I live in a small but cheap apartment and want to do some improvement projects. The apartment is an old army building turned in apartments. I need to refinish the old wood floor and there are gapes around the electric outlets on the wall that lets in cold air when wind blows and in Oklahoma the wind blows….
What would be a cheap way to refinish the floors? Maybe paint or stain and would I need to seal the wood first? And how would I insulate the wall outlets to keep the wind out and the heat in? Oh and one more thing…how can I unstuck the old wooden windows this summer so I can use my window AC units?
Thank you for all the help
Asked by:irishcelticeyes@sbcglobal.net
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You can buy expanding foam at any home center (Great Stuff is one brand name.) Hold the can upside down and fill the gaps around the outlets. You can also buy foam outlet gaskets to go under the outlet cover to stop drafts. I would also recommend the oversize outlet covers.
The cheapest and easiest fix for the floor is painting it. Be sure to clean it well first and only use an oil-based floor enamel. Apply with a brush around the edges and use a roller for the rest. Plan on two or three coats allowing 24 hours between each.
To open the stuck windows you will likely have to disassemble. Start by removing the trim holding the bottom sash in place. Pry bottom sash out and strip paint from sash and track. Repaint sash with oil-based paint only. Do not paint track. Good luck.
Any repairs you make should be ok’d by your landlord. Many times they’ll buy the materials if you want to do the labor. On the windows, try a putty knife around the edge where it meets the casing. Chances are the windows are “paint locked”. On the electric outlets, try blown in foam in the can. (on the sides only) not in the area behind the outlets. Good Luck