At this time of year you just have to blink and then the holidays are upon us. The countdown to Christmas is on, and with the festivities and fun, there are more than likely going to be freezing cold temperatures, snow, rain, and ice, depending on where in the country you live. With the mass spending that can occur at this time of year, you may have budgeted for the extra food and the gifts that you are going to buy. But have you thought about, or planned ahead for, the extra spending that you may have due to home repairs in winter? What if you needed to get a new boiler or if pipes freeze and then burst in the cold weather?

Home repairs are part and parcel of being a homeowner, and yes, it isn’t fun spending money on things like that. But it can be essential, and it can save you money in the long term, especially if something goes wrong with what you’ve got at home. So with all of this in mind, here are some jobs that are worth looking at now, so that you can enjoy your holiday season in peace, and not have any unexpected disasters.

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Service Your Boiler

Having a boiler serviced should be done as often as you can, but once in a couple of years is usually a good place to start; when was the last time you had your boiler serviced? It makes sure that your home is safe, gas safe, and that the boiler will be functioning right to keep you warm through the winter. If you know someone that is certified to do them then it will make it cheaper. However, it’s definitely one of those things that is a necessary cost really (as boilers and issues with them can be way more pricey to repair).

 Checks Pipe and Water Tank

If you get a burst water pipe then the damage it can lead to can be monumental. You have the cost of repairing the pipes, but if it has led to any water damage then it can mean the cost of repairing flooring or even ceilings. So checking on them regularly and making sure that they are working fine is always a good idea. While you are checking on the water pipes, the water tank is also worth looking at. Making sure that the lid is on securely is a good idea, as well as making sure that the insulation around it is going to be adequate and in good repair.

Windows and Drafts

The windows are one of the key things that help to keep the heat in over the winter time. So if you have any drafts coming in from your windows or damage to the windows, then it can make your home cold and not energy efficient. That will make your heating bill high over winter as you’re trying to keep the home warm all of the time. If you have cracked glass or anything like that to your windows, then getting new windows is as must. At this time of year it can be cold and damaging, as well as a hazard for things like theft. Sealant on windows can be a good way to repair if there are drafts, but if there are holes in the glass, then it will need new windows, and pronto.

Clearing Gutters

Clearing your gutters is so important at this time of year. And the good news is that it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money (unless you don’t have a ladder to use). Through fall, leaves and moss can fall and fill the gutters around your home. Mix that up with rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, and it can mean that it all will freeze together in your gutters. That can lead to damage with the gutters, as they can crack as the water freezes in there, as well as then lead to damage and even leaks. Water damage is really dangerous and can lead to a lot of problems. So cleaning gutters is a simple thing to do that can make a difference and avoid any of that kind of damage.

There can be some cost and hassle when it comes to dealing with the maintenance of your home in winter, but it is something to take seriously and not just brush aside. All of these things can save you money in the long term, and you will also not have any unexpected bills or damage to your home coming your way.

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Moving into a new dwelling is an exciting time and with so much to organise, it is easy to overlook essential things like drain inspections. As your drainage system is underground, the only way to discover the condition of the interior pipes is to call in a specialist company that has all the hi-tech equipment to give you a detailed overview of the state of your drains.

Online Solutions

You might be wondering how to make contact with a company that specialises in drainage maintenance and repair, but with an online search, you can locate local drain unblockers by 24/7 Drainage Solutions, the UK’s leading drainage services company. Such a company is fully equipped to carry out a detailed inspection of the complete drainage system and can carry out effective repairs in the event there is an issue.

CCTV Survey

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As the owner of a new property, you should ascertain the status of your drainage and by using CCTV go-anywhere cameras, the drain specialist can get a detailed picture of the inner pipes, which will reveal any potential issues. Preventative maintenance minimises the risk of a blocked drain, which can be a costly exercise, and with an annual inspection, you won’t get a nasty surprise at some time in the future. For those who would like to turn their hands to drain unblocking, there are articles that detail how to unblock a drain without the use of harmful chemicals, although for most people, calling out the experts is a preferred solution.

Power Cleaning

Whatever the condition of your drain pipes, it is always a good idea to have the system power cleaned. This involves using high pressure water that will remove all residue from the interior pipe surfaces, thus ensuring a free flow. There are specialist companies who carry out power cleaning and while they are doing that, you can ask them to inspect the inner pipe surfaces, which will give you a detailed report on the condition of your drains. A partial blockage can very quickly turn into a complete blockage and a power clean will remove all residue, leaving the inner surfaces of the pipes clean.

New Build

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Even a newly constructed house can have drainage issues, and in some cases, ground movement will cause a drain blockage, as the recent building causes movement and heavy construction machinery can put a big strain on underground sewer pipes. Ground subsidence is far more likely with a newly built house, which can take years to settle down and by having the professionals carry out a thorough drainage inspection, you will be informed if there are any issues.

The older a property is, the more chance there is of drain damage, so make sure one of the first things you do after moving in, is to have the drains inspected. After the initial inspection, make it an annual exercise and that should ensure that your drains are always in good working order.

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If your home is starting to get a little cramped and you can’t afford to upsize, don’t worry – there could be other ways to add extra space to your home.  Here are just a few tricks to make your home feel roomier.

Build an extension

The most obvious way to add space to your home is to build an extension. This might not be possible in many home and even if you do have the extra space to extend you still need to get planning permission first. Extending is a great way to create the ideal space you want – if you’re running out of space for books, you could create a library, or if you’ve got a new arrival on the way you could build a new bedroom. Companies such as https://kitchensacramento.com/remodeling/ can help to carry out your extension. Extensions can be expensive so make sure you set a budget.

Convert an unused space

Another option could be to convert an unused space such as an attic, garage or cupboard under the stairs and turn it into liveable space. This could allow you to build a new bedroom or a home office or a new bathroom. It’s likely you’ll need to spend some time decluttering this space and cleaning it up. Conversions can be a lot cheaper than extensions, plus you likely won’t need planning permission.

Go open plan

Rather than having lots of closed off rooms, consider knocking down a few interior walls and opting for an open plan layout. This could give you more freedom when it comes to adding large furniture. Many people with a living room, kitchen and dining room tend to knock all these rooms into one. You may want to avoid knocking bedrooms together as this could seriously damage your home’s value.

Use less floor space, more vertical space

It’s better to have more space to walk around and less space on the walls. Try to avoid storage units that protrude and take up most of the room and instead opt for tall shelving units that make the most of the room’s height. You may be able to mount your TV on a wall rather than having a TV stand taking up floor space or hang a bike up on a wall rather than leaning it against it.

Use collapsible furniture

Collapsible furniture can be put in a cupboard when not in use, freeing up space in your home. Few homes have the room for a permanent dining table, however having a fold up table to put up in your living room for when you need it could be a way around this. You can even get collapsible sofas and beds that may be ideal for a small bedsit. Sites like https://expandfurniture.com/ have a great selection of these kinds of furniture.

Use multi-purpose furniture

You may also be able to save space with multi-purpose furniture and appliances. This could include a washer-dryer or a sofa-bed. You can also buy beds and sofas that double up as storage. By combining two pieces of furniture you could free up a lot of space.

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Between the stuff you’ve collected from a lifetime of retail therapy and the kids you’ve accumulated, you may have noticed your home has started to feel a little more, how do we say, compact. It may have even got to the stage where you’ve thought about moving to a bigger house just to enjoy a little bit of breathing space again.

But what if there were some easier solutions than upping sticks?

Mmm hmmm. Pop your head into any interior designer’s office and they’ll tell you that being smarter with your space is the best way to make your home feel a dollop larger – big enough to cope with your hoarding problem and growing brood.

Read on for our favorite ways to increase the living space in your home and hold off that need to move:

Multifunctional Rooms Are Essential

When space is not the luxury it once was, you need to dismiss the idea of having separate rooms for everything and embrace the modern trend of multifunctional rooms. That could mean having a kitchen diner to create space for a living room, or integrating your home office into the corner of your bedroom. Anything that will free-up a pinch of extra space.

Look For The Dead Space

Every home is full of dead spots that are just gagging to be transformed into clever storage options. Seriously. You’ll be flabbergasted by just how many parts of your home are suitable for this. The space under your stairs, the walls either side of a door (and the space above the door), beneath your windows – so many spaces.

Give Wasted Spaces A Reason

If you were to take a speedy stroll around your home, you’ll stumble across loads of wasted areas that need repurposing. Your damp basement could become somewhere special with a unique waterproofing system, your attic could become a bedroom with some added insulation and your landings could be a storage goldmine with the addition of some bespoke cabinets. They’re all simple solutions that will give your home tons of extra space.

Get In The Garden

When space is limited in your home, don’t undervalue the importance of your garden. It’s one of the best ways of liberating some of that breathing space you crave. Sheds, summerhouses, storage boxes, bike stores – anything like this can quickly become the solution for your cluttered home.

Spare Rooms Are Overrated

Spare rooms are all good and well if you are constantly fending off different guests, but if you only have people pop by three weekends a year then you are far better off changing the sofa in your living room for a sofa bed. Not only will this free up an entire room in your home to be used for something more practical, you’ll also be able to surprise your guests with how comfy sofa beds have become in the past few years. They’re incredible.

Space, it’s already in your house. You just need to know where to look for it, how to use it and then start to enjoy it. That’s all.

For many people, the functionality of their home is what matters most. Even if you don’t know it yet, it is certainly the thing that should be most important to you. After all, what use is your home to you and your family if it’s not offering you all of the things that a properly suitable family home should offer? Think about that question and make sure it sinks in before you move on and get on with the rest of your day.

It’s not enough to accept the shortcomes and problems of your home because it’s your family that’ll lose out in the end. It’s up to you to make sure that you find ways to make your home more functional than it currently is, and you’re in luck because it’s actually really easy to do that. Some of the things that we’re going to talk about and cover in-depth below will help you to realise where your home is falling short and what you can do to change things for the better..

The Opportunities for You All to do the Things You Love

Everyone in your home probably has certain passions and hobbies that they care deeply about. So can you really call your home functional for your family if it doesn’t make it possible for you all to do the things you love each day? If it doesn’t have the room or space for that stuff, it’s not doing what your family needs it to do, and that means it’s not particularly functional. It’s a sign that you should maybe make a change.

Comfort and Relaxation

Being able to remain comfortable and relaxed in your home is one of the minimum things you should be able to demand from your home. If you’re not truly comfortable, you will feel more stressed out and unhappy when you’re spending time in your home, and that’s obviously not what you want. If your home makes it hard for you to relax, you should definitely ask yourself whether this is your family’s forever home. There might be a better option out there.

Room for Entertaining

If you’re the kind of family that likes to have other people around for entertaining and fun like that, you will have to work around the limits of your home. Ideally, your home will offer you a large and open dining space that can accomodate lots of people. If that’s not the case, it might be a good idea for you to create an open plan kitchen dining space to use. It’ll certainly make dinners and dinner parties much better for you because the chef can still interact with the guests.

The Right Furniture With Multiple Purposes

Having the right furniture in your home is another thing that’s going to make it more functional for your family. It’s a good idea to try and find the furniture pieces that have multiple functions so that you can do different things with them when you’re in the home. For example, you could seek out a sofa that has storage space built into it. There are many ideas like that for you to consider if you want to make better use of your interior space.

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Plenty of Available Storage Space

You can never have too much storage space in your home, and that’s something you shouldn’t forget. No home can be described as functional, especially not for families, if it doesn’t offer much in the way of obvious storage spaces. There are lots of clever tricks you can make use of to add extra storage to your home, but nothing is better than units and spaces that are built into the design of the home itself.

Sustainability for Your Whole Family

If you’re currently renting, you need to think about how sustainable the situation is. You can find bargains on different properties at https://www.rumah.com/properti-sewa if you want to find something that’s going to be a bit more long-term for you. You should also think about how sustainable your living arrangements currently are. If you have siblings sharing rooms, that might become a problem for them as they get a bit older. So think about that some more.

Clear Pathways Through the Home

Each room in your home should have clear and obvious pathways that run through it. This is something that matters a lot because how you move around your home will most definitely impact on how it feels when you use it each day. If you feel like you’re constantly battling against the layout of the rooms, it won’t be any fun and it’ll feel anything but functional.

Space for Everyone to Get Away and Be Alone

Sometimes, it’s necessary to get away from what’s going on in the rest of the house so that you can be alone and spend some time by yourself. That doesn’t mean you don’t want to spend time with your family, but everyone can feel overwhelmed and want to be alone from time to time. It’s something that will apply to every person in your family, so it’s worth considering. A home can’t be functional without space for alone time.

Maintaining and improving our houses is something that is at the top of most homeowners lists. Unfortunately, when something goes wrong in the home or needs improving it can add to an already graining load of jobs that need to be done. However, it is possible to stop yourself drowning in a sea of unending jobs, and it entails knowing which ones to DIY and which to outsource to the professionals. Something you can read more on below.

Time

Time is one of the leading factors on whether we DIY a job or get someone in to help us instead. Yes, it is entirely possible that with a little elbow grease and some help from a few online tutorials like the below, you can repaint the entire house, or install a new bathroom from scratch. However, what is super important here is whether it’s a good use of your time to do so.

Will doing so make the rest of your life unmanageable? Will it affect the quality of the relationship you are having with your friends and family because you are too tired and stressed to connect with them in the usual way? Will it be quicker and easy all around to get someone else in? If so, then it’s probably a much better idea to get in a professional to help you out.

Cost

Cost is another critical factor when you are choosing to complete jobs yourself or get a professional to do them. After all, our money is precious, and we don’t want to have to pay more than we need for repairs or refits.

However, sometimes the idea of completing a job ourselves is better the reality. In fact, it can work out cheaper to get a professional like the ones at http://www.calrespainting.com/services/exterior-house-painting/ to paint the outside of your house rather than to do it yourself. Therefore It is essential that you do a realistic cost analysis before you decide to do any job yourself.

Urgency

Next, the urgency of a task has a huge role in whether you choose to hire a professional or do the job yourself. After all, if you have a burst pipe that is flooding your cellar, you will want it done straight away before it creates too much damage.

This can work both ways, however, because it actually might better to get in there and plug the leaks yourself with some rubber, a piece of wood, and a C clamp like they demonstrate at http://watersmartsystems.com/blogs/diy-plumbing-how-to-stop-leaky-pipes-for-beginners.htm.Then once the energy situation is over, you can consider carefully whether you have the right knowledge skills and to go ahead with pipe removal and fix a new one in with solder, or whether you would feel more comfortable asking a professional to do this.

Expertise

Last, of all, expertise is massively relevant in the decision on whether to do things yourself or get in a professional. This reason for this is because if you have the know how to perform a task, and it can be done easily, it would be a waste of money and time to wait for an outside company to come in a do it for you.

However, if you are concerned about your level of skill or safety, relying on an expert can ensure that the job is done right the first time, and you no longer have to worry about it.

Families can get through a lot if they’re united as a team to deal with whatever’s thrown at them. That’s what having a strong family is all about. It gives you the support and confidence you need in order to thrive and succeed as an individual. But it can also help you during the most difficult times. When you know that you have people to turn to, it can make a big difference, so never underestimate the importance of maintaining a strong family unit.

A Bunch of Minds are Better Than One

If you all work together to find the solution to the difficult situation you find yourselves in, you’ll get it done much quicker. They say two minds are better than one, so surely a whole family’s minds are a lot better than one when it comes to problem solving and things like that. Everyone in your family will have his or her own skills, and they can all be harnessed in different situations.

Everything is Tougher When You’re Dealing With Loss, But You Can Support One Another

When your family experiences a loss, it can come as a shock. And even when you have time to prepare for that loss, it’s no less devastating when it comes. If you feel the loss was not necessary and was the fault of someone else, sites like https://www.lane-lane.com/chicago-wrongful-death-lawyer/ will be able to support your family. It’s just as important to look out for one another and to know that you can support yourselves as a family unit through this emotional turmoil too, however.

Knowing That You Have People You Can Open Up to Without Shame is a Big Deal

Opening up is difficult at the best of times, but it’s much easier when you have people around you who you feel comfortable talking with. It’s something not everyone has, and it’s easy to take it for granted. But you should never lose touch of how big a deal it is to be able to talk about anything that you need to with your close family members. It’s something you should also continually aim to get better at.

When One Person is Down, It’s the Responsibility of Everyone Else to Pick That Person Up Again

This is the great thing half close knit families. When one person is feeling down, everyone else in the family knows that it’s up to them to raise that person’s spirits once more or just help them deal with whatever they’re going through at that moment. It can be things like that that help families get through the most difficult times without breaking apart completely. So make sure you play your part in this.

Working as a team is not just a corny cliche; it’s something that every family should take to heart. Appreciate what you have with those around you, and even when the tough times do arrive for you, be prepared to work together and support one another so that you can get through it all together.

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Now that the warmer weather is approaching we need to start looking at the odd jobs we can do around both the house and the garden. The gutters are an integral part of our home system because they work to stop water from reaching our foundations and getting into the brickwork of our homes. Gutters are designed to direct water away from the house and then flush it into the garden.

However, a lot of us neglect our gutters and this can lead to debris building up in the area. If we do not clean out gutters every so often we can end up with sticks, leaves and other material blocking the way and this in turn can cause the water to build up and leak into the house. The last thing you want is to neglect this easy Plumbing job and end up causing major damage to your home. Therefore it is important to start thinking about cleaning out those gutters and keeping the home healthy and happy.

How often?

The question of how often you should be emptying out your gutters will depend on the are you live in. If you live in an area with plenty of trees, then it is likely that the leaves and debris will fall into your gutter and build up over time. It is recommended that the gutters are cleaned in the early spring and in the autumn.

Another reason to clean your gutters during the spring is that many pests lay their eggs in moist gutters and during the late spring and summer these pests will come to life. It is often mosquitos who will take advantage of this, but honey bees may do the same so make sure you can clear out a nest before it spawns.

If your gutter is directly underneath a tree, then you will likely need to clean out the gutters more often to prevent the leaves and sticks building up and blocking your way, you can even look into trimming the tree so that it does not directly overhang your gutter.

DIY or professional?

Most of the time there is no need to call in a professional, and you can easily get the job done yourself. To safely clean out your gutters you will need a sturdy ladder, pipe cleaner and gloves. When using a ladder always make sure that it is on solid, flat ground to keep it safe and prevent it from moving. If it lands on soft soil then you can place down some wood to even out the land and provide an even spot to rest on. Ideally you should always have someone with you to make sure that the ladder stays solid and safe on the ground. This will hopefully prevent any major injury occurring.

If you do decide to have a professional look at the roof for you, they will be able to clean the gutter out and also perform any small repairs which are needed on the gutter to keep it strong and flowing where it should.

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If you constantly find yourself struggling to get the regular amount of sleep that your mind and body craves, your bedroom is the first thing that you should be looking to change. After all, you want to create an environment that is as conducive to sleep as possible. The disturbances and distractions around the room, the less likely it is that you will be able to drift off. So, let’s run through the things that you can adjust to give yourself a better chance of getting a good night’s sleep.

Make the Room Dark

The first thing that we need to sleep well is darkness. When you are getting ready for bed, turn off the overhead light and switch to a soft bedside lamp. This helps your body know that it should be getting ready for sleep. When you turn off the lights, you don’t want any disturbances like digital clocks and glowing electronics. If you have a problem with street lights outside, blackout blinds or a sleeping mask should do the job.

Make the Room Comfortable

Next up, you need to make the room as comfortable as possible. The mattress is probably the most important part of this, so take a look at bestmattress-brand.org for a few different options. Ensure that you have soft, clean and comfortable sheets, and only as many pillows as you feel comfortable with. Also, consider what you are wearing to sleep. For example, if you always have cold feet, it is worth trying out wearing some bed socks. Experiment until you find out what is most comfortable for you.

Make the Room Cool

As you fall asleep, your body temperature will naturally start to drop down, so creating a cool sleeping environment can help speed up the process a bit. Try setting your thermostat 5° to 10° lower than your average daytime temperature to see what a difference this makes. Of course, the optimum temperature varies from person to person, so again, it is worth experimenting until you get things right.

Make the Room Quiet

If you live in a particularly noisy neighbourhood, there are a couple of things which can help you to create the quiet sleeping environment that you are looking for. A thick rug and some heavy blinds may help in the first instance when trying to reduce the noise. You can also try wearing earplugs to block out surrounding disturbances. If you are the kind of person who likes to fall asleep to music, make sure the player has a ‘sleep’ function so it shuts down automatically after a set period of time.

Make the Room Calm

The final thing that you should be looking to make the room is calm. So, electronic devices like a TV or computer should be kept elsewhere. Any excess clutter should either be removed from the home or stored in another room. A calming colour scheme and some soothing sights and sounds all contribute towards helping you get the sleep you need.   

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Is there anything quite as traditional as the family home? Even though our idea of what makes a good family home might have changed over the last century, there are still some important foundations that make a home the perfect place for a family.

Next time you are at a friend’s or relative’s house, you should take a look at the similarities and differences to your own. Sure, the main differences will be in the interior design and decor – after all, we all have our own unique tastes and styles. But you will also notice four very distinct things that every family home has, and it is these four foundations that turn a normal home into a family home. Read on to find out more!

Coziness

The home is somewhere where the family comes together to relax and chill out in. Whether it’s your kids who have had a hectic day at school or you need to collapse on the sofa after a stressful day in the office, the family home provides you with the perfect space to do so. Make sure that your living room is comfortably appointed so that you can sink into the sofa and forget about all your worries that may be waiting for you in the outside world!

Practicality

A family home shouldn’t just be cozy and comfortable, though. It also needs to be practical so that you and your family can get things done. For instance, you should ensure that your main bathroom is as practical as possible so that people don’t spend too long in it and end up holding others up. This is also the case for your kitchen – these two rooms need to be practical for your chores and they should also be very easy to clean and tidy. Having plenty of storage in them is an added bonus.

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Security

If you and your family don’t feel safe and secure in your home, then there is no way you will feel comfortable. So, it’s important that you invest well in a house security system and a few other deterrents that will put off potential intruders from burgling your home. At the very least, you should get a burglar alarm installed as well as working CCTV cameras. The CCTV then ensures that you will be able to capture any intruders on film so that you have evidence for the police, in the event that you are burgled.

Togetherness

The family home should bring your family together. The best way to ensure this is to add a few different amenities and fixtures that are great for group entertainment. For instance, a modern TV in the living room gives you the chance to enjoy movie nights together. You should also add a large dining room table so that you can gather together at mealtimes. As long as the home is designed in a way that encourages group activities, then your family will always feel together when you’re all at home.

Add these four foundations for a better family home!