A Step-by-Step Guide for Repointing the Damaged Chimney Brick Wall

Being a homeowner, you need to frequently check your chimney. It’s more than necessary for you. A chimney with damages, unlined flue or ventilation problem may cause a fire.

Damaged brickwork

Among several types of chimney problems, one is damaged brickwork. If the brick walls need repair work, that implies any or both of the following:

• The moisture is getting behind the brick
• The toxic gases are oozing out

Don’t delay it. Carry out the repointing work as soon as you can. A delay indicates putting yourself and your family at risk. But it’s not easy to repoint the brickwork yourself. Being an ordinary homeowner, you may not know which tools are to use, or what is the correct procedure.

I am here

Don’t worry. I’m here to help you out. First thing I’m going to share with you is the list of tools that you need. Here’s the list:

• A large container
• Mortar mix
• A small shovel
• A chisel with a sharp, edged blade
• A stiff brush
• A scrub brush

These are all the tools that you need. Now read on to see how you can use these tools.

When you begin the repair work, first you need to

Mix the mortar

You need the container here. Pour the mortar mix into the container, and then add water into the mix. Keep adding water until the mix gets stiff. Once the mix is stiff enough (it stands as a ball and doesn’t slump), it’s ready for the work.

Search for loose mortar

Loose mortars are the culprit. Keep your eyes open for them. If you find one, use the chisel and remove it. Don’t do it hurriedly because that might cause further damage to the brick wall. Chisel out a loose mortar in a gentle manner.

Use the stiff bristle brush

You use the chisel to remove loose particles from the brickwork. That’s not enough. There’d be debris, and you need to clear them too. To remove the debris, you need to use the stiff bristle brush. Again, move the brush gently.

Use the small shovel/trowel

You can use a trowel if you are not comfortable handling a shovel, or if you couldn’t find a small shovel (most shovels are large in size). Use the tool and dig out piles of stiff mortar from the container. Next, scuff the trowel with the mortar piles on it into the small mortar holes.

To make sure the holes are all closed, you need to push the newly laid mortar mix with the edge of the trowel. Some people use their fingers instead of trowels.

Second round of mortar

You are not done yet. After the first round of mortar, you need to rub another round using the trowel. Before applying the second round, use a jointer to add more mortar. At this point, you need to keep in mind mortar joints almost always have irregular shapes. This can make it difficult for you to use certain equipment. So talk to a professional and be absolutely sure about what equipment you need to repair brickwork.

Mortar drying up

When scuffing the mortar mix into the holes, you need to consider the excess mortar. Wait for the mortar mix to dry up. When you find the mortar mix has dried up, use the trowel again and shave off the excess mortar.

The work may not be this easy all the time. At times, you might have to

Pull out the existing mortar

Don’t pull out all of them at once. If you do that, the brick wall will lose its strength. Select an area first, preferably 4-6 ft wide and then carve out the existing mortar one by one. Do it in a gentle manner; if you face problems using a chisel, use a wieldable grout saw.

Your job doesn’t end after the mortar removal. Next, you need to remove all the dust and debris using a wire brush; wear an artificial respiration mask while doing this, so you don’t inhale any dust or debris.

The next three or four steps are the same; preparing the mortar mix, inserting the mix using a pointing trowel and then cleaning up all the mess. But there’s one more step between the mortar removal and inserting new mortar. That step is

Soaking the wall

You need to soak your brick wall using a hose and keep it this way for an entire night. There’s a reason why brick is soaked in water before any brickwork. This ensures the brickwork and the existing mortar would get enough time to hydrate and the new mortar won’t suck water.

When the brick wall is fully soaked, you can carry out the remaining steps, which are inserting the mortar mix, scraping off the extra mortar, etc.

About the author:

Adrice White is an experienced Chimney sweep in Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13. He takes an interest in writing articles on smokestack cleaning. He has been in this field for the last 10 years. You can avail more information about Chimney sweep Tunbridge Wells from his recent articles and blog posts.

The post A Step-by-Step Guide for Repointing the Damaged Chimney Brick Wall appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-step-by-step-guide-for-repointing.html

5 Different natural ideas for cleaning mold of your home

Molds are creatures which do not fall under the category of plants and nor are they classified as animals. Molds are very different from plants. The former does not absorb energy through photosynthesis from sunlight like the latter. Molds usually disintegrate fallen leave, dead plants and lifeless animals. One can find the presence of mold both outside and inside. At home they can be unexpectedly discovered in food, on carpets and even in clothes. When they are outside molds tend to grow in soily areas and also in plants, which are about to perish.

Whether it’s black mold or the green stuff, if you notice this growth on your walls or surfaces you must tend to it quickly. There are a lot of options available in the supermarkets but your best bet is to use something natural that can effectively clean your home without making it toxic.

You need to stop the mold from spreading in your house because it is not only unhealthy for you and your family but it is visually revolting to see fungus growing everywhere in your home and causing you allergies and skin problems. The following five ways are sure to end your misery of dealing with these cringe worthy creatures!

1. DRY ALL THE WET AREAS OF YOUR HOME

You will need to use a dehumidifier to prevent molds from growing in moist areas of your home like the bathroom and the kitchen. The favorite place of a mold to linger is beyond the wall and underneath the cabinets. Moisture is the key here, as these fungi tend to grow only if the climate and temperature is right in a certain spot. A little moist is what they are looking for since it is ideal for breeding.

Keeping that in mind is sure to check whether your plumbing is faulty because that would be the cause of the molds hovering at your place. Make use of the ventilation fans at your place by cycling the air in rooms, which are susceptible to extreme moisture. Also be sure to get rid of the damp towel laying lazily on your bed and the damp rugs since these are some of the typical places for the mold to grow in.

2. USE TEA TREE OIL

Tea Tree Oil may be a bit costly than other eco friendly solutions but it is totally worth it. Just add two teaspoons of this oil with water and sprinkle this solution on hard exteriors where molds can be found. You need to rub the solution on the surface for a bit and this will stop the mold from growing further.

3. VINEGAR

You can utilize vinegar by spraying it from a bottle on to the affected area. Scrub the mold with the help of a brush after leaving it for some hours. In case the smell of the vinegar creates an inconvenience for you, add a little oil. Research has shown that vinegar destroys more than 80 percent of mold, which makes one of the best remedies for killing mold. This is a surprisingly effective way to combat mold and the best part is that it’s natural.

4. BAKING SODA OR HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Baking Soda can be mixed with water and vinegar or only with water. After liquefying baking soda in the vinegar-water solution or just water, you need to spray it over the surface. After letting it stay that way for some time, rub it off with the help of a moist cloth or a wet sponge. When it comes to baking soda, you do not need to worry about scent since this natural bactericide has a very mellow smell.

Another offbeat remedy for killing mold is the use of Hydrogen Peroxide. Spray this chemical compound from a container and leave it for about 5 to 10 minutes. After that clean it thoroughly with the help of a scrub and then wipe away the remaining mold with a slightly wet cloth.

5. BOOST THE FLOW OF AIR IN YOUR HOME

EPA states that when the temperature drops the air is able to detain much less moisture than in normal circumstances. If air does not move about freely in your room, that moisture will emerge on your walls, doors and floors. In order to improve free flow of air in your room, you should open all the doors in your house and shift the furniture way from the walls. This way fresh air will come in and lower the moisture and stop the mold from growing. Air Treatment System all the way!

It is important to get rid of these molds because they can be quite toxic. Aspergillus, Stachybotrys and Penicillium are some common molds found in homes. Toxic molds contain mycotoxins, which have a habit of expanding all over the building through the air conditioners, thus eventually harming everyone.

The post 5 Different natural ideas for cleaning mold of your home appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/5-different-natural-ideas-for-cleaning.html

Decorating Your House Using Science

We all have our own ideas and inspirations of how we’d like our house to look but sometimes our tastes may not be the best for the feel of the place.

Wimdu, the online platform offering private accommodation, have looked at 5 of the best ways we can use the art of science and applying neuro-architecture to decorating our home – which can help have a massive impact on boosting our mood.

Neuro-architecture is the study of how the brain and body respond to different build environments. Our brains can be applied to architecture via sensation, learning, emotion, movement and decision-making.

Some of the tips included in their recent infographic involve dim your bedroom lights, which can help not only promote better sleep but also help you feeling more positive when you wake up in the morning. Another suggestion involves incorporating soft geometry into your home. By focusing on key pieces, for example round cushions, you can encourage contentment and a recent study found that round décor even encouraged more brain activity.

Take a look at the infographic below and get experimenting with how you can use science to boost your mood around the home.

The post Decorating Your House Using Science appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/decorating-your-house-using-science.html

5 Ways to Make Your House Unattractive…to Burglars

Although you may pride yourself on having a beautiful home that could be featured in Better Homes and Gardens, your home’s beauty can attract the wrong kind of attention. Burglars often target the nicer homes in a neighborhood. Fortunately, with these five tips you can make your home unattractive to burglars while keeping up it’s appearances.

Create the Fear of Dangerous Dogs

Do you have a rabid Rottweiler growling at every stranger who wanders in front of your house? That’s great…, but you don’t need to own Cujo in order to scare off invaders. A “Beware of Dog” sign is enough to put fear into the hearts of most potential thieves. Usually, the thought of an unfriendly canine is threat enough.

The placement of your sign is important. You want it to be visible from somewhere in your front yard, preferably next to an entrance fence or in the grass at the edge of your front yard. Whether you have a friendly Chihuahua, a fuzzy rabbit or no pets at all, a well-placed “Beware of Dog” sign is a great addition to your home.

However, as a caveat to this tip I’d never recommend using a dog as your only means to deter burglars. Studies have proven that dogs, even trained guard dogs, can be wooed by savvy burglars and rendered ineffective. Still, creating the fear of a fierce canine will certainly limit the number of would-be thieves who will target your property.

Get Crafty with Home Security Cameras

There are many new home surveillance camera systems on the market, some of which are affordable and convenient. Investing in a camera is a great idea, but you don’t need to look for a hidden one. You can install a security camera in a visible place and burglars will think twice about hitting up your home.

Many of today’s newer surveillance cameras can also be viewed and controlled via your mobile device, giving you added peace of mind when you’re away. Most them also equipment with infrared night vision and motion activated alerts.

If you don’t want to spend money on a real camera, you can always get a dummy camera. Not surprisingly, they’re much cheaper than the real deal. As long as you get a good quality replica, a thief won’t know the difference. Make it even more convincing by placing an alarm company’s decal on your front window, and he’ll really re-think any bad intentions.

Be Sure to Add Some Light at Night

Good lighting choices make a big difference. At night, a poorly lit yard can be a burglar’s playground. Having bright lighting can be a great deterrent. Houses with a long walkway leading up to the house can benefit from having a bright light at the entrance to the walkway.

Even if your lighting isn’t particularly bright or numerous, you should use it. Leave your porch light on at night. Motion sensing lights are ideal options for front door lighting because they can startle intruders and alert you of someone’s presence.

Another great option for light is add home automation. Today there are smart bulbs and smart hubs that allow you to set timers on your lights and control them via your mobile phone. Using home automation is probably the best way to make sure it always “looks like” someone is at home.

Fences Can Fix It

Building a fence around your property makes it that much harder for intruders to get into your home. Laziness is a common trait among criminals, and most thieves would rather skip your house than scale an 8 foot fence.
Some fences are harder to climb than others, so keep that in mind when considering your options. A chain-link fence with wide gaps might not deter someone, but a smooth wood privacy fence may. To make things even more difficult, you can grow plants with thorns along the fence.
Fences are also a great way to keep children and pets safe while they play outside.

The Wrong Trees Might Spell Trouble

Trees are beautiful additions to a property, but can be alluring to thieves if you don’t place them carefully. When located in front of second story windows, trees can be an easy way for burglars to get into your home. Avoid planting trees under windows, or keep them well-pruned and cut any branches near them.
Shrubbery in front of first floor windows can also be trouble. It gives burglars a place to hide while they peek into your home. Try to limit the amount of dense shrubbery underneath your windows.

With these easy suggestions, you can make your home unattractive to burglars but attractive to visitors. You don’t need to sacrifice beauty for safety.

This article was contributed by Home Security Pages.com. A provider of nationwide home security listings and reviews.

The post 5 Ways to Make Your House Unattractive…to Burglars appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/5-ways-to-make-your-house.html

Turn Your Bedroom Into a Luxurious Retreat

With the daily hustle and bustle to be endured, a nice rest at home would always be the golden time of anyone’s day. A good sleep and a worry-free mind are even considered as blessings now in the modern era. Especially to those who are workaholic and are lacking a peaceful time for themselves, ensuring that your bedroom is the ultimate haven for a retreat becomes a must.

So if you think you’re not getting the comfort you want to achieve from you stay in your room, then follow these simple steps and start receiving the greatest blessing after a hard day’s work.

Choose the right bed mattress for you.

While there are different types of mattresses, choose not the most expensive or trendy mattresses but the type that could offer you the most comfort and a healthy rest that is at least good for 8 hours.

Different mattresses also have varying purposes or advantages to different people which makes finding the “right” one a personal decision to make. So if you always experience back or neck pains, choose a not too soft and not too hard mattress to support you well. Another point for consideration is if you want to optimize your blood flow, a memory foam mattress may be best for you. Or if you have a weak immune system, a natural latex mattress is recommended to keep a clean air environment.

Set good ventilation.

You may have everything prepared and ready but if you don’t have good ventilation, then don’t expect to have tranquil hours of stay in your bedroom but a disappointing one. Set an air-conditioner to fight the warm temperature or a heater when cold. You may even opt for an inverter air-conditioning for a cheaper electricity bill while enjoying a cold blast to have a pleasant sleep. A fan is helpful as well for the circulation of air and cooling in the room.

Having a window in the room is also a factor to attain good ventilation like those experienced in hotels. Despite the pollution and all other disadvantages from opening your window, it is also good to breathe in natural air and let it circulate in your room once in a while. To improve the cleanliness and freshness of the air coming in your room, you may grow plants or flowers near your window too.

Install proper lighting.

Do you like to read at night before going to sleep as part of your healing process for the day? Then a white lighting or a lamp for reading near the bed is needed. If you solely use your bedroom as a resting and sleeping place, you may want to install warm lighting to create a more calming ambiance.

A combination of both is also a good idea to be more flexible with the use of your room. Don’t take advantage of the white and bright lighting by continuing your work as the heavenly feel of your crib would be eliminated if you often do so.

Go for light decorations and neutral colors.

Busy is the perfect term to describe everything to be seen outside. From the moment you step out of your home, everything is in a mixture of both chaos and order. With all those absorbed into you, a bedroom with minimal decorations and ornamentation would be greatly preferred. This is to balance off the bursting energy from outside.

Adding too much things and decorations will definitely not help you relieve tension as well as placing your workstation in your bedroom. So put only the necessities in your room by choosing the furniture and appliances you will only use wisely. As for the colors to be used like on the walls and bed sheets, choose neutral, light, or warm ones that are soothing to the eyes and atmosphere.

Maintain cleanliness.

No matter how tired we are as we arrive home, maintaining a clean home and bedroom is still one of the fundamental habits to learn and own. Having a cluttered bedroom will only increase your stress level especially when your bed is full of stuff like clothes after trying them all out in the morning. By having a messy and dirty room, you also won’t be able to rest immediately as much as you want to. Stains are not much of a big issue, which is why carpet cleaning in Sunshine Coast has never been easier and hassle-free! So getting yourself organized and responsible of your things are the only essential ones as you will also be the one to benefit from being neat and tidy.

Conclusion

A luxurious retreat doesn’t mean owning expensive things to be put in your bedroom. Rather, it means simplicity by only keeping the necessities in your bedroom that may contribute in releasing the anxiety and fatigue you’ve collected throughout the day. By having a good attitude and discipline in preserving a clean room, treating yourself to a luxurious and relaxing sanctuary at your own humble space everyday will become a reality and dream to look forward to.

Author Bio

Randolph Hoover and his family were originally from San Diego California but he is currently studying Business Administration in Umea University in Sweden. While shuffling his work being a Business major, he helps his parents with their home maintenance business in their home in Umea. He is the go-to guy when it comes to the latest lifestyle, home improvement and car maintenance tips. When he’s not busy, he writes articles in his free time for clients such as Electrodry and others. He spends the rest of his free time with his family and friends.

 

The post Turn Your Bedroom Into a Luxurious Retreat appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/turn-your-bedroom-into-luxurious-retreat.html

Easy Breathing with Modern Clean-Burning Wood Stoves

Because electric and gas fires have become so commonplace now, having a traditional wood-burning stove is seen as something of a novelty. Wood-burning stoves add a lot of character to a room and provide a rustic feel that you just can’t get with gas and electric fires.

Whilst wood stoves have many great benefits, they also come with a downside. When you burn wood, it creates smoke particles that can be harmful when they’re breathed in. How harmful these particles are depends on their size. Particles that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter are particularly harmful since they can get deeper into your lungs. Breathing in these particles over a prolonged period can lead to problems with your lungs and heart.

In order to combat this problem, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in America have introduced new regulations that will ban 80% of wood stoves. This sounds a little more dramatic than it actually is.

Anyone who has an old-style wood stove will still be able to use it legally. It simply means that any wood stoves for sale after the new regulations are introduced will have to adhere to the new standards laid out by the EPA.

As a result of the new regulations, wood stove manufacturers have designed new clean-burning wood stoves that will reduce dangerous particle emissions by 70% and carbon monoxide by 65%.

The new stoves aren’t just better for the environment however, they are also much more efficient. This makes them great for low-income families who might be worried that the new regulations will negatively affect them. The new stoves have a lot of firebox insulation, which means they burn up particles much quicker and before they enter the environment.

Keeping Your Wood Stove Running Well

When you have a wood stove, there are certain steps you have to take in order to keep it running properly. This applies to all wood stoves, even the new, more efficient ones that are being released. Below are some great tips to ensure your wood stove runs well at all times –

• Clean it regularly – One aspect of owning a wood stove is that you have to clean it after every use. Removing the ash and cleaning the firebox will not only ensure that your stove runs efficiently but it also stays looking great too.

• Schedule chimney cleaning – Chimney problems account for a large number of the issues people have with wood stoves. Creosote builds up and sticks to the flue of your chimney over time and when it builds up too much, it can cause all sorts of issues. Because of this, you should schedule a chimney cleaning at least once a year – twice a year if you use your stove regularly.

• Use good quality wood – Using good quality wood is essential. Whilst it might be tempting to collect your own wood, you should only do this when the weather permits. If you use wood that is damp or covered in moss, it’s not going to burn efficiently.

How to clean a wood stove

Since cleaning your wood stove is one of the best ways to keep it running well then it makes sense to cover how to go about doing this. Below is a detailed guide to cleaning your wood stove effectively.

Step 1 – When cleaning your wood stove, there’s going to be quite a bit of mess that’s created so you first want to ensure that your floor is protected by spreading newspaper or an old cloth directly in front of the firebox. You should then open the door of the firebox so you can access it.

Step 2 – For the next step you’ll need an ash shovel and container so you can remove the bulk of the ashes from the stove. Use the shovel to scoop up the ashes and then very carefully move the shovel over to the container and drop the ashes in it gently. You don’t want to be heavy handed when doing this as the fine particles from the ash can easily rise into the air. You should also remove any bricks that might obstruct you from cleaning the stove properly.

Step 3 – The last step is to clean the glass door of the firebox. Before you do this you should make sure the stove itself is free of all soot. You can clean the door using soap and water but it might be a good idea to invest in a cleaning solution that’s specifically designed for cleaning stove doors. Once you’ve cleaned the door you can then see if there are any other areas on the outside of the stove that need to be cleaned and pay attention to them.

Of course to clean your stove properly, the chimney should be cleaned too but this should always be left to a professional.

Author bio

The author has a keen interest in traditional fireplaces. Her articles cover subjects such as how to maintain a wood stove.

 

The post Easy Breathing with Modern Clean-Burning Wood Stoves appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/easy-breathing-with-modern-clean.html

Child Friendly Floor Space

What better lace to learn how to become mobile than a stable, soft and secure place of a floor rug? Rugs are not solely used to enhance the décor of you home, albeit they carry out that function exceedingly well, they are the ideal place for children to learn and grow through play.

Our infographic highlights the advantages of having a rug in your nursery, playroom and child’s bedroom. It shows the different types of rugs available, and gives an overview on how to choose the right style and design for play and learning. It also shows the advantages specific types of rugs offer, the easiest to keep clean and maintain, along with guidelines on choosing the size of rug to suit the floor area of your room.

You will find that selecting a rug for your child to lay and play on will help with all aspects of their personal development. From learning about their immediate surroundings, to discovering how to roll and crawl, a child will gain huge benefits by being given a soft, colourful rug to begin their journey through childhood.

The post Child Friendly Floor Space appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/child-friendly-floor-space.html

Interesting Infographic – Creative ways to reuse Cardboard Boxes

Corrugated boxes are innovative, versatile and durable material and mainly used for packaging and custom manufactured shipping containers and apart from this, these boxes are used in various non-traditional application ranging from kid’s toys to furniture.

Here are the advantages Of Corrugated Cardboard Boxes given below:

• These boxes are light weight and are very convenient to handle while packaging and loading.
• These boxes are highly affordable as the raw material required to fabricated corrugated boxes is quite inexpensive.
• These boxes can be used as a smart mean of marketing or as  effective marketing tools for brand promotion and awareness because these boxes have better graphics and printing capabilities. People get the company name, logos and other details printed on these boxes  for the brand promotion.
• These boxes are available in various designs, colors, shapes and sizes and are available in almost any given region being a widespread worldwide business.
• These are completely recyclable in nature that makes them eco-friendly.

Check out this infographic to learn more about the uses and manufacturing of corrugated boxes.

The post Interesting Infographic – Creative ways to reuse Cardboard Boxes appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/interesting-infographic-creative-ways.html

How To Replace A Kitchen Faucet In 4 Simple Steps

Replacing your old leaking kitchen faucet is not as hard as you may be thinking. Moreover you do not have to be a professional in order to do it. There are some basic rules you need to follow and you will have a brand new faucet in no time. Learning how to do it yourself will also help you save money and you will be able to enjoy the new product almost as soon as you purchase it. Find out how to replace a kitchen faucet by following the 4 steps presented bellow.

Tools You Needed

If you plan to replace the kitchen faucet yourself than you need to know that there are certain tools required. If you do not have them all you can borrow from family or friends. You also have to be very patient and follow the steps accordingly. Usually all faucets come with specific instructions so take your time to read them before you start working.

The following tools are used by professionals when they replace/install a faucet. You may not need them all, but it is better to have them near otherwise you may not be able to fulfill your task. Faucets differ in designs and installation parts so make sure you have: 4-in-1 screwdriver, hammer, handsaw, tube cutter, wrench set.

Buy A Faucet

When you order a faucet online you are usually told a date and approximate hour when you will receive it. Still do not remove your old faucet before you get your new one. You can only start the installation process when you have all the requested tools and materials near you. It is the best way to prevent frustrations and wasted time.

If you do not plan to replace your sink as well it is important to know that the number of valves can differ to the ones of the faucet. Remember to check this aspect and see if they match. If the sink has more valves than the faucet than you must consider purchasing some shut-off valves in order to be able to complete your task without further delays. There are certain faucets manufacturers that include them with the faucet so remember to check it when you decide over a certain product.

How To Replace A Kitchen Faucet Easy And Fast

You will see that replacing your kitchen faucet is not such a hard task once you learn how to do it. It is important to follow these 4 steps accordingly in order to manage to make it work properly. Also remember to read any additional instructions that come with the faucet. It is also advisable to do this activity while stores are still opened in case you will need any additional parts.

Step 1 – Turn off the water supply

It is mandatory to turn off the water supply before starting any other activity. The hot and cold water valves can be found under the sink. If they are not located there you do not need to worry as you can turn off the main valve. In order to clear the lines of the remained water and pressure remember to turn on the faucet and wait for a couple of minutes. Now you are ready to start the uninstall process.

Step 2 – Remove the old faucet

In order to be able to remove your old faucet you will need a basin wrench. This tool can help you reach connections that cannot be undone with your hands. While you disconnect the two water lines you will most probably need a towel to clean the water that drains out. It will not be much if you remember to turn on the faucet before you start to uninstall it. You will also need to disconnect the faucet from the sink before trying to lift it.

Step 3 – Remove the drain

Once the faucet is out you can focus on the drain. You will also need to use a cloth in case of water leaks. If you own the faucet for a long time you will see mineral spirits underneath the silicone sealant. Remember to clean them off before installing the new faucet. You will also need to clean the faucet holes. Just be careful not to scratch the sink’s surface.

Step 3 – Install your new faucet

Once the old faucet is out and the area is cleaned you can start installing the new one. When you install the faucet make sure you follow all the instructions provided by the manufacturers otherwise you will not be able to use the warranty in case it leaks or does not work properly. Not all brands come pre-assembled so you may need to attach the handles.

When you start working under the sink remember to use a screwdriver to fix the mounting nut to the faucet tailpiece. Make it firm with the help of a basin wrench. The spray hose needs to be connected to the faucet tailpiece. After this you can attach the supply tubes to the hot and cold water lines. Remember that cold water is on the right and hot on the left.

Step 4 – Check the faucet

Once you have finished the installation it is important to check if the faucet works properly. There may be some wastes or sediments in the faucet so it is advisable to unscrew the aerator when you turn it on for the first time. Let the water flow for a couple of minutes and check if everything is in its place and if there are any leaks. If everything works properly you can place the aerator back and the kitchen faucet is ready to use.

Conclusion

As it can be seen anybody can learn how to replace a kitchen faucet. You do not need to have additional training, just the right tools and patience to read all the instructions. Remember not to force or break any parts of the faucet. Checking the water flow and pressure is mandatory to complete the job.

 

The post How To Replace A Kitchen Faucet In 4 Simple Steps appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/how-to-replace-kitchen-faucet-in-4.html

Tips on Improving Your Home for a Sale (from a property buying expert)

Home sellers need to make two good first impressions in order to coax buyers to view. Buyers make decisions about the properties they like before they even pick up the phone to the estate agent so, when you’re selling, nothing can be left to chance.

External Improvements

Online sites with multiple photos and expansive write-ups are the first chance for a good first impression, and the second chance comes when potentially interested buyers do a drive past.

It’s vital the exterior of the property is neat, tidy and in good repair. Some jobs cost only time, while other areas may need a financial investment to bring them up to expected standards.

In the building itself, the chimney, gutters, soffits and paving should all be in tiptop condition. Cracked bricks, patchy pointing, and sagging chimneys all indicate neglect and make buyers wonder what else they’d need to spend money on.

Likewise, regardless of its size, the garden needs special attention. Even the largest front gardens can look easy to maintain if they’re neat and tidy. Mow the lawns, not forgetting to trim the edges, cut the hedges, weed flowerbeds, and sweep up any fallen leaves. If possible, pressure-wash the drive and external brickwork to get rid of moss or accumulated debris in fancy paving. If you have painted woodwork outside, give it all a fresh coat of paint, clean up ironwork, oil hinges and repair latches.

A final welcoming touch is the inclusion of decorative planters by the front door, or hanging baskets in summer.

Letting in Light

Having tempted potential buyers with a pristine exterior, the next step involves following through when they step over the threshold. The hallway is the first area they see, so make sure this is as bright and spacious as possible. Mirrors can create an illusion of space and reflect light, and neutrally colored walls make closed in spaces feel more airy. I you have space in the hallway, a bouquet of fresh flowers cheers up the area and creates a pleasant aroma.

Throughout the house, put the emphasis on space and light. The primary source of light during the day is the windows, so make sure the panes are sparkling clean and drapes or window treatments are light, clean and modern. This is especially important if sheer curtains are used for privacy in overlooked rooms as they can cut quite a bit of light. You need to find a balance between protecting privacy and not creating too much shade. Vertical blinds may prove an attractive alternative look.

Create floor space by clearing rooms of clutter, and this includes removing personal items such as family photos or sentimental knick-knacks. Too many items on display, or left lying around on surfaces, gives the impression of too little storage – something no home buyer wants to contemplate.

Staging

Staging is a term than confuses many. It’s not about making rooms look artificial or like stage sets, it’s about targeting a room or area’s main function and arranging furnishings and objects that are in keeping with that function. For instance:

• Living rooms – group the furniture conversationally. This usually means having chairs or sofas facing each other, although this isn’t always practical in smaller living rooms. Try not to have all the chairs in rows though, so that people can’t see each other when they’re seated. Choose the focal point of the room, usually a fireplace but often the TV in many modern family homes, and arrange the seating so both viewing and chatting is possible. Strategically placed side tables have both social and practical purposes as places to put cups or glasses and areas for lamps to create soft lighting.

• Kitchens – if you have a dining kitchen, keep the dining table clear of clutter with maybe just a bowl of flowers in the centre. Arrange dining chairs around it to make it clear the space is both practical and comfortable for dining. Put away as many small kitchen appliances as possible so you have clear work surfaces. They kitchen will look bigger, and will seem like an inviting place to work.

• Bedrooms – create a relaxing ambiance with throws and cushions on beds, update the decor, clean old or buy new curtains, and put away all clothing and shoes. In children’s bedrooms, keep the floors clear of toys and avoid overly personal decor. Kids love personalized rooms, but only when they’re personalized to them. Princess bedrooms, for instance, will turn off potential buyers who only have sons, as they’ll see a big decorating job ahead of them.

If you took previous comments to heart, you’ll have cleared most ornaments out of the rooms, but knowing how to artfully arrange the ones you have chosen to keep will make them more attractive to buyers. If possible, arrange them in groups of three or five similarly themed items; for instance, collections of cat ornaments, or a collection of green objects. Odd numbers look artistic, whereas even numbers tend to look like a jumble.

Modernize

Buyers love modern homes, even old houses must be tastefully modernized where it matters to attract the best prices. Where does it matter? Primarily in kitchens and bathrooms.

That doesn’t always mean a major remodeling job, as you can do wonders with a simple facelift instead. For instance, instead of replacing the entire kitchen, you can achieve a modernized look by simply replacing, or sanding and painting, cabinet doors. New work surfaces give a fresh modern look to a tired kitchen, and updating the taps over the sink gives a new lease of life to this overworked area.

In bathrooms, small improvements such as replacing shower screens or curtains and cleaning the tile grouting make an amazing difference without much fuss or expense. All bathrooms need to be sparkling, squeaky clean, so you could consider new flooring, updated tiling, or simply a fresh lick of paint. The important thing is to get right into the corners with no stinting.

It seems like a lot of work, but when the property market is buoyant and there are more houses available to choose from, the well-maintained, modern property will always get the most attention and sell first, at the best price.

Drew writes for Black Brick Relocation Agents – a leading, independent buying agency.

 

 

 

The post Tips on Improving Your Home for a Sale (from a property buying expert) appeared first on Strategies Online.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/tips-on-improving-your-home-for-sale.html

Selecting a Driveway For Your House

The driveway is usually the first thing individuals see concerning your house as they come close to. From a range, the residence can be a wonderful sight. A stunning home is worthy of a just as classy driveway that praises the house as well as includes worth to the outdoors look. Deciding on a driveway for your house does not need to be a frustration yet it does need you making some layout selections to make sure that completion outcome is the ideal driveway to opt for your residence.

The standard kinds of products that you could pick from are concrete, pavers that are made from brick and also asphalt. Yes, there are some stars which have actually driveways decorated with 24-karat gold letters but also for one of the most component, individuals select from the various other sorts of products for their driveway. Your budget plan will certainly determine exactly what sort of driveway you could pay for.

If you are having a brand-new house developed, you could need to choose a concrete driveway as a part of home owner’s organization regulations if the need is that residences have concrete. This is hardly ever the instance, also in gated neighborhoods. If you have a tiny spending plan, the most effective driveway selection will certainly be asphalt for the temporary.

Asphalt is really efficient for the preliminary replacement. The dark look could include an abundant tone to the total appearance of your residence. Do not rely upon this planning to last for long, nevertheless considering that asphalt, which is black tar laid over rocks, has the tendency to discolor quite rapidly. It will certainly be needed to have your driveway paved once again in a year approximately to bring back that fresh, dark look. Due to the fact that the rocks under often clear up, it is very important to recognize that just a few repaving can be done and afterwards you will certainly need to eliminate the whole driveway and also pave from the ground up once more.

When you could pay for to pay a bit much more, concrete offers a much more long lasting driveway. Concrete does not should be retouched every number of years and also is exempt to absorb warmth similarly that asphalt does. Concrete can be formed a lot more creatively and also give style choices that are just not feasible with concrete. The cost is greater however it holds true just what they claim that you obtain exactly what you spend for.

One of the most costly driveway you could acquire is one developed with pavers. Whether you desire to have actually a patched rock look, ruby pattern or something personalized created, pavers are the means to go. This kind of driveway product needs the lengthiest quantity of time to mount however the completed item could last for ages.

When you are preparing to select a driveway for your house, after you identify your spending plan, search for affordable costs. Keep in mind that asphalt is cost-effective however in the lengthy array you will certainly invest much more on resurfacing as well as substitute. Concrete is reasonably cost yet can be susceptible to spots from oil leakages or various other auto liquids that spill out as well as concrete undoubtedly splits, which can be expensive to fix or change.

The post Selecting a Driveway For Your House appeared first on Wiltshire Driveways | 01225 287637.

Discover this info here: http://wiltshiredriveways.blogspot.com/2015/09/selecting-driveway-for-your-house.html

5 Driveway Materials to think about to Style the Perfect Driveway

As you are picking trees, foliage and lighting, are you likewise assuming concerning your driveway layout? The appropriate driveway is a welcome mat for your interior layout.

Your landscape strategy need to include the kind of driveway and pathway that will boost the design of your residence. An elegant Tudor needs a cobblestone drive while a mid century cattle ranch would certainly be a lot better matched to a textured concrete driveway. Let us consider some of the selections available today.

Popular paving products such as rock, brick as well as industry stone could be replicated in concrete at a fraction of the price. Staining the completed driveway will certainly create depth as well as texture that includes to the illusion that you have a stone driveway. While simple concrete is one of your ideal spending plan options, picking and also paying for a high end layout will certainly provide your house enhanced aesthetic value.

It is strong, does not show discolorations like concrete does and requires only a minimal amount of upkeep. A long dark driveway could look outstanding in a well landscaped yard.

Brick pavers create a driveway that is elegant and ageless. A structure bed of sand will give your driveway security. One more plus is that if a brick splits it could be replaced without meddling with the whole driveway.

4. Rock is an expensive but durable option for high end home owners. It is very sturdy and eco-friendly. The labor intense process of laying this product, plus the cost of the product itself, makes the in advance expense too high to many homeowners.

5. If brick and also organic rocks run out your price array as well as concrete pushes the budget plan, you do have the option of crushed rock. This crushed rock is eco- pleasant since it allows rain to soak right into the location rather than running. Upkeep is very little. You will have to change the rocks every couple of years yet you will never need to bother with cracks in the driveway. Adding a boundary of bricks or bigger stones will certainly offer your driveway definition. This choice of driveway material is preferred in country setups.

When deciding on a driveway material assume regarding cost, maintenance as well as longevity as well as exactly how well it fits the feel of your home and also backyard. Drive around communities with houses like all yours and see just what driveways appeal to you.