Accent walls make flats feel bigger

Flats which are small can be easily dwarfed by bad decoration and squeezing in furniture that is too big for the space. By creating an accent wall you can help to give the flat the illusion of being bigger. An accent wall is a bold or colourful wall which is a strong focal point in any room.

An accent wall can be easily repainted at a later stage if you wish to relocate or change the colour, it is also a cost effective way of making your flat modern. By having an accent wall you will not require a lot of other décor; some great cushions that compliment the wall and some candles are a great way to highlight the beauty of the room.

Choose a dark and vibrant colour for your accent wall, and make sure you only paint one otherwise you will make the room much smaller! Blues and greens are colours which are used in order to make people feel more relaxed so pick your colours carefully to get the right ambiance for you, your family or guests to your home. An accent wall is a great feature which is modern and very cost effective.

Only Pay for What You Need

Make sure that you know what materials are required for any home improvements projects that you are hiring tradesman to do as many people are being fooled by conmen. Many people are handing over large amounts of money in order to pay for materials that they often do not need therefore experts are warning that you must use a reputable company and do a little research prior to the project starting.

It is easy to be fooled into purchasing materials that are not required and be sucked in my conmen that have the gift of the gab. Many experts are advising that home owners should get a number of quotes and shop around for the best deal but make sure that the company they choose has good customer reviews.

In the event you are approached for more money make sure you that you understand what it is for and ask for a second opinion from someone that is a more informed about home improvement materials. Experts also advise that the public should not respond to flyers from companies that they do not know, key phrases such as ’saving money from government grants’ or ‘energy efficient products’ are commonly used in order to draw interest from vulnerable home owners.

As a company we never ask for a single penny until your installation is complete, so you needn’t worry about paying for unneccessary materials.

Try Some Basic DIY

There may be many household DIY tasks that are too dangerous to do yourself however there are just as many that you are capable to do without compromising your safety. These include;

- Re grouting – Most water damage will occur in the bathroom, when the grout starts to break down then the bathroom tiles can start to become loose. To prevent this you should re grout your bathroom and use a sealant in order to help stop the problem.

- Clean your household gutters – Overgrown vegetation in your gutters can result in them becoming clogged. By cleaning your gutters on a regular basis you can help to prevent future problems and any repair costs.

- Seal decks – If you have a deck then it is very vulnerable to weather damage. When the wood on the deck is compromised by damage this can cause bugs to start investing the area. You must therefore make sure to apply a deck sealant to prevent this problem.

- Replace/seal roof flashings – Roof flashing will deteriorate over time however it is important to look after them as too much water penetration can be costly to fix therefore if damage has occurred you should replace the roof flashing or apply a sealant to the area where damage has happened.

Get Your Windows Squeeky Clean

When your windows on your property look good, your home looks great. Streaky and dirty windows do not look appealing however there are simple steps to achieving sparkling windows and they are;

- Run a bucket of warm water, be careful not to make it too hot.

- Purchase a good squeegee with a rubber blade.

- Add a little washing up liquid to the bucket or if you prefer window cleaning solution.

- Get a sponge that is only a little rough round the edges, this will help to get rid of stubborn dirt but be careful not to pick one which is too coarse as this could cause small scratches.

- Choose to clean your windows on a dry day that’s not too hot as your windows will dry far too quickly on a hot summers day.

- Make sure you work from top to bottom, drying the squeegee off after each stroke.

- Clean the water which will drop off onto the windowsill to avoid any dirt build up.

- Work on one side of house at any time in order avoid over exertion; cleaning windows can be very tiring.

- If your windows are too high then consider hiring a professional window cleaner to avoid any injuries.

Avoid DIY Gas Repairs

Taking home improvements into your own hands is in many aspects a very good thing however you have to be extremely careful when doing any gas work as it can be very costly to repair any damages which occur as a result of a botched job. Doing any DIY work that involves gas can also put you and your families lives in danger, not to mention result in the loss of your home.

Recent research has found that three quarters of Brits have admitted that they would take on gas repairs in order to save money that would be used to hire a professional. Worryingly one third of people also said that they would be prepared to fit fuel powered appliances into their home.

This research has caused many experts to have a cause for concern as even people who are DIY capable with many jobs around the house are not thought to be skilled enough to take on such work. Gas repairs require an engineer as they can be very dangerous and experts do not want home owners taking any risks. When an engineer enters your property make sure to ask to see their Gas Safe ID card to ensure that they are fully qualified to take on such work.

A few tips on cavity wall insulation

Cavity wall insulation has been introduced in many homes in order to save money on energy bills and carbon footprint however you must be extremely careful when doing so around electrical cables and pipes. In the event any problems occur with the cabling or pipes in your home it may be very difficult to gain access to resolve any issues with cavity wall insulation in place.

Many experts do not wish to put home owners off the idea however are warning that if you don’t re route plumbing in a properties walls when installing the cavity wall insulation then you may run into these problems in the future which could result in a lot of hassle and money; both of which can be avoided with appropriate planning. When using a professional to do the job always ask about the location of your pipes and cables as some may not take this into consideration in order to cut corners.

Cavity wall insulation is designed to help save the pennies therefore do it properly otherwise an energy saving resolution may not be as cost effective as once planned. Plumbing and electrical work can be expensive so avoid further costs by hiring good workman.

A Warning To Home Owners about Door to Door Salesmen

Many officials are warning home owners to be careful when it comes to door to door salesman. Conmen are clever, underhanded and have the gift of the gab; resulting in members of the public being duped into handing over a lot of money for relatively little and shoddy work.

The sales pitch includes advertising a great discount deal at the door or key phrases such as ‘we only have a little of the materials left so we are selling them off cheap’. Most door to door salesman are legitimate however it is good to be on guard.

You should never agree to do a sale at the door, it is perfectly acceptable to organise to get a quote which also allow you to check the company out however do not hand any money over on first meeting.

Members of the public have been successfully conned, it’s time to put a stop to it as the job they do will likely to be inefficient and the price will most definitely climb into the thousands. Easy targets include the elderly and young couples who have just managed to get onto the property ladder.

There are ways research the company and for reassurance take the salesman’s name and confirm they are an employee. Usually they should have an ID card and be dressed in company attire.

Dealing with Damp

There are many ways that you can prevent damp from occurring in your home, particularly condensation. Damp can often cause mould to build up and make your window frames which is very unsightly. Mites are attracted to damp and cold houses as it spurs the production of mould which they enjoy feeding on. This can actually be dangerous for a person’s health, especially those who suffer respiratory problems.

To prevent damp in your home follow these steps:-

1. Try to reduce the amount of moisture in your home by covering pans when cooking, when you want to hang a wash then do it outside where possible.

2. Try to ventilate your home as much as possible.

3. Make sure you insulate your home and areas such as the loft, fix draughts around the windows and doors, consider installing double glazing.

4. When possible heat your home as much as you can, by keeping a low heat all day long with some ventilation will help deter damp.

If you are worried about the expense then you should research what help you can get to help you with the fuel bills and you may be entitled to some benefits.

Taking the above steps all year round can help avoid any problems which could get even worse in the winter when its colder. Say no to damp now and be reassured all year round.

Pre Summer Maintenance Tips

Getting ready to toast our toes this summer is an appealing thought. Sitting in your sun lounger, sipping an afternoon cocktail and feeling completely relaxed is bliss to many of us after a bitterly cold winter. The idea definitely gets a thumb’s up from me however there may be a few simple things that you can do around the home in order to make it tip top and prepared for anything that could put a dampener on your summer.

The following steps are a guide for those who want to make home improvements themselves:-

1. Deter any bugs from getting into your home; make sure there are no holes or cracks in your house, this will prevent those pesky bugs from gaining access! Spray a chemical such as Raid Max Bug Barrier in order to kill off any bugs around your home, its harmless to your family and only needs reapplied if there is heavy rainfall.

2. Wash the siding; Use a pressure washer to clean any vinyl, metal and masonry.

3. To clean wood or bricks you can use a detergent, a bristled brush and some warm water to scrub away any grime.

4. Mildew can be banished with a little bleach and warm water, well and plenty of scrubbing.

5. Clean your gutters to get rid of the build of leaves and waste that has accrued over winter, use a gutter scoop to removed it then hose anything left behind for a clean finish.

Get Your Home Guttered!

Brits are going mad for home improvement this year in order to achieve the perfect property. A great paint job, new flooring or a lovely conservatory is all great improvements however do not forget about the exterior of your house. Leaves and other debris have been clogging up our gutters and drain pipes but in preparation for the summer months, where you may actually get to enjoy the outside of your home, it’s time to get rid of such clutter and start to gutter!

To avoid damage caused from heavy rain fall or strong gusts of wind then be ensure to clean your drain pipes and gutters. In the event you also have a chimney make sure to get it swept as a build up of dust or soot can cause a fire which is a danger I am sure many of us would like to avoid.

Getting an early start on your outside clean up is essential to be prepared for next winter, and it will also look great for summer.

You may need to replace your drain pipes or gutters so we’re on hand to do it for you. We can provide quality guttering and roofline to suit your home, with a unique 10 year guarantee.