Tag Archives: repairs

Mar28

Spring Renovations: Are These Projects Worth The Money?

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Spring Renovations: Are These Projects Worth The Money?

When spring arrives, it can feel only natural to want to get outdoors and start tending to your yard or garden. After a long and cold winter, it could really need it! Surely, you’ll want to make everything look as good as new.

That can all seem very well, especially if you are thinking of selling the home soon or just want to make it look a little different. But are some of the home projects or renovations that you have planned in your mind going to be worth it? Here are some suggestions for you, to make sure that you’d be getting your money’s worth for each project:

Yard/Garden Landscaping

If the sun shines and the flowers are blossoming, then who wouldn’t want to be outdoors? But if you want a super-styled outdoor space, rather than just a rose bush by the picket fence, then it can cost you quite a bit to get it done. It can mean some major changes to the yard, with some digging up, possibly concrete being added, and things like ponds being made. It can really change the look of the space, so you need to decide if it is going to be worth it for you.

If you are planning a move sooner rather than later, then in reality, there are plenty of other things that you can do to improve the curb appeal of your home, rather than getting the yard landscaped. Getting new plants and generally tidying up the outside space could be a much better use of your cash. If you’re not planning to move, then you just need to weigh up the pros and the cons. If you do want to landscape, consider it carefully. Will you need to outsource to bring your landscape design vision to life? Are there aspects of your design that you could DIY? Be realistic about what you are capable of. At the end of the day, the yard is the first thing people notice and sometimes the best thing is leaving it to the professionals if you are lacking the time or green thumbs.

Driveway Repairs:

If you have a driveway, then over the winter it can take a beating with the ice, snow, rain, and salt being added to it on a daily basis. The thing is, just putting a new layer of concrete or asphalt over the top isn’t always going to be that simple. You have to think about the foundations and any cracks, as they could lead to problems if they’re not dealt with. So it can involve some heavy machinery to get it looked at and repaired.

The thing is, though, is that a driveway is something that a potential buyer would be looking at right away. So if you are looking to move, it could be the thing that tips the scales for a buyer. On the flipside, if you’re planning to move, then you may not be bothered about the driveway and leave it for the new owner. So it comes down to how long you’ve got left living there and if you’ve got it in the budget. Should the driveway be a project you would like to tackle, simply enter a search for “asphalt driveway portland, OR” (or your local area) to begin researching the right team to take on the job. A driveway is one of the first things people see and you will want it looking its best the first time around.

Repainting:

Winter brings with it lots of shades of gray, and can often leave you feeling that you need some color in your life. Many experts agree that painting can change the look of a home, both interior and exterior, for a pretty low cost. So it can be worth doing, as if you do it yourself, all you are paying for are tins of paint. Professionals like Textbook Painting would be able to provide the right equipment, if you were painting the outside of the house, for example, but can still keep costs down. So if you want to freshen things up, then repainting is an easy win, and would be worth doing, moving home or not.

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A bright colored accent wall always goes down well!

Repairing/Replacing Siding:

The siding on your home is what takes the brute force from bad weather. A particularly harsh winter could have wreaked havoc on the condition of it. So if yours is looking a little worse for wear, then right about now could be a good time to repair or replace it. But it is going to be worth it? In short, yes, it is going to be worth it. But the actual process can be long and quite costly.

First of all, this isn’t something that you can do easily by yourself. So really, you will be paying the cost of labor for contractors to do it for you. And that can reach into the region of around $10,000. So to justify the cost, then you probably need to ‘wait’ until the siding is looking in particularly bad repair. If it is not peeling, coming away, or there are no loose parts, then it could be worth leaving for a little longer, simply to get more bang for your buck.

If only some of it is looking bad, then you could replace just those panels rather than the whole lot. That would be a good way to save money but still improve the look and condition of things. You could also consider simply repainting your siding, if there are just a few parts that are peeling off. Get them sanded down, ready to paint, and it can look like new afterwards.

While spring is a great time of year to be making changes, think carefully and plan out any projects or renovations before you get started on them!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar27

A Quick Home Maintenance Guide For Homeowners

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A Quick Home Maintenance Guide For Homeowners

Homeowners need to get to grips with home maintenance if they’re going to keep their home running well and comfortable enough to live in. This quick home maintenance guide can give you a few useful tips that will help you to keep on top of things now and in the future:

Keep Your Furnace And HVAC Filters In Working Order:

If you don’t stay on top of your furnace and HVAC filters, dust and grime will accumulate and this will mean they run less efficiently, costing you more money. Allergens and pollutants can also get trapped, and you don’t want those being spread around your home. All you have to do is turn off the system and look at the filters to see if they are grimy. Check these over every year and be sure to schedule an annual maintenance check with your preferred home heating and air professionals to ensure that everything is in working order.

Recaulk Your Windows:

Heat loss in the winter happens due to cracks in the windows 80% of the time. Sealing the space around them will help you to solve this issue quickly, so you can keep your home warm and save money. Make sure that you choose the right caulk by speaking to a professional so that you can get it right the first time. If you book in a professional home inspection, they’ll look for this and give you tips on maintaining your home to help protect your investment.

Check Wooden Decks For Moisture:

Wooden decks must be sealed and stained to stop rot and permanent water damage. A splash test will give you a good idea if the sealant is still doing its job. You’ll see droplets on the deck if it’s working. If not, then you need to take the time to reseal your deck, doing this every 2-3 years in total.

Clean Out The Gutters:

Guttering is one place that often goes unattended due to it typically being out of reach and sight. However, cleaning out gutters is essential, especially if they’re not closed off. From the weather and elements, a lot of debris can become clogged up in the guttering and with rainfall, it can seep into the walls and internal structure of the home. Get up on a ladder to remove it yourself safely or seek guttering services to get it done professionally.

Check For Water In The Crawl Space:

You want to avoid mold and water damage to your house as much as possible, so just grab a flashlight and take a look. Have a look for changes in color, the corners, and the edges. You can also use your fingers to see if you feel any dampness. You need to make sure this is fixed by a waterproofing company in Arrington, TN or your local area before rainy weather comes, as you don’t want to let any more moisture in.

Touching Up Your Exterior Paint:

Your paint greatly contributes to your curb appeal, and staining will help to protect your home from rusting and rotting. Take your time and look for chipping, peeling, blistering, or cracking on every part, every summer. You may, then, need to take your time sanding, scraping, patching, priming, and re-painting small areas.

Maintain Your Fireplace:

If your fire isn’t running the way it should, it could go as far as killing you with toxic gases. At the very least, it’ll take up a lot of energy. It’s always better to build a relationship with a professional that you trust to help you with this. If you have a wood burning fireplace, then it’s especially important to stay on top of maintenance. Creosote is a by-product of burning wood and this can build up in your chimney and create a fire hazard.

Keeping up with simple maintenance will keep your home running smoothly and will save you money in the long run.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar6

Spending Money To Save Money

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Spending Money To Save Money

Money is by far the most challenging area for modern people to handle in their life. With jobs paying less than they have for a long time, the world’s finances in tatters, and temptations around every corner, it can often feel impossible to save a little for when times are tougher. This leaves a lot of people feeling worried about their position. Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way, and a lot of people have the tools that they need to start saving right in front of them; they just need to spend a little first.

With the world in such bad shape with money, it can often feel like you have to work to save wherever you can. While this can be a good mentality to hold, it can also cause some damage, forcing people to avoid spending anything at all. In cases where quality, time, and value are all factors, this doesn’t always work out. Instead of saving a buck, you will have to go back and pay again, resulting in spending over double what you initially budgeted. This sort of issue only applies to certain things. In most cases, any professional service should be handled like this, and you can find some examples below to help you to do it correctly:

Accounting/Investing:

Given that money is so important, it doesn’t makes sense for you to manage every aspect of it yourself. When it comes to something like taxes, you will need to work hard to make payments correctly, and this can be a challenge without the right skills. Making a mistake here will often result in fines which are far larger than the costs of some support.

Investing is another great example of “spending money to make money”, but it can be hard to know where to start. For something like investing, reputation is everything so you need to find someone you trust for help. Resources like AAIG or even local investing clubs can help give you the tools you need to make smart investment decisions.

Moving Home:

When you decide to move to a new place, there are a couple of people ready to help you; estate agents and moving companies. The first will be able to find your new place for you, dealing with the complex and monotonous paperwork which comes with it. The second will be there to help you to pack, transport, and move all of your items into your new home without (hopefully!) breaking anything.

Construction:

There are loads of parts of the home which you need to be qualified to work on. Electrical, plumbing, and gas can all be very dangerous, and the work that you do on these areas will often be refused approval on the grounds that you don’t have the right credentials. This can result in having to pay for the same fees more than once, resulting in big bills which will be hard to pay.

Hopefully, there will be very few times in your life when you need help like this. For the regular jobs, you will often be able to find people willing to work on a subscription-like basis, saving loads of time when it comes to booking them. In some cases, you might need something bigger, though. In either situation, spending a little extra can save you a whole lot, especially when you’re dealing with high-value items.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan2

New Year, New Home

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New Year, New Home

The New Year is the perfect time to start thinking about revamping your home. Traditionally, a lot of people wait until the spring to spruce up their homes, but that just means that they don’t get to enjoy the change in the weather quite so much. No, the winter time when it’s cold, and we’ve just started a new calendar is the best time for fixing up the home and here are some tips to help you with that:

Clear Your Clutter:

Chances are that you’re entering the New Year with the aim of cleansing your body and keeping it as clear and clutter-free as possible. Why not do the same for your home? A house that is free from clutter is a house that looks great, allows you to live life exactly how you want to, and best of all, is easy to clean. So, pick a room and start decluttering. Do the same with another room tomorrow and keep going until you have no stuff in your home that you don’t expressly want to be there.

Ensure it’s Safe:

Your house is your home, your safe haven, and the one place you can retreat to and not have to worry about the outside world. So, it’s important that it is really safe. Now is the perfect time to go around your property checking that the security cameras work, ensuring that the fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in great shape, and testing the locks on your doors and windows. That way, you’ll have a safe and snug 2018.

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Is your smoke alarm working?

Keep It Clean:

A clean house is an inviting house. When your home looks and smells god, it makes you and your guests happy to be there. So, make 2018 the year when you finally get serious about chores. To make it easy for yourself, invest in the basics like rubber gloves, brushes, cleaning fluids, and dusters and store them all in one central location. Then, draw up a schedule of when you’ll clean each room or when you’ll complete each cleaning task. By grouping tasks like cleaning the windows or vacuuming the carpets together, it’ll be easier to keep your home cleaner without missing anything or spending too much time on it.

Mend the Cracks:

January is an excellent time to call in the handyman and have him do all of those little jobs like patching up the holes in the basement floor or re-tiling the roof, that you haven’t got around to yet. Why? Because handymen are often less busy at this time of year, before the spring rush, so you can get things done more quickly, and sometimes even cheaper, than at other times of the year.

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Patch it up!

A Fresh Coat of Paint:

Last, but not least, if you want to seriously spruce your home up for the New Year, why not treat it to a lick of paint? It’s amazing how transformative a new color on the walls can be, and it needn’t cost you too much money or time (Get the handyman to do it.), either!

Here’s to a fabulous ‘new’ home this year!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sep1

DIY Lies That You Should Never Listen To

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DIY Lies That You Should Never Listen To

DIY work is something that everyone has tried at some point in their lives. Perhaps you have tried to put together a fence in the garden or maybe attempted to repair something in the kitchen. Some are successful…. some aren’t. DIY success depends on a number of different factors, but there is one major source of information that everyone attempts to follow when they’re presented with a broken appliance or issue: the internet.

The internet is full of useful facts, information, and tutorials that can teach us everything from how to dance to how we can use cardboard boxes as furniture. It goes without saying that the internet is a valuable learning resource, but there’s one problem that far too many people overlook; is the information even credible?

With so many articles and blogs on the internet, it can sometimes be hard trying to discern if something is true or false. In this article, we’ll be going through some of the most common lies that people tell you about DIY and why they’re false. This is to prevent you from making bad decisions when it comes to home repairs and also to alert you about the dangers of false information on the internet.

DIY Is Cheaper Than Calling A Contractor:

Perhaps the biggest flaw in this way of thinking is that DIY is the cheaper option. This assumes that you already have all of the tools and materials to do whatever repair or renovation that you want. And we all know that this can be expensive! Let’s assume that you want to repair a leaking pipe in your bathroom. Not only do you need to purchase the right tools for the job, but you also need to purchase the materials, such as piping, and it needs to be cut to size and shaped appropriately. Add in the additional cost of delivery and you’re going to be paying more than it would cost to hire someone to repair it for you. If you look at plumbing services, such as www.alltex-plumbing.com, you’ll find that it’s actually fairly cheap to hire a contractor. Compare this to the cost of learning something, purchasing the tools, and getting the materials and you’ll see how much cheaper it actually is.

DIY Is Easy to Learn:

DIY is never easy to learn. Among all of the articles that you might read and tutorial videos that you can watch, there’s going to be some information missing. Most of those people usually aren’t qualified teachers, which means that they aren’t exactly the best at explaining things. In addition, experience is what makes a good contractor and unless you have a large supply of broken appliances to fix, it’s difficult to get enough practice in. Small DIY projects can be fun and fulfilling, but larger repair projects should be left to the pros.

In short, DIY is not easy to learn and it’s not cheap, either. If you’re absolutely certain about learning DIY, then you can check websites, such as https://www.familyhandyman.com/skills, to get more information. Just be warned; you need to dedicate yourself to DIY if you really want to get something out of it. And all of the Pinterest projects will be waiting for you when you’re ready!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul26

Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

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Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

If you are in the process of selling your home, you will probably be exploring the possibility of making a few upgrades. This is an effective way to ensure that your house sells quickly and at the price which you are asking. One of the rooms that you should definitely place a lot of attention on is your bathroom. THE THRONE ROOM! Here are some suggestions on how to make your salle de bain the best ever:

Add an ottoman or stool: By adding a stunning piece of decor that is also functional, you create the ultimate private hotel suite look. Why not put a stool beside the bathtub? You can add a potted plant, candle, or some hand towels to complete the look. Another option is to go for a long ottoman or a marble side table. Nothing says “luxury” like a gorgeous piece of furniture to drape your clothes on!

Buy a new toilet: Let’s face it, who really wants to use a toilet that countless other people have been using for many years? NO ONE. Upgrading your toilet can make your bathroom look new, and it will create a good impression on anyone that is interested in buying your home. Toto Toilets are good because they offer quality, as well as a versatile style selection. But we suggest playing it safe – not many people are going to want a bright red toilet!

Change your counter tops: A lot of people assume that changing their counter tops is going to be an expensive job. However, it is something that you can do yourself. DIY faux marble counter tops will cost you less than $100, yet they will look like they have cost a small fortune. This is a great way to give your bathroom a glam update without breaking the bank.

Flower frenzy: It is amazing how much of a difference that some fresh flowers can make. Fresh plants and flowers will make your bathroom come alive, adding instant texture and color. Plus, they improve the air quality in the room, making it much more welcoming when your viewers look around. There are many different styles of plants and flowers to choose from, but lush purple orchids work especially well in bathrooms.

Stick with neutrals: If you are going to invest in new cabinets, upgrade your tiles, or repaint your walls, it is always wise to stick with a neutral palette for these elements. This will appeal to buyers, because they want to imagine living there, which can be hard to do if you choose a vibrant color that is not suited to their taste. If you do want to add some color to the room, it is best to do it via the likes of accessories and towels.

Clean thoroughly: Last but not least, the importance of cleaning thoroughly should not be understated. Giving your bathroom a quick wipe over will not suffice. You need to ensure that every inch of the room is spotless – even the corners that you don’t think your home viewers will see. A sparkling bathroom gives the impression that your home has been well loved and maintained during your time there.

Bathrooms are where luxury and smart decor is key. Use the tips above to make your home fly off of the market in no time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun10

Build The Ultimate Home Workshop

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Build The Ultimate Home Workshop

So many people aren’t using their garages for any particular purpose, and when it comes to what you should do with all of that space, there are obviously a lot of possibilities. Today, we’re going to look at a suggestion for those who love to build things; we’re going to explore the possibility of turning your garage into a workshop. This can be a great option for both hobbyists and business owners alike. Here are a few tips for going about a conversion in the right way:

Professional renovation? If you don’t fancy taking a DIY route, then you could always hire renovation experts to do it for you. While this can be expensive, it also ensures that the project is being handled by people who have done this sort of thing several times before. The renovation team as well as electricians and plumbers will visit site for a consultation and work with you to help your vision come to life in the safest way possible. The problem with this route is that you might be underestimating yourself. Turning a garage into a workshop is nowhere near as complicated as it may sound. Plus, if you like building things anyways, then surely it would be pretty good to be able to say that you built the workshop with your own bare hands?

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Hopefully yours will be a little neater.

What You Need to Add: Of course, whether or not you should seek expert assistance may depend on how much you need to renovate your garage. A workshop is going to require more electricity than your average garage that’s only used for storage. And if that means that you need to do some rewiring, then you should definitely hire an electrician. To find a professional in your area, you can simply search for “electrician near me“. This is a task that you should not try to do alone, for safety’s sake. There is a lot that can go wrong and it’s best to leave it to the pros.

You may also want to consider the fact that new plumbing may be required, because you’ll want some sort of water flow going into the shop for safety reasons. You can get tips for hiring the right person at http://www.homeadvisor.com/. But when it comes to shelving, storage, the workbench, the flooring – all of these elements are things that you can do yourself.

Equipment: So what kind of work are you going to be doing? It’s best to figure this out now, instead of being vague about what it is that you want. This will allow you to build the most appropriate workshop with the proper tools. (Knowing what tools you’ll need will help you when it comes to planning storage and safety measures.) For example, if you’re going to work with metal, then you may want to look into decent welders; you can read more at https://pickwelder.com/. And if you know that you’ll need a welder, then you’ll know what sort of workbench that you should build, as well as what defensive measures you should be installing to avoid spark risks.

Not only will you need the proper equipment for your workshop but you will need furnishings as well. This can include storage options, a desk, a comfortable chair, a sink or basin, and perhaps a speaker or two so you can rock out while you work. Companies like Dura Ltd (or a similar one in your local area) specialize in workshop specific furnishings. This is a smart thing to look into as it will fit in your workshop seamlessly without modifications.

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If it can fuse metal, you should probably be careful with it. 😉

Safety: There are a few other things to consider when it comes to safety. Assessing the risks of an average workshop is the best way to go about this. You’ll probably want to install something that will help clean your eyes or any wounds or burns. First aid kits are also essential. You’ll also want to give a lot of thought to the floor. Your best bet might be to use epoxy floor paint; you can instruct yourself on this at https://www.familyhandyman.com/. Epoxy floor paint helps protects you from falls and it’s also much easier to clean up spills.

Another excellent flooring option you could consider is aluminum chequer plate sheets for its durability. It provides a great metallic sheen to keep the space feeling fresh and is easy to clean. If this is the route you would like to go, a good place to start is with https://www.chequerplatedirect.co.uk/ (or a similar company in your local area). You will have the best looking workshop on the block!

Whether you’re an expert crafter or just need somewhere to clear your mind, a garage workshop could be an amazing addition to your home!

Jun6

Making Sure That Your Home Is A Safe Environment

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Making Sure That Your Home Is A Safe Environment

As the saying goes, home is where the heart is. So it’s not surprising that we all want to protect our homes from any possible harm that may come their way. Most problems can be easily avoided, so here are some of the main issues that pose a risk to the safety of your home and the best ways to deal with them:

Burglary: Any home is a target for burglars. Regardless of the place that you choose to live, your home could be broken into if you are not careful. But there are several precautions that can be taken to put would-be burglars off. Some precautions are common sense: making sure that all doors are locked and that windows are closed when there is nobody in the room to supervise them. There are also some extra steps that you can take to put your mind at ease. Always pull curtains closed at night. This means that potential thieves won’t be able to take a look in and scout out certain prize items that they might like to take.

You can also install motion sensor lighting around the perimeters of your home. These will be activated by the slightest movements, alerting you to anyone’s presence in the vicinity of your home’s grounds. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also install CCTV cameras near access points into your home, such as windows and doors. To protect your home from the inside, you might like to consider investing in a home security system. This will alert you to intruders downstairs when you are upstairs asleep.

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Not today, burglar. Not today.

Accidental Damage: Despite our best efforts, there will always be some form of accidental damage in the home. A little one might kick a ball indoors and send a TV set falling from its wall mount. Or perhaps a pet will walk along your mantelpiece, knocking off precious ornaments and crockery. Regardless of the cause of accidental damage, it is important that you are prepared for it. This is where home insurance comes into play. Make sure that you have a generous policy that states it will repair or replace anything that is accidentally damaged in your home. Remember though: prevention is better than cure. Lay down some house rules with your family and visitors to minimize the chances of accidents occurring in the first place.

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 Yikes!

Faulty Goods: In a similar vein to accidental damage lies faulty goods. Sometimes stores will unknowingly sell you an item that just isn’t quite up to scratch. Faulty goods can often break before you have gained much use from them. At best, you are left with a worthless item lying about your house in need of repairs or replacement. At worst, faulty goods could pose serious risks, such as fires or electrical hazards.

Your products should always live up to your expectations. Good quality products most often will. This is why you should always invest in items with a good warranty. A long lasting warranty displays the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. What’s even better? If something does go wrong, you will be able to have the faulty item replaced free of charge. Check out some of the best warranties on the market at https://warrantyguides.com/best-home-warranty-companies. This site will show you the most promising guarantees on the market.

Many home warranty companies will allow you to customize a plan that makes sense for your home, lifestyle, and budget. Do a walk through of your home and make a list of the items that you think should fall under the warranty and ones that you have questions about. Then, enter a search for “home warranty companies in Arizona” (or your local area) for a consultation. Should any problems arise, you will be so glad that you took this step.

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 Lol, why is there a game controller in the fridge?

Fire: Fire can destroy homes in a matter of minutes, so they are to be avoided at all costs. This mainly takes a little common sense. Don’t leave candles burning unsupervised. Unplug items that are not being used. Make sure that you turn the oven off as soon as you have finished cooking with it. If you are a smoker, refrain from smoking in the house. Stub out your cigarette ends and dispose of them safely in an ashtray.

However, sometimes accidents can occur. You should be prepared for these, even if they are unlikely. Regularly check that your smoke alarms are working properly. You should also have basic fire safety equipment in your home, such as a fire blanket in the kitchen. Make sure that you have a plan in place for the unfortunate event of a fire. Know your exits and the fastest routes out of your home.

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Check your batteries often!

Child Proofing: Even if you don’t have any children, your home should always be child-friendly. This means that if visitors arrive with children, that your home is immediately ready to accommodate them. There are certain key elements when it comes to making sure that little ones are safe and sound in your living space. Make sure that blind cords are rolled up and out of the way. Children can easily become tangled in them, which could prove fatal. Cover plug sockets, as little fingers will often stray into them and this could result in a nasty shock. For the same reasons, make sure that there aren’t any exposed wires lying about. Remove any piles of objects balanced on top of each other, as they can topple and knock a small child down.

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Flickr Image

Garden Safety: The garden can often be overlooked when looking at a home’s overall safety. But it is just as important of an area as the rest, especially in the summer months when people will be tempted to spend more time outdoors. Make sure that any tools are stored away in a locked shed when they are not being used. Loose tools scattered around the garden pose a serious trip hazard or could be stood on, resulting in twisted ankles or injuries from sharp edges or points.

The same goes for bicycles or garden toys. Keeping belongings in a shed is also beneficial for deterring potential burglars, who are likely to take desirable items such as lawn mowers or bicycles from gardens at night. Make sure that any ponds or water features are clearly visible and marked to avoid people falling in. You should also check the perimeters of your garden every so often. Broken or splintered fences can catch on clothes and skin as you brush by.

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Lock your shed at night!

Creating a safe living environment means creating a happy one that is free from injuries and unneeded stress. Follow these tips to ensure that your home is as safe as can be!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May5

How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

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How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

We all know the importance of taking pride in our homes. We work hard to keep our dwellings spick and span and looking its best. We constantly strive to make sure they are cozy, comfortable, and a happy place for our families. But, sometimes we need to really up our game and whip our houses into shape with some serious elbow grease. However, that can be easier said than done as it can be tough to know where to start.

So whether you’re looking to add value to your house because you’re wanting to sell or whether you’re just looking for the best ways to really make the most out of your home, here are our simple tips on how to do just that:

Start From the Top: Looking at our attics as a potential area for extending our living space is one of the top ways to add significant value to our homes. If you think your property would benefit from an extra bedroom or if you think that your home needs an amazing game room, your attic could be just the ticket. Get a builder to take a look at your attic and see what possibilities are open to you. Although attic conversions take money and time, the return on the investment is usually really high. A £15,000 attic conversion, can add an extra £30,000 to the value of your house, so it’s well worth considering. Or if you’re staying put and just looking for extra room for your family, this really is the best part of your house to consider opening up.

Extend Into Your Garden: Extending your property into your garden is another great way that you can expand your living space and subsequently add value to your home. Be cautious when taking on conservatory projects, however, as sometimes they can look like an afterthought. An extra unit just bolted onto the side of your home doesn’t look so attractive. Work closely with an experienced builder to see how your conservatory can create a natural flow from your internal home and out into your outdoor world.

Make sure that the style fits well with the existing decor of your house and consider putting the same flooring down from the connecting room so that you give off that natural flow. A full build conservatory can cost as little as £4,000 and can add as much as 9% to the value of your home so, again, this option is well worth looking into.

A Lick of Paint Works Wonders: There’s nothing that drags down the overall appearance of a home more than dull, tired, and old paint work. Look at the paint both internally and externally on your house and get to work. This is a job that you can take on yourself, but to make it as easy as possible for you, you should consider investing in a paint spray machine. It will quarter the amount of time that you spend painting and provides really even coverage. Try shopping around for the best paint spray machines at Tool Nerds.

Before rolling those sleeves up and going in, all paint guns blazing, take some time to consider the most attractive colors for your home. Think of how to cleverly mix neutral with statement colors and plan each individual room and living space accordingly.

When considering the outside of your home, you will need to look at the bigger picture. Look at the houses on either side of you and along your street. Look at the general color palette on the street and think about a color for your house that would not only make it look fantastic, but will also compliment the colors of your neighbors’ home. This will not only give your home an instant facelift, but it will also help make your street look more desirable in general.

Windows are the Soul to Your Home: Windows can be so easily overlooked when sprucing up and renovating homes. Whatever plans you may have for your windows, make sure that they are cohesive with the age and style of your house. Replacing old, tatty, and even moldy or rotting windows will instantly lift the look of your home and provide some much needed sunlight and fresh air into your quarters. This transformation is sure to boost your curb appeal if done right so take the time to explore several different styles before making your decision. You could go eclectic with some stained glass fixtures, classic with custom timber windows, or rustic by adding quaint wooden shutters. The possibilities are endless!

First Impression: The smaller details are just as important as the big when it comes to adding value to our homes. Dingy, faded, and old front doors are certainly not the first impression that you want to give off to any potential buyers or guests coming to your home for the first time. Make sure that you get your new paint spray machine out on your front door, too. Once you’ve painted your front door and it’s looking shiny and new, think about elements such as doorknobs and the sign to your house (if you have one) or your house number.

Look into solid, decadent looking doorknobs and stainless steel house numbers to really have your front door looking in tip top condition. These little extras are incredibly affordable and can make all of the difference to visitors getting excited about stepping inside of your much-loved home.

The Hall: The hall is your second opportunity to make a lasting first impression. Keeping the kids’ shoes stored away and all coats and scarves neatly hidden out of site is the first thing that must be done. Then, take a look around the space. How can you improve the overall feel and style of your hallway so that people instantly feel warm, welcome, and inspired by your home? It all starts with mirrors and lighting.

Hanging mirrors on the wall will open up small hallways and give the impression that they are larger than they are. Natural light will also give off a feeling of spaciousness. For evening lighting think of low, mood lighting that will create a soothing and calming ambience to the entrance of your home. Avoid harsh overhead lighting and invest in interesting lamps or low-lit floor lights for a warm and inviting atmosphere that beckons visitors into the heart of your home.

Ready, get set, and get to work on making your home look brand new and beautiful!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Apr21

Why Does My Shower Take Forever To Heat Up?

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Why Does My Shower Take Forever To Heat Up?

If you’re like most people, you probably set your alarm to leave just enough time to get up, have a quick but warm shower, get dressed, and then out the door and on your way to work. If you have days where you have to spend ages waiting for your shower to heat up, you’ll know how annoying this can be. Here are the most common reasons for your water taking forever to heat up:

Your Shower’s Far Away From your Water Heater: Most homes have a single heater, with a network of piping that takes the heated water to various fixtures around the house. Depending on the size of your home, hot water may have a long way to go before it comes out of your shower head. Remember that plumbing doesn’t travel in a straight line, so if there is 50 feet of distance between the heater and a fixture, it’s typical for 60 to 70 feet of piping to connect the two. If this is the issue, then unfortunately you’re pretty screwed. The only way to get around it would require a large and expensive bit of renovation that simply isn’t worth it.

Your Pipes Drain Heat from the Water: The colder the pipes are, and the denser the material, the more heat they’ll draw from the material, slowing down the time it takes for the water to heat up to a comfortable temperature. When they’re not being used, the pipes leading from the heater to the shower become cold, especially if they’re exposed at any point in your home. Furthermore, heavier piping, made of materials like copper, can retain more heat than commonly used materials such as CPVC. This, the outside pressure, and whether the pipes are insulated or not, can all have a major effect on how long your water takes to get hot. If you think that this is the issue, consider wrapping your pipes with heat tape or a similar insulating material.

If you suspect that your lack of hot water is an issue with the pipes that insulation can’t fix, it is much better to use emergency plumbing services as opposed to trying the DIY route. Making a repair without the proper skill set can result in an even more costly problem.

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Flow Rate is Too Low: The lower the flow rate on your shower head, or any other fixture for that matter, the longer it will take for the water to warm up. Flow rate, as you’ve probably guessed, refers to the amount of water that can pass through the shower head at any given time. This is measured in GPM, which stands for gallons per minute. When your shower has a low flow rate, it will take longer for it to force out any leftover, cold water that’s left sitting in the pipes. Unless your shower head was installed in the nineties, you probably have a flow rate of around 2.5 GPM, but newer ones can be even lower. If you find that your shower head is a low-flow model, you may be able to fix the issue by getting a high flow shower head. Just remember that this is going to be less conservative with your water, meaning that you’ll have higher bills and a less eco-friendly morning routine.

If you’re sick of getting hypothermia just to leave the house on time, we hope this post has been a big help! 🙂

Featured Image By: Pixabay