The first thing you need to do is completely remove the existing floor covering and assess the damage below. In some cases, you’ll only need to replace a small section. Other times, you’ll need to replace the entire thing. You might also think about doing some preventative maintenance, as you probably won’t see this part of your house again for quite awhile. Remember to check existing floor joists as well. These may need to be replaced in order to properly hold up the sub-flooring and the floor covering.

Now, you need to decide what type of material you want to use. Most homeowners opt for plywood flooring, while others want something a little heavier and go with a laminated wood. Check prices at your local lumberyards and compare prices. You might find a deal you just can’t pass up. Keep in mind the area you’ll be working on, as materials used in basements might not be best for upper levels of your home. Think about the type of flooring you’ll be placing over the top of your sub-floor, when making your choice. What might work with carpeting, might not work for ceramic tiles.

When putting in your sub-flooring, make sure to stagger your wood, such as you would in building a brick wall. By not having all your seams in exact lines, you give your sub-floor more stability. Make sure all your corners are covered and check your work with a level just to make sure the whole room sets right. You might also walk across the sub-flooring first, and feel for any imperfections. Now you’re ready to add your floor covering.

If you’re going to take the time to add new floor coverings to your home, take the time to do it right. A perfect sub-flooring is essential to keeping your new coverings in good condition. Give that room the floor you’ve always dreamed of, by making sure that the sub-floor is in its prime.

Before choosing a wallpaper, you’ve got to decide on what you want the end result to look like. Are you looking for a warm color, a light color, or patterns? Take stock of the other items in the room and go from there. Remember, too much of a good thing can turn out bad. If you have a floral theme to the room, you may not want a heavy floral design to your wallpaper.

Once you’ve made a decision on style, you’ll need to decide on adhesive types. If you choose to use paste, you’ll need to know what type to use, and how to apply the paste. You’ll also need a brush to apply the paste, a plumb line to help keep your paper straight, scissors or a utility knife, and a tray to hold the paste. If you choose to go with a pre-pasted wallpaper, you’ll still need all of the above, but the tray and brush will be for the water needed to wet the back of your paper.

Before you apply your wallpaper, you’ll need to ensure that your walls are prepared for the paper. Remove all traces of older wallpaper and thoroughly clean your walls. Make sure to fill in any holes before beginning, and it’s a good idea to add a coat of primer to the walls. Go over the walls to make sure there are no lumps or blemishes that will tear the paper or cause problems with the process. Once you’ve done all this, you’ll be ready to apply your wallpaper.

When putting up your paper, always start from a corner in the room and hang from top to bottom. If your working with an abstract pattern, you may not have to worry about alignment. However, if you’re working with specific patterns, you’re going to want to try and match up pattern sides as best as possible. Use a rubber roller to help press out any air bubbles that may occur.

Once you’ve finished hanging your wallpaper, you might decide to add a border or other effects to the room. In the end, if you’ve done your research and followed directions, you should have a beautiful room that will last several years to come.

For some families, the kitchen table is the center of communication.  You can refurbish your kitchen table and chairs without much hassle.  If your table is full of nicks and scratches, all you need to do is buff these out with a power sander.  Once your table is smooth, its only a matter of adding the stain.

For the chairs, it depends on what type of chairs you’ve got.  If you have leather covered chairs, you’ll either need a leather repair kit or try and find a matching replacement.  However, if you have high-back regency chairs, you can upgrade both the seats and the wood.  First of all, remove the seat and set it off to the side.  Then, strip the wood, make any necessary repairs, and refinish.  With the seats, simply remove the cloth covering.  Either throw in the washer, or choose a new pattern to add to the seats.  Replace with the use of a staple gun and replace to chair.

If you have a sewing machine, you can do quite a few upgrades to your existing furniture.  Update your living room by making a new cover for your couch.  Rather than go out and buy a brand new one, you can choose a material that will match your decor.  Make several in different patterns and you can change your couch covers to match your mood.  This same technique applies to your living room chairs and even with your kitchen chairs.

If you do want newer furniture, check out yard sales or auctions.  You can pick up some really nice pieces for very little money.  These pieces can also be refurbished to suit your personal tastes.  It’s like getting brand new furniture at a fraction of the cost.  You can also find some beautiful lamps, end tables, or anything else that will add a touch of class to your home.

When you’re looking for ways to improve the look and feel of your home, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on brand new furnishing.  Restoring many of the pieces you already possess is an inexpensive and creative way to put your personal style into the home of your dreams.

Though you can find coupons for your favorite home improvement centers in your local ads, some of the best can only be found in store.  These are usually found near the check out counters, and can save you a ton of money.  You can end up saving money on everything from nails and screws, to shingles and siding.

Another way to save on your home improvements is to buy out of season.  You can usually get better deals on certain items if you buy them in the off season.  External paints, lawn products, and window treatments can usually be picked up for less than normal during the winter months.  You can get the best deals on lawn products in the autumn months, as this is when most stores need to clean out their stock and prepare for next year.

There are several online stores that help you get discounts on items such as solar panels.  Though most of these are just as good as retail priced, you should beware.  The reason is that some places will sell solar panels at discounted prices because there are minor defects in the product.  If you don’t know what you’re looking for, don’t take a chance.  However, if it’s a company you trust and feel comfortable with, this could be a great way to save some money on your home improvements.

If you are planning to add energy efficient products to you home, you could end up getting money back from the government.  Adding energy efficient products to you home could qualify you to a tax credit up to 30%.  These items include insulated doors, windows, and even skylights.  Talk to your home improvement store representative for all the details.

Before starting any home improvement project, check into all the different home improvement discounts that are available to you.  You could end up saving a lot of money and still getting the same results.  You can have a beautiful home, without spending your entire budget.

First of all, probably the most popular solar powered items would be solar panels on your home’s roof, or anywhere they can take in the most sunlight.  Most solar panels face the South where they can capture the greatest amount of sunlight throughout the day.  Solar panels can be purchased at any home improvement store

Solar powered water heaters are one of the most economic ways to save money on your home.  With one of these items, you could be saving 10 times the amount of money spent on your water heating bills, while giving your hot water heater as much as a double lifetime expectancy.  More than that, you might even qualify for a tax credit of up to 30%.

Another option you might want to look into is with wind energy.  There are a lot of people who imagine huge wind farms with this, but you can add wind turbines to your home.  With wind energy, you could save as much as 90% on your yearly electric bills.  It works in conjunction with your utility company, and it is estimated that a wind generator can offset more than 200 tons of greenhouse gases over its lifetime.

Also, look for any appliances and other home improvement materials, with the EnergyStar logo.  This says that the item in question has proven to help save energy, while still providing you with top quality service.  Most will think of washing machines and refrigerators, but you can also find this logo on windows, doors, and even skylights.  It’s a great way to ensure you’re doing your part for the environment.

Check into your local building codes, and see if you need to comply with state standards in energy efficiency.  Adding solar and wind powered energy to your home, you’ll find that a lot of the money you gave out each month, will spend more time in your pocket.  And that means, you’ll have more left over for bigger and better things.

One way to improve the look of your fireplace is by replacing the bricks.  New bricks will give your fireplace a brighter look, but that’s not all.  Older bricks can crack from heat over time and could end up allowing smoke to filter out.  Another option is to add decorative rock around the older bricks.  This will give your fireplace a more modern look and improve the property values of your home.

For a more authentic feel, some people use river rocks around their fireplaces.  However, you don’t have to visit your local river to obtain this material.  You can pick up river rocks at most home improvement stores or at any earth moving company.  Also, you can purchase faux river rock face that gives the appearance of real rock, but is usually made out of cement or some type of fireproof material.

There are many homes that have fireplaces that no longer work.  Some have even been designed into the home plan, though they have no chimney.  They are strictly to add a bit of flair to the room.  These are a designers dream, as you can use just about any type of materials in the design.  They can be painted to look overtly modern, or decorated to look as though hundreds of years old.

One of the key piece that defines a fireplace is the mantle.  Again, design comes down to personal taste.  Some people prefer a wooden mantle, while others prefer something made of stone, or even granite.  For a working fireplace, it’s best to consult with a professional.  However, for something more ornamental, your options are limited only by your imagination.  Keep an eye out for homes being demolished.  This could be a great place to find an old fireplace mantle, or for antique wall moldings that would make any mantle seem older than its actual age.

Whether you want an antique look, or something more modern, there are several ways to update the look and feel of your home fireplace.  It doesn’t matter if it is a working model or not, a beautiful fireplace can add warmth to any home.

1.) Check and Change Your Heater Filters
Before you crank up the furnace in your home, it’s a good idea to see if it needs to be cleaned or simply replaced.  First of all, it depends on the types of materials used to make the filters.  If it’s a cardboard filter, it was made to be disposable and will need to be replaced.  However, if your filter is reusable, you can clean it and replace it.  Start out by vacuuming out the dust and debris from the previous year.  Next, wash it warm water, then allow to dry.  Sitting it outside in the sun is the best option.  Finally, vacuum up any debris inside the furnace and around the base.  Now, your furnace is ready for another long winter.

2.) Wrap Your Water Pipes
One of the biggest problems with cold weather is bursting pipes.  In areas where the night-time temperatures can fall well below freezing, wrapping your water pipes is a must.  Some people leave a small trickle of water running at night to keep the water from freezing, but this just wastes water.  You can buy foam wrapping for your pipes from any home improvement store, for almost nothing.  If you’d rather use things around your home, wrap your pipes in old rages or mismatched socks, then apply a healthy amount of duct tape to keep them in place.  This will help keep your pipes warm, and your basement dry.

3.) Check Water Heater Insulation
Another item in your home that needs to be winterized is your hot water heater.  Though all modern heaters are insulated on the inside, finding ways of keeping the cold off the outside is important.  If your hot water heater is in a drafty basement, you can purchase hot water heater wraps from your local hardware store.  Those that live in mobile homes will want to go the extra mile and add an extra layer of insulation to the door housing, as the heater is usually exposed to an exterior wall and only accessible from the outside.

4.) Check For Drafts
It’s never too early to think about sealing up leaks and drafts in your home.  They may not be as noticeable in the summer months, but in the winter, they can cause your heating bills to skyrocket.  Adding a bead of caulking around windows and faucets will keep drafts from entering your home.  Adding a door sweep to all your external doors will keep the cold air out in the winter, and adding foam insulators to your external electrical sockets will help save you a ton of money.

5.) Installing a Programmable Thermostat
Replacing your current thermostat with a digitally programmable one will help keep your home’s temperature at a constant rate.  It’s best to keep your thermostat set at about 68* in the winter time, as this will still allow you to feel warm indoors and keep your heating bills down.  They also give you the power of keeping other family members from cranking up the heat and forgetting to turn it back down.

Electric bills are always at their highest in the winter months, but getting ready ahead of time will help save you and your family a lot of money.  It’s never too early to get ready for winter, and it’s never been easier to stay ahead of the game.

First of all, you’ll notice that all ceiling fans come with complete instructions and parts list.  Run through your list and ensure that all the pieces are accounted for.  This is also a good time to decide whether you want your fan set directly against the ceiling, or if you’d rather use the extension rod.  These rods are a great asset for larger rooms.

Next, you’ll need to remove the existing light fixture.  The safest way to do this, is by turning on the light then shutting off the power from the electrical box.  Even after you’ve shut off the power, it’s a good idea to test the wires with a voltage tester.  Once you’ve completed this, disconnect your wires.  Take stock in which colored wires go where.  Most wires will already be color coded.  However, if they’re not, you can use colored tape or even nail polish to differentiate your wires.

For the direct ceiling mounted option, attach the ceiling mount to the fan motor.  It’s a good idea to make sure that the ceiling trusses are sturdy enough to hold the weight of the fan.  Now it’s time to reattach your wires.  Your instructions will tell you which colored wire runs which option.  The wires with your fan may not be the same colors as those coming from your ceiling, so you’ve got to know which is which.

Once your wires are reconnected, you should test them to make sure that they’re sending power to the right place.  Be sure to cap all your wires before tucking them into the housing unit.  Your kit should come with wire caps, but if not, they can be purchased for next to nothing at any local hardware store.

Once the mount is in place, it’s time to add your fan blades.  Many fans come with dual-sided blades, giving you and option in decor.  Choose which side you want to use, then mount the blades to the arm extensions provided in the kit.  Each blade will attach to the arm with two or three small bolts.  Now, add them to your fan, ensuring that the bolts are secured.

Finally, add your light bulbs and check to see that all is in place.  Make sure to use the proper bulbs in your ceiling fan light fixture, as the wrong wattage can cause safety issues.  If you go through your directions carefully, and take the time to make sure all your components are in order, this should be a relatively easy project.

Once you’re ready to begin, make sure you have the right tools for the job. You’re going to need a pair of needle nose pliers, electrical tape, a screwdriver, and a voltage tester. The most important part of the entire job is in making sure to shut off power to switch. The easiest way to determine which circuit to shut off is by turning on the light you intend to work with and shut each circuit off and on until you come across the correct one. If you’re circuit board runs on fuses, apply the same method.

Next, you’ll need to remove the switch plate from the wall. Remove the plate, then gently remove the switch. This is where you’ll want to use your voltage tester. Make sure your wires are dead before moving on. Once you’ve determined this, disconnect the switch wires from the wall wires. Check to make sure that the wires coming from the wall are still in good shape, and make sure that there is a ground wire.

Add you new dimmer switch and reconnect the wires. Add plastic wire caps to all your connection, then add your cover plate. You should have gotten one that fits correctly with you dimmer switch kit. Screw in place and add the dimmer knob. Now, it’s time to turn the circuit back on to see if everything works correctly.

Before starting this, or any home improvement project, you should check to see if there are any codes that need to be met. Your local building inspector will know everything that needs to be updated, and will be more than happy to help out. Also, if during this procedure, you notice that you have aluminum wires instead of copper wires, call a professional immediately.

If done correctly, this project will add a touch of class to your home decor and will help you save money on your electrical bills. And, in the long run, you can say that you did your part for the environment by saving energy.

The wax ring keeps noxious fumes from entering your home, and helps seal the toilet to the drainage pipes. Water leaks and a toilet that becomes loose, are only a couple of the reasons that a new wax ring needs to be implemented. It causes the ring to break away, and can also allow mold to grow in this area. Replacing the ring is a simple fix and only requires a few tools and an inexpensive replacement ring.

Before getting too far into the project, you’ve got to shut off the water and empty the bowl and tank of the toilet. There should be a shut-off valve behind your toilet. Once this is done, flush your stool to empty out the water. Once this is done, you can move on to the rest of your project. Disconnect the water lines to the toilet, and remove the nuts attached to the bolt that hold the stool in place. These may be a little rusted and hard to loosen. If so, simply add a little W-D 40. This should take care of the problem.

To remove the stool, pick it straight up from the floor so as not to damage the bolts still placed within the floor. If these are severely damaged, you may have to replace them along with the wax ring. Lay the stool upside down on a piece of carpeting to catch any lingering water. Next, use a putty knife or something similar to scrape away the old wax ring. Chances are that it will have become stuck to the bottom of the stool.

Some wax rings come with a plastic funnel attached. Check to make sure the old ring either didn’t have one of these, or that you remove it before going on. In some cases, this may be stuck to the flange, which will also need to be cleaned before adding the new ring. Once both the bottom of the stool and the flange are cleaned, you’re ready to put your new wax ring in place.

Put the ring around the bottom of the stool’s discharge outlet. Be sure to press it into place, as it may fall off once you pick up the toilet. Check the washers around the floor bolts before replacing the stool, and replace if needed. Next, slowly replace the toilet back to its original position. Tighten down the nuts to the floor bolts and replace the water lines. Make sure everything fits well before turning the water back on.

Once you’ve taken care of everything else, turn on the water and your toilet should be ready to go for another few years. Make sure to check for leaks before calling the project complete. If done properly, this entire project should only take about an hour of so to finish.