Category Archives: Home and functionality

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As I’m sure you discovered a long time ago, life isn’t fair. In fact, as we get further and further into adulthood, it seems it gets less and less fair with the increased amount we have to protect and maintain! One of the many harsh truths of adulthood is the risk of various home emergencies that can jump on us out of the blue. Here are some of the most common house emergencies, and how to handle them.

Leaking Roof

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This can be a really disheartening one, especially if you’re always telling your kids about how much you do to keep a roof over their heads! As soon as you discover a leak, the first thing you need to do (as I’m sure you’ve guessed), is to try and find the source of the leak, and place a container somewhere to collect the water. After that, you need to remove any nearby electrical appliances, then switch off general power outlets which could be at risk until you’ve managed to resolve the leak. If there’s any soft furnishings getting dripped on, move them out of the way where possible or cover them in plastic. Finally, call a local emergency roofer to come in, pinpoint the source of the leak, and patch it up.

Burst Pipe

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Of all the common home emergencies, this usually feels the most stressful, even though it’s not that much more chaotic than other domestic disasters. If you’re lucky, a burst pipe will be obvious; one continuous dripping which forms an unwanted puddle of water somewhere on the floor. This is in comparison to the kind which stays isolated in the wall, and is very hard to detect. Because these aren’t immediately obvious, a lot of people can leave them alone for a long time, which can make the damage worse and worse. If you hear a dripping but can’t see anything, investigate! Again, the first thing you should do is put out a container if necessary, and then make sure that any kind of electrical items are out of the way. Next, find your water meter and turn off the water supply to the whole property, but leave your sink taps on until you drain the pipes completely. Finally, call an emergency plumber, have them come out to your property, and leave the rest to the professionals.

Hot Water System Issues

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This home emergency is much more forgiving, provided you’re not in a rush to get out of the house fast and blindly stick your head under the shower! The most obvious sign of issues with your hot water system is, of course, a lack of hot water. However, leaks in odd places, and strange smells which seem to irradiate from one part of the house, can be a sure sign that your hot water is on the fritz. The first thing you need to do here is call a plumber. Then, turn the water off by the hot water system and turn on a hot tap somewhere to release the pressure.

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By handling these home emergencies the right way, you’ll keep your whole household safe and minimize damage to your home!

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Let’s not beat around the bush – plumbing emergencies can be an absolute nightmare to deal with, particularly when you have young kids. If you don’t have access to water or are suffering from clogged drains, it makes childcare very difficult indeed. And, of course, Murphy’s Law suggests an emergency will always happen precisely at the worst time. With this in mind, I thought we would take a look at some of the most common plumbing emergencies experienced by parents with young kids – let’s take a closer look.

Blockages
When you are busy looking after young children, it’s easy to forget to care for your drains properly. Food goes down the sink and congeals. Soap suds and hair end up being washed down the plug hole in your bath. And your kid, inevitably, will learn how much fun it is to flush inappropriate materials down the toilet. If any of these scenarios arise, and you notice you are having difficulty draining water or flushing your toilet, get help as soon as possible. According to  Alexandria plumbing experts, while most blockages will be easy to remove, if you leave them too long it can result in significant damage, including raw sewage backups.

The leaking tap

On the face of things, a simple leaking tap doesn’t seem like much of an issue. But unless you fix it, it’s going to end up costing you an astonishing amount of money over time. A leaking tap can waste anything up to and over 180 liters a day, and cost you hundreds of dollars across the year. It’s also important to understand that leaking taps will only get worse over time, so your costs will keep on rising. Sometimes the fix is as simple as changing a washer, but anything more than that, and we would advise calling in the pros.

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Burst pipes

Burst pipes tend to occur in cold weather. The pipes will freeze, then thaw, then freeze again – and it can take its toll. Any pipes that are exposed are at risk of bursting, which could lead to flooding issues, and will almost certainly cause damp problems. You will need to call in a professional unless you are a certified plumber. It may be that you have to have an entire pipe replacement installed, and might even have to have covering and pipe insulation set up, too.

Boiler problems

It’s every parent’s worse nightmare – no hot water to keep your children clean. And make no mistake about it, when your furnace and water heater goes kaput, it’s going to be expensive to replace. Ensure that you have some form of cover through an insurance plan. For a small payment every month you can rest assured that if anything does go wrong, you will have a quick solution – and it won’t cost you a small fortune.

Sewer spillages

Another big nightmare for parents is when one or more of your external drains blocks up, and results in sewage spilling out. Some plumbing rods might help you unblock the problem, but in many cases, you are going to have to call in a professional. The cost of a sewage backup can be enormous, and not just for the plumbing work. Sewage can ruin your garden and home, and it is also incredibly unsafe when you have small children kicking around.

What’s been your worst plumbing nightmare? Let us know in the comments section below.

Being the best Mom possible includes getting to grips with your kitchen. The kitchen is where you cook killer meals for your family, so it’s crucial you get it right. Being good in the kitchen isn’t as hard as you think. In fact, the primary task you’ll face is ensuring your kitchen has everything it needs. As well as the necessary pots and pans, stock up on a few electricals to ensure you have everything you need. Here’s a list of a few electricals no kitchen is complete without.

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KETTLE

A good kettle won’t help your cooking, but it’s something your kitchen needs. No home is complete without the option of a hot drink. There’s nothing quite like a kettle for holding the family together. Should anything happen, you can be on hand with a hot drink which somehow makes everything better. Take a look at the electric tea kettles you need to buy, and don’t hesitate to get one. Your kettle won’t just come in handy for hot drinks, either. Rinsing pasta and rice with boiling water is a must for hot meals. Being able to use water from the kettle will make life easier! Not to mention that the kettle can help you avoid that wasted time waiting for a pan of water to boil!

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BLENDER

A blender is another thing no kitchen can be without. You won’t believe how often you’ll use this. Whether you’re making soup or breadcrumbs, you can pull your blender out and get to work! Only when you don’t have a blender do you realize how much you need one. Don’t find yourself caught short. Stock up now to ensure you don’t have to worry! One thing worth noting before you buy is that many blenders can be big and bulky. If you have plenty of cupboard space, you don’t need to worry. Or, you could opt to keep your blender on the side if you don’t have the space to store it. If you’re short on surface space, too, a big blender might not be best for you. That’s okay! A little research can lead you to handheld blenders that will do the job. These may not be as sturdy as other options, but they’re an excellent way to save space.

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WHISK

An electric whisk is crucial if you’re going to be baking in your kitchen. You may think you can beat those cakes by hand, but you’ll need some serious muscle. Not to mention that hand whisking takes longer! Save yourself time and energy by investing in an electric alternative. There are many electric whisks to choose from. What you choose depends on your needs. If you make cakes on a weekly basis, it’s worth investing in a more heavy duty whisk. There are standalone options which will allow you to whisk your cakes while you get on with other things. Or, you could opt for a hand-held version that you can tuck in a drawer when it’s not in use!

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We all know moving house can be expensive. The good news is, it can be lucrative if you do it right. Whether you’re planning on moving soon, or are taking steps for when that time arrives, we’ve got some tips for increasing value on your house. You may not think about property as a business acquisition, but it’s time to change your mindset. You can spend as much as you like on improving your home, or you can do things on a budget. Either way, you should turn your attention to the money you stand to make! These options should give an idea of how to increase value.

UPDATE FIXTURES

Updating fixtures is a cheap and relatively easy way to add value. Think about windows, doors, and light fittings. You may be lucky and have top of the range pieces already. If your fixtures are older, it’s worth spending money on updating. Look into replacement windows. Consider top of the range options. Double glazing is always worthwhile, and can save you money on heating at the same time! Update your doors, too. Think of aesthetically pleasing doors that would suit your home. It’s worth updating light fixtures if they’re old. Ensure, again, that the fixtures look good. Getting rid of hanging wires etc. will make a huge difference.

EXTENSION

Home extension is the most lucrative way to increase home value. It may be an expensive task, but it’ll pay for itself in no time. If you have money behind you, set your mind to the most lucrative options. Weigh up the costs. Spending an huge amount on the work could leave you out of pocket in the long run. Take a look at prices of houses with similar work done, to get an idea of whether it’s worthwhile. Doing work in attic and basement spaces will be cheaper than building structural extensions. Consider your options, then get stuck in!

DECORATION

Keeping your house decoration up to date is the easiest thing you can do to ensure your home makes you money. It’s important to keep on top of the general appearance of your home. This will make selling easier when the time comes, as well as making it more likely you’ll get asking price offers. Spend some time working out your home design to ensure you get it right. Try to update every few years so that your house stays up-to-date.

PATIENCE
Aside from all this work, patience is an essential factor in making money from your home. Even with no effort, homes increase in value over time. If you just sit back, your house will still be gaining in value. If you’re considering selling, keep an eye on the housing market and see what homes like yours sell for. It can sometimes make sense to wait a little longer. Don’t sell before you’ve made any money. Equally, home prices go down sometimes. If that’s the case, it’s worth selling as soon as you can so you don’t lose anything!

There is something undeniable about a child’s bedroom.

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It might be that the moment we step foot across the threshold we are whisked back in our memories that does it. For a moment, we’re no longer an adult, a parent – we’re transported back to a time when we were the child. We remember how things used to look, memories we have forgotten for years come flooding back. We recall the things that we loved in our bedroom and we want to infuse our kids with the same, with a love for the space they’re in.

It therefore follows that decorating a child’s bedroom should be one of the simpler tasks of home decor. You know the feeling that you want to evoke: safety, security, beauty and with a little necessary sprinkle of practicality in there as well. So isn’t it a matter of choosing your furniture, electing for a bright wall color and then standing back to admire a job well done?

Alas, not.

As parents, we have to accept that sometimes we don’t know everything. That can be a difficult thing to adjust to, because for our kids, we are the font of all knowledge. Even the little things we don’t think of as impressive can change our child’s world view. The fact we have an answer to the endless parade of questions – “why is the sky blue? Why does the light go off when I turn the switch?” – makes us all-powerful. We are the guardians of knowledge, sharing it with the next generation and equipping them for life! So how can we possibly make mistakes?

The answer is mundane, but it’s the truth: because we’re human. While we might hold the keys to a thousand and one useless bits of trivia, we are still capable of making bad decisions.

So that’s why it’s so easy to get the design of a kid’s room wrong. We make mistakes naturally, and sometimes, we do it for all the wrong reasons. For example, by far the most common error is…

1. You Design The Room You Would Want

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There’s nothing selfish about this, despite what the title would suggest. It’s not like we’re standing in the middle of the room demanding our child like what we like and refusing to take no for an answer.

Decor is a very personal thing. As a society, we tend to describe the choices we make in this area as being a matter of taste. When we say this, we are basically acknowledging that these things are subjective, that they vary from person to person.

While we may know this in theory, in reality – well, how many times a day do we make decisions on behalf of our child? We control their entire lives, from their schooling, to the clothes that they wear to even the basics of nutrition. It’s all on us; we are the guardians at the gates to their tastes. So it should come as no surprise that sometimes there is bleed over.

Sometimes, we become so accustomed to thinking for our child we forget that they can do it for themselves. After all, the younger they are the more difficult it is to see them as an autonomous being – and for good reason! If your child wants to have candy for dinner, then of course it’s our place to step in and make the decision for them.

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All of the above has a tendency to coalesce into a scenario where we choose the room decor that we love – and assume they will go along with it. We choose neutral colors because a million property guides tell us that’s a good idea, ignoring the fact that children have a predilection for bright colors. We choose to keep surfaces cluttered with ornaments and decorative touches, forgetting that for our kids, a flat surface is nothing but a place to race a toy car.

While there is nothing wrong with falling into this habit, try and remember this single point: it’s your kids room. They have to like it. There’s no reason you can’t come up with something that melds both tastes, but if there is a decision that can only be one way, then you need to step aside. After all, you want to ensure they look back on their childhood bedroom with the same fondness that you do – right?

2. We See The Room Through Pinterest or Instagram Goggles

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Please note, other social networks do exist and terms and conditions may apply – hang on, sorry, autocomplete.

The reason we mention these two social networks as primary agents in this mistake is due to their focus on the aesthetic. Instagram is very little but cosmetic. It would be quite strange for someone to post a list of “amazing feature walls for kids rooms” to their Twitter, but on Pinterest? That’s post of the month.

It’s natural to look through these sites when we are looking for decor ideas. The problem is, the images and suggestions they contain are sometimes far from practical. These are carefully cultivated images, with every item staged and placed in a specific way.

What they are not is practical. In fact, they go so far in the opposite direction that many a modern kid would manage to exist in one of these perfect rooms before they broke something.

Your child’s bedroom is not a piece of art, something to photograph, PhotoShop and filter. There’s almost no doubt that you didn’t need to be told this anyway – at least, in principle. In the midst of seeing all those exquisitely designed rooms however? There might be a little bit of a tune-up on the thought process required!

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is forgetting that a room has to be lived in. Beautiful, delicate furniture might look good through the lens of a camera – but it looks vulnerable and breakable in reality.

You might see the beauty of a wrought-iron inspired daybed, all delicate spindles and sweeping curves. Then you throw a child on there and all of a sudden, those delicate spindles are a hazard rather than a decorative touch. You find yourself deciding to search for Comfy Sacks and ensure that anything you buy can actually be used for the purpose it is intended.

The same applies to decor. Sure, that beautiful, gradient painting effect looks amazing – but then add in a child. A child with sticky hands, covered in paint from their own projects or mud from the garden. The mere thought has you running to the endurance paint products as quickly as you can.

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So long as you let your mind intervene the way it does in these two examples, then you’re good. Practicality is an essential for anywhere in the house, but it is no better brought to the forefront than in a child’s room. It needs to look good – sure, but you also have to be able to clean and have your child live in it. Keep that front and centre.

3. You Don’t Allow Personal Touches

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There’s no doubt about it: paper posters stuck to walls look awful. They just do; they’re tacky, they have the potential to damage the wall beneath if affixed with glue and – they’re just bad news.

You had them, though, didn’t you? Carefully collated from magazines, of the latest band or even just a picturesque cute fluffy animal. And even though they were cheap (or even free), you still loved them.

You might think that you can do away with the posters by investing in wall art. It can be beautiful, child-friendly wall art – all neatly framed, set on canvases rather than directly against the wall. You can even convince yourself that it’s better as the quality is better; no one is going to rip a canvas just by brushing past it!

But it’s also lacking in charm. There is something about the disposable things we as kids stick on our wall; the way we arranged photographs or just tacked up a note that a friend sent us. For most of us, it was our first foray into creating the room we wanted, putting our own stamp on things.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing wall art for your child’s room – there’s no argument there. Decor is as important in this area as it is anywhere else. But allow some freedom for creativity, some way that the things that go on the wall can change and adapt as per a child’s mood. Even if it’s just a particular area that you give over to their choices, then you’ve done a good job.

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There is no right or wrong way to decorate a child’s room outside of the obvious safety precautions. You can make decisions for all of the right reasons and mean them from the best place, so long as you avoid the mistakes above. By bringing together what you need to work with what your child needs to live among, you’re going to get along just fine.

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The saying “you can’t choose your family” is meant to evoke a particular feeling reaction. If we’re close to our family, we’re dismissive of it: “I might not have chosen them, but I still think they’re great!”

If we come from a family more prone to arguments, then the reaction will be more along the lines of: “tell me about it” with some eye-rolling to match.

The crux of the saying, though, is to evoke a sense of being trapped. Your family is your family and you get the one you’ve been given – for better or for worse. It’s a nice, throwaway remark – because we can throw it away. When we have moved out of our parents’ home, if our family drives us mad, we can strictly control our exposure to them.

Our neighbors? Not so much.

You don’t choose your neighbors, either. They come with the house you buy and, frequently, you don’t even get a chance to meet them prior to the day you move into your new home. Considering how little say-so we have over them and the extent to which they can irritate our lives, maybe we should redirect the saying?

If you don’t get along with your neighbors, there’s good reason to try and fix the problem. You never know when you might need them for some kind of all-encompassing activity, like a disaster such as seeing your street through a storm. The last thing you want is to have simmering tensions; and besides, these are people you are going to see frequently. No one is saying you need to be close friends, but you do need to at least be civil.

If you fear things have already gone too far, then there is always a way to bring things back round. After all, everybody needs good neighbors…

Step One: Go and Talk To Them

If you’ve had a previous dispute with a neighbor, this idea might be about as popular as a family of MRSA taking up in a hospital ward. However, you’re an adult. You’ve got this. You’re going to be able to handle it.

Try and get to the heart of the dispute. If it’s been over land, contact fencing contractors to see about separating your borders once and for all. This is such a frequent area for neighbors to argue over but it has such an easy fix – you may find when areas are clearly defined, everyone calms down. Getting a professional eye, who knows their way around the legalities of land ownership, will make everything easier.

If the problem has been about behavior – yours or theirs – then everyone needs to explain and apologize. Hopefully, they will see your side if you manage to explain in a calm, rational manner. Avoid directly attacking them for their choices of how loud they play the music or how annoying their parking habits are – instead, present the issues they cause you.

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Step Two: Charm Offensive

Bake cookies. Offer to do chores for them when you’re doing them for your own home. Anything to show you have a nice side that doesn’t want to fight anymore.

Step Three: Speak To A Professional

If your dispute hasn’t been solved by the above, then it might be time to bring in a professional mediator. This may seem like a big step, but your neighbors have a direct influence on your quality of life. It’s better this than going around in circles.

Step Four: Move

Well, it’s got to be better second time around, right?

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Do you feel like your home decor just isn’t quite working for you? Have you done everything you can, from painting the walls to laying new carpets? But it still just doesn’t quite seem to be the finished homely space that you were counting on? Well if so, read on because the advice below can help you identify where your home decor isn’t that effective, and the changes that you can make to improve it.

Color

Color when decorating essential. But not many people realize that it is the interplay of all of the colors that you choose that is vital for getting the look that you want. For example you could have the best color on the wall, chosen to give your home some personality.  But if it clashes with you carpet, or soft furnishing you are going to create a discordant look in your home, instead of a relaxing and pulled together vibe.

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The trick to getting the color scheme in you home right is to pick only five colors and then stick to those. That means for everything including throw pillows, ornaments, curtains, carpet, and furniture. So you could go for a Breton blue as the main color, but then combine it with a brighter white, so the room isn’t too dark.

Then you would bring in some accent colors that compliment your main shade. In this case a salmon pink, gray, and yellow work well. Then you can finish the room in ornaments and fabric containing those colors for a cohesive look.

Furniture Style

Another reasons why you home decor might not be working, is that you have the wrong sort of furniture for the type of room that you are decorating. Modern homes and apartments tend to look best with contemporary style furniture. While in older homes you have more of a choice to decorate in a vintage, or a more up-to-date style.

In fact, you can get a very clean look with items like oak furniture, combined with white walls in a an older property without too much effort at all. Something to stay away from though is mixing the old and new styles, at least within the same room. This often is confusing to the eye and fails to create a cohesive look.

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Focal Point

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A little known reason why your home decor might not be working, is because you have the focal point of your room wrong. The focal point should be something that the eye naturally falls on. For example on a bedroom it may be the bed, a picture or a window. For a kitchen you can choose the cooker, or the kitchen table.

You have some freedom to change the focal point as you see fit. Do this by dressing the areas that you want people’s attention to be drawn to. But you need to pick carefully. As the focal point always needs to be chic and in great condition. There is no sense drawing people’s eye to something that is past it’s prime!

Are you spending a lot of time at home at the moment? Chances are, a lot of us are. Not only is the weather pretty lousy outside, but during the festive season, it tends to be family time, so you’re probably opening your home to your nearest and dearest. However, this probably means that you’re scrutinising it more carefully than you do for the rest of the year. Here are some tips on how to solve the problems you have with your home without breaking the bank.

Declutter Your Space

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If your space is cluttered, chances are your mind is too. Before you invite guests over for your Christmas festivities, make sure that you’ve decluttered your home. Go from room to room with three bags. Fill one with items you want to keep, one with items to be thrown away or recycled, and one with items to be given to charity. Make sure that every item you keep gives you a sense of happiness and joy.

Improve Your Back Garden

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During the summer, you want your back garden to be a place where you and your family can relax. Even if you aren’t using it much over the winter, that doesn’t mean that you can’t think about it. Consider what exactly you would like to do with the space and how you’ll use it. If you want to eat out there more or have BBQs with your family, try getting a deck so you have a place to gather – talk to a company like Oldham Builders Merchants to get some expert advice.

Spruce Up Your Kitchen

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If your kitchen’s looking a little tired, now is the time to make some changes. Use Christmas to let you know the changes you need to make – perhaps you need to rearrange your cupboards, or your paintwork’s starting to look a little shabby. Brighten things up by adding artwork to the walls, painting cabinets, and adding interesting handles and knobs, which you can find online.

Change Your Bedroom

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Do you sleep well? If not, chances are your bedroom’s contributing to it, and now is the time to make some changes. Invest in blackout blinds if the sun wakes you up in the morning, and if the problem is that you find yourself with a sore back and neck then it could be time to change your pillow. You could also try out a memory foam mattress topper which will echo the shape of your body as you’re trying to fall asleep.

Keep Your Home Safe

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If your home isn’t fully secure, now is the time to change that. Make sure that you have a good alarm system and that there’s a box or sticker on the outside of your house so potential thieves are aware of it. If you’re planning to go away over the holidays, make sure that you don’t advertise your empty house on social media – post pictures when you get home instead! Finally, you could use this as an opportunity to get the dog you always wanted – for life, of course, not just for Christmas!