Keith Paul

How will home improvements affect the value of my home in today's declining market? This is a good question and well worth your careful consideration if you are planning to make improvements to sell your home. One question to ask when determining the value of a home improvement project is, "Would the average purchaser complete the project when they buy a home of this type in this location?" If the answer is yes, then chances are you will recover the cost. If not, then you are not increasing the value by completing the project.

Consider the area the home is located in. For example, a nice in-ground pool with a surrounding deck is not a good investment if your home is located in an area where the summer season is very short. A sunroom or gazebo with a hot-tub is not a good idea if your home is located in a lower to middle class neighborhood of homes where people typically do not enjoy this type of luxury.

Some improvements will not generate the return of the cost in added value to your home. Of course, they could add to the enjoyment your home provides to you and your family if you plan to stay in your home for 5 - 10 years and you can afford to make the improvements. If you really like the idea of a gazebo and hot tub and the yard is large enough to accommodate, then why not? If you can afford it and you will be content with only a 50% return on the investment in exchange for the years of enjoyment, then perhaps this will be money well spent.

Here is a list of repairs and improvements and the estimated amount of return you can expect:

Interior/exterior paint 70 - 300%

New flooring/carpet 70 - 300%

Kitchen and Bath remodeling 50 - 300%

Addition to home 40 - 60%

New heating/Central Air 50%

Bathroom Addition 75 - 100%

Finished Basement 55%

Landscaping, sprinklers 50%

Patio or deck 50%

Replacement windows 30%

New siding 65%

Energy efficient items 30%

Swimming pool 50%

Garage 75 - 100%

The potential return for these investments is determined by how they fit into the neighborhood. A lower to middle class neighborhood is not the place to invest in expensive landscaping or a swimming pool. The potential buyer cannot afford to buy or maintain this type of improvement. Also consider the need for the improvement. If the kitchen and bathrooms are clean and functional, but you just don't like the colors, then your return will be minimized. If the toilet is broken and the shower enclosure is old and moldy, then by all means, repair, replace and remodel. Use common sense; consider need and location when deciding on home improvement projects to do.

This article was written by Keith Paul of HandyPro Handyman Services. HandyPro offers a home seller program, where they do the cosmetic repairs and you don't pay until you sell your home. Their pre-screened contractors are licensed and bonded, and customer friendly. They guarantee customer satisfaction with quality work and they clean up when the job is complete. . http://www.handypro.com services Southeast Michigan, Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Canton, Northville, Novi, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Dearborn, Southfield, Royal Oak, Troy and neighboring cities and communities.

It is incredible how many different types of adhesives there are available today. Just go to your local hardware store and you will most likely find an entire aisle stocked with hundreds of different types of glues and adhesives. There are many different kinds for bonding various materials. I would have to write a full length book to cover them all. In this article, I'm going to cover two types that every handyman should carry a supply of.

Construction Adhesives

There is a wide range of adhesives commonly used in building and renovation homes and commercial buildings. You can find products in any hardware store that are labeled "construction adhesive", but in this article, I'm referring to a certain class of adhesives that have certain characteristics, including:

• Available in cans, squeeze tubes and caulking tubes
• Thick adhesives that are applied with a putty knife or notched trowel
• Will adhere to a wide range of building materials
• Waterproof or water resistant
• Generally dry within 24 hours and remain soft and flexible
• Water or solvent based

There are many different construction adhesives for use with different building materials, so it is important to read the label to be sure you have the right product for the job. Some have multiple uses and some are specifically designed for one product only. Some are great for interior jobs but do not withstand temperature changes, moisture and humidity.

Some construction adhesives are applied with a caulk gun and used for bonding large materials to flat surfaces, for example, paneling to a smooth wall or a tub surround to drywall or ceramic, or any job where it is only necessary to run a bead.

Full coverage adhesives are used where the material to be glued is smaller, such as floor tiles or ceramic tiles. This is applied using a notched trowel to apply the adhesive. For these types of projects, do not try substituting a different tool, such as a drywall knife or flat trowel to spread the adhesive. There are reasons for using only a notched trowel, including:

• Saves up to 50% on the amount of adhesive used
• Spreads consistent thickness for proper adhesion and a neater finish. If the adhesive is spread too thick it will cause a soft spot in a floor or ceramic wall, causing movement of the tiles since it does remain flexible
• Speeds drying time as the grooves flatten when the material is pressed into place. A thick coat will take weeks to dry.
• Better adhesion as the peaks produced by the trowel helps the material to grip firmly
• Less shrinkage as the adhesive dries. A thick coat will produce visible settling; do not attempt to fill in low spots with additional adhesive.

Be sure to use the correct adhesive. Some adhesives contain certain solvents which will bleed through plastic or vinyl trim or tub surrounds, creating a permanent stain which cannot be removed. This may take a few weeks to happen; what a major disappointment after all your hard work!

Read all instructions and note the drying times required before applying any stress to your project. If the label says to wait a week or two before moving heavy appliances onto your new kitchen floor, then by all means, do it! Most labels have very detailed instructions, but they don't always tell you the reasons for them or the penalties when you fail to follow them.

Goop Adhesives

Yes, there is a professional product called "Goop"! It's not just the gross mess your kids manage to make a mess on the wall with. In fact, there are actually cleaning products that are named goop.

The goop I'm going to tell you about is a handyman's favorite adhesive. There's plumber's goop, capenter's goop, and even a shoe repair product called shoe goop.

Goop products are all about the same with some variations in consistency and color. Some goops are thinner for precise, detailed work; where others are thicker for vertical and overhead applications. Marine goop and lawn and garden goop are all UV-resistant and water resistant. Shoe goop is rubbery to allow flexibility.

Regardless of what kind of goop you are using, it sticks to almost everything, it remains flexible and it is durable. One drawback is that it can become discolored in certain conditions, like extreme heat and humidity, over time. Do not use in places where appearance is critical.

Goop is great for laminate edging on shelves, cabinets and kitchen counters. It adheres to the old glue and allows time to adjust before setting, unlike contact cement, which sets very quickly, allowing no time to correct mistakes. Simply apply to one surface, press the laminate into place, and then pull it back to allow the solvent to partially evaporate. Press it back together and use masking tape to hold it in place until it dries. Allow at least 24 hours or more for maximum adhesion.

Goop is good for many wood furniture repairs and cabinet repairs, but it is not recommended for fine cabinet building as it is not sandable and it does not absorb stain products. If you're using goop where appearance is an issue, use sparingly to avoid squeeze out at the edges of the materials you are gluing. It is not recommended for tight fitting joints. Goop is ideal for concealed wood repairs like behind cabinet face frames where nailing is difficult or behind drawers. It works to on split wood where the repair will not be visible. It's also ideal for repairing chair spindles.

Goop has many uses and it is about the easiest type of adhesive to use, but take care when using in places that mistakes will be visible. Be sure to wipe away squeeze out immediately as it will discolor and look bad over time. Acetone products are good for cleaning up mistakes from excess goop if it is cleaned up before it sets. As with all products read the label for any warnings about damage it may cause on certain surfaces.

This article was written by Keith Paul of HandyPro Handyman Services. HandyPro specializes in home repairs and commercial facility services. The handyman sent to do all jobs is licensed and bonded, experienced and customer friendly. Our handyman will provide 100% customer satisfaction in doing quality work and cleaning up when the job is complete. http://www.handypro.com services Southeast Michigan, Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Westland, Garden City, Wayne, Romulus, Inkster, Belleville, Birmingham, Allen Park, Taylor, Troy, Commerce Twp and neighboring cities and communities.

A nice wood deck is a great improvement to your home. Add some outdoor furniture and you have a nice place for company to gather for the outdoor barbeque or the family to sit and enjoy a nice evening. When properly maintained it will withstand winters and last for many years. Here are some tips to keep your deck in good condition for years to come.

Sweep away leaves and debris from between the deck boards. Dirt and leaves build up and cause standing water to remain on top of the deck rather than draining through. Proper ventilation is important to avoid moisture build up and damage to the wood. Mildew can be very damaging and should be removed as soon as it appears. Clean the deck thoroughly with a product specially designed for wood decks. Weathered wood, rust spots, mold and mildew will ruin the look of your new deck and cause rotting. If the deck is new and untreated, cleaning restores the wood to its natural beauty and removes ground in dirt that prevents the adhesion of stains and sealers. An older deck will require the use of a stripper to remove any deteriorating finish before cleaning.

Flower pots and planters which set directly on the deck's surface may cause staining. They should be moved around often to minimize this effect. You can also set them on cedar board to create space between the deck and the planter. Cedar has natural compounds that resist deterioration, rot and decay while allowing moisture to evaporate.

When the deck is clean, allow it to dry thoroughly, and then apply a sealer to protect it from rain, sleet, snow and ice which will cause the wood to warp or crack. Thompsons water seal can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer. It is a quick and affordable way to protect your investment and keep your deck looking like new for many years. One coat is sufficient to protect the wood through a harsh winter. If winters are relatively mild, you may not need to seal it every year. If water beads up on the wood and doesn't soak in, the sealer is still doing its job and you won't need to seal it.

It is only necessary to apply the sealer to the top surface of the wood. Coating the wood on all sides prevents any moisture that does get in from escaping, causing the wood to rot from the inside.

In the winter, shovel the snow with a plastic shovel, moving lengthwise on the deck boards to prevent scratching the wood. Avoid using salt as it could discolor the wood and damage deck finishes.

Your deck is one of your largest outdoor investments. Simple maintenance will keep it protected through the winter months so you can enjoy it in the warmer season. Clean it every spring and fall and use a quality deck sealer before winter to protect your investment.

This article was written by Keith Paul of HandyPro Handyman Services. HandyPro specializes in home repairs and commercial facility services. The handyman sent to do all jobs is licensed and bonded, experienced and customer friendly. Our handyman will provide 100% customer satisfaction in doing quality work and cleaning up when the job is complete. http://www.handypro.com services Southeast Michigan, Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Westland, Garden City, Wayne, Romulus, Inkster, Belleville, Birmingham, Allen Park, Taylor, Troy, Commerce Twp and neighboring cities and communities.