featured5

Make Your House a Home

Although buying a house can be an exciting endeavour, it can take time to make it a home. However, this isn’t to say that there aren’t some shortcuts that can be taken to ensure that there is a warm atmosphere in the home. The following are some tips that can keep you warm during the winter months, as well as giving the home some much-needed ambience during the darker nights. Lag Your Piping The art of pip lagging may be one that is somewhat aged when compared to other approaches, but it’s one that works, and it’s cheap to do. Lagging is essentially putting foam around your water pipe to ensure that there is no loss of heart, and what’s more, no tools are required. Although there may be other things you need to do to ensure heat isn’t lost, lagging the hot water pipes can be the ideal starting point. Consider Wall insulation Although its common knowledge that wall insulation can help save on fuel bills and retain heat, there are still many people who haven’t enjoyed the benefits. Although wall insulation comes at a cost, the money will often be recouped in what you save on fuel moving forward. What’s more, wall insulation ensures that your home retains as much as heat as possible, which is vital for the colder seasons. Use Your Curtains Properly It’s not unusual for the weather to be sporadic, so it’s a good idea to make use of the sun when it's available. Opening the curtains when the suns out ensure you’re making using of natural heat in the day, allowing you to conserve energy for nightfall. The sun will often heat the home substantially in the day if the curtains are open, and eve Not only is this more cost-effective, but you can ensure that you don’t have to ration your energy as much. Draught Excluders Are Still Useful Given all the technology that is put our way, it’s to dismiss simple and cost-effective ways of keeping the home warm. Although basic in their approach, draught excluders do a sterling job of keeping heat in the room. Even if all the rooms need some form of draught exclusion, the process is generally quite cheap. Bleed Your Radiators (If Necessary) For the most part, radiators carry out the duties without a hitch, but there can be times when we need to intervene to ensure that they’re working at the best. Air bubbles present in the radiator could mean that the radiator isn’t creating as much heat as it could. [caption id="attachment_447" align="alignnone" width="500"] Happy young family using a tablet pc at home by a fireplace in warm and cozy living room on winter day[/caption] Arrange a Boiler Service It’s not only problematic radiators that can restrict hear in the home, as boilers play their part too. Although we can take them for granted, it’s a good idea to get your boiler serviced before the cold month's strike. If you’re unfortunate enough to have your boiler break down at the wrong time, then there could be some discomfort until a repair can be arranged. Fortunately, the method to rectify this is simple and merely requires you to bleed the radiators. You will need to use a radiator key, which can be purchased from any DIY store, and simply twist the valve until the hissing stops and water appear. Once this happens simply close the valve. More information on arranging boiler service check out - https://www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/guides/annual-boiler-service-article.html Invest in Some Rugs Wooden floors can look great around the home, but they can also leave rooms feeling cold. Although there are alternatives, such as heated flooring, those looking for a cheaper solution can simply invest in some rugs. Whether you decide to use one large rug or a series of smaller rugs will depend on the layout of the home, but either approach can be more cost-effective than modern alternatives, while still adding character to the home. Find the Right Temperature for You It’s understandable that some people are concerned about having the heating on too high, as they will waste money. However, having it too cold can cause some discomfort. Finding the perfect temperature for you ensures that you can time your boiler accordingly, meaning that you’re not wasting energy when not at home. Those looking for something they can control when out and about may want to invest in a smart option, which allows you to amend settings from an app. Soft Lighting Creates Ambiance As well as ensuring your home has heat flowing through it without escaping, you can also create a warm abidance that contributes towards the cosiness of your home. Harsh bright lighting can make it hard to relax, regardless of how much heat you’re conserving. Swapping your bright lighting for something a little softer doesn’t have to be expensive, as a few lamps can be just as effective as opposed to spending hundreds on electrical work What’s more, this can be done throughout the house, and you can even combine with modern technology to streamline the operation. For example, those who can’t afford smart lighting may find a Bluetooth-enable light bulb just as effective. Display Your Proud Moments Given the advancements of technology, you’re more likely to see photographs on someone’s social network as opposed to their wall, but this doesn’t mean that memories and achievements don’t look amazing and create a homelier feel overall. The frames you use can be tailored to your décor. For example, those with a modern abode may decide to use clip frames, whereas those with more rustic surroundings may decide a wooden frame is best. The possibilities are endless and framing photographs, certificates and diplomas are a great way of adding warmth and charm to the home. Some of us can struggle when it comes to making a house feel more comfortable, especially if you’ve only just moved in. However, some simple approaches can ensure that your home is prepared for the winter and inviting to friends and family.

Do You Have a Cockroach Infestation? Signs to Look Out For

When it comes to infestations, cockroaches can be deemed the most serious. The very fact that cockroaches can carry some serious diseases showcases how important it is to use cockroach control services in Edinburgh should an infestation be suspected. Recognising a Cockroach Infestation In some instance, cockroaches will make their presence known without much investigation, whereas other instances could require some exploring. Some of the checks that should be carried out in relation to cockroach infestations are as follows. An Unusual Smell: If you’ve recently noticed a lingering and unpleasant odour around the property, then it could be due to a cockroach infestation. Smear Marks: in locations where there is a lot of water, it’s not unusual for cockroaches to leave brown smears around the home. Signs of Shed Skin: A cockroach will shed its skin between five and eight times a day, and the sight of shed skin is normally near the location of they’re nesting. Small Droppings: Although the appearance of droppings can point to towards different types of infestations, the appearance of droppings in conjunction with strange smells or shed skin could help establish as to whether a cockroach infestation is present or not. What Type of Cockroaches Are There? Although it would easy to assume that all cockroaches are one and the same, there are actually different species. Those that are more common in the Edinburgh area are as follows. German Cockroaches: German cockroaches thrive on humidity, so will often reside where there is moisture, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. German cockroaches are also able to climb surfaces with ease due to the sticky pads on their feet. Oriental Cockroaches: Whereas German cockroaches settle in damp conditions, oriental cockroaches prefer cooler environments so will often reside in drains, bins and basements. Brown Branded Cockroaches: Brown-banded cockroaches are more adaptable than their German and oriental counterparts and can often survive further away from food sources. They are also able to run, and in some instances, fly should the need arise. The Dangers of a Cockroach Infestation As well as being unsightly, the presence of a cockroach infestation can mean a series of different diseases are introduced into the environment. Some of the diseases that can be introduced into the home include Salmonella Typhi and Poliomyelitis, which contribute to Typhoid and Polio respectively. The shedding of a cockroach’s skin can also lead to allergies and trigger the onset of asthma. As such, it’s important to call a pest control professional in the first instance. Can Cockroaches Be Eradicated Without a Professional? Some people may assume it’s cheaper to deal with the eradication of cockroaches themselves rather than call on the services on the professional. Although there are kits and bait traps available, they won’t always get to the root of the problem. This isn’t to say that the use of store-bought solutions should be dismissed, but for more problematic cockroach infestations a professional should be sought as soon as possible, as trying to approach the issue alone could mean the infestation worsens.

Enjoy Your Downtime with an Urban Pod

Enjoy Your Downtime with an Urban Pod: A Room with the Perfect View Many people take pride in their home, and the abundance of inspiration available nowadays ensures that those looking to make the most of their respite have the tools available. One of the most popular ways of enjoying time around the home is turning space into respite and hobby areas. However, there are times when the options available could be expensive and cumbersome, but this is never the case with an Urban Pod from www.urbanpods.co.uk. An urban pod offers all the convenience of a spare room, but with some additional benefits that may not have been considered. Improve Your Surroundings for Little Cost Usually, the implementation of additional space around the home can be costly and time-consuming. There can also be an overwhelming amount of paperwork to complete before any work is carried out. Urban Pods are separate from the main property, so there is no need to complete a series of documentation or pay excessive fees. What is more, the inclusion of an urban pod will be more affordable than house extensions and conservatories. Choose Your Own View Although many people can see nature at its best from rooms in their home, others may not be as fortunate. Fortunately, the use of an urban pod allows you to pick your best view, which can then be enjoyed in comfort for the long term. Regardless of whether you are catching up on work or simply enjoying a drink of wine, you can be confident that you will always have access to a room with a view. Work from Home Productively During the lockdown, many people have had to change the way they work, especially those that run their own business. As well as being a comfortable working space during difficult times, the inclusion of a garden pod can ensure that you have always got an office to work from, that has access to the same facilities as the rest of the home. As such, those looking to make the most of their time from home can ensure that their space has access to electric, heat, water and Internet while offering the same level of comfort as any conventional office. Meet with Friends and Family Safely If recent news has taught us anything, it is that it is better to be safe than sorry. Meeting up with friends and loved ones can be difficult during the lockdown, and although some measures are being reviewed, people will still want to ensure that they stay safe. Choosing an urban pod ensures that there is always plenty of space available, making for fewer clusters of people and less anxiety as a result. Of course, space can still be used for social gatherings in the future, so even those looking at short term goals will always find that there is plenty of value in an urban pod. Trying to relax can be difficult at times, but having a dedicated space can make all the difference when it comes to finding calm and respite around the home.