Whether you're finishing a basement, repairing a damaged wall, or hanging drywall in a new house, these taping tips will help you make smooth, invisible seams, even at inside corners. Eliminate as many hard-to-hide butt joints as you can To hide “butt joints” (where two non-tapered ends of drywall meet), you have to build up a hump of joint compound that's very thin and wide. This is time consuming and difficult to do well. So if you're a novice drywall finisher, avoiding butt joints is smart. The best way to avoid butt joints is to use sheets of drywall that are long enough to cover entire walls and ceilings. As a result, you'll have only tapered joints to finish. Drywall sheets are commonl
I do a fair share of painting. Here are some tips for painting both smooth and textured ceilings, with equipment recommendations and tricks of the trade. Use a Stain-Blocking Primer to Cover Flaws Roof leaks, overflowing sinks, tobacco smoke and big spills can all leave ugly ceiling stains or dinginess that is impossible to conceal with plain old paint. But cover the stain with a coat of stain-blocking primer and your troubles are over. The traditional favorite is white pigmented shellac. You can buy spray cans of pigmented shellac. If you're painting over a ceiling that's yellow from smoke, roll a coat of shellac over the entire ceiling before painting with latex. Sand Before You Paint Ove
Here are some secrets and tips for producing a great-looking interior paint job. Roll Paint Along the Edges for Consistent Texture Corners and areas next to trim that are painted only with a brush have a noticeably different texture than the surrounding paint. To ensure the finished texture will be consistent in these areas, brush on the paint, then immediately roll it out before the paint dries. Use a 3-in. roller with a nap that's the same thickness that was used for the rest of the wall. Roll as close as you can without bumping the opposite wall or slopping paint onto the trim. Finish brushing on the paint and rolling it out in one area before moving on to the next section. Prime and Text
Keep up on your home maintenance to ensure a safe, healthy home this December and season. December is here along with the cold weather. If your home is cold, you’ll want to make sure your winter maintenance tasks are being completed this month. This can include insulating the plumbing so that your pipes don’t freeze, sealing out drafts, and making sure your home is protected from the elements. You will also want to clean out your dryer ducts, be smart about fireplace safety and keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen in the event of a grease fire. If you decorate your home for the holidays, remember to hang your lights safely and be cautious when climbing ladders. Inside the home: Untangle
