4 Home Improvement Ideas as Small Weekend Projects

 

Just like other things in life, home improvements and repairs will begin to stack up when you don’t tackle them early and often. Therefore, it’s a good idea to set aside at least a weekend a month to keep up with anything that crops up or new improvements that you’re wanting to implement. Here are 4 home improvements that can be completed on a weekend.

4 Home Improvement Ideas as Small Weekend Projects

Re-Sealing Baseboard Gaps

For older homes, gaps can develop between the baseboards and the supporting or non-supporting interior wall. These can pick up debris and become larger over the months and years when left unresolved. These types of cracks along the seam between the baseboard and the wall can be repaired using caulking to fill in the spaces. It’s backbreaking work to do it on your knees but using a knee pad to make it more comfortable and taking breaks helps to make it manageable.

Removal of Window Treatments

Some older window treatments no longer meet code, have been recalled previously, or are dangerous in other ways. It’s useful to go around your home to look for any old window treatments that might fit this category and need replacing. Corded window treatments are particularly dangerous. These should not be allowed to stay because they’ve often been considered unsafe. Also, older vinyl blinds contain lead and pose a poisoning threat. Especially on lower-lying windows when in a household with active kids, these should be removed and replaced quickly.

Deep Cleaning or Removing Carpeting

Older carpeting can be deep cleaned if it’s still in good enough condition. However, if it has become a little thin in spots, then a deep cleaning may overwhelm the remaining material and do more damage than good. At a certain point, it’s time to admit defeat and replace the carpet when it cannot be cleaned and preferably before it becomes threadbare.

For newer carpets, they can benefit from a deep cleaning. This involves either shampooing and cleaning them by hand or using a carpet cleaning machine that can be hired. Also, there are teams of people who specialize in this service if you don’t feel up to it.

Fixing Up the Roof

Fixing up the roof covers many different areas:

Guttering – The gutters can need repairs, replacement of broken sections, or clearing of the drains below. They are attached to the edge of the roof and are sometimes a task that homeowners can perform themselves if they’re careful.

Roofing Damage – Damage to a roof from windy conditions, flying debris, and for other reasons are more serious. This is where a company with plenty of quality roof repairs behind them should be used. To get an idea about what roofing repairs are possible, check out principlesbr.com.

When choosing what to do, get a clear sense of the size and scope of each planned improvement. This way, you can judge what’s feasible for you to complete and what is not. Doing so ahead of time avoids coming unstuck by getting in the middle of something and realizing you’re too far in over your head. Avoid your ego needlessly getting you into sticky situations at home.

 

DIY Carpet Cleaning – 3 Precautions If You’re a Pet Owner

 

Having a pet at home brings so much joy that you simply can’t compare it to anything else in the world. But with all the joy, also come so many responsibilities. If you are a pet owner, you probably already know how hard it is to keep up with all the extra work around the house. Creating a safe environment for your furry friend while having a clean house, especially carpets, won’t be as hard as it sounds, as long as you are cautious. Knowing what to use and what precautions to take is crucial because pets (especially dogs and cats) spend such a long time on the carpet. These three are the basics that all pet owners need to check out:

Stay Safe With Carpet Cleaning Products

Knowing the good and bad ingredients in pet carpet cleaners is so important. Check out the labels each time you’re buying cleaning products. The safest place to shop is a pet store, after getting advice from your vet. There is a wide range of pet-safe cleaners to shop from, always opt for the most natural, bio-friendly option. Cleaning with pet-safe products is one of those DIY projects that you don’t need a pro for and do so much good for the entire family including the pets. Some of the ingredients you have to stay away from are ammonia, formaldehyde, pesticides, chlorine, sodium hydroxide and more.

If you are not really sure how to do all of this safely yourself, then you might want to consider a professional carpet cleaning service. Make sure to do your research to find the right fit for your needs. It’s best to opt for a service that uses pet-friendly products and has experience with cleaning carpets from homes of pet owners.

Say No To Regular Carpet Shampoos, Powders, And Dry Shampoos

Carpet shampoos, powders and dry shampoos can cause a range of problems for your pet. If you’re planning on cleaning your carpets, make sure to avoid these types of products. Let’s start with the powders and dry shampoos. One of the biggest ‘no’s’, aside from the possible harmful ingredients, is that they leave a residue in the carpet, which is very hard to completely remove. In other words, your pets will inhale all those bad ingredients and strong scents as well. Powders and dry shampoos have a smell that can easily cause irritation and do more harm than good. This is how skin, eye, and respiratory conditions occur.

Regular carpet shampoos can be so tricky because they are often based on chemicals that are harmful to you and the pets. They tend to leave a sticky residue after cleaning, which only makes things worse. No matter how hard you clean, there will still be shampoo left on the fibres. Dirt, dust, urine, will adhere and cause a buildup. Your carpets will not only remain dirty, but your pets will be inhaling all of the dust and dirt while laying on them. This can, unfortunately, cause a range of problems, especially issues with the respiratory system, skin irritation, allergies and more.

Water Is Safe

Water is the safest ingredient when it comes to carpet cleaning in a house with pets. Now, the main question is how to get a clean carpet using only water. This is one of those precautions that might cost you, but it will be a great investment for everyone in your home. If you want to be very safe with the choices you make and want to avoid using any chemicals on the carpet, try a wet/dry vacuum.

Buying a wet/dry vacuum can be costly, thankfully there are many different options on the market to consider these days. If you first want to try it out, you can rent one, then decide whether it’s the right fit for you. This device uses only water to clean the carpet, which makes it perfectly safe for your pets. Let’s not forget that it’s safe for the flooring as well. Eventually, if all of this sounds like it’s too much or you simply want to be 100% safe you can always turn to a professional cleaning service.

Conclusion

Keeping a pet happy and safe, while also having a clean home can be a bit challenging. But with the right information and precautions, your carpets will be clean and your furry friends will feel great. Using the right products and tools is important to prevent any health problems of your pet, including respiratory and digestive issues, eye irritation, allergies, skin irritation and more. You know what they say- ‘better safe, than sorry’.

These three precautions will help you understand how important it is to opt for natural alternatives and to stay away from chemicals. Make sure to keep your pet outside, in a different room or different house while you’re cleaning and 24 hours after you’re done, even when using safe products.

 

 

 

Tony is the CEO of Love Your Rug – Canada’s largest rug cleaning & restoration facility. Apart from successfully leading his team, Tony loves to share professional advice on how to give a fresh look to carpets, rugs and peoples homes. He is an industry leader and authority in area rug restoration.