This is a guest post by John Morris. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

There’s nothing like a bit of DIY, especially if you want to save money. Who knows? Once you’ve tried it, you might discover that do it yourself projects become one of your favorite pastimes. After all, there are few things that are more satisfying than admiring your completed DIY projects; especially if those projects are going to help you enjoy your home more. If DIY sounds like something you’d enjoy, then here are ten handy DIY tips to get you started.

10. A bad workman blames his tools

Good quality tools will make any job easier, quicker and produce better results, so make sure you spend that little extra for tools that are fit for purpose. Buy cheap tools and you’ll only end up spending more money in the long run when it comes to replacements.

9. Safety first

More accidents happen when people are carrying out DIY home tasks than during any other activity in the home, so take every precaution. You could tackle a project like roof cleaning on your own but does it make sense? Don’t carry out electrical repairs unless you’re qualified and wear appropriate safety clothing at all time. Always make that safety equipment, especially ladders, are in good working order.

8. Sometimes only a professional will do

If you’re only starting out, there will be some jobs you simply can’t do. When it comes to complex electrical, plumbing or building work, get a professional in. If you botch a job, it could end up costing you much more in the long run. Never overstretch yourself. Hire a professional. You can always learn something from watching an expert at work!

7. Measure twice cut once

One wrong measurement can ruin an entire job and could mean forking out more cash on replacement materials. Always recheck your measurements. When in doubt, get a second opinion.

6. Patience is a virtue

When it comes to any home DIY job, take your time. Work methodically and meticulously. Rushing a job simply means poor results, costly errors and could result in an accident.

5. See the bigger picture

When renovating or refurbishing choose materials that are fit for purpose. There’s little point putting white PVC windows in a 300-year-old farmhouse!

4. Stay legal

Check with your local authority to make sure you have planning permission for any works you’re about to undertake. And always work within safety legislation when carrying out heating or electrical repairs.

3. Be realistic with your budget

Ever watch those TV programs when eager homeowners go over budget? Nine times out of ten that’s because they haven’t been realistic or planned for the unexpected. Don’t make the same mistake.

2. Plan ahead

Before you start any job, put it all down on paper and plan for every possible eventuality. Consider any works you might want to undertake the future that could impact on the job at hand and future-proof where possible.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not the only DIYer in the world and there are plenty of forums out there to help you. Learning from the mistakes of others means you don’t end up making the same mistakes yourself.

Hopefully these DIY tips help you in your upcoming projects. Good luck and stay safe!

This article was written by John Morris who is a writer, journalist, and editor. He specializes in Home and Garden and often writes articles on home improvement.

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When you choose the right paint colors for the interior surface of your home, it can revitalize and beautify everything from the walls to the ceilings and even the trim. There are literally thousands of combinations you can create with the color choices available on today’s market. And unfortunately because there are so many choices, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed by it all unless you’ve done your research.

First, decide which colors you find yourself drawn to. Knowing which paint colors you love the best is crucial to creating a room that you will want to be in. When you know how color affects your mood it will help in making the right color choice. Taking the time to create your own paint color scheme and sense of style is a big part of the process and will help make the job easier should you decide to hire house painters.

A great place to start is by looking through interior decorating books and magazines that inspire you. You can also go online and visit the many decorating websites that are out there that may even provide you with the specific colors they chose for the rooms. Or you can view the dozens of interior designing shows available on television. Viewing other decorating projects can give you an idea for the latest trends that you might never have considered on your own.

You can also use manufacturer’s paint color samples to find the perfect color or see how different colors go together. And, when it comes to house painting, there is no reason why you have to stick with one manufacturer’s products. Mix and match the paint samples until you find the right combination that you really love even if it means they‘re two different manufacturers.  You can also use decorating software to help you decide on the best colors for your home. There is even software that will let you upload photos of your rooms and change the paint colors so you get a 3D version of a home makeover! Some software programs even include advice from interior decorators on decorating ideas.

And finally, if you can afford to do so, you may even consider hiring a house painter to help you get the job done right the first time. If there are any problems such as cracking or other repairs needed, they have the proper tools and knowledge that will give your home a beautiful long-lasting result.

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This is a guest post by Andy Finn. If you want to guest post on this blog, click here to get more information.

Grapevine is a common term for a vast variety of the Vine Genus Vitis.  This is the vine that is commonly grown for human consumption, either as a fruit bearing or a wine-producing plant.  The grapevine origins are rooted in the Mediterranean region, possibly southern Turkey where they spread to Greece and Italy. Wild varieties are also present in Northern America and were eaten by the natives as berries, though they are unsuitable for wine production.

Of the Genus Vitis, there are many varieties that are suitable for backyard landscaping ideas. Generally speaking, fruit grapevines bear larger and seedless berries through human selection, with a sugar content of about 15% as opposed to wine grapevines that produce smaller but sweeter berries of about 24% sugar content. Red grapes contain also healthy polyphenol antioxidants from the seeds and the skin that have a beneficial impact on blood vessels, reducing high pressure and increasing life expectancy if eaten or drunk as wine in moderation, as they do in France where they live a long life despite a fat rich diet.

Wine grapevines must be carefully pruned in winter times so as to direct the vine energies into berry production rather than plant growth, making a fruit grapevine a better choice for landscaping purposes, as it needs less maintenance and provides any landscaped area with a fast growing foliage to cool and partition different areas of your garden as well as a welcome sweet berry production.

Grapevines grow fast and are particularly useful for covering old brick walls or unsightly parts of your garden, climbing well over trellises and pergolas and giving a characteristic Mediterranean “al fresco” feel. They are best suited to mild climates with warm summers, though some vines have been selected for cooler climates, like the Einset Seedless, Reliance and Venus. Warm climate fruit grapevine varieties include the Thompson Seedless, the Black Monukka, the Ruby Seedless, the Flame and the Fantasy.

Grapevines are best suited for landscaping away from the house because their berries will inevitably attract ants and insects that will naturally carry on into your house. If you need to cover a patio pergola attached to the house, an English Ivy could be a better solution, but for a free-standing pergola, a garden partition, a gazebo, a trellis or a wall, grapevines will confer that unique rustic ambience you can see while visiting California or Tuscany.

They require good drainage and exposure to the sun, so plan a south-facing growing spot if you live in the northern hemisphere and vice versa if you live down under. For the care and attention they require, grapevines offer unparalleled returns, as not only do they cool and protect from the sun but they also beautify the garden as well as providing a ready-made source of edible fruits.

If regularly pruned and looked after they can live a very long time but are sensitive to mildew, so be prepared to use non toxic fungicides if necessary. Because grapevines are fast growing, check regularly their tendrils and shoots so as to guide them where you want to, up a trellis or over the pergola joists. With a little of tender care you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful display of cascading foliage and berries that will enhance the coziness and appeal of your garden, making them a focal point of you landscaping features and attracting family and friends to join you for a relaxing time over a glass of wine.

Backyard landscaping ideas such as grapevine landscaping is a unique, yet satisfying approach to making your yard stand out from the rest in the neighborhood!

Andy Finn likes outdoors and property landscaping. He built himself a DIY pergola and would like to share his experience with tips and suggestions on how to build one as well as garden landscaping in general.

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The Ugly Roof! (May 29,2009)

This blog is geared toward practical solutions, and I certainly have one for you with this post. We had a new roof done on our house approximately ten years ago and, for a long time, it looked great. As the years went by, it started developing streaks and black mold on the roof shingles on the shady side of the house.  Understandably, I was concerned that we’d have to have our roof replaced. Up to this point, I hadn’t really heard of roof cleaning services. The most unnerving thing was that we were told that it should last at least 20 years.  So, I made it a point to start looking at other houses in my town and I saw roof mold, roof stains, and roof algae on many homes.  I remember distinctly, as we backed out of our driveway one day, my eldest daughter exclaimed, “Our roof looks horrible!”  And I agreed, wholeheartedly.

How to Remove Mold

So, I made it my mission to start doing my research on how to get rid of black mold on my roof.  I discovered that the build-up of dirt, mildew, black mold, fungus, and moss is prevalent especially on the roof on the shady side of a house.  I also discovered that there is a product for roof cleaning called Shingle Shield Roof and Deck Cleaner that, when applied with a pump sprayer, and hosed off, will remove these streaks from your roof.

Now the big problem was, to remove these streaks, you had to apply the diluted solution of the roof cleaner, directly to the roof!  And it basically required you to get onto your roof.  My wife had no desire to become a widow, so I ended up calling my chimney professional that cleans my chimney once a year.  He really didn’t know about the product and I thought that this could be another source of revenue for him.  He was interested in doing the job, so I purchased the product online and set up an appointment for him to apply the product to my roof.

He had the proper ladders to get up to the roof and had a special roof ladder that hooked over the ridge of the roof.  Prior to heading onto the roof we made it a point to cover all the bushes with plastic, even though the product is advertised as being non-toxic to plants.  I just thought it would make sense to cover them, just in case.

He then applied the product with a pump sprayer directly onto the streaks first.  Then he applied the solution to the whole roof by moving his roof ladder along the face of the roof.

After applying the solution to the whole roof, I handed him the lawn hose and he went up to the ridge of the house and sprayed off the solution with the garden hose.  He simply moved from one side of the roof to the other and thoroughly hosed down the roof.  You could see the stains disappear almost immediately.

After doing the initial application, you may have to go over individual streaks with a soft brush to get the really dark streaks totally removed. Cleaning roof mold takes some work and elbow grease if you want it entirely off of your roof.

How to Get Rid of Mold Forever

One final step, if you do not want these streaks to return, is to have your roofing specialist apply zinc strips under the shingles at the ridgeline of your roof.  This should prevent the black mold and fungus from returning over time.  You can find these zinc strips on the website mentioned earlier in the post.  As you can see from the before and after photos below, this stuff works! (Please check the updated photo of how it looks two years later.)

Before using ShingleShield.

After using ShingleShield. (June 4,2009)

Instead of paying big bucks for a new roof, consider roof cleaning products and give your roof a makeover.  For a few hundred dollars you’ll be able to look at your house with pride again.

(Updated on August 21st, 2011)

As of August 21, 2011

(Disclosure: I have no affiliation with the product mentioned in this post.  I am just a very happy customer.)

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