Well, that was a fail. Have you ever looked at a home improvement project and determined that while you tried your best, your efforts fell far short of your original vision? What common home improvement errors can you prevent? 

Failure to Plan 

A lot of home improvement problems are caused by a failure to plan. You install your kitchen cupboards, only to find that the cabinets are half a foot short of the wall. You put a toilet in the way of the door so that no one can actually close the door when they are using the bathroom. You add new flooring to your bathroom and kitchen, only to realize that it’s not at all waterproof. Creating a plan in advance and taking it to your renovation professionals can help you plan your home well, instead of creating problems that might be funny in the short term but could just be annoying in the long term.

Sending Water Anywhere It’s Not Supposed to Go 

When you’re thinking about your home’s exterior and landscaping renovations, the key to all of these renovations is to keep water away from the building’s foundation. Your landscaping should send water away from your home, not into your foundation. Water around the foundation leads to problems with shifting foundations and leaks. 

Putting in Inadequate Ventilation 

Water accumulation inside the home is just as insidious as water accumulation outside. According to the US Department of Energy’s guide to home ventilation, “Without proper ventilation, an otherwise insulated and airtight house will seal in harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, and moisture that can damage a house.” This can lead to air quality problems, and it can also lead to chronic home concerns such as the development of mold. The next time you renovate your bathroom, remember that getting rid of the moisture is even more important than putting in a good-looking cabinet.

A Lack of Home Fashion Sense 

What color are your gutters? You decided on what trim color for your home? Sometimes, people who love color but don’t have a great sense of how it fits with other colors get left in charge of choosing paint colors for the home. Houzz suggests that you consider the history of the home and choose colors appropriate to the home’s aesthetic. In addition, you should “Look for undertones between (the colors) that might inform your palette.” Instead of creating an eyesore that might take some time and energy to fix, work with home improvement professionals such as designers who can give you a sense of what exterior colors work well together and can give you tips about where a splash of strong color would fit into your overall plan for your home. 

Of course, when it comes to choosing gutters and roofing, you have much more than color choices to consider. Download our free gutter guide to learn more.

Failing to Manage Your Gutters 

Those saggy gutters used to be shiny and new. However, you didn’t install them with enough brackets, or you failed to install them on the correct slope. Now, debris and water accumulate in the gutters, sending water over the edge. 

What can you do instead? If you’re not sure how to install your gutters, work with professionals. Install a gutter guard over top of your gutters as well to ensure that you don’t get any debris accumulation inside.

At Harry Helmet, we’re devoted to the fine art of home improvement. Talk with us about roof replacement, gutter replacement, and gutter guard systems. Schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud