Home Repairs Rx

By Esther Whitley

 In these challenging times, finding financial resources for home improvement can be tough. While some homeowners may resort to hiring professionals for the dirty work, most are finding out that most jobs around the house can be done on a modest budget. There are many projects that can be done on the home without deflating the wallet.

Holes or cracks in the walls can be easily fixed in a small amount of time with a few tools. Home improvement stores have small and large containers of joint compound ranging from $3 to $20 to cater to the customer's needs.
Joint compound is a white mix that can be mixed with water to produce a mud consistency. Using a putty knife, scoop up the mud in balls and place in the hole until it produces a flat uniform surface. Use plaster strips to place around the contour of the hole or crack to secure the compound and use more compund to help adhere the strips.

Walls can be replaced using the same materials, a nail gun, and standard drywall. After tearing down the molded or deteriorated wall, replace it with 4'x8' standard drywall. Nail in the drywall to the base of the house, with nails 3" apart along the outside of the drywall. The space between the drywall and original wall can be filled using the joint compound and plaster strips. Place the strips so that they overlap the original wall and replaced wall and work the entire area until everything is covered. Use a putty knife to smooth out the compound and strips until they are an even surface.

Deciding to use wallpaper or paint to improve the look of walls can be a difficult decision. Paint can cover a larger area at a cheaper price. Use flat finish to achieve a non-reflective surface and to cover small imperfections.
In summary, fixing the house can be done with just a simple tools and a few bucks. Many homeowners also feel a sense of accomplishment by completing projects themselves with little or no money invested.

Esther Whitley is a writer who enjoys sharing her thoughts and advice with readers. For more information about fixing up your home, House and Home Design offers readers tips for giving their home curb appeal on a budget.