Projects You Should Be Completing WHILE You’re Renovating

When you’re renovating your home, you already have a checklist of items to complete. And if you bought a fixer-upper, it’s probably an extensive list. However, there are other tasks that you may not be thinking of right now, but incorporating them during your renovation may save you time, money and heartache down the road.

Here’s a list of tasks worth taking on during your renovation.

Don't give termites a fighting change.

Don’t give termites a fighting chance. Image: Marina Pousheva/Shutterstock

Schedule your termite treatment

If you’re knocking down walls, treat for termites before new drywall goes up, advises Glen Ramsey, Entomologist for Orkin. “Termites can hide within the walls, so once those walls are covered in fresh paint and art, termites are often out of sight and out of mind.”

He also says that choosing the right materials can help to prevent pests. “It’s best to use lumber that is pressure treated or composite, making it resistant to insects and decay.” When selecting siding materials, you should also make sure that what you choose will be durable against pests long-term. “While more expensive upfront, vinyl, stucco or other non-wood materials are the best selections. You should also ensure siding materials don’t extend below grade at installation.”

Reduce the chances of an electrical fire.

Reduce the chances of an electrical fire. Image: Francesmoufotografo/Shutterstock

Upgrade your electrical

If you have an older home, 60 to 100 amp service won’t be sufficient with today’s technology. “Since you are hiring an electrician and pulling permits on your home, now is the best time to upgrade the main service and that old panel,” advises Mark Luongo, Owner and Project Manager at Luongo Electric.

Breakers and panels have a lifespan of approximately 30 years. If your panel is older than that, you should, at the very least, have it assessed by a professional. “Not only will a new panel ensure your home remains safe, but it will give you the extra space you need for all the new circuits you will be required to run for the renovation,” Luongo says.

And while the walls are open, he also recommends replacing as much wiring as possible. “By upgrading the wiring, you ensure there are no nicks or potential short circuits hiding in the walls after you finish the renovation.”

Plan for your electrical needs.

Plan for your electrical needs. Image: Andrew Angelow/Shutterstock

Plan your furniture layout

It might seem like you’re putting the cart before the horse to plan your furniture layout before you even finish your renovation, but it can actually save you some heartache in the future. “You’re setting yourself up for using extension cords by not planning furniture layouts,” warns Josh McCormick, VP of Operations at Mr. Electric.

“Failing to do so may leave you with all your receptacles blocked by bookshelves, sofas or beds,” McCormick says. “In addition, you may end up putting too great a load on one receptacle by using extension cords to get around poorly placed or too few receptacles.” And improper extension cord use can result in both fire and tripping hazards.

Insulation can help you save money on energy costs.

Insulation can help you save money on energy costs. Image: C12/Shutterstock

Check your insulation

“While the home, or parts of it, are opened up, I would highly suggest checking the insulation and adding new insulation as needed,” advises Nathan Outlaw, President of Onvico, a construction company in Thomasville, GA. “Many older homes don’t have adequate insulation and upgrading can help save on future energy costs.”

Luongo agrees and explains that many older homes were framed with 2 x 4 exterior walls – and either were not insulated at all or were insulated poorly. “We recommend, at a minimum, building out your walls to a 6″ depth and replacing the old insulation with new insulation.” Plus, he says new insulation can also absorb sounds and help to stop fire from spreading.

Don't let water damage ruin your new bathroom.

Don’t let water damage ruin your new bathroom. Image: vistastudio/Shutterstock

Upgrade your plumbing pipes and drains

If you’re adding a new bathroom or renovating an existing one, you may be thinking of ways to incorporate the latest trends in bathroom technology.  That’s because your bathroom needs have probably changed. “We want hotter showers for longer, and a bathroom in every bedroom,” Luongo says. “Gone are the days of one toilet and bath for the entire family.”

He recommends upgrading your plumbing to reduce the chances of leaks behind your brand new walls. “Old copper pipes and fittings slowly corrode over the years and become weaker. So it only makes sense to remove all the old piping that you can get to and upgrade it with new water lines.”

In fact, if you see grey plastic piping, Luongo says that’s definitely a sign to redo your plumbing. “This older grey piping is called Polybutylene Pipe (Poly B) and is notorious for causing floods,” he says. “It only has a lifespan of 12 years and starts rapidly deteriorating after that.”

“The Poly B pipe reacts and oxidizes with the chlorine in our water supply, which makes the pipe brittle,” he explains. “Eventually, the pipe fails. At this point, many cracks in the pipe cause large amounts of damage in short periods of time,” Luongo says.

Make sure your subfloor is up to par.

Make sure your subfloor is up to par. Image: VanoVasaio/Shutterstock

Examine your subfloor

If you’re renovating your bathroom, it makes no sense to build on a faulty foundation. “Check the bathroom’s subfloor and, if it’s damaged, go ahead and replace it with a new one,” Outlaw says. “I have seen individuals try to save money by skipping this step. It can often come back to haunt them as they deal with future problems.”

Take advantage of unfinished areas.

Take advantage of unfinished areas. Image: Zakhar Mar/Shutterstock

Add security cameras

If you’re thinking about getting a security system, this may be the time to add it. Outlaw recommends adding cameras and a security system to the outside of the home while the walls are open. “Even a cheap system running on your home wifi can give peace of mind while on vacations or sleeping at night,” he says.

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Which DIY Projects are Most Likely to Go Over Budget and Why?

While homeowners typically take on DIY projects to save money, it turns out that many of them are breaking their fixer-upper budgets and spending much more than they planned, according to a recent survey by Porch. While 5% of homeowners finished their fixer-upper projects under budget, and 52% finished on budget, 44% went over budget.  And the homeowners who went over budget, spent, on average, 38% more than planned.

“One of the most common issues that can affect all of these projects is not understanding what your budget really is before you begin,” says Mick Lynch, Senior Vice President of Installations at Power Home Remodeling in Chester, PA. “It’s so important to set a proper budget and identify what you really need and how much those items actually cost before you start your work.”

In addition to having an unrealistic budget, sometimes, unexpected problems occur. The highest percentage of survey respondents named these as the projects in which they went over budget.

New HVAC: 54%

There’s no one-size-fits-all HVAC. Image: John Royal/Shutterstock

There’s no one-size-fits-all HVAC. Image: John Royal/Shutterstock

The size of your house plays a role in the cost of installing a new HVAC. Homeowners often underestimate how many BTUs they’ll need to cool the house. Ductwork is another area that can increase costs. Yet another factor is the type of HVAC that’s installed. Some brands are (relatively) inexpensive, while other brands cost significantly more. In addition, installation costs vary by company. That’s why your HVAC budget shouldn’t be based on how much a co-worker or family friend paid for their system.

However, Nathan Outlaw, President of Onvico, a construction company in Thomasville, GA, says it’s quite possible to stay under budget. “You need to find a good company, get a firm proposal, and use a contract,” Outlaw advises.

Plumbing: 52%

Plumbing components often need to be replaced. Image:

Plumbing components often need to be replaced. Image: OlegDoroshin Shutterstock

 “Plumbing can go over budget during repairs or remodels when issues with existing lines are found.  Sometimes old pipes start falling apart or can’t be used anymore and need to be replaced,” says Outlaw.

Homeowners might encounter another problem when they decide to move plumbing components around. For example, Audrey Monell, President of Forrest Anderson Plumbing and AC in Phoenix, AZ, believes that you should think carefully before moving your shower. “While it will improve the overall appearance and layout of the bathroom, it will create more work and expense,” she warns. “That is because you have to move the shower drain as well, which can become a major plumbing project. If the drain is incorrectly installed or sealed, you run the risk of allowing sewer gases into your home – a serious health hazard.” Even if you’re only moving it a short distance, Monell says you will probably need to have new pipes installed or you might have serious water damage down the road.

Basement: 52%

Basements are often dark and cold.

Basements are often dark and cold. Image: David Papa/Shutterstock

If you’re thinking about transforming your basement, you need to be clear on the goal of the space “If you’re remodeling it to be a fun space to hang out, that’s one project. But if you’re trying to create a entertainment lounge with a home theatre, that’s a completely different project which will require a different scope of work, and drastically increase your budget,” Lynch says.

Also, sometimes, homeowners don’t consider that the basement will need to be heated. “Physically heating a cool basement is a bigger task, as it usually requires infrastructure improvements to be made to the space, including the addition of ductwork or a heat source,” according to Marla Mock, VP of Operations at Air Serv Heating & Air Conditioning. She says you may need additional heat vents, a heated floor, or a basement-specific heating option. “But be advised that an electric space heater is not an ideal everyday solution.” Mock explains.

Bathrooms: 51%

Trendy bathrooms can bust your budget.

Trendy bathrooms can bust your budget. Image Flow/Shutterstock

“Bathrooms can frequently be affected by the ‘Pinterest Diet,’ in which homeowners begin shopping around and decide they must have what they see on imageboards,” Outlaw says. “This can turn stock vanities into custom built pieces, simple tile into intricate designs, and solid walls into glass.”

Lynch agrees, and says his customers get really excited when picking out items for the bathroom. “It’s fun for them to do a brief walkthrough in a home improvement store and establish their budgets based on the products they see in the store.” But then, he says they go home, do more research, and decide to start swapping out light fixtures, sinks, etc.  “Now, they find their overall total has skyrocketed, but at this point they’ve become attached to those new features and are now committed to them.”

New Appliances: 51%

High-end appliances have end-end prices.

High-end appliances have end-end prices. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

The 2019 kitchen design trends can can provide inspiration – but sometimes, they also temp homeowners to spend more than they should. “Appliances generally go over budget when a homeowner goes shopping and decides they need the latest and greatest features – like maybe sending a tweet from the fridge,” Outlaw explains.

Another problem can occur when homeowners try to save money by shopping online for their own appliances. “If the appliances end up not working in the space, that’s wasted money,” warns Larry Greene, President of Case Design/Remodeling in Carmel, IN.  “It could be helpful to clue in a remodeling firm for this step, as they’ll have helpful connections with local suppliers, saving you money on shipping and time if returns or exchanges need to be made.” In addition, Greene says a professional would be aware of common sizing mistakes and able to assist homeowners in comparing materials. 

Roof: 50%

Your roof could be hiding numerous problems.

Your roof could be hiding numerous problems. Image: Karamysh/Shutterstock

It’s hard to guess what’s hiding under your roof, and Outlaw says that’s why roofing projects tend to go over budget. “If water has been leaking through, there could be a lot of plywood to replace. Improperly installed crickets can lead to water getting behind chimneys. Roofs become expensive when they become framing jobs,” he says.

Also, this is another case in which DIY efforts may be counterproductive. “Last year, we completed nearly 18,000 roofing installations, and I found time after time that homeowners first tried to complete the job themselves,” Lynch says. “But they quickly realized that they didn’t have the knowledge — or the proper tools — to finish the job, and needed to bring in professional reinforcement.”

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What to Do About a Clogged Toilet, Sink & Other Common Plumbing Issues

Is there anything worse than a clogged toilet? First, there’s the sheer panic as you pray it doesn’t spill over onto your floor. Then, there’s the frustration of attempting to successfully plunge it. And all of this doesn’t even take into account the potential for embarrassment. Fortunately, if you’re dealing with this situation, we’ve got two pieces of good news. First, you’re not alone. Second, we’ve got tips and tricks to help you out.

clogged toilet

Protect your sparkling bathroom by neatly handling your plumbing issues with this guide. Image: Astronaut Images/Getty Images

Fast stats on common plumbing issues

Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company, recently commissioned a study about this exact situation — and all the other plumbing challenges homeowners and renters face. Here are some quick facts and figures the study uncovered:

  • Nearly one in five homeowners deals with a clogged toilet on a regular basis
  • 15 percent of homeowners have recently spent time fixing a backed up drain
  • Almost one in ten regularly deals with a clogged sink
  • 6 percent have low water pressure
  • 4 percent have garbage disposal troubles

Sound familiar? Whatever plumbing issue is plaguing you, you want to get it dealt with as quickly as possible. And fear not! If you’re one of the 46 percent of people who’ve turned to the internet for support, we’re here to help. We talked with Mr. Rooter Plumbing to get some expert guidance for you.

How to fix a clogged toilet

First things first, step away from the handle! Continuing to try to flush your toilet when it’s clogged will just leave you with a mess all over your bathroom floor.

Instead, grab your trusty plunger. Oh, wait, not that one. James Doyle, President of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, gave us a crash course in plungers. And taught us that not all are created equal. The most common plunger type is a sink plunger, which is a simple flat rubber cup attached to a handle. Your toilet needs something extra.

Toilet plungers have a soft rubber flange running along the inside of the plunger cup, which makes them much more effective at plunging your toilet. “With the flange plunger’s universal design, it can also be used on sink and toilet clogs,” Doyle points out. “But don’t use the same plunger on both surfaces! Keep one plunger strictly for the toilet and another one for flat surfaces.”

clogged toilet - toilet bow

You need a plunger designed to fit well inside your toilet bowl. Image: bymuratdeniz/Getty Images

How to properly plunge, as explained by a pro

Ready to get plunging? Once you’re armed with your flanged plunger, Doyle offers step-by-step guidance for optimal results:

  • “Take your plunger (make sure you have a good connection with the plunger and the toilet) and begin the plunging motion with a good amount of force behind it. The goal is to push the blockage through.
  • “Be quick and repetitive with the plunging motion and keep your eye out for movement in the toilet, which means the blockage is being pushed through.
  • “Make sure the water is draining before you try to flush the toilet. Never pour a chemical drain cleaner down your toilet; harsh chemicals can irritate your skin and eyes or cause damage to your plumbing pipes.
  • “If you can’t repair a clogged toilet on your own, contact a professional plumber for assistance.”

With the right tool and the right action, you’ll have that toilet cleared in no time at all.

clogged toilet 1

Plumbing issues can arise pretty much anywhere in your bathroom. Image: dit26978/Getty Images

Fixing other common household plumbing issues

Unfortunately, Mr. Rooter Plumbing’s survey revealed that a clogged toilet is far from the only plumbing issue you could face. Fortunately, they offer other tips and tricks you can use.

Clearing a backed up drain or clogged pipe

Whether you’ve got a drain that’s moving slowly or it’s completely clogged, a simple household item could be the solution. Mr. Rooter Plumbing recommends taking a wire coat hanger and straightening it, then creating a small hook with one end. Use that hook to fish down into your drain and pull up any hair or other buildup, clearing your pipes.

If your fishing expedition doesn’t yield results, Mr. Rooter Plumbing recommends a natural but effective way to reach further into your pipes. Mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar and pour it down your drain (be prepared to move quickly, because this mixture will foam — and fast). Let it sit as long as you can. An hour works, but overnight is best. The fizzing action will help break up any gunk in your pipes, allowing water to run freely through them.

Still stumped? Keep reading for more guidance on clearing your drains.

clogged toilet - aerator

Your sink’s aerator can be screwed off to making it easy to clean. Image: PAVEL IARUNICHEV/Getty Images

Restoring water pressure to a sink

Fix your sink’s low water pressure in minutes. Simply screw off the aerator, the little cap at the end of the nozzle that prevents your sink from splashing. Clean it out, screw it back on and voilà! You should have improved water pressure.

Fixing a clogged garbage disposal

It’s tempting to run a chemical pipe cleaner through your garbage disposal, but it will likely be ineffective and can hurt the disposal itself. Instead, take the garbage disposal off and visually inspect it. You can do this by simply unscrewing it from the base of your sink. Don’t forget to disconnect it from power when you do to keep your hands safe!

Once you’ve located your issue, safely remove it, reattach the garbage disposal and test it to confirm you’ve found — and resolved — the issue.

See, being your own plumber doesn’t have to be a huge headache or mess. That said, don’t be afraid to call in the pros for support. If the above tips don’t do the trick, getting a hand from a professional can save you a lot of hassle.

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