Archives for January 2016

Buying a property is one of the most thrilling experiences that anyone can have. However, amidst the excitement is a due responsibility to make the new home sparkle. This is an aspiration shared by all homeowners, but only a small percentage have their priorities in order.

In truth, the home improvement game never ends. The most astute homeowners will enter a new property and focus solely on the crucial tasks. Good planning is everything, and here are the projects that will turn a new home from bland to grand in a matter of months.

And that’s how to make a house a home.

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Adding Basic Comforts

In modern society, it can be very easy to think about big TVs and other entertainment systems. The smart homeowner, however, appreciates the need for catering to basic human needs. Without those in place, it would be impossible to enjoy the luxury items anyway.

One of the most important elements is the heating. Better insulation won’t just make the property more comfortable, but it will save the homeowner money in the long run too. Besides, those upgrades can often protect the property against various damage too.

Similarly, any home faults should be fixed promptly.

Increasing Security

If nothing else, the home should make the occupants feel safe and secure. With this in mind, increasing the protection is a job that any smart homeowner would place very close to the top of their agenda.

Home security resources are more advanced than ever before. CCTV and alarm systems are welcomed additions to the modern property. Meanwhile, the use of automated gates and voice intercom systems can deny unwanted access too.

A safe home is a happy home. As such, it should come as no surprise that this is such a crucial element.

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Using Space Effectively

The family home needs to feel accommodating for everyone that lives there. But there’s nothing less inviting than a property that feels overcrowded. As far as design elements are concerned, using space efficiently should be top of every homeowner’s to-do list.

Once a home becomes cluttered, it’s hard to overcome those issues. Moving property is a new beginning, and the clued up homeowner should use this as a chance to get things in order. Hosting a garage sale won’t just free up space either. It can additionally become a great way to raise extra funds.

The best hallmark of a smart homeowner is giving each room a purpose. Converting dormant rooms to a home office or gym is a fantastic option.

Preparing For The Worst

Every homeowner wants to make upgrades to create a happy home environment. But it seems a little pointless if the work could be ruined by a natural disaster.

When living in a vulnerable area, the homeowner cannot afford to dismiss their responsibility. Prevention is king. However, it’s also important to understand the best form of action following a flood or other major problem.

For most homeowners, the property is their biggest financial asset. As long as it’s treated with the care it requires, then things shouldn’t go far wrong.

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The rain has been pouring down all over the country, and the chances are lots of people might be experiencing flooding. Water can be disastrous to a home as it will soak into every sinew and destroy everything in its path. To be honest, the only thing homeowners can do is let nature take its course and try and restore peace after the fact. That isn’t what most people want to hear, but it is the truth.

Homes are not always completely ruined by flooding, so there is a chance that a homeowner can save their house if they act quickly. This is what property owners need to do if they experience flooding.

Stay Safe

Everyone wants to return home as soon as possible after a flood. However, it is important to remember that the area is dangerous and poses a risk to health. So, before any enters the property, the proper security checks need to be made, as well as all the relevant safety measures. The last thing any homeowner wants is to walk in the front door and find them in a hazardous situation. Check for any structural damage by looking for cracks in the walls and on the floor, and also, turn off all the gas and electric. To see in the gloom, use a flashlight.

Wear The Right Gear

When entering a water damaged house, there is no telling what the health risk is like. Even if it seems like it is just water, it could be water that is full of sewage and other chemicals. It is important, therefore, that anyone who wants to go inside has all the right equipment. Obviously, that means Wellington boots, waders, and waterproofs. Plus, it also means a face mask to stop any of the substances in the air being breathed in through the nose or the mouth.

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Take Pictures

Pictures are essential because the insurance company will need them as proof that the damage occurred. If a claimant doesn’t have any evidence, the insurance company will not pay for any of the damage. There is no exact science behind gathering evidence. So, start by taking pictures of the areas worst affected by the water, and move to the next area. A video is also a good idea because it puts the damage into perspective. And, it is always a good idea to have a backup plan if the images don’t have the correct effect.

Call The Insurance Company

No one wants to pay for water damage, especially when the damage is so extensive. That’s why every homeowner should have a comprehensive insurance policy. A good insurance company will uphold their end of the bargain and pay the water damage restoration that the property needs. As long as it is in the policy, they shouldn’t have too much of a problem picking up the bill.

Secure The Property

There are reports of opportunists targeting houses that have been subject to water damage. The last thing any property owner needs is for their house to be burgled. That is why it is important to secure the area. Make sure all the locks work and that the water has not made it easier to enter the property.

Finally, stay positive. It is not an ideal scenario, but it is also not the end of the world.

Making your house warm and keeping healthy can be a challenge at this time of year. People often tend to fall back onto whatever options they have inherited with their home. This means making do with outdated systems that are inefficient and sometimes unhealthy. It is a good time to consider how our heating options are working for us. There are real green options for the home that can keep us warm and healthy at the same time.

A healthy home is an insulated home.

Ensure that your home is well insulated. Check up on the roof space and ensure that there is a good thick layer of insulation fitted snuggly between the rafters. All exterior walls of the house should be insulated. Older style houses may need to have their walls lined. This is especially true if there are no cavities in the wall. Houses that are built with stud walls can have insulation fitted. It might mean that the walls have to be re-lined. This is quite an extensive job. But it will make a huge difference to the energy efficiency of the home.

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Floors should be sealed or covered.

Timber floors can look aesthetically pleasing. In the winter, they may be prone to draughts and leaks. This can let in the cold and prevent you from warming your house efficiently. Laying a carpet or rug will help the problem. Another solution would be to seal the floor. It might be possible to insulate the floor from underneath. This is fiddly but not technically difficult and an ideal DIY project.

Windows should be double glazed.

Double glazed windows help reduce heat loss. They will also prevent the cold from coming in. Installing double glazing is vital for an energy efficient home. It will also means that there is less condensation in the air and less moisture. This will also mean a healthier home. Another way to take moisture and excess condensation out of the air is to use a dehumidifier. These work away quietly, and it can be astounding to see the amount of moisture they collect.

Install an up to date heating system

There is no doubt that modern heat pumps are one the best most efficient and cleanest ways of heating our homes. They cost less to run and use less energy. The heat they produce is better for us. They are all round cleaner and quieter systems. Many modern houses incorporate them. Make sure that if you have a heat pump it is regularly serviced by an Enhanced HVAC Contractor. They will be well placed to advise you on the best way to look after your system and enable you to get the most from it.

Passive Solar Heating

Solar heating is another way to produce both heat and hot water. Underfloor heating systems and passive heating solutions are changing the way we are thinking about houses. Solar roof panels are serious options for most homes.

Ultimately running a greener home is all about using natural energy. It is about efficiency but is also about technology helping the process. There are very real options for you to explore if this is a road you would like to travel down. The result could well be a cleaner, greener and warmer home for you and your family.

Heating a house efficiently can be a real problem especially this time of year. The weather is cold, and fuel can be expensive. It is tempting to turn up the thermostat, but there are good and efficient ways to make the most of your heating systems. They may well mean that a house can be heated for less. It can also mean that your house is heated more efficiently. It will be more comfortable and have less cold spots. This will lead to lower fuel bills and will also make day to day life more pleasant, especially during the winter.

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Insulate effectively and install double glazing.

Good insulation should be at the heart of your strategy to heat your home for less. Good insulation means that roof, walls, and floors are all sealed and protected.

Heat will leave your property via any cold spots. Doors and window are notorious ways that heat can escape, and cold can come in. Your doors should all have good seals surrounding them. All windows should be double glazed. It is possible to have retro double glazing fitted relatively inexpensively.

Have your heating system serviced

Make sure that your gas or electric heating system is regularly serviced This will ensure that it is working at its most efficient. If you have central heating, check that all your radiators are working well. If there are any cold spots, it could mean that your radiators need bleeding. This is quite a simple DIY process. It is accomplished with a special key that unlocks air and releases it allowing hot water to fill the space inside the radiator.

If your radiators are up against cold walls heat might be wasted. Install reflective panels behind the radiators to encourage the heat to be directed back into the room. Make sure your radiators are free of obstacles. If they are blocked by furniture, they are unlikely to be warming the room as well as they could be.

Increase the efficiency of your log burner.

Log burners are a great way to heat a lIving space. Many people enjoy the cozy comfort that they provide. There is also something satisfying about having a supply of firewood. It is certainly cheaper than running a central heating system. Make sure that your firewood is dry. That means it must have a very low moisture content. This will ensure that the wood burns more efficiently. It will give off more heat and cause less pollution in terms of gas and smoke.

Heat rises so a log burner can be very good at heating up the ceiling and higher spaces of the room. There are two simple ways to get around this. Install a log burner fan small to circulate the heat around the room. A fan is a brilliant and innovative solution. It simply sits on the top of the log burner and convection starts the process. Warm air is blown around the room. A thermostat can help you control the temperature.

Another brilliant way to get heat moving around the house with a log burner is to install a heat transfer system. This means that warm air is extracted from the heated room and taken through the roof. It is then blown into two or three other rooms of your choice. Installing a kit is not hard to do, but an electrician will have to connect the fan and thermostat.

A few simple adjustments can make the world of difference when it comes to heating your house for less. It will also be a cheaper and more comfortable space to live in.

Now that it’s winter everyone’s attentions will be turning to heating! Sticking with the warmth theme, it’s a good idea to carry out some maintenance work. There are certain things all homeowners should do before the summer.

Many people don’t realise that fixing many issues during the summer months can cost a lot. During winter, some repairs can be almost 50% less than they might be in the summer! The following are six ways to get any house ready for the summer:

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1. Get an air conditioning service carried out

It’s perhaps the best time of year to get an air conditioning service! An air conditioner repair today could save a heap of cash. Why? Because there is no dependency on the system right now.

If one uses a faulty system when it gets warmer, they will only have to spend more money fixing it. An air conditioning service is also useful at identifying any future problems.

2. Improve the insulation in and around the house

Next, the insulation should get checked and improved where necessary. Sure, insulation is useful at keeping a house warm during the winter months. But, it’s also important for the summer months too, believe it or not!

Thermal insulation isn’t just good at keeping warm temperatures in a home. It’s also useful for keeping hot air out of a home.

3. Apply caulk to window frames

In many homes air can escape through gaps and cracks by window frames. The result is homeowners spend more time and money heating or cooling their homes.

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The simple solution is to apply caulk to each window frame that has a gap. Caulk is cheap to buy and easy to apply, even by the novice DIYer. All one needs is a tube “plunger” to apply the caulk.

4. Install ceiling fans

Let’s assume that a property does not have air conditioning. What is the best way of cooling rooms down in the summer months? The answer is simple: install ceiling fans!

They are inexpensive and can get fitted in minutes by a qualified electrician. Ceiling fans don’t use much electricity and do a good job at distributing cool air within a room. They’re also practical for circulating warm air in winter too.

5. Install a patio misting system

What happens when there are high temperatures outdoors, and there are concrete patios outside? Well, it can be like walking into the fires of hell!

A simple and cost-effective misting system can help cool things down somewhat. Be sure to get a system that includes a pump. Otherwise, the misting action may be a little lackluster! One can get patio misting systems from any hardware stores.

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6. Paint your walls light colors

It might seem strange, but it’s true: light walls and ceilings can help cool a room down! If the sun beats down on walls with dark colors, the room will “soak up” the heat more than light colors.

That’s why houses in hotter parts of the country even have white exterior walls. They help to deflect the sun’s rays and place them elsewhere!