Question 1. What is the difference between caulk and grout?
Answer 1: Caulk is flexible and is designed to seal the joint between two different materials like a countertop and a back splash. Grout is rigid and is designed to seal the joint between two pieces of tile.
Question 2: Why do you insist on spending so much time preparing walls before painting them?
Answer 2: I like it when the paint sticks! If you are going to go to the trouble of repainting your walls then do it right the first time. Cleaning, sanding, repairing and priming a wall is the only way to ensure that your paint job will look great and will last.
Question 3: Can’t I just use a nail to hang a picture?
Answer 3: Sure you can, but picture hooks were invented for a reason. They do a better job than a nail in most situations. My favorite is OOK Brand which you can buy rated for weight.
Question 4: How do I know which screwdriver to use?
Answer 4: The right screwdriver is the one that fits snugly into the head of the screw with no slippage. Get yourself an assortment of screw drivers so you will always have one that fits.
Question 5: How often do I really need to clean my gutters?
Answer 5: At least twice a year or when ever they are blocked. If the water cannot move through your gutters to the downspouts then it cannot get away from your house. I can often be found walking around my house during a rainstorm to see if my gutters are working. If I see that they are blocked, I’ll grab a ladder and deal with it then. Unless there is lightening! And then I’ll come back later.
Question 6: Should I bother applying masking tape before I paint?
Answer 6: No! Learn how to “cut in” carefully and use a rag for quick clean ups. You will save yourself hours of time. Learn more in Chapter 6 of Marie’s Home Improvement Guide.
Question 7: Why does my toilet paper holder keep coming out of the wall?
Answer 7: It was never installed correctly with metal or plastic toggle bolts.
Question 8: I am a new home owner. What is the single most important skill I could learn to take care of my house?
Answer 8: Become a master of the caulking gun and you will save yourself thousands of dollars over the life of your home!
Question 9: I want to sell my house in a few years. When should I start to fix it up?
Answer 9: Start now by meeting with a good real estate agent and make a plan on how and when to spend your money preparing your house for sale. DO NOT wait until the week before you list the house to begin the work or try to hire some one to do the work.
Question 10: How do I decide if I have the ability to take on a specific job around my house?
Answer 10: The best way is to talk with someone else who has done that job before and ask them detailed question about the scope of the work, tools required, possible problems and also what it might cost to hire it done. You need to weigh all the information before you decide and it is OK to decide not to do it yourself!
