Home Maintenance

How can you find a reliable plumber?

When you need a plumber in your home it can be a worry that the work carried out may not be up to standard or may be very costly. If it’s essential work you may find time is of the essence therefore you need to find a plumber quickly. So how do you do this ensuring the person you find is reputable?

One way is to ask for recommendations on social media, these could be on your personal account or on a local community group. Often people will recommend their own businesses on here so it’s always worth checking and maybe specifically asking people for tradespeople they have used themselves in the past.

You could also use a website where tradespeople are rated and can bid for your job. These are good as you will get a competitive price up front for the work and you can also read through reviews that past customers have given the plumber.

Never feel under pressure by a tradesperson being in your home and if you are unsure about the advice they are giving you, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Make it clear from the start that any work carried out will need to be okayed by you first, that way you won’t be landed with any unexpected fees.

Apr 07 2022

Should you do DIY projects in a rented home?

As a tenant you may wonder how much you can and should do in a rented property. There are so many different types of rental agreement that there is no one answer that fits all. Regardless of it you are in a privately rented flat or house, council/ housing association or through an estate agent, then you need to check your tenancy to see what the rules and regulations are. If the property is on a long term let them most landlords will allow you to do a certain amount of decorating as long as you ensure it is done to a high standard and is not too out there. If you did want to paint a wall bright pink or black for example then you may need to agree to paint it back to magnolia before you move out.

Some DIY projects such as basic gardening and making furniture to use in your home will not require permission but if you want to remove built in furniture or replace carpets then you should consult the owners first.

Many people who are in rent property do not wan to spend a lot of money on someone else’s home but if the carpets are ok and the décor is not causing any issues then the landlord is unlikely to contribute towards the costs of redecorating.

Oct 22 2020

Important Log Burner Maintenance

When you invest in a log burner, it is usually for a number of reasons. The aesthetics come into it heavily, but usually, so does efficiency. If you are going to invest in a log burner – and they aren’t cheap – you want to know that they are running as efficiently as possible, and are doing as much as possible for you in terms of the heat they will give out. In order to keep this up, you need good maintenance.

Maintenance doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. It is as simple as clearing out the ash on a regular basis, something that the owner of a log burner might start to neglect after a little while. It can also include things like servicing, to check the fire is still connected up properly and doesn’t have any leaks, so you know that it is working to its full capacity.

Sep 14 2018

Tile Trim – Which Finish is Right?

Tile trim is used around the edges of tiles, giving them that neat, professional finish that you always want in your home. It is accepted that you must always use tile trim to create a good finish – but what sort of trim is best? Here is a brief guide to the different kinds you can select:

Tile trim corners. This is used to round off corners, making them more rounded so they are safer. There will be no sharp edges where people could hurt themselves, and the finish will be high quality.
Metal tile trim. For a modern and high-end finish, look no further than a metal trim. You can have a polished finish or a matte finish, whichever will go with the rest of the room.
Colour trim. You might select a colour that matches your tiles, or a contrasting colour as part of the design feature. Different greys often work well together.

May 16 2018

Bathroom Flooring Tiles – What are your Choices?

Bathrooms are almost always tiled, or use a type of laminate flooring that will look like tiles. Some types of laminate are particularly fashionable at the moment, as they provide some key benefits that tiles cannot. You may also decide to install a wooden flooring, though the damp environment could potentially be problematic and you may need to install a pretend wooden floor in order to stop it from warping.

Real tiles are beautiful and can give your bathroom and really high-end look. They are perfect if you are putting in a new bathroom and don’t want to compromise on aesthetics. However, they can be dangerous and can become very slippery in a damp environment. Think carefully about tiles if you have young children.

Laminates are the most cost-effective option, though quality laminates can also be very expensive. Choose laminates if you would like to have a beautiful floor covering that is not as dangerous as tiles.

Sep 30 2017