15 Tools Every Utah Homeowner Should Have

The following items are essential tools but this list is by no means exhaustive.

1. Plunger
A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most disturbing problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these troubling plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers -- one for the sink and one for the toilet.

2. Combination Wrench Set
One end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes and because both varieties are widely used, so you’ll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening.

3. Slip-Joint Pliers
Use slip-joint pliers to grab hold of a nail, a nut, a bolt, and much more. These types of pliers are versatile because of the jaws, which feature both flat and curved areas for gripping many types of objects. There is also a built-in slip-joint, which allows the user to quickly adjust the jaw size to suit most tasks.

4. Adjustable Wrench
Adjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut.

5. Caulking Gun
Caulking is the process of sealing up cracks and gaps in various structures and certain types of piping. Caulking can provide noise mitigation and thermal insulation, and control water penetration. Caulk should be applied only to areas that are clean and dry.

6. Flashlight
None of the tools in this list is of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation. The problem, and solution, are apparent only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient, as larger flashlights may be too unwieldy.

7. Tape Measure
Measuring house projects requires a tape measure, not a ruler or a yardstick. Tape measures come in many lengths, although 25 feet is best. Measure everything at least twice to ensure accuracy.

8. Hacksaw
These are great for cutting metal objects such as pipes, bolts and brackets. Hacksaws look thin and flimsy, but they’ll easily cut through even the hardest of metals. Blades are replaceable, so focus your purchase on a quality hacksaw frame.

9. Torpedo Level
Only a level can be used to determine if something, such as a shelf, appliance or picture, is correctly oriented. The torpedo-style level is unique because it not only shows when an object is perfectly horizontal or vertical, but it also has a gauge that shows when an object is at a 45-degree angle. The bubble in viewfinder must be exactly in the middle, not merely close.

10. Safety Glasses / Goggles
For all tasks involving a hammer or a power tool, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles. They should also be worn while you mix chemicals.

11. Claw Hammer
A good hammer is one of the most important tools you can own. Use it to drive and remove nails, to pry wood loose from the house, and in combination with other tools. They come in a variety of sizes, although a 16-ounce hammer is the best all-purpose choice.

12. Screwdriver Set
It is best to have four screwdrivers: a small and large version of both a flat-head and a Phillips- head screwdriver. Electrical screwdrivers are sometimes convenient, but they're no substitute. Manual screwdrivers can reach into more places and they are less likely to damage the screw.

13. Wire Cutters
Wire cutters are pliers designed to cut wires and small nails. The “side-cutting” (unlike the stronger "end-cutting" style) style is handy, but not strong enough to cut small nails.

14. Respirator / Safety Mask
While paints and other coatings have become less toxic (and lead-free) over time, most still contain dangerous chemicals, which is why you should wear a mask to avoid accidentally getting them in your lungs. A mask should also be worn when working in dusty or dirty environments. Disposable masks usually come in packs of 10 and should be thrown away after use. Full and half-face respirators can be used to prevent the inhalation of very fine particles that ordinary facemasks will not not stop.

15. Duct Tape
This tape is extremely strong and adaptable. Originally, it was widely used to make temporary repairs to many types of military equipment. Today, it’s one of the key items specified for home emergency kits because it is water-resistant and extremely sticky.

According to statistics provided by the National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyer and Sellers,

Homebuyers took 12 weeks to find a home;
Homebuyers saw 12 homes before finding their new home;
30% of all homebuyers are 25 to 34 years of age;
The median age for a first-time homebuyer is 30;
The median age for all homebuyers is 39;
Median age for repeat buyers is 48;
47% of all homebuyers are first-timers;
53% are repeat buyers;
1 in 5 homes purchased were of new construction;
90% of homebuyers used the Internet to find their home;
84% of REALTORS® use social media to some extent;
87% used a real estate agent to find their home;
81% of all homebuyers would use the same agent again;
77% drove by and found their new house;
61% did a walk-through online;
59% used a yard sign to find their home;
46% used an open house to find their home;
40% used a newspaper ad;
26% used a home book or magazine;
84% of buyers reported the photos to be the most useful information;
The number one action taken after viewing a home online was to drive by or visit the home; and
62% of first time buyers reported that the primary reason for buying a home was the desire to be a homeowner.

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Don't Let Your Pet Kill You in a Car Accident

Buckle up your pets in a car or truck to protect you, your pet and your passengers. If you have an accident, your pet can become a projectile. The Laws of Physics don’t stop. In a 35 mph crash a 60 pound pet becomes about 2,700 pounds of force (about the same as two full grown, male grizzly bears). Many people allow their pets to scoot around, unrestrained, in the back seat of the car or in the bed of a truck. It's safer for everyone in the vehicle if a dog or cat is restrained. A recent American Automobile Association (AAA) survey found, "A large number of accidents, something like 30,000 a year, are caused by dogs in the front seats."

5 Things That Can't Be Trashed or Recycled

Wondering what to do with the cans of unneeded paint or your stash of old batteries taking up space in your house and garage? You know you shouldn't throw them out, but it really is time to get rid of them. Resist the temptation to toss them in the trash anyway. The reason: They (and everything on the list below) contain toxic chemicals capable of contaminating the environment if not disposed of properly.

Unlike items that are picked up at the curb, you'll have to make a special effort to unload these ones responsibly. But, with a little advance planning and some good info, you'll see that it's really quite simple to dispose of these seemingly mysterious items. Here's how:

* Batteries. Recycling rechargeable batteries is fairly easy. Home Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, Best Buy, and other retailers take them back free of charge. There are fewer options for single-use batteries, but look for bins at your local Whole Foods Market, Ikea, or library. Otherwise, your best bet is the local household hazardous waste drop-off site. Where is it and what are your closest drop-off options?

* CFLs. These energy-efficient bulbs are becoming easier to get rid of. Just drop old bulbs off at any Home Depot or Ikea for free recycling. Or ask about CFL recycling at your local Ace Hardware or home improvement store. You can search locally for other nearby solutions.

* Electronics. Every retailer that takes back rechargeable batteries also accepts mobile phones, as do most wireless providers. For computers, cameras, televisions and others, it's worthwhile to do a little homework because some stores charge fees depending on item and brand. Check out Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot to see what's the best fit. Some places, like Radio Shack, have trade-in programs where you can receive store credit for your old gadgets.

* Motor Oil. In case you need some motivation, consider this: Every gallon of used motor oil that's improperly disposed of can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water. Bring it to Wal-Mart, Autozone, Jiffy Lube, or search online for more convenient choices.

* Paint. It's among the harder items in this group to dispose of, but it's worth it and totally doable. Remember, with proper planning and application, paint disposal is usually unnecessary. Buy the right amount for your project. Apply a second coat and touch up areas that need improvement. If the paint is still in good shape, consider donating it. Liquid wastes are restricted from municipal solid waste landfills – never throw away leftover liquid paints in your trash. The National Paint and Coatings Association suggests:

Latex Paint Disposal Steps

1. Unused latex paint should be poured into an absorbent material such as a cat box filler, shredded newspaper or sawdust.

2. Let it dry completely and dispose of the dried material in your regular trash.

3. In areas where recycling programs exist, save the dry, empty containers with the lids off for a steel can recycling program. Small amounts of dried residue will not hinder steel can recycling.

4. Wash your paint brushes and painting tools in the sink. Never clean your paint brushes near a storm sewer drain.

Solvent-Based Paint Disposal

Solvent-based or alkyd paints require special disposal practices. Solvent-based paints are ignitable and present particular hazards. These products should not be emptied into storm sewers, household drains (especially if you have a septic tank) or on the ground.

Disposal Steps

1. Save solvent-based paints for a household hazardous waste collection program or contact your local/state government environmental protection agency for guidance on reuse or disposal of unwanted solvent-based paint products.

2. In areas where recycling programs exist, save the dry, empty containers with the lids off for a steel can recycling program. Small amounts of dried residue will not hinder steel can recycling.

3. Clean paint brushes and painting tools with paint thinner or turpentine.

Soaker Hoses

Savingwater.org says, “Soaker hoses help you save. Sprinklers waste water on overspray, runoff and evaporation. But by allowing water to seep directly into the soil, soaker hoses put water exactly where your plants need it—at the root zone. So you save…
• Time–no more moving sprinklers or hand watering in garden beds
• Money–using less water means smaller water bills
• Your Plants–they get just the right amount of water, and no spray means leaf diseases are kept in check
• Our Environment—you’re saving water and using a recycled product."

For more info click here.

Brown Spots!

What Causes Brown Spots?

Brown spots can be caused by a number of factors. Lack of water is the most common, followed by disease. Because Utah’s climate is so arid, there aren’t that many disease problems in our lawns. The number one culprit of brown spots in your lawn is lack of water.

There are a number of reasons one area on your lawn may not be getting enough water. You may have sprinkler heads that are not functioning properly. Poor uniformity in your irrigation system can cause one area to get less water than the rest of the zone.

Check for broken sprinkler heads, heads that are misaligned (a good indicator is a wet sidewalk or street), or obstructions such as trees, shrubs or landscape rocks.

If there are several brown spots within one zone, you may have an overall design problem. Fixing a design problem is costly and labor intensive. If you must replace your system, please consult with a professional irrigation designer. However, if the system seemed to work at one point, you most likely have poor pressure in your system. Call an irrigation professional to help you correct this problem.

For a monthly maintenance check, print this checklist of things to look for in your irrigation system. Print this list, turn on your zones, and mark the problems on the sheet. This way, you will have a record of system maintenance problems!

Coping with Brown Spots

No matter how much maintenance you do on your sprinkler system, no one’s irrigation system is perfect. It is impossible to design a sprinkler system that is 100% efficient. Don’t feel so bad.

After getting the system as uniform as possible, you may still have brown spots.

At this point, you have three choices:

1-Over-water your lawn, thereby wasting a valuable resource,
2-Hand-water the brown spots when needed, increasing your maintenance time
3-Plant something else there that doesn't need as much water.

North-Central Utah Monthly Lawn Watering Guide

A typical Utah lawn has a water demand curve that begins in mid-April, rises to a peak in July, and then falls rapidly until mid-October. Adjusting your timer monthly to better follow this demand curve will save you water and money. An easy way to do this is keep the minutes constant and increase or decrease the number of days between waterings as shown below.

Times shown are for spray head sprinklers; double times for rotor head sprinklers.

March- No irrigation recommended
April- No irrigation recommended
May- 24 mins every 4 days
June- 21 mins every 3 days
July- 21 mins every 3 days
August- 21 mins every 3 days
September- 21 mins every 6 days
October- No irrigation recommended
November- No irrigation recommended

Do I need to cycle?

On soils with high clay content, or areas with steep slopes, you may need to cycle. Cycling breaks up the required run time into several short durations that allow the water to penetrate deeper into the soil, improving root depth and overall plant health.

(Sample Cycle Times)

Cycle- Run Time- Soak Time
1- 7 min- 1 hour
2- 7 min- 1 hour
3- 7 min- -

To determine if you need to cycle, turn on your system and time how long it takes for water to start running off. This is the maximum amount of time you can water in one cycle. Divide the recommended minutes by this to give you the number of cycles to run. For example, if water begins to run off after 7 minutes, divide the suggested number of minutes (21) by 7. This gives 3 cycles, which can be scheduled as shown.

How do I water plants other than grass?

If your lawn and decorative plants are watered by different sprinkler zones, you will be able to save even more water. Shrubs, flowers and other decorative plants require 25-50% less water than the lawn. If possible, water these zones a few minutes longer than the lawn but half as frequently.

What if I already water less than recommended?

The recommendations are based on average conditions. If you already water less and are satisfied with how your lawn looks, don't increase your watering time. Instead, try decreasing the time! Turn down the minutes until you begin to see stress in your lawn, then turn it back up a bit and leave it. As you fine-tune your schedule, you will save even more water and money than this schedule suggests!

What if the recommended times are not enough?

If this schedule does not seem to be enough water for your lawn, please check your system for inefficiencies and maintenance issues before increasing your run times. Watering the whole lawn to green-up just a few brown spots is an inefficient use of water.

Cleaning a Flat-screen TV

By now, your new flat-screen TV has probably gotten pretty dirty. But don’t be tempted to use the same methods you would to clean your tube TV. Flat-screen television sets require more specialized care. Here are a few “Dos” and “Don’ts” to keep in mind:

- Don’t reach for strong chemical cleaners like alcohol, ammonia-based cleaners or window cleaners. They can damage the screen’s special coating.
- Don’t spray a liquid cleaner on the screen, as it can leak into the TV casing and damage the circuitry.
- Never use paper towels or newspapers to wipe of the screen either. These are wood products and will scratch the screen.

What you should do instead is look for a solution that is specially labeled “safe for laptop screens” or “LCD and plasma screens.” Cleaners are available at thousands of retail locations nationwide. Once you have your cleaner on hand, disconnect the power to your TV, and use either lukewarm water or your screen care solution to clean your TV.

Summertime Energy-Savings Tips

The California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center says "The average home spends about $1,900 a year on energy costs. But you can lower your energy bills and help save the environment at the same time!" Here are some fast and free energy-savings tips:

- Be a speedy chef. Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove.
- Push a button to wash your dishes. Surprise! Your dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Then let dishes air-dry to save even more!
- Fill up the fridge. Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool.

Summer Lawn Care Explained

Did you know that most lawn problems are a direct result of over watering? Maintaining your lawn properly will help you save time, money and water!

Mowing

Is your lawn shorter than your carpet? Mowing your lawn at such a short length hurts the grass, wastes water and produces more green waste.

By raising your lawn mower height another ½ to 1 inch, you are promoting the conservation of water in grass. Grass will shade itself as it grows longer, reducing its overall water need. This, in turn, reduces the growth rate of the grass meaning less frequent mowing! Experts recommend cutting grass to a total length of 3 inches, and removing no more than one-third of the leaf blade per mowing.

Stressing

Ever heard the expression "What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger"? In order to make your grass heartier, try stressing it out! By going an extra day without water here and there, you are promoting deeper root growth. The deeper the roots are allowed to penetrate the soil, the better overall health of your lawn. Roots will only grow as far as they need to in order to get water. If you are always giving them water up near the surface of the lawn, the plants have no incentive to grow deeper. You can easily check your rooting depth by using a soil probe or screwdriver.

Try waiting as long as possible in the spring before watering your grass. The longer you wait, the healthier your lawn will be in the summer months. And don’t worry. It’s virtually impossible to kill your lawn. The lawn may turn brown in areas, but it is just the plant going DORMANT, not dying. Adding water will make that spot spring back to life!

Fertilization

Fertilizing your lawn encourages healthy plant growth. In this case, however, MORE IS NOT BETTER! Fertilize sparingly, as you can actually over stimulate plant growth, making the lawn more susceptible to dry conditions and disease. Additionally, the more fertilizer applied to a lawn increases the likelihood of harmful chemicals running off into streams or seeping into groundwater. The combination of over-watering and over-fertilizing can be dangerous to plants and humans!

Why You Need a Home Inspection

Summer Home Maintenance Tips

- Check your toilets for erosion of plastic floater valves and pipe connections
- Clean and/or replace your furnace filter
- Check washing machine hoses for cracks and bulges, replacing as necessary
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer
- Wash and clean lint screen on dryer to eliminate fabric softener build-up
- Clean garbage disposal using ice cubes, lemon juice and running water for one minute

Air Conditioner Maintenance Explained

Your home’s heating and cooling systems should give you many years of service with proper maintenance. Preventive maintenance will lower your energy costs, prevent costly repairs and prolong the life of your systems. Don't wait for summer's full heat to check your system, if you need service, you will have to wait a lot longer. Regular maintenance will ensure that your system is ready to heat and cool your home when needed. Most heating and cooling systems should be serviced once a year by a professional heating or cooling contractor. The professional contractor has the tools, instruments and training necessary to maintain your system for dependable, trouble-free operation. The contractor should inspect your systems, including the thermostat, the blower motor and fans, and the ducting, as well as the AC condenser and evaporator units, including refrigerant levels, any furnace gas connections and/or heat exchangers and complete any necessary maintenance tasks, including checking all electrical components and controls, oiling motors and calibrating thermostats and adjust the entire system for optimal performance.

Having said all that, there are some things that you can do your self:

- Make sure the unit is level. The compressor piston/cylinder Is usually lubricated from the bottom up. A tilted oil reservoir can cause uneven lubrication requiring more power and resulting in faster wear.

- Sufficient Clearance: Both the inside (evaporator) and outside (condenser) units should have at least 30 inches of access clearance. Not only does this allow proper servicing of the unit, but more importantly it allows the air drawn in to be cooled and circulated and it allows proper dissipation of the heat from the evaporator. Remove obstructions such as debris and shrubbery from the outside unit and boxes, suitcases, etc from the attic unit.

- Filters: Change or clean the system filters once a month. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate. Dirty filters restrict air flow, increase power demands, reduce efficiency and can even cause the evaporator to ice up.

- Registers: Reduce dust in your home by vacuuming the system registers and the cold air return as part of your regular cleaning.

- Hose Connections: Check all for leaks and make sure the condensate tube is draining freely.

- Ducts: Examine exposed supply ducts for gaps or leaks allowing conditioned air to escape. Look for gaps and run your hand along exposed supply ducts with the blower running to feel for escaping air. Seal any leaks with duct tape.

- Listen: Listen to your condenser, evaporator and furnace when they are running. If you hear unusual noises, follow the appliance manual’s directions or consult with your professional heating/cooling contractor.

- Obstructions: Remove any objects or debris that may have fallen through the registers. Remove any drapes, furniture or other objects blocking registers, interrupting airflow and lowering your system’s efficiency.

Gain peace of mind in the current condition of your home!

Part of the joy of owning a home is being able to make renovations and improvements to truly make it your own. But which projects do you tackle first? With homeowner inspection services from Hidden Valley Property Inspection, The inspector will help you learn more about the current condition of your home, prioritize any maintenance needs, and identify any potential home issues before they become major repairs. And if you hire a contractor to work on your house, the Hidden Valley Property Inspection home inspection will confirm if the work was done correctly. The knowledgeable and experienced inspector will help you develop a solid plan for current needs and future updates. You’ll know what to focus your efforts on and when, so you can keep your home safe, secure, and in solid condition throughout the seasons, for years to come. Call: 801-913-7183 or visit www.hiddenvalleypropertyinspection.com for more details.

Don’t let minor issues become major repairs

Weather, wear, and the effects of time can all impact a home—both in its outward visual appearance as well as what’s hidden beneath the surface. Don’t wait until something serious happens. Homeowner inspection services from Hidden Valley Property Inspection will identify current and potential issues with your home and help you get them under control, before they get out of hand.

Hidden Valley Property Inspection inspectors are trained to observe and analyze hundreds of items throughout the home. Depending on your needs, you can schedule one-time, seasonal or annual service to help you stay on top of your home’s condition and plan and prepare for any maintenance or repairs.


Home Maintenance Evaluation

A thorough visual evaluation will be made of hundreds of items, from the foundation to the roof and all the major systems of the house including the electrical, plumbing, and heating/air conditioning systems. The evaluation takes approximately 2 hours depending on the size of the home.

Gain peace of mind in the condition of your home

Hidden Valley Property Inspection will identify any minor issues before they become major repairs, ultimately saving you time and money down the road.

Keep your home safe and secure

Hidden Valley Property Inspection will conduct a thorough review of the home’s major systems and components (including the plumbing, electrical and heating/air conditioning systems), and check typical safety issues, like gas leaks, smoke detectors, electrical hazards, and areas of moisture intrusion so you’ll know your house is safe.

Get the information you need to make informed decisions

Hidden Valley Property Inspection works for you and only you to provide objective evaluations and unbiased recommendations for correcting any issues within your home. The goal is to provide you with the information and guidance you need to make sure your home is safe, sound and in top condition.

Come away with a home maintenance schedule and help prioritizing repairs
Hidden Valley Property Inspection will consult with you to help prioritize repairs and improvements based on the results of the home maintenance evaluation. You’ll know which issues need to be repaired now, and which can wait until later.

If you Prune Those Trees: Be careful

After the rash of storms many of us have damaged trees and wish to prune them. Be careful. "Pruning is a double-edged sword, either helping or hurting according to if, where, when, how, and why it is applied. When properly executed, a variety of benefits can occur. Benefits include reducing risk of branch and stem breakage, better clearance for vehicles and pedestrians, improved health and appearance, enhanced view, and increased flowering. When improperly performed, pruning can harm the tree's health, stability, and appearance."

Tree Damage: Trim Your Risk

Falling trees and limbs cause hundreds of millions of dollars of damage each year, as well as personal injuries and deaths. Windstorms and ice storms are leading causes of such damage and injuries. Wildfire risks exist in nearly every state, and in those areas buildings have also been destroyed by fire leaping from nearby trees and shrubs. Tree-related damage is usually apparent. Limbs crashing through a roof or onto automobiles or power lines are hard to miss. Sometimes the damage is so severe that entire homes are destroyed. This is especially likely to happen when large trees are torn out of the ground and topple onto a house, crashing through the structure or knocking it off its foundation. Remarkably, extensive tree damage can also occur underground, out of sight.

Natural Born Pest Killers: Home Remedies for Pest Control

Increased homeowner awareness of environmental problems has led many of us to seek alternatives to chemical pesticides. There are natural approaches to controlling pests including ants, wasps, mites, moths, flies and other insects. Have you tried cucumber peels or grits? There are good suggestions for safely attacking snails and fleas as well as various pesky plants such as Canadian Thistle. There are also traps and lures to help you identify the presence of pests, and to help control them.

Book Your Next Utah Home Inspection Online

Hidden Valley Property Inspection now offers you the ability to book your next inspection online. Please click here to book your home inspection.

Mold and Mildew and Allergies... oh My!

Mold and mildew inside the home can cause problems for those with allergies. They grow wherever it's damp and warm and there is little air movement. You can take some simple measures to keep your home free of mold and mildew. Tips suggested by the University of Illinois Extension include:
Keep clothes, closets, drawers, and walls clean.
Eliminate sources of moisture in your home.
Try to maintain air movement in all areas of your home.
Dry air prevents mold and mildew. Use a dehumidifier.
Treat cotton items such as awnings and tents with fungicides before using them.
Paste-wax shoe polish or saddle soap will help protect leather goods.

Top 10 Home Safety Tips

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Any room used for sleeping should also have a smoke alarm installed in the room. Test them monthly. If your smoke alarms are ten years old or more, replace them. If you build or remodel your home, install fire sprinklers.

2. Develop a fire escape plan for your family: Point out two exits from each room, pick a meeting spot outside and hold a fire drill at least twice a year.

3. Always stay in the kitchen while food is cooking on the stove.

4. Keep all stairways, paths and walkways well lit. Use railings.

5. Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls, and use a non-slip mat or adhesive safety strips inside bathtubs and showers.

6. Post the National Poison Control Hotline number (1-800-222-1222) and other emergency numbers next to every phonei in your home.

7. Install child locks on all cabinets used to store dangerous items such as poisons, matches and lighters. Install carbon monoxide alarms.

8. Keep your water heater setting at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

9. Install four-sided pool fencing with self-locking and self-closing gates, Fencing should completely isolate the pool from the home and be at least five feet high.

10. Constantly supervise children in or hear bodies of water such as pools, ponds bathtubs toilets and buckets.

Window Safety

Did you ever stop to think that windows are far more than sources of light and air? They can be killers or lifesavers. The National Safety Council says that, “Fires and falls of all kinds are among the leading causes of injury and death in young children. While some falls occur from windows, it is important to realize that in the event of a fire, a window can also save a child's life. This is why windows play a critical role in home safety.”

Easy Home Improvement Ideas

Fixing up your home can be fun and often times very profitable even when you're only doing a few easy home improvement projects. There are several touches that you could add to a bathroom or kitchen for added value in your home. These easy home improvement projects are very quick too. In this article you will learn some modest ways to fix up your home, and add significant value in less than a day.

Adding Trim to Your Ceiling

One of the neat tricks you can do when creating some easy home improvement projects is to add some trim around the top of your ceiling. Simply take a border of colorful wall paper about 5 to 6 inches wide and apply it around the top of the ceiling. This will give your room a rich look and is very cost effective.

Paint Your Bathroom Light Switches

If you would like to save some money fixing up your bathroom you can paint the light switches. Don't forget to do the plug-in covers as well. There are several easy home improvement projects that you can do to the bathroom. Maybe you could add a toilet seat cover and matching towels to add a nice look. The cost is very minimal, but can add a nice touch to the room. If you have a spare bedroom you may want to consider painting those switches as well.

The kitchen is another place where you can apply some easy home improvement projects. Try changing the handles on your cabinets. If the timing is right, you may find some great deals on closeout cabinet accessories at your local stores. Often times at the end of the year your local stores will have huge clearance sales and unload very nice packages of hardware to add to your kitchen cabinets. This is great when searching for some easy home improvement projects to do.

Change the Lights for Appearance and Savings

There are so many choices in lighting these days. You could add a couple simple energy saving lights to your kitchen or bathroom for your next easy home improvement projects. Many lights can add value and energy savings, helping the budget as well. Once you have finished inside you may want to think about some easy home improvement projects for the outside of your home next.

You can add some lighting to the outside of your home to make some nice touches. This is another one of those easy home improvement projects that only takes a couple hours, but if done right, can add value and convenience if you have nighttime gatherings at your home. As you can see there are many simple little projects you can implement to add some easy decorative touches to your home.

Is Your Indoor Air More Polluted Than Your Outdoor Air?

For most of us summer means closed windows and doors and conditioned air, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says, "Indoor air pollutants are unwanted, sometimes harmful materials in the air. Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks. Usually the best way to address this risk is to control or eliminate the sources of pollutants, and to ventilate a home with clean outdoor air. The ventilation method may, however, be limited by weather conditions or undesirable levels of contaminants contained in outdoor air. If these measures are insufficient, an air cleaning device may be useful.