Spring cleaning and little repair jobs

While washing down walls the last two days, I have come across some small cracks and little holes in the plaster that need mending. I personally do not even like doing this job at all, but it needs to be done and though it’s just a little project, I know after the repair work is finished I’m going to want to repaint walls that I had just painted last year. And of course I’ll want to paint a fresh new color on the walls. Which means, new color complimenting home decor items.

There are quite a few little home improvement repairs on my “fix it” list this spring. The ceiling fans need new pull chains, and of course I’ll shop for pretty things to put on the end of the chain, which means either going out to stores or shopping online for these.

There are quite a few BIG repairs that need done also, but for them I’m sure I’m going to either scope out DIY books and online tuts for this. One being insulating around my windows and putting up new trim. I know how to do the trim, somewhat. The insulating is another story. For now, I’m sticking to the little jobs I know I can do.

Covering a hardwood floor

As much as I hate to do it, I’ve decided to look at carpet for the living room floor, which is tongue and groove hardwood.  My house is very old and despite of the insulation in the crawl space, the floor in that room tends to make walking on it even with socks on, a chilly experience. I find myself hopping from area rug to area rug which I’m getting a bit too old to do. Besides I look like an idiot doing  this. Slippers are not an option as I have to take them off to put boots on when I take the dogs out. It’s a hassle. Especially when the dogs want outside at that very minute they have to do their business.

I was thinking about a Berber type carpet for high traffic areas, but I would like to look at other options. I love the hardwood floors so perhaps a rug that covers a good deal of the floor would be the way to go for that room. I could always roll it up in the spring and then put down smaller area rugs that I have. It would definitely save money.

At any rate, I’m up for some kind of change and warmer feet in the winter. There is a carpet outlet in the city I live near, but also I’ve been looking on line for other ideas and floor covering sites that may have delivery since I do know how to lay carpet and flooring. (Thank you Dad, for this knowledge!)

Getting home repair grants

Everyone could use help with home repair grants and it’s relatively easy to find them if you look in the right place. A friend of mine just moved to New Jersey and bought one of those kinds of homes that is in need of some big time TLC. When she called me the first night she stayed in her new home, she had a slew of things on a list that needed to be done before she could even begin to move fully, let alone get the house prepared for the winter months.

After doing some asking around, looking on the internet and then talking to the people in the neighborhood, she found that there is assistance with home repairs there and she is going to indeed find out more about this, so she can do the big repairs that have to be definitely done before winter hits. My friend is working a steady job, but it took quite a bit of her savings to not only buy the house, but the move there was  pricey also.

I asked her if she could get insulation assistance in NJ, not only warmth for the winter, but also it helps the house stay cooler in the summer as well. I found that my friend, Sandy was right on the ball so to speak, about getting the information and the help she will need with improvements. I’m very happy for her and can’t wait to visit her in her new house, once she is ready to have guest.