DIY Home Improvement
It appears that there has been a decline in consumer confidence in the building and construction industry
recently. This may be because of the scams shown on television or the bribery and corruption rampant in the
corporate sector, but it is almost certainly the same motivation why so many are turning to DIY home
improvement jobs themselves.
Why not? A little knowledge of the technical aspects together with with an eye for creativity is often enough to
carry out the DIY home improvement on your own.
Why are people turning to DIY home improvement?
There are many individuals trying to pass themselves off as construction workers, although they do not have a
lot of expertise in construction or home maintenance and they are literally out there right now practising,
learning their trades on homes like yours and mine across the country.
Not surprisingly, homeowners are finding that the jobs are not being finished to their satisfaction. At times
they are even pre-paying for services that do not get done or were not part of the plan.
You do not have to rely on and pay someone to improve your home. Why not try to do it yourself?
You can augment your home’s existing concrete surfaces using acid stains, acrylic paints, epoxy paints, and
scoring techniques.
If you are tired of looking at drab gray concrete, there are some simple jobs if you are earnest about having a
go at home improvement DIY, you can easily give your patio, driveway or garage a refreshing new look.
Decorative concrete work costs about double that of normal concrete, which is why many people cannot afford
it.
However, there are cheaper means to beautify concrete after it has cured, without having to pay skilled
tradesmen.
Acid-based concrete stains are becoming more and more popular for coloring concrete surfaces. They chemically
react with the cementitious material to generate permanent colour with a variegated or mottled appearance similar
to that of marble. This results in a natural, stylish looking surface.
Water-based concrete stains are an alternative to acid stains but are much more user friendly because they are
so much less dangerous. These stains do not chemically react with the concrete; they are absorbed into the porous
surface and act like a dye. The big advantage of water based stains is the wide array of colors on hand.
If you want to risk going beyond the basic staining of your concrete, consider using some scoring techniques to
create patterns on the surface.
You could make your concrete look like a tiled floor for instance. It is just up to your imagination. A mini
angle grinder with a 4 inch grinding wheel is the perfect device for this DIY home improvement.
The key thing to remember when scoring is to trace out the pattern on the concrete first and ensure you are
pleased with the way it looks because scoring is permanent.
Epoxy paints make an excellent coating for garage floors and cellar floors. Many industrial floors have epoxy
coatings because of their durability and resistance to chemical spills as well as their appearance.
In recent years, however, it has become very popular for residential use with the availability of an growing
number of different colors. This is not a difficult job, but the key to successful application is surface
preparation.
Epoxy paints have also become available in a water based form making it safe for the DIY'er and perfect for
indoor applications. They cost a little more than stains. For a 400 square foot garage, you’ll
spend about $200 for the materials needed for this venture.
So, you see? You do not have to spend big money on DIY home improvements. You have the ability to do
it yourself. With some instructions and a little bit of work, anyone can turn boring concrete into a work of genius
of their own by simple DIY home improvement techniques.
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