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2016 Fall Home Improvement LINCOLN DAILY NEWS SEPT. 27, 2016 Page 17
Replacing covers is important for
two reasons. The first reason, as
mentioned, is one of safety. Old covers
crack and wear down over time, which
can possibly expose the electrical
components behind them. This can be
a problem if anything creeps in to the
wall, like moisture.
The second reason it’s important to
replace covers is an
aesthetic one. While
the outlets and the
switches should
definitely stick out
and be apparent,
you don’t want
them to be eyesores.
Luckily, covers
can be painted; so
if you can’t spend
the money on new
covers, you can at
least paint them a
different color (just
be sure you take
them off the wall
first).
Check the Pipes
Plumbing can be a very intimidating
and confusing thing. However, it can
also be quite surprising to check and
see just how much of a plumbing can
actually be fixed with a strong pair
of hands, a bucket, and a wrench.
Admittedly, plumbing might not be
the first thing one thinks of when
transitioning from summer to fall, but
a lack of frozen pipes in the winter is
worth an inspection now.
An inspection might be the most
expensive thing on the list, as certified
inspectors should provide the most
informed opinion on plumbing.
For anyone moving into a home, it’s too
easy to imagine this scenario. You get
moved in, all the furniture is inside, the
power is on, and the water is ready to
go. Then you hear the dripping under
the bathroom sink.
Luckily for the new homeowner, fixing
the leak is as easy as turning off the
water, disconnecting the pipe (and take
a moment to clean it out- you never
know how many months of filth have
built up in it), and tightening it back
on as strong as possible. Sometimes
even a leaky faucet just needs the same
thing. The various parts of a faucet are
coated in grime as time moves on, and
sometimes the best thing for a sink is to
take it apart and wipe everything down.
This is easy, so long as you remember
how it came apart so you can put it
back together.
In the world of home improvement,
sometimes the best way to save money
is just do it yourself. It can be all-too
tempting to call a professional in for
what, in all reality, can easily be fixed
or adjusted with one’s own two hands,
the right tools, a little elbow grease, or
maybe just a little imagination.