Author Archives: Natalie
How to renovate a bathroom on a budget
Depending how big or small your budget is, one of the cheapest ways of improving your bathroom is to re-grout the tiling. It doesn’t cost much and can make a big difference to a tired bathroom. Two other projects that will improve the look of a bathroom for little cost are: boxing in any exposed pipework, […]
The advantages of double glazing
It’s inevitable not to lose heat through your windows, but there are far more efficient ways to keep your warm home and energy efficient than just covering them with curtains. Whether you are thinking about double glazed windows (or even triple glazed), here are some of the benefits you’d be looking at. According to the British […]
High-tech security options
Making our homes secure is a priority for most of us. There are lots of different security options out there ranging from the inexpensive dead-bolt on your door, right up to security lights, gates, video entry systems and CCTV. Improving your home’s security can reduce your home insurance premium and if your security isn’t currently […]
The difference between condensation and roof leaks
A stained ceiling indicates a roof leak or a condensation problem. It’s important to identify if the stain is a result of condensation or a leak, before you try to fix the ceiling. Identifying the stain It is easy to tell a condensation stain from a roof leak stain. Condensation stains are typically found near […]
Locating a leak
Leaky roofs can cause untold damage to your home. Learn to look out for tell-tale signs of damage and leaks to your roof. Locating a leak inside Water can sometimes pass horizontally along a channel before reaching the ceiling so the source of the leak is not always immediately apparent. Starting indoors, the most obvious […]
How to choose the right roof
The roof is one of the most important, yet overlooked, parts of a property. There are countless options available to you if you’re building a home from scratch or want to replace an existing roof. Tiles Tiles last around 50 years and can cope with all sorts of weather, as well as being fire resistant. […]
Top 10 plumbing tips
Avoid plumbing problems at all cost, by following these ten steps. To prevent stop cocks from seizing up, grease them and turn them off and back on twice a year. Know the difference between condensation and a leaky roof. Clear your gutters every year to prevent damp. Caustic soda on plastic waste pipes will melt the […]
How to use a water meter
A water meter is a pay-as-you-go system for water and could save you some money compared to the normal flat rate billing system that calculates charges based on the size of your property. However, a water meter is not suitable for everyone; the water regulator Ofwat recommends that only people who live alone and families that […]
Polished plaster – Venetian plastering
Venetian plaster is a type of polished plaster that provides a decorative finish. This type of plaster contains slaked lime, marble dust and sometimes marble chips. It is these fragments of marble that give the plaster its distinctive look. Polished plaster is mostly used on internal walls and ceilings to create the look of polished […]
The difference between plastering and rendering
Plaster and render are mortar coatings that cover blockwork. The coatings on inside walls are called plaster, while the coatings on external walls are called render. The main difference between plaster and render is the consistency of the mortar. Render generally contains more cement than plaster because it needs to be weather resistant, which is […]