SIMPLE, EASY DO IT YOURSELF DRIVEWAY REPAIR: SEALING CRACKS IN ASPHALT AND FILLING HOLES IN CONCRETE

Asphalt Driveway Repair and Sealing

The driveway is often the first part of your home that guests experience. If it has experienced a lot of wear and tear, that is not the best first impression you can make. You may feel that you can’t fix it, but in reality it is pretty simple to repair the driveway and improve curb appeal.

Cleaning is the first and most important part of repair on an asphalt driveway. Remove grass and weeds and loose chunks of asphalt, and sweep away large debris with a broom. Scrub the driveway with driveway cleaner to remove all dirt and oil, repeating if necessary. If oil stains remain, use an oil-spot primer. Hose off the driveway with a water hose or with pressurized air, and use a shop vacuum to remove dirt and debris from inside the cracks. When the driveway is completely clean, let it dry thoroughly before beginning the repairs.

Crack repair may be best done in the cooler weather of fall and winter. For cracks 1/8 to 1/2 inch wide, use rubberized asphalt-emulsion crack filler. You can apply it with a caulking gun or pour it from a bucket. If possible, avoid getting the filler on the surface, and smooth it with a putty knife. For a very wide crack or pothole, shovel in packaged cold-patch blacktop, leveling large areas with an iron rake. Compact the material with a tamper (or the end of a 4-by-4 in a pinch). Add more material until the hole is slightly overfilled. Cover it with scrap plywood and drive over it to completely compact the filling

Sealing is an optional process on asphalt, and may not significantly extend the life of the driveway. If you choose to seal an asphalt driveway, you may prefer to do it in summer. First, mist the driveway with water. Then pour a stream of acrylic driveway sealer or filler 1 foot wide across the driveway. Spread to a width of 3 to 4 feet with a brush or squeegee applicator. Remove all excess sealer, using the applicator and pulling toward you. Work your way down the driveway.

Concrete Driveway Repair and Sealing

The first step in repairing a concrete driveway is cleaning (just like with asphalt). Use a dish detergent and water on the area and scrub with a push broom. Allow to dry completely before you begin repairs

Fill the holes and cracks with clean sand about half-way up. Mix quick drying concrete in a bucket or wheelbarrow according to the manufacturer’s directions. Stir with a shovel to mix. Apply the concrete, dropping concrete in with a shovel along the entire crack and into the holes. Even out the new concrete with a trowel, and spread the extra along the edges of the crack, blending with the old concrete. Allow to dry for at least 12 hours.

When the repaired area is completely dry, it’s time to seal the concrete. Although sealing is optional on asphalt, it is absolutely essential on concrete. If you fail to seal the surface, further cracking will occur. Even without cracks, you should consider periodically sealing your concrete driveway. Once the repair is dry, apply a concrete sealant to the entire driveway. Pour on the sealant and spread with a push broom.

Do it yourself driveway repair can be a pretty simple weekend project, with just a few supplies and tools from the home improvement store. Keeping your driveway in good shape is an easy way to make sure that you always make a good impression.

UPGRADE YOUR HOME KITCHEN WITH A NEW SINK AND FAUCET: AN EASY PROJECT FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT BEGINNERS.

The kitchen doesn’t have to be strictly utilitarian. In many homes today, the kitchen sink is a stylish centerpiece for the room. If you’re struggling with an old leaky sink and faucet, or just enduring one that doesn’t suit your design, take a day and swap it out for a new one!

Selecting A New Sink and Faucet

The number and size of the basins in your sink are probably the first consideration you’ll have. Dual-basin sinks are the most common, featuring two sides with the faucet in between. Farmhouse sinks, with one large basin, are also a popular choice, especially for country-style homes. Models are also available with basins of different sizes, such as a small one for washing vegetables.

You’ll probably want to get a new faucet while you’re upgrading your sink. The mechanism and sealing in faucets will wear out over time, so it’s a good idea to get a new one every so often. These, too, come in many different styles so you are sure to find one that works for you. If your faucet is relatively new, though, you may be able to remove it from the old sink and add it to the new one.

Disconnecting the Old Sink

The very first step you need to take is to turn off the water for your kitchen. Once you’re sure you won’t unleash a flood, you’ll need to disconnect the old sink from the kitchen plumbing. Get under your sink and familiarize yourself with which pipes go where. You may want to draw a simple outline for reference. Then you will simply need to methodically unhook the waste lines and feed lines from the existing sink. Have a bucket and some towels handy; there will be some drainage.

You’ll need to remove the old sink from the countertop. Sinks are sealed in with silicone caulk, and there may be mounting clips underneath. The clips will probably be easily removed with a screwdriver. You may be able to peel the sink away from the caulk with gentle pressure, but a plastic scraper can speed that process along. If you’re using the same countertop, be extra careful not to damage it as you remove the sink.

Adjusting the Countertop

If you don’t mind the extra work, you can increase (or decrease) the size of the sink in your kitchen. If you have a small kitchen and feel like you need to downsize your large sink, you’ll need to replace some or all of your countertop. On the other hand, if you have a large kitchen, large family, or simply love to cook, your small sink may not be sufficient and an upsize is in order, in which case you’ll need to cut the sink hole larger (which may require special tools).

Installing the Faucet and Drain

You will actually want to install faucet hardware into the sink before you place it into the counter. The faucet should come with instructions for that particular model, and we recommend following the manufacturer’s directions. Test the swing of the faucet now before you tighten the nuts and bolts. This is also when you’ll install the strainer into the drainhole of your new sink, usually with plumber’s putty. Be sure that both of these items are watertight – you don’t want a leak!

Installing and Connecting the Sink

Now it’s time to install the new sink into the counter. With the sink upside-down, gently squeeze a line of silicone caulk around the outer edge. Flip the sink over and carefully place it in position. Measure carefully to make sure that it’s parallel with the front edge of the counter, and adjust if necessary before the caulk sets. If there are any mounting clips or other bracing required for your sink, install them now.

You’re almost done! Get back under the sink and hook up the pipes carefully. If you made a big change in the layout of your sink, you will need to install some new pipes and connectors (and may want a plumber to help with that), but otherwise it should be the reverse process from when you disconnected them earlier. You will want to use PVC cement to seal the joints of the pipes, to prevent leaks.

And that’s all there is to it! Even a beginner, with a little confidence, can accomplish this quick switch in one day or less. Ask a professional for help if you get stuck and need help, but you should be able to accomplish this upgrade with only a few tools and supplies and a bit of elbow grease.

ADDING ON A ROOM CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO INCREASE YOUR LIVING SPACE, AS WELL AS THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

When you bought your house, you called it your “dream house.” But now, you’re not so sure. Your children outgrew their bedrooms, or you started a home business and need an office. The laundry room just isn’t big enough, or you need a spare bathroom to keep the peace in the mornings. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided that you need to expand your home to fit your family’s needs. But where do you start? Here’s a list of tips to help guide you through the process of adding on to your home.

Know what you want

Before beginning a room addition project, be sure that you know what you want. Draw up some plans (or have an architect do it for you), and then sleep on it a while, so you are sure that it satisfies your needs and so you can be clear when describing your needs and desires to the people who will be creating it for you.

At the same time, though, be open to suggestions and revisions. The professionals that you work with will have years or even decades of experience, and they know what works. You need to find a balance between sticking to what you want and not being talked into something you’re not happy with, while also being open to helpful suggestions that can improve the overall project.

Consult a realtor

Before beginning this large project, consider consulting a realtor. You’re improving your home for your own family, but it’s also good to consider the appraisal value of your house. A realtor will be able to tell you what kind of impact your plans will have on the value of your property and on its potential if you ever sell your home. In general, an extra room will always add value to a house on the market, but different types of rooms add different values. Bedrooms are always attractive to buyers, of course. A home office or a guest suite can command a higher price, while a walk-in pantry or a specially-designed laundry room are the extra perks that could make the difference between a sale or a pass. You should also be aware of the “curb appeal” of your home – the outside of the addition should be designed to match or complement the style of the whole home.

Get lots of estimates

Whenever you’re planning work with a contractor, you should make sure to get multiple estimates, and that’s especially true on a room addition. Additions are a long process and can get expensive – you need to be sure that you’re getting a fair price and working with a contractor that you like. Remember that you’ll be working with this contractor for quite a while – you should choose someone whom you can trust, and that you’re comfortable working with.

Know the process

Before the work begins, be prepared for the amount of work involved. A room addition is basically a miniature house, and it requires a lot of work. Depending on the area you live in and the specifications of your additions, there will probably be some zoning laws that you’ll need to comply with, and some permits you’ll need to file. Your contractor should be familiar with all these regulations and be able to guide you through the process.

A home addition will have to begin with a foundation, just like the rest of your house. Then it will be framed and roofed. Windows and exterior walls will probably come next. Inside, your addition needs walls, doors, flooring, and a ceiling, of course. But behind and between those things, the new room will need electrical work and possibly plumbing, as well as HVAC ductwork (that’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). After all the structural work is complete, you’ll want to decorate! Painting or wallpapering will probably come first, and your contractor can help with that as well. You’ll probably have to do the shopping for the room’s furniture and accessories by yourself, though.

As you can see, adding on to your home is no small task to be taken lightly. It is a lot of work before the construction even starts, and construction itself can take quite a bit of time. If an addition is what you need, you owe it to your family and your home to take the time to do it right, with professional help that you can trust.