House

We never know what Mother Nature is going to bring us. We do know that during the summer we’re likely to get sunshine and the winter is likely to bring us rain or even snow. So how can we make our homes weatherproof so they can stand up to everything Mother Nature throws at it? Here’s how:

1. Repair your Walls

If sections of your wall render are cracked you need to mend them. The render is what protects your bricks and ensures they last longer. They also ensure your home is less susceptible to wind and rain.

If the wall render is cracked you will need to have them checked out by a professional. This is because they could be caused by structural issues.

If the cracks in your wall render are small you could mend them yourself. Using exterior polyfilla you could fill the cracks yourself if you’re confident enough to. This will help your walls to stay protected against the elements.

2. Check your Roof

From the ground look up at your roof. Try to determine if there are any missing or loose tiles. You may also want to have a look at your chimney pots to ensure they are secure. Don’t forget to check your aerials too. If you think your roof is damaged or you’re worried about it you may need to call a professional in. A new roof doesn’t have to be too costly but if part or all of it needs replacing it’s better to let the experts do it.

You may also want to make sure that your roof has adequate ventilation so your home is not too hot during the summer months.

3. Clean your Gutters

Clean your gutters at least twice a year. Debris and leaves can get stuck in them and cause a buildup of water. The water is then unable to flow properly and it could run into your home. Water that has become trapped and frozen can expand and damage your guttering in the process. Using a mesh or leaf-guard filter can prevent debris and leaves from building up.

4. Get Rid of Those Draughts

Cold air coming in through the gaps in your doors and windows can make your home seem very cold. Add a draught excluder to the bottom of your front door. When it comes to windows you could add some self-adhesive foam around the frames as they can make a big difference.

5. Check your Windows

It’s important that you check your windows at least twice a year. Window frames can rot and become worse in the cold winter months. Hire a professional to get rid of any damaged wood so they can fill the hole. Make sure you also check the condition of any window surrounds. If your windows are in desperate need of repair you may want to consider replacing them instead.

Use the above tips to help you make your home more weatherproof so it can stand up to what Mother Nature throws at it.

When it comes to owning a house, looking after it properly is key. This not only makes it more enjoyable to live in but also ensures it stays safe and secure. At times, this will involve sitting down to think about giving your home a thorough makeover and maintenance check. It may also involve changing up your interior design and décor to move with the times. But what should you be thinking about when giving your home a makeover in this way?

Repainting the interior and exterior

The first thing you could do to give your home a bright new look is repaint. This is especially true if you have had the same paint on the walls for a while or the paint outside is starting to peel off. You would be surprised at just what a visual impact this tip will have. Once the new paint is on, you will really see how much better your house looks. Of course, repainting is also a great chance to try out new colors in rooms and change up the look of your home to fit in with the times.

Carry out basic electrical maintenance

Did you know that the second leading cause of fires in US homes between 2012 and 2016 was electrical malfunction or failure? In simple terms, this means issues with your home electrical appliances causing fires which then spread through the home. Very often, this can be when you are out or asleep!

To stay safe, a great idea is to give your house an electrical maintenance makeover now and then. This involves basic jobs like checking the power cords of appliances and replacing if damaged, testing outlets and replacing any loose plugs on units. These kind of electrical maintenance tips are vital for keeping your home safe to be in – if you are unsure of how to do electrical maintenance, check with a professional first.

Deal with small home improvement jobs

As well as electrical maintenance, it is wise to identify any small home improvement jobs that need doing. Completing these can really give your house a new look, so they are worthwhile. The best idea is to walk around your home and do a visual check for things like cracked tiles and holes in walls. It is also wise to do the same outside too. When you have a list of the small jobs you can handle, get them sorted out to transform the look of your property.

Deal with the clutter

This simple and free tip is one that will really help your home get a new lease on life. In basic terms, we all have far too much clutter on show in our houses which can make it hard to relax or feel comfortable. To beat this, get rid of what you do not need and tidy the rest away.

Simple home makeover tips that deliver

Not everyone has lots of time or money to spend on giving their home a stunning makeover. This does not mean it cannot be done though. As the above tips demonstrate, there are lots of cool ways to make your home look better and also keep it safe to inhabit.

Given the opportunity, many of us would undoubtedly pursue projects to improve our homes. After all, changes and modifications that enhance our properties will not only increase comfort and convenience but can also have a positive impact on their value as well. But because of the high costs that these remodeling and renovation projects often entail, home improvement projects are often pushed back if not forgotten altogether.

The good news is that home improvement doesn’t always have to be an expensive endeavor. In fact, it can be a lot more affordable than you might think. To this end, here are a few ways that will help you make improvements to achieve the home you aspire to have without breaking the bank.

Do your homework

Home improvement is, generally, an involving activity. The tasks require not only a considerable investment of money but time and effort as well. And if you’re taking a do-it-yourself approach, it’s good standard practice always to do your homework first. In this way, not only are you far more likely to avoid safety hazards but you’re also bound to mitigate any potentially costly mistakes too.

Consider all your options

In any home improvement project, you’re undoubtedly going to have to spend on equipment, materials and services like junk pick up to complete the tasks at hand. And while this might sound small, the expenses can easily spiral out of control if left unchecked. As such, it makes sense to check out and consider all of your options first before making any purchases. It might sound tedious and time-consuming to do, but you’ll be surprised at how much money you can save by doing so.

Never do more than one task at a time

Unless the situation calls for it, it’s essential to stick to one task at a time when tackling a home improvement project. After all, working on multiple areas at a time will not only divide your focus and make your more susceptible to mistakes, but it can push the project back even more which will cost you more money as a result.

Leave certain jobs to professionals

While the DIY approach is an effective way of minimizing expenditure for a home improvement project, there are certain tasks that are best left in the hands of professionals. We can’t do everything on our own, after all, and if we bite off more than we can chew, we risk making mistakes that can be expensive to rectify. So, when in doubt, it’s always better to acquire the services of the experts.

It’s not easy to stay within a modest budget when tackling a home improvement project. After all, these kinds of projects can often require a considerable investment of resources. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your expenditure significantly. By doing your research first, investing time in finding inexpensive alternatives, and knowing your limits, you have a better chance of staying within your allotted budget without sacrificing the quality or productivity of the project.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

Do you feel burdened by cleaning your house and keeping it in order? You can seek help from companies offering the best services to reduce the burden. You might need to pay them for these services, but you will save a lot of time. The service staff will also ensure that you receive the services you deserve.

Cleaning services

You might say that cleaning your house does not take much time. You can finish it in no time. The truth is that it could take several hours depending on when the last time you cleaned your home was. When you ask the cleaning company to come over, they will do everything that you wish related to home cleaning.

Junk removal

After cleaning, you will end up with tons of trash. You might not know what to do with it. If you are environmentally-responsible, you want to segregate the garbage and ensure that it ends up in the right location. Therefore, you need the help of junk removal companies since they will come over and remove the trash. They also know what to do since they are experts in this regard. They have worked with many homeowners before who also sought similar services. Even with deck removal, you can count on them if you need them for the job.

Laundry service

If you have piles of laundry to deal with each week, you do not want to spend hours cleaning it. Even if you have a washing machine, it will still be challenging for you. Therefore, you need laundry services to ensure that the clothes will become clean without breaking your back doing the job.

Repair services

Instead of throwing away items that are not functioning well, you can decide to repair them. There are repair service companies that will ensure these items will work again. Whether it involves major or minor repairs, you can count on them. You also do not want to spend a lot of money on buying a new replacement if you can use the same thing after repair.

Home organization

If you are familiar with Mari Kondo, you might find her ways to be weird. The truth is that it is not a novel idea. You can find people who can come over and be your Mari Kondo. They will help organize your home and, to a certain extent, your life. They will see to it that you let go of the things you do not need and keep the ones that are useful to you.

Appliance setup

Setting up appliances and equipment could take time. You can ask someone else to do it instead of spending hours figuring out how to do the job. You can also do the same for furniture that you have no idea how to assemble. By spending a few dollars, you can relax and use the items almost right away.

You need to be wise about what you do with your salary. Using it on essential services that will reduce your burden at home is an excellent idea and worth the money you will spend.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

For some people, the mention of the word ‘vinyl’ brings to mind the typical and old-fashioned sheet vinyl which was popular in the past and mostly used for kitchens and some bathrooms as an affordable alternative to ceramic tiles or wood. But today, vinyl has transformed, becoming ‘luxury vinyl flooring’ which is a kind of flooring that is not only affordable but beautiful as well. Luxury vinyl flooring is a far cry from the standard vinyl of old, and it often comes in gorgeous wood grain hues and patterns which make it a much better-looking flooring solution for many homeowners. So, if you’re thinking of replacing your old flooring or are building a home and wondering which flooring solution to use, luxury vinyl wood flooring can certainly be a viable option. Here’s a look at the primary advantages of luxury vinyl flooring over other types of flooring.

• The appearance

As mentioned, luxury vinyl flooring is not your usual vinyl flooring which comes in sheets. In fact, it comes in either planks or tiles, which gives it a more realistic look and appeal. What’s more, it comes with a natural texture and feel which makes it virtually indistinguishable from real wood flooring. You can easily choose the pattern or shade you want, and you’ll have no trouble mixing and matching it with your home’s theme. If you like the look of wood flooring but know that it’s too much for your budget, luxury vinyl flooring is a much better option. And you can even use it in your bathrooms and basement as well, as it can be fully waterproof, much like the vinyl wood flooring available from FirmFit, which is scratch- and impact-resistant as well.

• The pricing

The pricing is definitely a big factor which contributes to the popularity of luxury vinyl flooring today. It’s a flooring solution which is much more affordable than real wood flooring, and it requires less maintenance as well. With real wooden flooring, you can’t just think about the price of the actual floor – you also have to think about other considerations such as maintenance and repair. Replacing even a small portion of a real wood floor can cost you a significant amount of money and installing a real wooden floor can cost a lot as well. But with luxury vinyl flooring, you not only save on the cost of the flooring – you save on the cost of installation and maintenance, too, as it doesn’t require as much maintenance as other types of floors. Your overall expenses related to luxury vinyl flooring can be much lower compared to other flooring.

• An environmentally-friendly choice

Luxury vinyl flooring is made with environmental-friendliness in mind, and when you choose your flooring wisely, you can end up with flooring that is also accredited by various environmental bodies, helping you adhere to certain ‘green standards’ when it comes to building regulations. Some of the best luxury vinyl flooring can even be recycled as well.

• No maintenance issues

With luxury vinyl flooring, you don’t have to worry about special sealing or finishing – the floor comes as is, with no requirements for maintenance except regular sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. Spills are easy to clean, and you don’t have to deal with stains, either, as the flooring is stain-resistant. If you want flooring that’s stress-free, elegant and beautiful, affordable, and durable, then luxury vinyl flooring is your best choice.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

When looking for ways to cut costs and save money, reducing your utility bills is a great place to start. According to the Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. residential utility customer uses 10,766 kWh per year, or an average of 897 kWh per month. That means average residents are spending more than $100 per month on electricity alone. Add an additional $100 per month for water, gas, and the average homeowner is spending well over $2,000 per year on their bills.

Be more mindful about your energy use to save money and help the environment.

“You have the power to save money and energy in your own home,” says a white paper from the U.S. Department of Energy. “Saving energy reduces our nation’s demand for the resources needed to make energy, and improving your energy efficiency is like adding another clean energy source to our electric power grid. The result is reduced utility bills and money in your pocket.”

Reducing utility usage begins with a conscious effort to make a difference. Here are a few places to start:

1. Join an Energy Savings Program

Clogged air filters, blocked vents, thermostat connections, sluggish fans, dirty coils, low refrigerant levels, and an obstructed condenser unit are all common problems with your HVAC system that can cause it to work overtime, driving up your utility bills.

Many HVAC contractors offer energy savings programs designed to keep your system in top condition. They offer cleanings, inspections, free diagnostic fees, discounted service charges, and priority on service calls. It’s one of the best ways to stay on top of all maintenance problems before they cost you big.

2. Have an Energy Audit

With a home energy audit, an assessor will evaluate the current use in your home and make personalized recommendations for cutting back. A professional will come to your home and evaluate a number of factors like electricity use, miles-per-gallon on your car, and water use.

You can also do an energy audit yourself using a Home Energy Saver tool. Most hardware stores carry these, or you can order one from Energy.gov.

3. Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Most people wash their everyday clothing in warm water and their whites in hot water. However, unless your clothing is extremely soiled, it will come clean using cold water from the tap, especially if you use a cold-water detergent. You can save more than $60 a year by making this simple switch.

4. Replace Faucets and Showerheads with Low Flow Units

The average household uses about 100 gallons per day per resident. That means a family of four consumes about 400 gallons of water in a 24-hour period.

You might not be able to cut down on the activities that require water (you still have to use the toilet and shower, after all), but you can reduce the amount of water that comes out. Install low-flow shower heads and faucets to cut your water consumption in half.

5. Install Smart Thermostats

Today’s thermometers do much more than simply set the temperature. They also allow you to program the settings, and many even learn your habits so that you can enjoy a more comfortable environment.

You might enjoy the AC set at 72 degrees when at home, but it doesn’t need to be that low when you’re at work. However, many people forget to change it before they leave. A programmable thermostat will adjust the temperature automatically so that you can save money without thinking about it.

6. Adjust the Lighting

Your home’s lighting can contribute significantly to your utility bills, but it doesn’t have to. Old, incandescent light bulbs use more than twice the energy of new, LED light bulbs and they don’t last nearly as long. You’ll save money on both your utilities and the cost of new bulbs.

Additionally, natural lighting doesn’t cost anything at all. In rooms with plenty of windows, let the sunshine light the room as often as possible.

7. Be Careful with Appliances

Appliances are a huge contributor to energy use in the home, but they don’t have to be. Here are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of operating your appliances:

• Buy Energy Star rated appliances when replacing yours.
• When possible, use your microwave or a slow cooker rather than your oven.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer at the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Don’t open the oven door when baking or cooking.
• Keep your fridge and refrigerator full so it can operate more efficiently.
• Don’t let the ice build-up in your refrigerator get thicker than ¼ inch.
• Avoid placing appliances that give off heat near your thermostat, TVs, or lamps.
• Turn your oven off a few minutes before you’re done cooking. The food will continue to cook, but you’ll stop using electricity.

While in the past most houses would feature a hearth, in modern day society hearths are far less common. If you’re interested in purchasing or building a hearth, simply continue reading to discover some of the advantageous benefits of buying or building a stone hearth.

The benefits of buying hearths:

1. A hearth will give your home’s fireplace an elegant, traditional look

While the vast majority of wood fireplaces still boast hearths, not all gas burning fireplaces boast hearths. However regardless of whether your home features a wood fireplace or a gas fireplace, if you want your fireplace to be the focus of your lounge, it’s well worth ensuring to invest in a stylish, traditional hearth for your fireplace.

2. Hearths come in a wide variety of styles

If your home has more of a modern aesthetic, you’ll still be able to find a sleek, modern hearth, which will suit your home’s interior. As an example, you may want to consider opting for a marble hearth over a brick hearth. As another option, if you love the look of stonework, you may want to opt for a modern, stone hearth over a traditional brick style hearth.

3. You can use your fireplace’s hearth as extra seating

If you frequently entertain guests, your hearth will be able to double as additional seating. As 2-3 of your friends and family members should be able to perch comfortably on your hearth.

4. You can place your frozen winter accessories on your hearth so that they will thaw out

If you live in a region which snows during the cold winter months and often return home to find that your winter accessories such as scarves, gloves, mittens, and beanies often become frozen or soggy, it’s well worth getting into the handy habit of placing your frozen winter accessories on your hearth. So that they’ll thaw out within 20 minutes.

5. If you’ve opted for a wood burning fireplace, you can keep your chopped kindling on your hearth

If you want your home to have a warm, cozy, inviting feel, you can choose to place a basket with your chopped kindling on your hearth, which is practical as well as decorative and aesthetically pleasing.

6. You can use your hearth as seating or a backdrop for beautiful posed family photos

As an example, if one of your favorite Christmas traditions is posing for an annual Christmas photo with your friends and family members, you’ll be able to seat your family in front of your hearth for a stunning family portrait. That you’ll want to share with all your friends and family members.

7. Opting for a hearth increases your household’s safety

Not only are hearths chic and stylish but they are also practical and can help keep your household safe. As an example, if you have small children, having a hearth in front of your fireplace can discourage your children from trying to get too close to your gas or wood burning fireplace.

So if you have your heart set on purchasing a hearth, you simply can’t go wrong choosing to buy or build a hearth for your property’s fireplace!

Think back to when you were a kid and your grandmother invited you over. You felt at home the moment you pulled into the driveway or walked up to the front porch.

There was something about grandma’s house that made you feel warm, cozy, and accepted. Your residence today probably doesn’t feature the same interior design as your grandmother’s place, but you’ve undoubtedly tried to your home just as inviting.

Whether you know it or not, it’s quite simple to do this, if you’re not yet satisfied with the result.

Turning Your House Into a Home

Although it’s your home, you want others to feel comfortable, welcome, and accepted when they visit. If that’s a goal, you can take some simple steps to make your digs more inviting.

Take a look at the following four ideas and see if any of them might help you out.

1. Spruce Up Your Porch and Entryway

First impressions are massive. If you want your home to feel inviting, you have to make a positive statement immediately.

This means paying attention to the front porch and entryway. With the front porch, you want everything to be clean and fresh.

Pressure-wash hard surfaces, plant some colorful flowers, and add elements of home … such as a doormat, a seating arrangement, and some tasteful décor. You may also want to paint your front door to make it pop from the rest of the house.

In the entryway, you want people to feel comfortable. Have a place to slip off shoes, hang coats, and leave purses. Use warm, bright colors that make it easy to relax.

2. Make it Smell Good

The smell of your home is one of the first things that’s going to hit people once they cross the threshold. If your home doesn’t have a pleasant smell, visitors are apt to feel uncomfortable and wary.

The best way to make a house smell good is to clean it on a regular basis. In addition to wiping down large surfaces and vacuuming floors, make sure you attack the less obvious areas, such as the oven, around the toilets, and behind your refrigerator. You should also clean your HVAC system from time to time.

“While there’s no substitute for having your air vents cleaned on a semi-regular basis, you can help the air in your home smell better by attaching little air fresheners (the kind you would put in your car) to the outsides of vents,” Green Residential explains.

If you’re expecting a guest and want your home to smell especially nice, you can try diffusing essential oils or simmering water in a saucepan with cinnamon sticks, citrus, herbs, or mint.

3. Be Strategic With Lighting

“Good lighting is key in making your home feel warm and inviting.  Not only does decorative lighting become a beautiful accessory for any space but when strategically placed throughout your home can make your home feel incredibly cozy and inviting, especially in the evening when the lamps are on to create beautiful ambient lighting,” ZDesign at Home says.

Light makes a space feel larger and more comfortable. It also reduces the amount of hidden spaces, which can make certain guests feel uneasy or insecure.

4. Relax Your Décor

Incorporate as many soft linens and pillows as you can within bedrooms and living areas. This will make your home feel more functional and comfortable.

“As someone who is always cold, I can tell you that extra blankets and throws are always appreciated! And even if your friends aren’t cold blooded, linens add a soft, cozy feel to the home, and invite people to sit and relax awhile, regardless of whether they use them or not,” this designer says.

On a related note, your home will instantly become more inviting when you remove cheesy store-bought décor in favor of original décor items, family keepsakes, and photographs. Your house should look like you live in it, not like it’s a showroom.

Show Your House Some TLC

It doesn’t matter what your personal style may be, how big the structure is, or where it’s located, there are always further opportunities to make your home more inviting to friends, family, neighbors, and loved ones.

We hope this article has given you a glimpse of some of the practical steps you can take to achieve that end.

Finding the right plumber is not easy – and although you can easily find a good number of plumbers online or in your local area, this doesn’t mean that they will all perform according to set standards. The importance of finding the right plumber can’t be ignored; after all, you wouldn’t want the problem or issue to crop up again, would you? First, you have to start by looking for a plumber who is a member of a trade association, and secondly, you have to check their reviews from past customers. These will already go a long way toward making sure that the plumber you choose is the right one. But there are other considerations as well. Here’s some top advice on selecting the best plumber for your needs.

The proper qualifications

The very first qualification you should look for in a plumber or plumbing service is registration with Gas Safe. Are they Gas Safe Registered? The Gas Safe Register is an official listing of qualified gas engineers, and the list is comprised of those who can legally and safely work with and repair gas appliances. Under the law, a gas engineer must be on the Register so that they can perform work in the United Kingdom as well as Guernsey and the Isle of Man. When you find a plumber or plumbing service, ask for their Gas Safe Register number, which you can then look up on the Gas Safe Register website. If the plumber or plumbing service is a member of a trade association, they will also be sure to meet standards regarding competency and safety as well as provide proper customer service.

A locally-based plumbing service

Whilst you can opt for a national plumbing service, it is often better to go for a plumbing service which is based in your local area. There are a number of reasons for this, one of which is the price, but another reason is the company’s reputation. When it comes to the price, it makes more sense to opt for a local plumbing service because a local one may offer more flexibility in regard to price, and besides, if they’re based in the area, the transport costs of them visiting your home will be lower, thus resulting in a lower price. For instance, if you are in Crouch End in London, it would be better to go for plumbers in Crouch End who are well-versed with the area and don’t have to travel far to get the job done.

Also, a local plumbing service would make sure to work on their reputation – they wouldn’t want their reputation in the area to be affected by a bad plumbing job, so they are more likely to make sure that they perform well. A bad review for a national company will have less impact compared to a locally-based plumbing company.

The cost

The cost for plumbing services can vary, and this will depend on the location, the job’s nature (the work they have to do), and the call-out time (if you call after-hours, the cost will often be more). But keep in mind that it’s often better to pay a bit more for a professional plumber who can fix a job in 10 minutes rather than a so-called plumbing expert who takes 3 hours tinkering over the job.

Structural insulated panels or SIPS have become increasingly popular in recent years. More people have realised the benefits they will get from using these panels at home. Using renewable technology, the SIPS have become more commonly used for several reasons. Here are some of the qualities of these panels, making them a top choice.

Excellent U-values

The U-value determines the ability of the walls and roof to keep your property warm. If the U-value is lower, it means that the property is more energy efficient. SIPS can have a value as low as 0.14 which means that it can heat the property even better than other roofing options.

Air tightness levels are high

Air tightness shows the ability of the roof to retain heat in the area. SIPS are constructed in such a way that the air pressure becomes lower. This means that they are more energy efficient, achieving the same effect as their low U-value.

Cold bridging is decreased

When cold bridging happens, heat escapes easily. This is common for timber frames. Structural insulated panels were built differently and cold bridging was considered in the design. Therefore, the end product allows minimal cold bridging.

Thermal mass is low

Thermal mass refers to the ability of any substance to absorb heat. It also includes its ability to store heat. When the thermal mass is higher, the substance does not immediately respond to the changes in temperature around it. SIPS have lower thermal mass. Therefore, they can easily absorb heat. You don’t have to use heating devices for a longer period.

Given these reasons, it is clear to see why SIPS panels UK suppliers sell are becoming widely used. In addition, the panels use non-toxic chemicals and are created from renewable materials. The environmental impact of the panels is really good, making them a better alternative to the panels traditionally used. Aside from the comfort they bring to people inside the house, they also make you feel better since their use has a good effect on the environment.

There are also building regulations that have to be followed in any construction. These panels are definitely in compliance with these regulations.

The next thing you have to do is find the right company to install these panels in your home. The SIPS are made from quality materials, but they should still be properly installed for them to work well and provide all the benefits expected of them. With the best panel installation company, this is not a problem. Just set up an appointment with them and they will provide you with what you need.

Don’t worry about the cost of the installation either, as you are getting a lot in return. When you have more efficient panels, you will pay less for your electric bills. You will also use your heating appliances less. If you calculate the overall cost, you will still end up saving more money. Therefore, these panels are still a great investment.