A Quick Bathroom DIY May Actually Boost Your Home's Resale Value

Preparing to sell your home can feel like a race to refresh every surface and create a space that feels move-in ready. From painting to finishing those scattered projects, completing these tasks can be as demanding physically as they are on the wallet. With this, it's important to make sure your home DIYs will boost resale value and truly pay off in the end. Two simple, inexpensive, beginner-friendly tasks you can complete to improve the look of your bathroom and help with resale are refreshing grout and caulk.

Before diving in, it's important to understand the main differences between grouting and caulking. Grouting in bathrooms involves adding a cement mixture between tiles to fill empty space and help secure them in place. Caulk is a more flexible material installed around sinks and bathtubs to fill gaps and prevent air and water from getting through. These materials are crucial in bathrooms for preventing water damage, but over time, their appearance can become dingy and worn down.

Refreshing the grout lines in your bathroom tile will require you to have some specific materials on hand. These tools can include, but may not be limited to, grout mix, a bucket, water, a margin trowel, a grout float, a sponge, work gloves, painter's tape, and a damp cloth, depending on your project specifics. The actual process includes cleaning the tile to remove any buildup, taping off the area, and mixing the grout. Next, you'll need to spread it across joints with the float and wipe away excess with the damp cloth. You can also seal the grout after it dries for even more protection.

The mistakes to avoid when regrouting tile include picking the wrong grout for your space. Unsanded grout, for example, may not hold up among tiles with wider joints, while sanded grout can scratch delicate materials. Improperly mixing the grout is another problem. Specifically, too much water makes the final product too weak to stand up to use, while too little makes it hard to spread. It's also important not to rush these steps. Skipping through important tasks can lead to a final product that looks sloppy rather than updated.

Choosing the right caulking materials can make all the difference when refreshing your bathroom before a home sale. You'll need to make sure you have a caulking gun, painter's tape, a utility knife to remove old caulk, a damp cloth, and the caulk itself. Start by removing old caulk by using the sharp edge of a utility knife to lift it, and then gently clean the surface to remove any buildup. Next, add tape along the edges, insert the caulking tube into the gun, and cut the nozzle tip at an angle. Once the old caulk is removed, it's time to add the new material. Start by applying an even bead of caulk while moving slowly along the seam.

Don't skip removing the old caulk before adding the new. If you do, this not only can have an unappealing appearance but also may not provide the same protection as caulk that's correctly installed. Additionally, researching some of the biggest home renovation real estate mistakes before a home sale, such as downsizing too much, can help ensure you're on the right track to a seamless transaction.