Cosmetic home repairs are meant to take an already working space and elevate it. This means that anyone can and should occasionally take time to do them. It’s similar to having fresh flowers displayed in your house daily compared to having the same old plastic ones to look at every day. While they’re both flowers and both enhance the space, fresh ones can lift the spirits considerably more. Here are 10 of the best cosmetic home repairs to work on over time and turn your home into your dream home.
1. New Roof
A new roof to a house is like a well-deserved outfit change. If your roof has been looking dull of late, has leaks and other damages, and you’ve gotten bored with the overall appearance of your house, one of the cosmetic home repairs you can start with is getting yourself a brand-new roof. To make a noticeable difference, think about getting a roof with different details from what you had. For instance, if your roof is a neutral charcoal gray color, you can go for a color that’s on the brighter side, like red. Alternatively, if your existing roof has a glossy finish, consider going for a matte texture.
The difference at the end will take the makeover to a whole new level. If, however, you prefer playing it safe and aren’t ready for a complete overhaul, keep things simple and change details that won’t make a massive difference. Whatever you decide, ensure you engage the services of the best local roofing companies throughout the process.
2. Backyard Pool
Some people could argue that no backyard is complete without a backyard pool. If you already have one, then the cosmetic home repairs that apply to you are pool repairs. The pool repair can be done on a number of elements. For instance, the pool’s drainage may be faulty as a result of the metallic faucets and drains having accumulated rust over years of chlorine exposure. For the best outcome, you can opt to either have the drains removed and polished or have them replaced altogether.
If you get replacements, ensure you go for good quality materials that are rustproof, like PVC. They may not be as pleasing to the eyes as aluminum or metal, but they last longer with fewer maintenance needs. Other repairs that may apply to a pool are chipped tiles, the heating system not working properly, or the stairs rails and handles loosening up. Whatever the issues are, make sure you have them fixed by qualified pool professionals.
3. Landscaping
Landscaping done right will not only revamp your backyard and elevate your home’s status, but it will also boost the mood of everyone, pets included. This means that you may be caught by surprise when your favorite pet, Dognificent, decides on a resting spot under one of the trees that you plant. That said, landscaping comes in different shapes and forms and shouldn’t be limited to the mere exercise of planting greenery.
As a matter of fact, it sometimes involves quite the opposite, like tree removal. Typically, the removal of trees may be necessary when the tree in question is in the way of an intended project. For instance, an apple tree may pose a hurdle if it’s in the middle of the area where you intend to build a swimming pool. There are also instances when trees have roots that go so deep and wide that the potential dangers of them interfering with your house’s foundation far outweigh their aesthetic or other benefits.
4. Masonry Restoration
Masonry restoration is one of the cosmetic home repairs that can easily be overlooked but shouldn’t. This is because It’s something that could have an enormous impact on your home’s overall look. It’s also one of the cosmetic home repairs that you can do whether you’re on a very tight budget or a generous one. The first step of any masonry restoration work is to determine if all brickwork is intact. If it isn’t, arrange for the repair or replacement of the affected bricks.
A brick repair job can either be done as a DIY or as a professional job depending on the severity of the repairs needed. Once the repairs are out of the way, the second step, though optional, is determining the finishing coat to apply to your restored masonry. If their natural appearance is appealing to you after the repairs, you could leave them as they are. That said if you want to protect them from the elements, apply a semi-gloss top coat that will have the added benefit of enhancing their natural look. In the case that you want to change the look altogether, you can have them plastered and painted.
5. Clean Drains
Clean drains are another one of the elements of a home that can be taken for granted until they get compromised. They’re like the air you breathe; you never quite take note of it until the day you get a stuffed nose, and this makes it worth taking care of. Prevention is better than cure in this case, so it’s best to inspect the drains before you end up with a collapsed drainage system. Start by cleaning and unclogging all kitchen and bathroom drains. Next, inspect the utility holes and ensure that none are clogged and all waste is being channeled to the septic tank.
Septic tanks should be cleaned every so often to prevent a buildup of waste, but note that septic tank cleaning ought to be done by trained personnel. Not so much for the plumbing skills but for the ability to diagnose potential problems and solve them before they come to the surface, both literally and figuratively. A good septic tank should collect waste and deposit liquid effluent into a soak-away pit. Alternatively, have waste water from the kitchen and the bathroom getting channeled to plants in the backyard. This prevents water waste by recycling it, and this provision can either be made from the system’s initial installation or added much later.
6. Property Fence
A good property fence not only provides security for the home but also elevates a home’s overall aura. A fence will instantly give people a glimpse of your home’s character. From fortresses to picket fences, one may be able to tell the character of a home’s occupants by merely looking at their fence. This is why it should not be left out of the list of cosmetic home repairs you should invest in.
Fencing repairs can be approached in different ways. For example, you can decide to revamp your existing fence by replacing compromised fencing poles or posts. These are poles that have been exposed to the weather and became loose over time or infested by termites. In such cases, they should be uprooted, discarded, and replaced.
Re-painting existing fencing poles is another task that can enhance your fence’s appearance. Consider engaging the services of experienced fence builders for all your fence repairs. You’ll not only benefit from their expertise and years of experience, but they’ll also save you from incurring future costs repairing the fence in a short time to come. This is because bad projects warrant more repairs in the near future, a vicious cycle that can only be avoided by getting people with vast knowledge of all aspects of fencing.
7. Fresh Water
You must have fresh water in your home one way or the other. This means that you either have to purchase clean water for daily use or treat your existing water to make it safe for home use. The option of purchasing fresh water regularly is daunting because it’s very expensive in the long run. That’s why a water treatment service is among the cosmetic home repairs you should not refrain from investing in.
To determine the type of water treatment option that will be applicable to you, you need to assess a number of factors. For instance, you need to determine the water consumption in your household. Different water treatments work well for different water capacities. It’s worth noting that the more the water capacity, the higher your costs for treatment will be, making it best to divide your usage into two. This is water that’s directly consumed by cooking and drinking, and that consumed indirectly.
The water that’s consumed directly will require a thorough water cleaning treatment, while water that’s consumed indirectly can be left as is. This is the water that will be used for cleaning surfaces, or for flushing the toilets, for instance. This approach will save you from spending a lot of money on expensive water treatment services. After all, that extra money can be channeled towards the other cosmetic home repairs items.
8. HV AC Repair
A faulty AC will literally make you sick. It’s serious enough to make it one of the must-have cosmetic repairs to invest in. Anything that has the potential to affect your overall well-being should never be left to chance, so have AC repairs done as soon as you suspect an issue. The sensitivity of a possible AC malfunction warrants for professionals to do the repairs. To get this done, find the best HVAC repair contractors. Look for referrals from friends, family, or online, and shortlist those that you feel are the most professional.
The next step is to go through previous clients’ reviews. Pick the ones that left a positive mark on past clients. All these measures may seem unnecessary, but they can help avert a potentially bad situation. Faulty AC, especially in places with harsh climates, can affect everyone’s productivity and health, and that’s a possibility when working with inexperienced people. Remember that there are instances in which an AC repair job might need replacement of faulty parts. Make provisions for this when budgeting for this project.
9. Clean Gutters
Having clean gutters makes it into the list of cosmetic home repairs you should invest in for one simple reason, which is fresh water collection. To collect water from your gutters, they need to be professionally fixed and properly cleaned. These gutter services are best left to companies that have specialized in water harvesting solutions. The ideal company will repair gutters that aren’t working properly and replace them where need be. After installation or replacement, the gutters should be tested for leaks and excessive splashing.
If your gutters need a replacement, consider switching the gutters to models that are waterproof and therefore more durable. Two of the options available on the market are PVC and UPVC. These don’t rust and are best for a collection of fresh rain water. Professionals should know that properly laid gutters should have a gentle slope towards the water’s collection point. Additionally, all gutters should have water collection pipes at the end which are connected to the receiving water tanks.
10. Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinets repairs are another important item among cosmetic home repairs project for the simple fact that they can give your home a stamp of your personality. A home’s character is brought forth by the choice of the different elements in the house. For example, there are homes with very elegant finishes while others boast of being rustic. Custom cabinets will not only contribute to your home’s character, but they should also enhance your storage. This makes it a good idea to pick a specific style when working on cabinet repairs.
Cabinet repairs are some of the most fun and flexible cosmetic home repairs that you could ever do, especially if you work with a custom cabinet business. You could simply repair and leave the cabinets as they are, or you can go an extra step and give them a new look by painting them and installing new knobs on them. The finished product might have a massive impact on the overall space of the kitchen, which is one of the most important spaces in the average home.
All the cosmetic home repairs listed here can improve your home to an impressive degree. They’ll give you a new sense of pride in homeownership. That’s the main reason why you need not hesitate to get them done when you get a chance to do so.