Growing a healthy and high-yielding plant starts with finding the right seed to plant. Typically, you could have the absolute best-growing environment and the accessories needed but it won’t be enough if the quality of the seeds isn’t good and… Continue Reading → via Tumblr How to Choose the Right Seeds for Your Garden?
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![]() Winter is on the horizon; rain is pouring down a little more often and tired roofs across the nation are beginning to feel the strain. Most of us will experience a leaky roof at some point in our lives. We all become familiar with the ominous drip, drip, drip coming from somewhere above, going to check it out only to discover the worst: water is seeping through the roof and discolouring our ceiling. The roof is leaking! Luckily, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage and avoid the worst-case scenario: a collapsed roof. Has your roof got a leak? Find a local, vetted Rated People Roofer here. How to limit the damage![]() Step one:If there is a bulge in your ceiling and water is leaking through, grab a container – you can use anything that will hold the water, for example a bucket or even a bin, and place it under the leak. ![]() This first step is important, as catching the drips will stop your wood, carpet, or belongings from suffering water damage. The next step may seem counterintuitive but fear not – it could end up stopping your roof from caving in. Step two:Grab a screwdriver. Yes, I’m serious. Have a little faith! Take your screwdriver and locate the bulge in your ceiling where the water will be pooling on the other side. Find the centre of this bulge and make a hole in the ceiling. Whilst warning signs might be going off in your head right about now – doing this could save your roof and stop it collapsing. The hole you make will allow the water to flow easily into a bucket or bin, alleviating the pressure on your ceiling. How to spot a leaky roof![]() The National Roofers Contractors Association advises you inspect your roof twice a year. Once in the spring and again come autumn. Below are the warning signs of a leak you should look out for on the inside and outside of your roof. On the inside:
On the outside:
Need work completed in your home this autumn? Discover how to prepare your house. The importance of acting fast![]() Yes, a leaky roof is common – and it won’t always lead to catastrophe right away. But there could be dire consequences to your home if you notice a leak and don’t act fast. First off, it won’t fix itself and will only get worse over time. The moment you spot the warning signs: a stain on your ceiling, bubbling noises coming from your roof, or even water dripping, you should attend to these immediately and call for professional help if you’re unsure. A standard flat roof typically lasts 10-15 years. Good news is, if your roof is a little younger it could be sorted with a spot-repair, saving you forking out for a whole new one. However, often when one part goes the rest is soon to follow – so you still may want to consider getting a roofer in to replace your flat roof if a part of it is showing tell-tale signs of wear. Call in the professionals![]() Once you’ve spotted the leak and have taken all the steps to limit the initial damage, it’s time to call in the professionals. This is the best way to ensure your roof is fixed in a timely, effective manner, before it causes extensive damage to your home. A professional roofer can also future proof your roof by making it watertight. Some home insurance covers you for roof damage – so before seeking a professional check whether your roof is covered under your existing policy. If it’s not included, it may be worth looking into roof protection for the future. For all your repair and home improvement needs, find a Rated People tradesperson today. The post What to do if you have a leaky roof appeared first on Rated People Blog. What to do if you have a leaky roof published first on https://fanseeaus.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr What to do if you have a leaky roof ![]() It can be tricky to know how to incorporate your TV unit into your living room. It’s usually the focal point, but large screens can dominate the room. There are other things to think about – the TV needs to be at the right height for easy viewing and there needs to be space for additional equipment, such as remotes, consoles, and media hubs. Get inspired by our favourite TV space ideas, including a floating entertainment centre, modern TV wall units and TV wall décor. If you need ideas for the wall space around around your TV, head to our article on How to decorate a living room TV wall. Need to install a satellite dish and TV arial? Find a local specialist tradesperson to do the job here! Install a floating entertainment centre![]() A floating entertainment centre looks contemporary and stylish. Each element: TV, console cupboard, speakers and shelving are mounted separately to the wall to give a ‘floating’ effect. They work brilliantly in larger living rooms, especially those that are open plan, and they’re easily customisable to suit your needs and entertainment system. They’re also a practical choice if you have little ones – floating stands can be installed higher and out of reach. Choose a sleek modern TV wall unit![]() Block TV wall units or freestanding console cabinets are popular. They make the TV space look tidy, as wires are hidden, and remotes have a shelf or cubby to live in. They can provide additional storage for DVDs, books and more and they are available in a vast array of designs and styles. Go for a bespoke TV unit to make the most of your space, especially if your living room is on the smaller side. Looking to build a wooden cabinet? Post a job to receive quotes from our qualified and trusted carpenters. Integrate your TV into your living space![]() Your TV doesn’t have to be the centrepiece of your living room. You could opt for a hidden TV unit where the TV is easily accessible on a swivel mounted arm, by opening shutters or seamlessly integrated into paneling or a cabinet. The TV can almost become invisible, or even look like a piece of art, if your TV has that customisable option. You could also opt for a projector, rather than a TV, all you’ll need is a white wall or projector screen. Upgrade your TV wall decor![]() Standard TV wall brackets are a cheap and widely available option for mounting your screen. Plus, they’re easy to install once you’ve repainted or applied new wallpaper. However, if you have the budget, we love the idea of mounting the TV screen – wooden slats or paneling are a trendy choice – to give the TV area a sense of depth and sophistication. You could also use LED lighting along the paneling or wall area to provide mood lighting for cosy film nights. Find vetted, professional carpenters to craft bespoke TV and media units by posting your job on Rated People. The post TV space ideas for your living room appeared first on Rated People Blog. TV space ideas for your living room published first on https://fanseeaus.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr TV space ideas for your living room Even while constructing your own home comes with a high price tag and may cause some concern, choosing to do so rather than purchasing an existing home allows you the ability to make more cost-effective decisions. If you’re just getting via Tumblr How to Plan a Budget-Friendly House Foam sealant is a chemical product generated by two components, isocyanate and polyol resin, these elements will expand for like 30 to 60 times when in their liquid form after spraying them in place. This expansion makes it ideal as via Tumblr What is Foam Sealant and How to Use It Even though residents are still a couple of months away from the official start of winter in Broomall, Pennsylvania, many residents are likely using their heat with temperatures getting a bit chilly at night especially. Energy bills this time of via Tumblr Furnace Repair Services In Broomall PA | Find Furnace Experts In Broomall A bedroom is a place where one hunts for peace. People crave to reach their bedroom to relieve their stress of the whole day. In such circumstances, selecting an appropriate wallpaper becomes a tedious task due to the availability of… Continue Reading → via Tumblr How to choose the right and best wallpaper for your bedroom? ![]() Energy is a commodity we often take for granted. From heating and lighting our homes, helping us cook food, keeping our wi-fi speeds up and allowing us to take nice hot showers to kick-start the day – energy is powering it all. For a long time, in the UK, we’ve viewed energy as a utility with a seemingly endless supply. Day-to-day, we don’t give much thought to where it comes from and how it flows into our houses. The final quarter of 2021 has changed that. Conversations surrounding our supply of energy and the prospect of looming price rises are prevalent. Five small UK energy firms have already gone out of business, and there are circulating fears others will soon be forced to join them. But just what is sparking these concerns about energy shortages and price rises, and what do homeowners need to pay attention to? Need to call in the professionals? Find trusted tradespeople at Rated People. Filtering the noise: what’s really happening to our energy![]() What has caused the 2021 energy crisis? In short, it’s complicated. The energy market is vast and interconnected; there are several contributing factors to the current energy crisis we are faced with. Here are some of the most impactful: DemandOne reason we are seeing a disruption in the energy market is due to an increase in demand. A long cold winter in 2020-2021 paired with the worldwide lockdowns brought on by the Covid pandemic, resulted in an increase of energy usage; two closely connected events that worked together to leave gas stocks depleted and demand sky high. Saying goodbye to coal![]() Another reason for depleted energy supply is due to the global transition to eco-friendly electricity. Today, around half of the UK’s energy supply still comes from burning fossil-fuels. We rely on it for cooking food and heating our homes, yet we still have some of the lowest levels of gas storage in Europe. In fact, less than 1% of Europe’s entire stock can be found in the UK. The energy system is interconnected, and as we make waves to move away from coal usage and decarbonise electricity, the global supply chain has become stretched. Because the chain is so stretched and supplies are depleted, it just can’t handle any disruption, including that caused by decarbonisation. Want to create an eco-friendlier home? Learn how you could get a grant or financial support here. China’s recovery![]() Post-covid, China has begun an economic ramp-up, therefore using more energy. This is also true of other economies across Europe who are competing for supplies and pushing up demand drastically. This has played a role in destabilising the energy market, leaving supplies low and pushing prices up. Lower supply from Russia![]() In recent months, Russia has failed to make up a big shortfall as gas has travelled from Europe to China. For example, Russian state-backed company Gazprom refused to increase its exports to Europe, causing prices across Europe to rise by 10% in one week. Britain relies on its gas supply from Europe and has therefore seen prices increase in the last month alone by a huge 70%. Now you have more of an insight into what’s causing the energy crisis, here is the most proactive step homeowners can take today to save money. Switch energy providers to save money![]() One way you can help save money on your energy bills is to switch tariffs. As a result of the global energy disruption (a higher demand vs a limited supply) wholesale gas prices have shot up by 200% since January, And, because energy firms get their gas wholesale, on 1st October we witnessed the biggest rise in prices to date for out-of-tariff energy contracts. In fact, EDF Energy, British Gas, Scottish Power, Eon and SSE all announced that this autumn they will be raising tariff prices to the maximum amount allowed. The only way to avoid a massive price hike on your monthly energy bill is to get switching. If you are on a standard tariff, just shop around as much as you can and compare prices until you find the right deal for you! It may seem daunting at first but comparing and switching providers is the only way to save money on your energy bills. Switching is super simple, and according to energy regulator Ofgem the average switching period is 16 days for electricity and 18 days for gas. This doesn’t include a 14-day time frame in which you may change your mind. Want to help cut the cost of energy in your home? Check out how grants could help you here. The outlookWhilst the energy crisis is unlikely to disappear any time soon, some form of comfort can be taken from knowing a price cap will remain in place. However, this cap has recently risen by 12%. This rise in the cap is set to affect 15 million households who are on default tariffs. Making the only way to avoid paying over the odds to switch. As colder weather looms, get more advice on how to prepare your home this autumn in our Rated People Homeowner Advice centre. The post Energy crisis 2021: what it means for you and your home appeared first on Rated People Blog. Energy crisis 2021: what it means for you and your home published first on https://fanseeaus.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr Energy crisis 2021: what it means for you and your home Polymer modification of bitumen is an unacknowledged revolution in the construction industry. Polymers are added to asphalt, latex, or acrylic emulsion to improve the properties of roads and roofs. When a polymer-modified bitumen sheet is used, the binders remain elastic via Tumblr What is a Polymer Modified Bitumen Sheet? ![]() October 2021: picture this… It’s night-time. You’re home alone. The lights begin to flicker. The heating’s on, but it’s cold. Do you need to call an electrician? Is your boiler on the fritz? Or is something else at play? Suddenly you picture ghouls, ghosts, a whole host of scary creatures slinking out of your walls and into the shadows, creeping in just in time for Halloween. But what if the monsters coming out for all-hallows-eve were not the scariest part of Halloween? What if home improvement projects – house extensions – kitchen installations – even garage conversions – were giving us a real case of the heebie-jeebies? Get ready, take a seat, prepare to be well and truly spooked as Rated People walk you through the top 10 most scary home improvement jobs according to you, the homeowners… tellers of this tale. Ready to start your own home improvement journey? Find a vetted, local Rated People tradesperson. House extension![]() Topping this spooky list is house extensions. According to our research, 58% of homeowners expressed this was by far the most fear-inducing home improvement project to undertake. And, with the lockdowns catalysing a home-improvement boom (roughly 46% of brits renovating their homes during this time) many people concluded that even when happy with the outcome, investing time and money in home improvements, particularly a house extension, is a worrisome affair. In fact, a recent Rated People survey completed by 2,000 UK homeowners revealed that 44% finished a home improvement project in the last year alone. And 50% admit to completing the work themselves, asking family and friends to pitch in. Even with the help of professionals, a house renovation may well be the biggest project a homeowner can undertake. The threat of spiralling costs, mess incurred from building works and disruption to daily life are all realistic by-products of a house extension. However, having this work completed can pay off big time. You can create a more inviting, fresh space to live in for you and your family. Large-scale home renovations are also likely to increase your home’s value by £9,011 – £12,951. So, these are important goals to keep in mind to help get you through the tough times a house extension can bring. Got upcoming home-renovations? Rated People can help manage the stress with advice on preparing your home. Loft extension![]() Second on this spine-tingling list is loft extensions. 50% of homeowners told Rated People that they found loft extensions, much like house extensions, stressful and scary. Like a home extension, but generally on a smaller scale, loft extensions can be huge projects with variable unknowns to consider such as costing accumulations, timescales, and level of disruption to daily life. On the flip side, professionally designed loft extensions can create a whole new layer to your home, leaving you with extended living space for family and friends. Create an extra bathroom, lounge, guest bedroom or even your own brand-new master bedroom with an en-suite and walk in wardrobes. How does the saying go? The loft is your oyster?! Loft extensions can also increase the value of your property for when it’s time to move on in the future. Planning a loft extension for your home? Find a local Rated People loft conversion specialist here! Kitchen installation![]() Securing the third spot on the list is kitchen installations, with 45% of the vote. Whilst the prospect of having a new kitchen fitted is exciting, it can also cause your stomach to churn when thinking about the timeframe of works (how long you’ll have to make do without your kitchen comforts). On average it takes one – four weeks to install a kitchen. This is dependent on how much work needs to be done; for instance, if you’re simply replacing your kitchen, keeping the existing layout, works can be completed in a week. On the other hand, if you’re replacing flooring and electrics, it could take a month for a professional kitchen fitter to complete the job. Planning beforehand and ensuring you choose the right tradesperson for the job will help keep your stress levels low as you set your mind on the fabulous result: a brand-spanking-new kitchen. Your coffee machine can now rest easy in its new space, with, perhaps, some on trend low hanging lights for company. Time to upgrade your kitchen? Find a trusted, Rated People kitchen specialist here. Bathroom installation![]() In fourth place is bathroom installation. 40% of homeowners Rated People spoke to expressed that this created stress for them. Not having access to a bathroom is always going to suck, and so it’s understandable that homeowners feel a high level of anxiety surrounding this. Bathroom installations needn’t be a wholly terrible experience, with the right planning, budgeting and professional installer leading the project, the process can be manageable and run smoothly. Ready to refresh your bathroom? Find local, vetted bathroom installation specialists with Rated People. Now you’ve got an insight into which home improvement projects are topping your ghoulish list this Halloween, here are the rest of the jobs you told us make the hair on your skin stand up:
Take the stress out of home improvement projects![]() This research revealed there are many factors contributing to fears surrounding home improvements. In fact, we discovered that a massive 72%, that’s 3 in 4 people, put off home renovations out of fear. These fears included risk of damage caused due to lack of knowledge; lack of skills, as well as the end results not aligning with imagined results. Home improvements do not have to be so bad; Rated People are here to help make your home improvement projects as easy as possible, taking the stress out of the entire process. Whilst there will always be some level of disturbance in any renovation project, planning, setting realistic budgets and finding the right specialist for the job will allow you to trust the process. It will leave you feeling calm and excited to see the positive impact the project will have on you and your home. For more help planning improvement projects, visit the Rated People Homeowner Advice Centre. The post Top 10 scariest home improvement jobs appeared first on Rated People Blog. Top 10 scariest home improvement jobs published first on https://fanseeaus.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr Top 10 scariest home improvement jobs |
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