Category Archives: Home and Reno

4 Things Around the Home I Can Fix Myself

Fixing things around the home has never been easier, with DIY stores offering parts and equipment to hobbyists that previously would only have been made available in wholesale settings and to the trade. Online instructional videos provide visual demonstrations on how to tackle jobs that have previously seemed beyond anyone who is not a builder, carpenter, electrician, plumber, or handyperson by trade. However, there are still jobs which are too dangerous to try yourself, such as any major electrical work. In these circumstances, you should call a professional, perhaps an electrician from Electrical Synergies, LLC, for example, to do the work for you. That being said, there are still plenty of jobs that you can do safely around your home. So, let us consider some jobs that are well within our capabilities.

A Picture That Has Fallen Off the Wall

There are generally two types of picture frames. The type with a ready-made hook, or frames that have a piece of string or wire across them. In the cases of where there is a hook and the frame is purchased as an empty one, the frame will usually be fitted with the hook in two places. This is so that the frame can be hung vertically, for a portrait, or horizontally in the case of a landscape. The simpler frame to hang is undoubtedly the one with the hook, as a string means that the eyelets either side of the frame holding it in place need to be distanced correctly to maintain the correct balance in relation to the weight of the picture. This is even before considering why a picture might have fallen off the wall. It may be that the nail was not long enough, at the wrong angle, or the screw needs a Rawlplug because the hole in the wall has widened over time. A Rawlplug is a piece of plastic, or wood fibre, to help the screw fit more snuggly in the hole. Then, once your picture is secure, you just need a good eye to make sure that it is straight.

To Fix a Running Toilet

If a toilet will not stop running, then there is something that you can do without calling out a plumber. Firstly, remove the cistern lid, if you have not already done that; secondly, check that the water level is sufficient; thirdly, close the flapper; and finally, check the float. Now, flush the toilet again. If after you have flushed it, the toilet stops making a noise after a short while, then the problem is fixed. It is important with toilets to have the float at the correct height for them to work efficiently. Of course, if this doesn’t work, or the problem re-appears a short while after I think I’ve fixed it, I might have to admit defeat and call an expert like a plumber from Craftsman Plumbing (https://craftsman-plumbing.com/service-areas/plumbing-services-in-lake-forest-park-washington/) to come out and fix it for me.

Wiring or Re-Wiring a Plug

If an electrical item stops working, it may be because the fuse has blown, or the wiring has pulled out of one of the terminals of the plug. This is easily fixed. Some jobs are easier than others of course. Rewiring something is a little different to wanting an all-new indoor light system. When you are needing a little more assistance, hiring Kalahari Electrical Services: Electrician in Lawrenceville, or electrical services near you, is the best way to go to avoid damage to your home. Wiring a plug is as simple as knowing where the wires should go. It is important that they are in the correct positions for safety. Hence why many people who don’t have any electrical experience or knowledge decide to ere on the side of caution and contact somewhere like Home Team Electric – Electrician in Joshua Tree to help make sure that their wiring is connected to the relevant source because the last thing that you want to do is damage it even more. But for those who are brave enough, knowing what goes where before starting the task could be very important. For example, with a standard British plug, the green/yellow wire will go to the earth terminal at the top of the plug; the blue wire is the neutral and situated to the left of the plug; and the brown live wire (which used to be red in old plugs), is on the right-hand side of the plug as you look at its inside. To get inside the plug, you will only have to unscrew one screw to remove its casing. Before you put the plug back together again, make sure that all the wires are contacting the correct terminals, that none of them are touching each other, and that all the screws and fixings are tight. You may need to use a wire stripper to expose some more of the copper strands from within the plastic casing of the wires during this process. Only strip away as much as is required. As a guide with fuses, any piece of equipment that gets hot should have a 13-amp fuse fitted.

Painting

Preparation is everything with painting. If paint is peeling off, a better finish will be obtained by using tools and/or a heat gun to strip off the paint from the entire panel, rather than trying to just touch-up the area. If white paint has been used, then fading over time will also make it difficult to achieve a perfect match, even from the same tin of paint. For a good finish, many swear by a roller, so not to see the brush strokes. If brushing because you do not feel confident with a roller, then it is worth spending the money on a good brush that does not easily lose its bristles into what you are tyring to paint. There is nothing more frustrating or messy than continually removing bristles from a painted area. It has the potential to create as much mess as dipping the paintbrush too far into the tin. It is only necessary to have the tip covered in paint, or in no time at all the whole of the paintbrush’s handle will be covered in paint. With regards to brush strokes, these can be improved by painting in one direction first, then painting across that direction, and then leaving it be. Do not play with the paint too much after applying it, or you will just end up taking off more paint than you have put on.

Simple Practices to Extend the Lifespan of Home Furniture

Furniture is the backdrop to our home living. It gives a complete look to our spaces, no matter how big or small. For sitting, sleeping, and storage, we cannot deny the importance of having beautiful furnishings in our home as you can get from https://www.luluandgeorgia.com/furniture. Besides their functional role, these fittings help with interior design, improving the overall beauty and value of the rooms. But we often forget the simple things to keep furniture in pristine condition. Here are some invaluable hacks on how to make furniture last longer.

Keeping it Neat

A lot of the time, our furniture is not as old as it looks. Rather, dirty residues are the reasons behind their sloppy appearance. We must commit ourselves to cleaning our chairs and tables regularly. Tidying up adds new life to our furniture pieces and spares resources we would otherwise use to buy new items. When we do buy new things, be it with the help of a useful rug size guide from Bazaar Velvet or through other means, we should work to maintain them for as long as possible. There are a few fundamental tips we should apply to maintain furniture.

  • Seeking help from professional deep cleaners, especially to take care of upholstered furniture. You can find plenty of companies that specialize in Upholstery Cleaning Melbourne area, but there will also be some in your local area.
  • Loosening and flipping pillows even if they have a fabric protector. They should be rotated once in a while to reduce soiling
  • Cleaning spills immediately using blot papers or absorbent cloths
  • Using furniture-specific rather than all-purpose cleaners. Leather needs special products for stain removal

Removal of Ugly Scratches

Metallic and wooden furnishings can get scratches that never go away on their own. Finding a way to remove these scratches is a great step to maintaining your furniture. Here are a few tips to cover up the flaws.

  • Painting to mask minor scratches
  • Use of DIY wax remover, water, and white vinegar to eliminate old wax on the scratched places
  • Sandpaper to scrape the surface and level it
  • Rubbing wax crayons across the scratched surface. The crayon should be of the same shade as the furniture
  • Rubbing light-colored wooden parts with lemon
  • Rubbing dark-colored parts with nuts

Vacuuming Fabric-Protected Seats and Tables

The surface of a couch that is coated with a fabric protector must be vacuumed regularly. We should pay close attention to the areas underneath cushions, using a vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment. The same goes for coffee tables that gather a lot of dust on top. There is a big problem with settling dust as it builds up slowly together with oil and moisture. By the time we realize this, it has already soiled and aged the material. Luckily, there are numerous fabric protection treatments we can use to coat the fibres to protect surfaces from soiling and staining.

Tightening and Securing Joints

With time, screws and nuts loosen and might pop up unexpectedly. In some circumstances, they could even fall out, meaning that you don’t have anything keeping your furniture together. To prevent this from happening, looking for a nuts and bolts perth company, or somewhere similar, and buying spare parts will ensure that you always have a backup plan in case something were to go wrong. With that being said, loose bolts are the reason we endure wobbly benches and creaky sounds in bed. If we don’t tighten them, we end up with irreparable damage to chairs and other fittings.

UV Protection

Direct sunlight is an enemy to our furniture. UV rays can do serious harm even if they pass through glass windows. Generally, harsh sunlight fades just about anything including fabricated seats and wooden surfaces. That is why we should place furniture away from windows or make good use of drapes and blinds to reduce the impact of sun rays. We can also shop for made to measure curtains (for example, black out curtains made with thick fabric). These could help block almost 90 percent of the light coming through our windows. The best part is we get to customize these curtains based on our preference. How cool is that! We can also use other tips that experts suggest to help with this.

Slipcovers

Like fabric protectors, slipcovers create a barrier between the surroundings and the furniture to keep off stains and scratching. Slipcovers not only safeguard the outer surfaces from messes but also preserve the integrity of the upholstery, so it doesn’t wear off. Since slipcovers are removable, we can throw them in the washing machine when they become too dirty.

Reviving the Sheen

Wooden surfaces lose their lustre after a while but we don’t need to replace them when this occurs. Polishing the hardware with eco-friendly products is the right way to go. We should avoid such ingredients as ammonia because they are quite abrasive. While polishing, it is good to protect the surrounding finishes with masking tape. Though a bit pricey, polishing adds some life to aging furniture.

Extreme Care When Moving

Once in a while, we have to switch things up by rearranging the living room, dining table, or bed position. A lot of damages happen while using incorrect techniques to move furniture. Dragging and pushing are wrong, especially when the furniture is heavy. Not only does improper handling wreak havoc on the fittings but also damages the floor. Getting help with assembling and changing fixtures is a wise decision. Rather than pushing the bed, we should lift it to keep the hinges intact.

So, let us pass on the above rules to all household members so we can protect our furniture. By doing so, we should be able to enjoy our furnishings for longer, saving money and reducing the environmental impact as a result.

How a Cleaning Company Can Increase the Value of Our Homes

Planning on selling a home is not easy, and it is vital to have a strategy in place that will increase the property’s value. I am planning on selling my house, and I have been looking for ways to boost the value of my house without spending a lot of money. As my friends have suggested, cleaning companies like A+ SoftWash can help increasing the property’s value. By employing the techniques of pressure washing and soft washing, cleaning companies are able to remove algae infestation and rusts that can damage any house. Furthermore, pressure washing any property (be it commercial or personal) annually could extend its lifetime. So, those who are planning to sell their properties might be interested in commercial pressure washing for attracting more buyers.

Most home sellers assume the only way to improve the condition of the house and to increase the property’s value is by spending a lot of cash, but that is not the case. It can definitely help to add a few things to your property prior to selling it, like you can brighten up your living room with floor lamps from Pagazzi, or you can place a nice new cushion on one of the sofa’s, just to give it an overall attractive look which will appeal to buyers. However, a simple cleaning project can also give the house the facelift it needs. Here are some ways a cleaning company can increase the value of our properties.

Positive Impression

Selling a house has numerous procedures, and one of them is having an appraiser judging the property to determine its value. Though there are specific criteria the appraiser uses to evaluate the value, having a clean house will give a positive impression. Having a well-presented home will give a better appearance of the property, and the appraiser might value it more.

If we have a dirty house, it might give an overall poor impression on the property. If so, the valuation might be reduced to impress the appraisers and hire a team of qualified staff to handle the cleaning project. A competent cleaning company will know how to handle the cleaning project to ensure the house stands out.

Property Maintenance

Simple dusting and vacuuming the house is not enough, especially when marketing the house. Cosmetic cleaning might attract the buyer’s but keep in mind most buyers will not invest without getting an appraisal done. Therefore, every dirt and mess that is hidden behind the scenes will be brought to light. If you are about to be a victim of dealing with hoa collection services – you will want to have your property ready for it and try to avoid any fees.

A cleaning company is aware of this and should offer more than just cosmetic cleaning. These professionals can provide deep cleaning services that will keep the house clean and help in property maintenance. An example is cleaning the duct to improve the quality of air in the home. Getting a well-equipped janitorial firm ensures every part of our homes is clean and running smoothly. Thus, this will lead to market value increasing.

Point Out Issues

Without getting into the house’s crevices, it is not possible to tell what is lying underneath. I understand that getting into every part of the house is not easy. Therefore, when selling, there is a possibility of getting unwanted surprises during the valuation. Professional evaluators will go to every angle of the house to get its real picture of the house.

Rather than wait for the evaluators, get a cleaning company to do a thorough cleaning. A licensed cleaning company is obliged to inform the owner of anything that might be out of place. The information is vital in will highlighting some parts that will need to be fixed. That way, the cleaning company will eliminate the possibility of getting a surprise when showcasing it to potential buyers.

Proper Strategy

A qualified cleaning company will increase the value of the property. The cleaners will pinpoint some areas that need revamping. As such, it will be easy to strategize and come up with the right budget to repair the house. I have learned that most people who sell their homes do a general renovation, which at times might be unnecessary.

I have also understood that by failing to be open with the cleaning company about the cleaning project’s purpose, the experts might not offer the needed insights. Therefore, as a homeowner, inform the cleaning company that the purpose of contacting them. That way, they will know how best to handle the project.

It is possible to increase the value of any property without overspending. I have shared ways a cleaning company can help to increase our property value. With the information, get the best house cleaning company before advertising the home. And it’s not just homeowners who can benefit from this – landlords, or those moving out of rented accommodation, might want to consider hiring someone like these cleaners Cheltenham to do an end-of-tenancy clean so it will be ready for the next tenant. The only way to benefit from hiring a cleaning company is by finding one with a reliable reputation. Check out the website of the cleaning company and read the reviews left by past clients. We ought to consider companies with good ratings and positive reviews.