Be Handy with your Toolbox-Tips
Tina Gleisner
From the Fall 2007
Issue of Applaud Magazine

You’ve got your tools. You’ve done some research. You’re at the store. You never realized how many different types of caulk there are to choose from. Getting the job done right might seem easy, but it’s not. You need the right tools and the right materials. You need to follow manufacturer guidelines from preparing the work surface to cleaning up when done. You’ll get better advice at a local hardware store or lumberyard, they have the experience that’s hard to find at the box stores. Bring samples of old caulk to illustrate the mold growing around your bathtub. A paint store will test a sample and help you find the best product(s) for your specific problem. Focus on home repair projects that are small, easy to reach (paint a wall before tackling a ceiling) and need to be done frequently. New skills take time to develop so pick ones that give you satisfaction along with savings over the years. The most practical home repair projects for new homeowners include: •        Caulking to prevent water damage •        Caulking to reduce air leaks •        Hanging pictures and shelving •        Repairing walls, i.e. nail pops •        Painting and touching up paint Caulking Basics – use products appropriate for the materials you’re working with. Consider requirements for flexibility, painting and use, i.e.: foam sealants expand to fill larger gaps. Drywall Basics – homeowners can spackle small (2 x 2 inches or smaller) holes. Larger repairs are better left to professionals who know when to use mesh vs. paper tape, and the correct application of mud, which requires 3 coats with sanding in-between. Painting Basics – buy paint at a paint store, along with the right brushes (synthetic for latex paint) and roller covers for a better looking paint job … and prepping the surface is half the job. Tina Gleisner, President of My Handyman, provides services for maintaining and enhancing your home. She also publishes Handyman News with hints and tips for home owners. Visit www.MyHandymanNH.com or call 1-866-HANDY14 for more information.