Importance of Home Repairs: Taking Care of your Home

Whether you have plans to sell your house or live in it for the rest of your life, it is essential for all homeowners to carry out repairs and regular maintenance. Minor fixes can help you prevent serious problems in the future.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/general-household/9909-Importance-of-Home-Repairs-Taking-Care-of-your-Home.html

Importance of Home Repairs- Taking Care of your Home

Whether you have plans to sell your house or live in it for the rest of your life, it is essential for all homeowners to carry out repairs and regular maintenance. Minor fixes can help you prevent serious problems in the future. Comfort Major components of the home such as heating and plumbing need to be monitored regularly. They have a significant effect on how comfortable you can be in your home and replacements can be costly. If features of your home are no longer efficient, they may need to be replaced to reduce energy consumption and monthly bills. Value Routine maintenance and upkeep maintains the appearance and comfort of your home along with helping to maintain or increase its value. A home is a special investment and maintaining it helps you protect it. Repairing and maintain a home costs less than waiting for problems to get worse. Safety Home repairs are necessary for safeguarding your general wellbeing. By inspecting your home regularly, cleaning and repairing it, you will ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/appliance-repair/9909-Importance-of-Home-Repairs-Taking-Care-of-your-Home.html

Automation Solutions for the Home - Today's Homeowner

Home automation solutions are designed to make your home safer, more comfortable and more efficient – no matter where you are. Here's a look at Carrier's Côr home automation system and Generac standby generators equipped with MobileLink technology.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/automation-solutions-for-the-home/

Major Home Repair Jobs You Should Budget for When Buying a Property

Buying property is always a risky business. No matter how thorough a survey you have, there is always the danger that problems will arise when you get the keys and move in. Some issues, such as a caved in roof or a sinkhole in the garden, are blindingly obvious.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/real-estate-finance/9908-Major-Home-Repair-Jobs-You-Should-Budget-for-When-Buying-a-Property.html

Major Home Repair Jobs You Should Budget for When Buying a Property

Buying property is always a risky business. No matter how thorough a survey you have, there is always the danger that problems will arise when you get the keys and move in. Some issues, such as a caved in roof or a sinkhole in the garden, are blindingly obvious. Other problems, such as an insect infestation, are less obvious and require specialist help in spotting the signs. It is always best if you have a survey done before you exchange contracts on a new home, but if you didn’t bother or the surveyor wasn’t terribly good at his job, here are some major projects you should budget for, just in case. HVAC System Heating and air conditioning systems don’t last forever, so there is a chance that your HVAC system might decide to give up the ghost when you move in. Ideally, have any system in place checked before you agree to buy the property. This will ensure the system is safe. Otherwise, at least ask for evidence that the system has been regularly maintained – ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/appliance-repair/9908-Major-Home-Repair-Jobs-You-Should-Budget-for-When-Buying-a-Property.html

Smart Home Automation in the Palm of Your Hand - Today's Homeowner

Home automation solutions are designed to make your home safer, more comfortable and more efficient - no matter where you are. Here's a rundown of some of our favorite stand-alone automated devices and whole-house automation systems.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/smart-home-automation-in-palm-of-your-hand/

Easy and Inexpensive Energy-Efficient Upgrades - Today's Homeowner

We help homeowners Andy and Judy Falls make some easy - and inexpensive - energy efficiency improvements to their 1960s home.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/easy-inexpensive-energy-efficient-upgrades/

What is a French Drain and How to Do It by Yourself?

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/garden-landscaping/9906-What-is-a-French-Drian-and-how-to-do-it-by-yourself.html

Why You Should Insist on a Yale 3 Star Lock to Improve Your Home Security

During the colder and darker winter months, crime tends to increase as there’s more shadows to disguise the opportunist criminal, which is why security should be a priority in your home. Over 70% of burglaries have gained access through a door, so a top quality lock on your front and back door is a must!

Of these burglaries, 37% have forced entry, however, the more worrying fact is 5% entered with a key! If you can’t account for all keys to your property, it’s time to change the locks.

A recent survey by Aviva found that nearly half (46%) of 18-24 year olds will make significant changes to their new home to make it more secure. This highlights how the younger generation are more prepared to improve the security of their properties, compared to the older generation who are less proactive – just 17% will improve the security of their new homes.

Aviva’s research found that the younger generation are more likely to move to a high crime area (34%), which is possibly why they’re keen to improve their home’s security! Whether you live in a high crime area or not, you should always ensure your belongings and loved ones are safe and secure.

Yale 3 Star Cylinder Lock

The Yale 3 Star Cylinder Lock is the highest specification available, complete with a British Standard (BS) Kitemark, which will be a boost to your home insurance, hopefully making it cheaper. After putting it through robust testing, it was awarded the 3 stars to signify that the locking mechanism has the top BS level of security.

The lock itself has been built in such a way it is anti-bump, anti-drill, anti-pick, anti-snap and anti-plug extraction. If you combine this supreme security with a solid composite door that has strong steel keeper plates and robust hinges and you have yourself a very secure door.

If your home doesn’t currently have this it isn’t as secure as it could be! 70% of those surveyed by Aviva changed the locks for their doors and windows, whilst 11% made changes to surveillance cameras, a great deterrent to any potential thief.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s security, here’s our top 4 tips to make your home more secure.

The post Why You Should Insist on a Yale 3 Star Lock to Improve Your Home Security appeared first on Good to be Home.

from Good to be Home http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/home-news/why-you-should-insist-on-a-yale-3-star-lock-to-improve-your-home-security/

Four Tips to Help Prolong the Life of Your AC Unit

When you walk in from a hot summer day, you expect to be hit with a rush of cool air. Your air conditioning unit is crucial to keeping your home comfortable during the warm months. On average, a central air conditioning unit will last about 10 to 15 years.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/hvac-air-conditioning/9905-Four-Tips-to-Help-Prolong-the-Life-of-Your-AC-Unit.html

Bosch Laser Measure - Today's Homeowner

The Bosch laser measure with bluetooth is easy to read and accurate to 1/16 of an inch, with a 165-foot range. It is available at The Home Depot.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/bosch-laser-measure/

How to Find and Buy the Best Walk-In Bathtub Today

Don’t you always look out for a product that will make it easier for you to carry out a task easier and faster? The never-ending search for convenience has led to the best innovations in human life and one of these devices is the walk-in bathtub. The walk-in bathtub was designed for convenience and also for security purposes in the elderly and the young. For these reasons, you have to find just the perfect walk-in bathtub. But, how do you find this bathtub? Referrals and recommendations The first step to finding information or an item is by asking. Your friends, family, or acquaintances could have most of the information you need about where to buy the bestwalk-in bathtub today. When the words from these parties are inconclusive, you can take it upon yourself and check the online reviews for the products across the market. These reviews will also widen your knowledge on what is in the market and what will work for your home. Online stores Have you realized that every time you ...

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/kitchen-bath/9904-How-to-Find-and-Buy-the-Best-Walk-In-Bathtub-Today.html

Hibernation Time Amazing Tips to Design a Womans Den

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/interior-design-decor/9903-Hibernation-Time-Amazing-Tips-to-Design-a-Womans-Den.html

Quick DIY: 15 Minute Home Improvements

Do you have an ever-growing list of home improvement jobs that never seem to get done? At Anglian, we’re highlighting those tasks we just love to avoid and show the nation just how quick and easy DIY can be.

To help, we’re keeping things extra simple by highlighting the tasks you can get done in just fifteen minutes – that could be a little DIY in your tea break, a quick home improvement while your dinner cooks or even a short task during half time when watching the footy! You could even set yourself up with a pre-match plan to really make the most of your ad-break DIY.

Hanging a picture

Liven-up your décor by hanging a few pictures around your home. You’ll need:

• Spirit level
• Picture hook and nail
• Hammer
• Wire and pipe detector

Mark in pencil where you’re going to put the nail to hang your picture, before using a wire and pipe detector to make sure you’re not going to damage anything in the wall (or yourself!) with it.

Gently tap in the nail with the picture hook attached. Hang the picture, use the spirit level to make sure it’s straight and you’re good to go.

Put up a curtain rail

The most time-consuming part of putting up a curtain rail is the measuring – but make sure you double check, and you’ll get it spot-on, first time. You’ll need:

• Tape measure
• Curtain rail
• Wire and pipe detector
• Drill
• Suitable screws and rawl plugs
• Step ladder
• Spirit level

Measure the points at which you need to attach curtain rail brackets to your wall, and mark them with a pencil. Before you start to drill, make sure the brackets are evenly spaced, as well as checking there’s nothing beneath the wall that’ll cause damage, such as wires or pipes, with the detector. It’s also important to check that the brackets will be level, otherwise your rail won’t hang straight.

Once you’re ready, drill your holes and fit your rawl plugs. You can now attach the curtain rail brackets before adding the rail – simple!

Cleaning the windows

Giving your windows a spruce can bring in a fair bit more light – so why not try mixing your own cleaning solution for the glass? For this you’ll need:

• Half a pint of water
• About 80mls white vinegar
• A drop of washing up liquid
• Paper towels

Sort a squeaky door

A creaky internal door can be a real cause of irritation. To get it sorted in less than fifteen minutes, you’ll need:

• WD-40
• Kitchen roll

Spray on a little WD-40 the door’s hinges, using the kitchen roll to make sure it doesn’t drip down onto the carpet. As you spray, slowly keep the door moving so it covers all of the hinge – simple! Be sure to only use this technique on internal doors, as the finish of uPVC external doors can be susceptible to damage from the spray.

Fit a simple bathroom lock

Fitting a door bolt is all about measuring, so make sure you double check your handiwork before attaching any fittings. You’ll need:

• Door bolt
• Screws
• Drill

Place the door bolt against the door, drawing round the perimeter as well as where the screws need to go. Make sure it’s level and then drill a set of pilot holes where the screws will sit. Screw the bolt part to the door using the holes you’ve just made (if they’re straight, that is!).

Now you can line up the part of the bolt that sits on the door frame, drill your pilot holes as before and attach.

Bleeding the radiators

Now and again, air can get into your central heating system, making it less effective. One way to counter this is to bleed your radiators from time to time, and to do this you’ll need:

• Radiator bleeding key
• Towel

Find the bolt at the top corner of your radiator and use the key to gently unscrew it by a fraction of a turn. If there’s air in there, you’ll hear it come out, and if not, you’ll notice water coming out instead, so make sure you have the towel wrapped around the radiator to catch any spills.

Filling old picture holes

Small holes and dents in the wall can be unsightly, so spend ten minutes filling them in for a smooth finish next time you decorate. You’ll need:

• An appropriate wall filling product
• Cloth
• Spatula
• Sand paper

Apply a small amount of product to the spatula and carefully press it into the hole. Do this several times until it’s filled, before smoothing it over with the tool at hand. Use your cloth to clean the implement between uses. Once it’s dried, gently sand over the patch to ensure it’s smooth against the wall.

Painting a ceiling

Of course the time this takes depends on the size of your ceiling, but generally once the prep is done, the actual painting is a quick task. You’ll need:

• Long-handled paint roller
• Decorating cloths
• Paint

Make sure you cover everything that can’t be removed from the room in decorating cloths (including the floor!), and paint away. If you’re decorating the whole room, make the ceiling the first thing you paint in the room to avoid drips ruining your newly painted walls.

Now you’ve tried your hand at a few simple DIY tasks, we’d love to see your efforts! Head over to our Facebook page to tell us about your home improvement work.

As part of our DIY campaign, we’ve been sussing out which football teams are the laziest when it comes to home improvements – make sure you check back to find out who!
Sources
http://shewearsmanyhats.com/the-best-window-cleaner/
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/maintenance-repairs/12-quick-home-repairs/fixing-squeaky-door-hinges
http://www.rayfields.co.uk/blog/how-to-fit-a-sliding-bolt/#.WBILly0rKCg
http://www.diy.com/help-ideas/how-to-put-up-curtains-and-blinds/CC_npci_100104.art

The post Quick DIY: 15 Minute Home Improvements appeared first on Good to be Home.

from Good to be Home http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/home-news/quick-diy-15-minute-home-improvements/

How to Build a Holiday Display Shelf Unit - Today's Homeowner

This foldable shelf unit is a great solution to display holiday decorations, but the design can be used for a variety of purposes. Watch the video for project details.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-build-a-holiday-display-shelf-unit/

How to Make a Wood Pallet Christmas Tree - Today's Homeowner

Watch this Simple Solution video to see how to make a decorative Christmas tree from an old wooden pallet.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-make-a-wood-pallet-christmas-tree/

Moving Countdown: Frequently Overlooked Tasks

Running a moving company also means getting a firsthand look at the moving process over and over again. After years of helping people get from point A to point B, we have noticed that there are a few very important tasks that are often overlooked. Obviously, this can cause a lot of hassle in the lead up to moving day itself.

from 411HomeRepair.com http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/real-estate-finance/9900-Moving-Countdown-Frequently-Overlooked-Tasks.html

Win a £50 Voucher by Guessing the Anglian Product

On the run up to Christmas, we all end up spending lots of money on presents, food and drink to ensure everyone has an incredible festive period. It’s an expensive time of year, so we thought we could help soften the blow for your purse by giving you the chance to win a £50 John Lewis Voucher.

The John Lewis Christmas TV advert has become something of a tradition that we all look forward to, signifying the start of the festivities. In case you haven’t seen it, here it is.

In the first of its kind on Good to be Home, we are going to do a competition where you have to guess what the product is. The product is from Anglian Home Improvements, so it may be worth doing a little bit of research before you post your answer.

Here’s the picture of the mystery Anglian product:

Is this a:

A. Double Glazed Window
B. Triple Glazed Window
C. Front Door
D. Conservatory
E. Orangery
F. Rooftrim product

To be in with a chance to win one of three vouchers up for grabs, send your answer to Anglian on Facebook or Twitter, using #AnglianProductGuess. The competition closes on November 30th and the winners will be announced on Friday the 2nd December.

‘WIN £50 JOHN LEWIS VOUCHERS BY GUESSING THE PRODUCT’

PRIZE DRAW TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Opening Date: Tuesday 15th November

Closing Date: Wednesday 30th November

Entry Details
To enter our competition to win one of 3 £50 John Lewis vouchers, go to Anglian’s Facebook or Twitter page and post your answer.

This competition is open to residents of the UK, excluding Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland. Entrants must be aged 18 years. Competition excludes employees of Anglian Windows Limited and their families, agents or anyone else professionally associated with the prize draw.

Details of how to enter form part of the terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the entrants agree to abide by these rules. The decision of the Promoter is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The winners will be selected by 2nd December 2016.

The winners will be notified via the social network they entered within 2 days of the closing date of the prize draw.

If the Promoter has had no reply from the winner within 48 hours of the notification, the Promoter reserves the right to re-draw and award the prize to another entrant.

The prizes are 3x £50 worth of John Lewis vouchers. One voucher per randomly selected winner.

No Anglian purchase is necessary to enter this prize draw.

There is no cash alternative.

The prize is non-transferable.

By entering the competition the winners agree to participate in competition publicity, which could include interview and photographs of the winners.

Events may occur that render the competition itself or the awarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the Promoter and accordingly the Promoter may at its absolute discretion vary or amend the promotion and the entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to the Promoter as a result thereof.

Promoter:
Anglian Home Improvements
PO BOX 65
Norwich
Norfolk
NR6 6EJ

The post Win a £50 Voucher by Guessing the Anglian Product appeared first on Good to be Home.

from Good to be Home http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/featured/win-a-50-voucher-by-guessing-the-anglian-product/

5 of the Best Ways to Use a Loft Conversion

There are few better ways to add space and value to home than with a loft conversion. By taking a space which is often under-utilised and transforming it, you can open up a whole world of new possibilities for your attic.

But for many, it isn’t a case of whether they should get a loft conversion; it’s what to do with the space once they’ve converted. Adding another bedroom is a clear and obvious choice, but in many cases, an additional bedroom offers little practical use other than adding to the house’s value.

Here are five alternative ideas for what you can do with your newly reclaimed loft room.

1. An office

Lofts make ideal offices for several reasons. Their placement in the house and the fact they’re high above any outside roads means that they’re often the quietest room, making them a great aid to concentration.

If you’re a bit of a procrastinator, the fact that an attic will be far away from the hub of the house – particularly the kitchen, living area and dining room – will mean a distraction-free environment that will let you really get your head down and some serious work done.

2. A second living room

Creating another living room in your home within your attic conversion gives you a flexible space that you’re likely to make much more use of than a second bedroom. Modern TV subscriptions often allow for multi-room viewing, so another area to watch your favourite programmes and unwind in comfort can be really well utilised.

Better yet, a second living area is relatively low investment, with only furniture really being required. It also allows for a quick and easy transition to become a bedroom or a more specialised area should you want to sell your house.

3. Reading room

If the thought of having two rooms centered around televisions doesn’t quite do it for you, then why not take advantage of the tranquility and seclusion that comes with a loft conversion and make it into a reading room?

The natural camber of a loft conversion roof will often limit the amount of storage space available around the edge of the room, but even in restricted areas you can fit shelving for your books, allowing you to create a miniature library that’ll be perfect for any reading fan! Just remember to invest in double or triple glazed windows to preserve the tranquility!

4. Storage

One of the main reasons people resist converting their loft is the fact that to do so will require clearing it in the first place. Something a lot of people don’t consider, however that once the conversion is complete, is that the space can still be used for storage.

It may no longer be the place to stuff boxes for old appliances and other miscellany, but it could become, for example, an elegant walk in wardrobe, freeing up space elsewhere in the house. Revamping the storage offering within your loft is, in many ways, the best of both worlds, adding value to your home without sacrificing the storage space that the space originally offered.

5. Workout room

Finally, if you’re someone who needs some added motivation to get themselves moving on their fitness journey, why not utilise your loft conversion as a workout room? Many of those who invest in a home gym quickly find it losing its appeal after they’ve put their equipment in a cold, damp or uninspiring space within their home.

Utilising the natural light and space of a loft conversion is a great way to create a workout space that has you raring to go. A well insulated floor will also keep the noise that filters through to the rest of the house to a minimum, unlike a home gym located adjacent to living areas.

Have you seen an inspiring loft conversion idea that you’d like to share with us? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

The post 5 of the Best Ways to Use a Loft Conversion appeared first on Good to be Home.

from Good to be Home http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/home-news/how-to-use-a-loft-conversion/

A Better Way to Roll Up a Rug - Today's Homeowner

People usually roll rugs from end to end, causing it to bend and crack in the middle. A better way is to roll the rug diagonally, from corner to corner.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/a-better-way-to-roll-up-a-rug/

Water booster pump

It’s always frustrating when you want to take a shower or get water from the tap, and the pressure is just too low. Where is the fun in using a shower when the water pressure is low? These challenges will soon be history. The introduction into the market of the new and amazing Grundfos Scala2, the water booster pump with an inverter, will provide a much-needed solution to homeowners. They can enjoy sufficient water pressure all through at pocket-friendly prices. Varying or low water pressure is a major problem more so for those who live in old residential estates or high-rise apartments.

The Grundfos water booster pump is about to be a game changer. According to CK Leong, the South Asia area managing director of the company, a lot of people tolerate the discomfort and inconvenience brought about by varying or low water pressure because they perceive plumbing works as costly and labor intensive. Putting up with the low pressure thus seems to be the easy option. The new Scala2 water booster pump allows homeowners to enjoy high water pressure even when there is simultaneous water usage in the home.

Th process of installation is easy, and it will only take a few minutes for the plumber to get the job done. In many cases, water pumps have been installed on rooftops, but that changes with the Scala2 pump. The installation is done at ground level because then maintenance is easy.

One of the main advantages of the Scala2 is that it is an all in one water boosting system. All the parts are completely integrated. It is also compact enough to be fitted into small spaces. To further illustrate how this booster pump is great, it is silent than most boosters in its category. The sound level is in the range of a modern dishwasher. Now that is just amazing. The reduced noise increases comfort and ensures that the pump does not become an irritant in the home as it enhances the water pressure. This is made possible by the addition of a super-silent motor and the use of water cooling in the place of a noisy fan.

The pump design is also more domestic than industrial, a departure from the appearance of many of the modern booster pumps on the market. The Scala2 booster pump is designed in such a way that it is easy to use. The water pressure can also be adjusted using the control panel. This booster pump is what homeowners need to solve the problem of low water pressure in the home.

from Corn heat http://www.cornheats.com/water-booster-pump/

How to Build a Mailbox Post - Today's Homeowner

A mailbox post is a simple structure. You need a vertical post to go in the ground and a horizontal piece to support the mailbox, joined together with a half-lap joint. Watch the video for step-by-step instructions.

from Danny Lipford - Home Improvement - DIY - Videos http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-build-a-mailbox-post/