the sexiest option in the list but winter is a great time to add insulation and lower your utility costs. It also makes your home more comfortable during the cold months ahead.

Adding insulation doesn’t need to be difficult either. There are multiple options, depending on the location in your Louisville home that needs attention.

Also, wrapping your water heater with insulation helps it run more efficiently and last longer.

5. Spruce up those floors

You won’t believe the number of laminate flooring options these days. So many styles to choose from and the products are better made than ever.

Putting down new laminate floors is a great way to improve a basement, laundry room or even certain baths. Some cuts can be tricky, but there are large number of video guides to help you install laminate floors.

Carpet tiles are another great home improvement project that homeowners can usually tackle themselves.

Wrapping up!

Before you let the Holiday madness get you down, add a couple of these home improvement projects to your calendar, knock them out and feel good about the investment you’ve made to your Louisville home.

If you’re considering a major project, like finishing your basement, you may want to check out Top 5 Factors When Finishing the Basement of Your Louisville Home.

Tre Pryor is an Internet-veteran turned tech-savvy Realtor. One of the top Louisville agents, you can find his work at InsiderLouisville.com, Louisville Homes Blog or follow him on Google+ or Twitter.

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