Painting Tips from the Pros

A successful do-it-yourself painting project takes more than the right tools and a steady hand. Follow these tips and tricks to make your walls look like they were painted by a pro.

Preparation

Take your time. That's what the professionals do. Remember that proper prepping and cleanup can take longer than the actual painting.

Use rubber-backed drop cloths to cover your floors. Old bed sheets and canvas cloths don't give complete protection.

Store all hardware from outlets and switch plates in a baggie, and label with masking tape.

When filling cracks in the baseboard with caulk, cut the tip of the tube smaller than you think it should be. Too much caulk can make a mess.

Invest in high-quality woven roller covers. The cheap ones will leave fuzz on your wall and need to be replaced more frequently.

To make a perfectly straight line with tape, invest in a tape machine.

For an extra-professional touch, smooth down drywall — no matter what shape it's in — with a drywall pole sander. If your walls are plaster, gently sand the necessary areas with a dry sanding sponge.

Don't forgo primer. A good primer will seal stains, establish an even base and ensure that the topcoat goes on smoothly.

Painting

Don't open your paint canwith a screwdriver, as it can damage the lid. Instead, use a lid opener. Many hardware stores will give these away for free when you purchase paint.

Always stir the paintwith a long wooden stick (usually available at the store for free) until all the sediment on the bottom has been mixed in.

Don't submergea brush into the paint more than one-third of the way, or you'll clog the base of the bristles, making clean up more difficult.

Apply a coat of paint to the backside of the light switch plate in the room. After it dries, jot down all the project details — date, paint brand, name, number of gallons required, number of coats applied and any other relevant information.

Clean up

Don't waste time cleaningif you're going to be painting the next day. Place rollers and brushes in Ziploc or plastic bags and store them in the fridge. Make sure you allow them to return to room temperature before reusing.

If the store didn't do this for you, dab some paint on the lid to help you identify the color later. Write the name and number of the paint on the lid with a permanent marker.

Use a screwdriver wrapped in an old t-shirt or rag to wipe the rim of the paint can clean.

To avoid damaging the lid, don't seal the can with a hammer. Use a rubber mallet instead.

Store cans upside down to create a tight seal around the lid. Because latex paints are water-based, keep them where they won't freeze.

Rain Gutters:
Make Clean Up a Snap

With leaf season right around the corner, now's a great time to make sure your rain gutters are clear of debris. While you can hire a service to do the work for you, doing the job yourself is easy and affordable with these tips:

• Clean your gutters at least twice a year, more if your home is surrounded by trees
• Wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal that may be on the gutters
• Don't let the gutter back up with leaves since they'll eventually come loose from their mountings and destroy the gutters

Ready to clean? Follow these steps:

1. Remove loose debris from the gutter using a small tool, such as a garden trowel, and scrub encrusted dirt with a stiff brush
2. Power wash gutters with a hose to clear debris – just make sure you send it toward the drain outlet
3. Make sure drainpipes are clear, if necessary use a plumber's auger to pull debris from the bottom of the drain

Down the Drain: Garbage Disposal Dos & Don'ts

If your kitchen has a garbage disposal, you know how easy it makes mealtime clean up. But what you may not realize is that your disposal comes with some pretty important rules. Here are some of the most vital:

Do:

• Insert food slowly. Stuffing it all into your disposal at once can cause clogs and shorten the life of your system.
• Grind hard materials. Many people think food like chicken bones or small fruit pits are a no-no, but they can actually help clean the walls of the disposal.
• Use cold water for at least 20 seconds. This will solidify grease so that it can be ground up. Also, make sure that all food particles are washed completely down the drain.
• Keep it clean. One good way to eliminate drain smells is by grinding citrus fruit peels. You can also add a few drops of dish soap and let the disposal run for a few minutes.

Don't:

• Use hot water. This will make grease liquefy and build up, which can clog the drain.
• Grind fibrous or expandable foods. The former, like celery stalks and onionskins, can tangle up the disposal. The latter, like pasta and rice, can clog it.
• Turn off the motor too quickly. You'll want to make sure all food particles are completely ground. Once done, continue to run the water for at least 15 seconds to flush out particles.
• Wash coffee grounds down the drain. While they won't harm the disposal itself, they can clog pipes and drains.
• Forget to use it. Lack of use can cause rusting and corrosion, which can lead to premature system replacement.

10 Easy Upgrades to Add Style & Value to Your Home

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference in the value and appeal of your home. Whether you’re trying to sell your home of just spruce up the place, here are 10 easy ways to get started.

1. Update hardware on cabinets and drawers
2. Replace towels and rugs in the bathroom(s)
3. Add overhead lighting or wall sconces to brighten rooms
4. Declutter small spaces and closets with DIY storage kits
5. Wash or power wash the exterior of your home (especially windows)
6. Add area rugs to throw in a hint of color
7. Hang a mirror in small rooms to give the illusion of more space
8. A fresh coat of paint on walls and trim brighten any room
9. Try a fresh new color on your front door for character
10. Mow and mulch your lawn even in the cooler months

Make a plan. Set a budget. Get started!

Modified Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

Potential Impacts of Modified Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) Announced by the President: Requires borrower to be current on their loan payments and the loan must be a Fannie Make or Freddie Mac Loan. Home value is irrelevant, it does not require appraisals or extensive underwriting requirements. Loan servicing companies are currently defining the process.