Ah, yes ... the springtime. The arrival of warmer days makes us want to venture outdoors to trim hedges, prune trees, plant gardens, repair leaky rooftops. Even if we don't know the first thing about gardening or home improvement. A certain family member of mine (who shall remain nameless) was infected with spring fever several years ago. He marched outdoors and climbed atop his ladder to begin trimming some lengthy branches hanging over his driveway. A sudden move on his part resulted in the ladder falling backwards. He broke his leg from top to bottom and spent the next several weeks in a cast, understandably grouchy to be stuck indoors during New England's most pleasant springtime in years.
Depending upon where you live in the United States, perhaps you've recently begun to experience bluer skies and warmer days. For those of you in the Northeast and Midwest, especially Chicago, take heart: Your warmer days are soon to come. When temperatures start rising, the aspiring Bob Vila in all of us comes out. We start thinking about all of those home improvement projects that we've always wanted to initiate but never have. We put on the overalls and work boots and head to the hardware store, even if we've never picked up a wrench. It's unexplainable -- spring somehow brings out the Mr.
or Ms. Fix-It in many of us. Before you grab a hammer and nails and start pounding away at your most expensive investment, however, consider that in your enthusiasm to be handy, you could seriously injure yourself if you're not careful.
Spring is a great time to give your home a face-lift, but before you begin a project, take these precautions against accidents:
If you've never been handy, this isn't the time to jump into home improvement with both feet. If you're determined, start small. If you're tempted to get out the ladder and trim some branches, read the above paragraph again. Admit that the learning curve is probably high, and don't be shy about calling a professional or recruiting an experienced friend or
family member if it's a short-term job.
If, indeed, you are going to embark on a small home-improvement project, head to your local bookstore (or search the Internet) for titles that will provide you with step-by-step instructions for how to complete the project. Don't guess. Rookie mistakes can result in serious and expensive damage to your home -- or yourself. Don't compound the problem; get it right the first time. If any of the steps outlined in the book have you stumped, call a professional.
Make sure you have the proper tools to complete your project. Unsure? Head to the nearest home-improvement outlet or department store for guidance. Don't rely on your old, rickety tools to do the job. Be prepared to purchase new tools. Particularly if you haven't purchased any new tools in years, you'll be surprised at the range of options available to you. They'll save you countless hours of grief and wasted time.
Ask a salesperson for his or her recommendation to help you select the best tool for the job. And once you do make a purchase, maintain your tools and keep them in a safe place. If you don't own a tool box already, don't leave the hardware store without one. You don't want to be hunting all over the garage in the future for tools that are scattered and probably damaged.
Don't take shortcuts. For example, if you need a hammer to pound that nail or remove it from the wall, don't use anything else, instead. Purchase everything you'll need to do the job. If you don't, you're increasing your risk of injury substantially.
If you'll be using electrical equipment to do the job, your risks have just increased considerably. Always unplug electric equipment after each use or when you're replacing components. Keep all sharp objects away from cords. And be mindful of where the cord is lying. Children and pets have been known to pull heavy appliances down by their cords.
Wear the proper gear. Home improvement projects don't call for designer attire. If you're going to be working with nails or other sharp objects, you'd be very wise to purchase some protection from your eyes. If you're going to be using substances that contain strong fumes, wear a mask over your face. Wear protective gloves if you plan to be pouring any substances containing strong or harsh chemicals. If your project involves chopping wood or working outdoors, wear heavy-duty gloves to avoid blisters or cuts. Remove all jewelry, including dangling necklaces, bracelets and earrings;
and pull back your hair if it's long. And wear adequate shoes for the job; make sure they're closed-toe shoes and that they're laced tightly. Purchase work boots with adequate treds if you're embarking on a rooftop project; or if you plan to perform home-improvement projects on a regular basis.
It almost goes without saying that if you begin a home-improvement project and find that you're overestimated your abilities, call a professional. Don't "wing it." Home maintenance projects often require a lot of skills that homeowners simply haven't learned. We all begin such projects with the best intentions, but it's important to admit when you need help. As stated earlier, attempting to complete a project that clearly exceeds your skill level is likely to put you at risk. If you're lucky enough to complete the project unscathed, your house probably won't be as lucky. You could cause damage to your home, placing yourself and your family members at risk in the process if structural components are involved; and the cost of having a professional come to your home to fix the problem is going to far exceed what it would have cost to call an expert in the first place.
Also See:
Putting the "Fix" in "Fixer-Uppers"
Home Improvement For The Rest of Us
A Few Small Repairs Could Make the Sale
Home Maintenance: Why, What, Who and How
Published: February 24, 2000
Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
Courtney Ronan is a freelance writer who contributes a weekly column profiling various communities. She also writes a weekly review of real estate related web sites. Courtney's career in journalism has included recent stints as managing editor of Agent News and as associate editor of Texas Business magazine.
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