8 DIY Jobs Every Homeowner Should Do

Every year plenty of homeowners tackle DIY projects, but there’s some you shouldn’t attempt on your own such as electrical work. That being said, I do think anyone experiencing issues with their home would agree with me. A home that isn’t well maintained affects every part of your life and your kids’ lives. Because of that, I’m giving you my 8 DIY jobs every homeowner should do for your home to help you stay ahead of the game.

 

Fix from the outside in

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Homeowners are always thinking about renovating the kitchen or a bathroom, knocking down a wall, or making a room bigger. They spend all their time choosing tiles, flooring, appliances, lighting. But you know where the money should be spent first? On your home’s exterior.

Cracks in brick and block mortar joints on the outside of your house allow water to enter and freeze causing permanent damage. Prevent this by sealing cracks and missing mortar with Sikaflex® Mortar Fix, available at most retailers. A problem with your home’s exterior will eventually be a problem with your home’s interior. It’s only a matter of time.

 

Winterize your pipes

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Take a look around your home for any cracks or gaps. This is a job you should do twice a year. Seal around outside pipes on your home to prevent cold air, water and insects from damaging your home. Sikaflex® Construction Sealant is a good product to have on hand to keep your home safe.

 

I’ve got a crack in my foundation–is it a problem?

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Not necessarily–there are different types of cracks, as well as different types of foundations. And, depending on that, and where the crack is… it may or may not be a big deal.

Not all cracks are serious. If you can squeeze the edge of a dime into the crack, get it checked. Otherwise, visible cracks can be sealed using Sikaflex® Concrete Fix. Small cracks can let insects, vermin and water in, so it is important to seal the cracks.

 

How do I lower my energy bills?

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This is probably the most common question I get. A house can lose up to 30% of it’s heat due to drafts. Keep water and cold air from infiltrating your home around window and door openings. Use Sika Boom® AS-PRO Expansion foam in gaps and Sikaflex® Concrete Fix to replace caulking. Our long-time window supplier loves Sikaflex® and used it in all his installs for Holmes And Holmes Season 2.

 

Safety hazards

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Loose concrete pavers and retaining wall capstones are tripping and falling hazards. SikaBond® Construction Adhesive is an awesome product to use in this case. We loved using it on Holmes And Holmes to create a custom wood beam. You can check out the behind the scenes video here.

 

Outdoor stairs can be especially hazardous if they fall into disrepair, so pay close attention to them.

Reattach and strengthen these to your brick and concrete surfaces with Sika AnchorFix®-1.

 

Cracks in patio stones, concrete pavers and on stairs and porches can also be a tripping hazard. Repair these cracks quickly and easily with Sika® PowerSet and Sikaflex® Concrete Fix.

 

Protect your garage floor

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You know I love a nice garage! I’ve worked on some pretty nice garages in my TV career. But it’s important to protect your garage floor. Salt on your garage floor can cause the concrete to prematurely deteriorate. Repair spalled and deteriorated concrete quickly and easily with Sika FastFix®-130 Power Patch. It’s easy to use, you mix it right in the bag.

Water-your home’s #1 enemy

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Your home’s No. 1 enemy is water. Why? Because it causes things like mould and rot, which compromise the entire structural integrity of the house. Water must flow away from your house. Gutters play an important role in that process. If your eavestrough is leaking, use the Sikaflex® Construction Sealant. You need to make sure the water flows freely to avoid ice buildup. I always recommend a gutter protection system as well, like Smart Screen. It can filter out leaves and debris.

 

Get a maintenance inspection

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Hire a professional home inspector to come to your home and do a thorough check of all its major systems. Have them check the roof, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), plumbing, electrical, the basement, the garage, the attic, the basement crawlspace—get them to check it all. A maintenance inspection helps you create a maintenance and renovation schedule for the entire year—maybe even the next five years.

 

Click here for 5 more DIY projects you can tackle

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