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How to Upgrade the Look of Your Small Yard

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For many homeowners, a bright and spacious garden full of flowers, greenery, and other features is a dream come true. Sadly, the reality is that most of us will just have to make do with our small yards, and this is especially true with modern suburban life. However, just because we have to accept that reality doesn’t mean we have to let our yards look drab and uninspired. There are ways to maximize that modest space and upgrade our yard’s look.

Install a water feature

Having a water fountain installed in your yard may sound excessive and intimidating, but in reality they’re simple and uncomplicated set pieces that can really enhance a yard’s look. If you’re worried about it taking up too much space in your garden, there are many smaller models available that offer the same effect but is much more economical in terms of space—as well as in terms of budget. An example of this is a small wall fountain for the garden, which not only runs on a very small compressor but also only needs a relatively small amount of water to work.

Use tall plants to enhance your yard’s vertical space

Our yards may be constrained in horizontal space, but vertically may be a different matter. If there isn’t anything that can limit just how high your garden can grow, such as existing structures or perhaps your neighbor’s fencing, then planting tall plants and trees around your yard is a great option to help make it look bigger and grander. Fruit-bearing trees are also a wonder to see in small gardens, not only to add more color as the seasons roll in but also to give you delicious, home-grown treats to enjoy every now and then.

Construct keyhole plant beds

Flowers and other colorful plant life are wonderful in giving life to a garden, but too much in a small yard can make things look disorganized and overblown. However, by making u-shaped keyhole gardens in strategic places around your yard, you can maximize your limited space while still enjoying the colorful effect that live plants can have in any space. This also allows you to diversify the plants you grow—one keyhole garden can have flowers while the other can have herbs for the kitchen, and so on.

Give your deck a new look

If you have a deck or porch overlooking your yard, chances are, it could use a good cleaning. Take this chance to give it an entirely new look, either by painting it with an entirely new color or even just giving it a new coat of protective stain and a thorough cleaning. As for the cleaning process itself, while a power washer does make the entire process faster and easier, experts say that it can be too rough on wood—especially if your deck’s been getting on in years. Scrubbing with oxygenated bleach as well as a thorough round of sanding is better for your deck in the long run.

Revitalize your outdoor furniture

During your yard upgrade, you may be tempted to replace your outdoor furniture with newer, stylish models. If you have the budget for it, it’s definitely a solid move to make in giving your yard a new look. However, if you’re looking to save some money or you just can’t bear the thought of tossing what you already have installed in your yard, then simply treating them to some restorative work should suffice. Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint and rust from metal furniture, while those made of wood can be freshened up with a mixture of turpentine and boiled linseed oil-mix. From there, re-stain them to the shade you want with an oil-based varnish or shellac.

A great-looking yard doesn’t always have to involve a lot of space. By carrying out the above steps, not only will you be able to give new life to your yard, but also make it more attractive and appealing to look at in the long run.

Safety Tips! Warning Signs of Faulty Wiring in Every Home

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In this day and age, most of us don’t even think about electricity until something goes wrong. This doesn’t mean you should stress about it every day, but if you do notice a sign of an electrical problem, don’t ignore it. Electrical malfunctions result in more than 47, 000 house fires every year, and the majority of those could have been prevented. You might think that this can’t happen to you, but you can never know for sure – and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. With that in mind, here are some of the warning signs that you should look out for.

Your circuit breaker trips too often

When working properly, your circuit breaker is supposed to switch off on its own when overloaded. It’s okay if it trips from time to time, but if you notice this happening every day, then there might be something wrong with it.

There is a weird smell

If you notice any burning, smoky, or unusual smell in your home, try to locate the source. If it’s coming from a new appliance, then don’t worry too much about it – new appliances tend to smell funny the first time they are used. However, if it’s coming from an outlet, make sure to turn off and unplug whatever is connected to it, because this could mean that your wire coverings are melting. In this case, don’t use the outlet, and call an electrician right away.

There is a buzzing sound

When everything is working properly, you shouldn’t “hear” electricity. However, bad wiring, broken outlets, and loose prongs can make the current jump, which produces a buzzing sound. If you live in the Land Down Under and you hear such a sound, don’t hesitate to call a professional electrician from Glenco who can locate your problem, fix it, and ensure that your home is safe.

Your lights are buzzing or flickering

If your lights are often flickering or buzzing, this could mean that there is some electrical issue, especially if this happens when you use some other electrical device or appliance. Lighting fixtures usually use only a small amount of power, which is why it is possible that there is a space heater or some major appliance that uses a lot more power wired to the same circuit. This problem could be solved by installing a separate circuit just for the appliances. However, it could also mean that your wiring is loose or bad, so don’t ignore this sign.

The power outlets don’t look right

Your appliances are meant to produce some amount of heat. However, if you notice any charring or scorch marks on your power outlets, it could mean that the wiring underneath is heating up too much, which is not supposed to happen and in most cases is a sign of some kind of damage. This should be taken very seriously, as such power outlets could lead to electrical fires. Similarly, if your power outlets are too warm or vibrating, it could be another problem with potentially serious consequences. With all that in mind, try to remember to check your power outlets from time to time.

You see sparks

If you feel any tingle or shock when touching your appliances, no matter how mild, don’t ignore it. Turn off the power in that area of your home – or at least unplug the appliances – and call an electrician. Moreover, sparks coming from your fuse fox or any power outlet is never a good sign. However, a sparking appliance could simply mean that the appliance is faulty, in which case an appliance repairman could test it and fix it easily. Plus, if you’ve bought the appliance recently, it should still be under the warranty, which means that it shouldn’t cost you anything to get it repaired. On the other hand, if the appliance is not the problem, call a reliable electrician to examine your power outlets.

 

Never take your electricity for granted since one overlooked issue can lead to costly consequences. Check your outlets from time to time, and don’t ignore any funny smells. Turn off your appliances if you notice any sparks coming from the outlets, check your lights if they start flickering, and most importantly, never try to fix any of these issues yourself. Always call a trained professional to repair your wiring, as only they can ensure that your home is safe and properly wired.

Garden Skip Bins – Are They Worth It?

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There is absolutely no doubt that skip bins are a necessity for most building sites. But, many homeowners often don’t realise the benefits a skip bin can offer, and the value of hiring one. While you may be happy enough to lug your rubbish to a tip, know that this is a process that’s not just inconvenient, but detrimental to the environment, too.

So, are skip bins really useful? Besides the fact that you can get cheap skip bin hire Perth experts are offering, here’s a look at the top 3 benefits of hiring a skip.

1. Skip Bins for Commercial Use

Many commercial customers like to use heavy-duty skip bins when it comes to removing building waste from commercial properties. Skip bins are, overall, handy for removing just about any kind of waste from a work environment, especially construction sites. In fact, you can use skip bins to remove everything from asphalt, cardboard and timber to rubble, soil, clay, bricks, steel and even green waste. Skip bins come in a wide range of sizes and are designed to suit most commercial waste removal requirements.

2. Getting Rid of Domestic Waste

Many customers also book skip bins for their domestic clean-ups. Domestic bins are available in smaller capacities, making them ideal for just about any kind of project, from a small clean-up to a larger home renovation project. What’s more, the bins can take all kinds of household and green waste to ensure that waste is safely transported from your home and properly disposed of.

3. Getting Rid of Garden Waste

Renovating your garden? Clearing up? Use a skip bin! Skip bins are ideal for green waste and garden removals, too. Many customers hire a garden skip bin along with garden bags to dispose of green waste, whether they’re tidying up their garden or having a complete outdoor overhaul. Garden skips are also available in a range of capacities and usually only accept recyclable waste products like grass cuttings, foliage, flowers, branches, twigs and leaves. For larger soil, timber and other types of waste, it’s better to hire a general domestic skip bin.

What’s the Verdict?

Hiring a garden skip bin is definitely worth it! It’s a simple and highly cost-effective way to get rid of your unwanted garden refuse in the safest and most responsible manner. Skip bins can also be used to get rid of domestic and commercial waste from properties. What’s more, hiring a skip bin isn’t as costly as some homeowner’s thing. When you hire a bin, you also get to dispose of garden waste in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

Instead of dumping your garden refuse, burning it or leaving it to rot and bring down the value of your property, consider hiring a garden skip bin. It will be delivered to your doorstep and taken away when you’re done with it. It’s really as easy and affordable as that!

4 Benefits of Upgrading the Tech in Your Home

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Smart appliances and apps that help turn your house into an efficient smart home seem to come out every day. With all the new technology available for your home, it can be challenging to know which upgrades will be a good investment. To make an informed decision, consider the benefits of upgrading the tech in your home.

Save Time

Ever wonder if you need eggs or milk while you’re in the grocery store? It would be a waste of time to find out after you get home and have to make a return trip to the supermarket. Smart refrigerators use apps to let you see items on the shelves right from your smartphone. Samsung’s Family HubTM series refrigerators also include touchscreens to display shopping lists and your family’s schedules. Plus, Smart Hub refrigerators can send alerts to your phone if the door is left open or the temperature changes.

Searching for lost keys is another time waster. What if you didn’t need keys at all to unlock the front door? Kwikset’s Kevo locks with the Touch-to-OpenTM feature make it possible to ditch your keys. Carry your smartphone, or a fob like you have for your car, and just touch the lock to get inside your home.

Conserve Water

Image via Flickr by code of the new

Dishwashers offer convenience, but can also use a lot of water. The latest smart dishwashers use less water than older models, and can even recycle water from the previous wash. Set your dishwaters on auto, known as the eco or smart wash cycle on some models. Intelligent cycles sense how dirty your dishes are and how long to wash the dishes. The dishwasher can use less water using a smart setting.

Washing machines can also be water hogs. The latest high-efficiency washers save water and include smart features. When your connected washing machine sends an alert to your smartphone, you’ll never leave wet clothes in the washer again. Don’t worry about running your machine while you’re out of the house, either. Monitor the entire cycle with your smartphone. Smart washing machines can also send messages to a phone when it’s time for maintenance.

Feel Safe and Secure

Video doorbells boost security whether you’re at home or away. Smart doorbells use video cameras that you can monitor with your phone. You’ll get an alert if someone rings the bell, or if a motion sensor picks up movement near your door. At home, you can see who is on your doorstep before you open the door. When you’re away, make it seem as if you’re home by talking through the smart doorbell’s two-way speaker through your phone. You’ll deter burglars trying to break into your house and stop porch pirates who steal packages.

All smart appliances connect to your home Wi-Fi and communicate with smartphone apps. Upgrade your mobile phone to make sure you can take advantage of the latest tech. T-Mobile has a selection of reliable smartphones to pair with these new gadgets, such as the iPhone X and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Choose a phone with enough memory to run multiple apps. You’ll need to stay connected to the internet to use your smart home apps. T-Mobile phones include plans with nationwide 4G LTE coverage so you can easily run and monitor your smart appliances while you’re away.

Clean with Less Effort

Image via Flickr by TAKA@P.P.R.S

Cleaning floors can be less of a chore with smart appliances. Robotic vacuums have been around for years. Now, the latest Roomba iRobot® vacuums offer connectivity through smartphone apps. With the app, you can schedule a cleaning, get push notifications when your robot finishes cleaning, and get maps of where the Roomba vacuumed.

For sticky messes on your hardwood and tile floors, put a mopping robot to work. Mopping robots can be controlled through apps also. Many apps are compatible with voice controllers such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home.

Which smart appliances are right for your home? Weigh the benefits of upgrading the tech in your home to decide which ones will save you the most time and money.

The Subtle Differences Between Blinds and Shades

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Many homeowners around the globe are confused when thinking of blinds and shades, and it is understandable that most people think the two terms mean the same thing, when in actual fact, there are subtle differences. For those who are not yet clear on this, here is a definitive explanation that will enlighten you as to the differences between blinds and shades.

Blinds

For a screening unit to be classified as a blind, it would have either vertical or horizontal slats, which allow for fine control over lighting. The range of materials that can be used in extensive, and includes the following:

  • Timber
  • Aluminium
  • Fabric
  • Composites

Styles are also varied, and the mechanism used to raise or lower the blinds have also changed over the years. Initially, they would operate using a series of pulleys and a rope, yet these can present a risk of strangulation for children and pets. Modern units can be cordless, and some larger units can also be motorised, for easy adjustment. If, for example, you are looking for excellent quality vertical blinds in the UK, there are online suppliers of made to measure units that are guaranteed to please. Blinds are much preferred over traditional screening, such as curtains, as one has a much finer control over light and seclusion by adjusting the angle of the slats. Many people prefer vertical blinds, as they do not gather as much dust and are generally easier to keep clean, and with composite materials, a wipe with a damp cloth is all it takes to keep the blinds looking like new.

Shades

Shades are termed as “soft window coverings” and are typically made of fabric. The shades can be raised or lowered, as with a blind, yet there are no slats, rather the fabric (or other material) is a single piece. There are many styles of shades, some that pleat and fold as they are raised, while the majority are roller operated, for easy adjustment. Shades offer the homeowner an effective way to block out all sunlight, and the range of materials used allow for matching with the existing décor. Although there are no slats, the shade can be adjusted by raising or lowering and with modern versions, you can stop the shade at any point, which gives you a certain degree of adjustment, but if you really want the perfect system for light control, blinds are the way to go.

If fine control over lighting is not essential, shades offer the ideal screening solution, and with either a single colour or pattern, one can select something that matches the décor of the room. Blinds, on the other hand, do give you more choices with respect to how much light you block out, and with a choice of either horizontal or vertical slats, blinds are considered very effective for domestic screening. There are online suppliers of both shades and blinds, and the perfect way to order is made to measure units, which are certain to fit perfectly.

Most online suppliers have a guide to precise measuring, and if you follow the instructions to the letter, you are sure to have the perfect size. For customized blinds that are sure to fit and can be installed for you, contact The Blinds Source, a window treatment installer.

Tips To Decorate Your Christmas Tree

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The most exciting thing about Christmas celebration is decorating your house with colorful lights, charming bells, Christmas garlands and beautiful Christmas trees. The whole decoration creates a positive environment in the home and enhances the festive spirit of the family members. When it comes to creating a perfect Christmas tree, there are hundreds of ways to beautify it which sometimes confuses the people. If you are also running short of ideas to embellish your Christmas tree, then we will help you with excellent décor ideas that could be done with easily available décor items.

So here are some simple yet useful tips to decorate the Christmas tree at your home to impress all your friends and relatives. You can purchase the Christmas trees online for your home or to send your loved ones as a gift.

Tree Lights

The first and foremost step towards decorating a Christmas tree is adding the lights. They illuminate the entire tree and gives it a vibrant look. There are several ways of wrapping the lights around the Christmas tree. You can start from the base of the tree and work your way up or make the lights fall from upward to the downward direction. Choose the way that makes your Christmas tree look best. Also, you can use lights of different colors for a lively and colorful effect.

Jingle Bells

Without jingle bells, the Christmas tree decoration would be incomplete. These bells are available in different colors and material, such as plastic, metal, and wood. You can hang them on your Christmas tree so that they produce lovely music whenever the cool breeze passes through the tree. You can also hang jingle bells at various places in the house to enhance the festive spirit.

Garlands 

You can drape garlands around the Christmas tree in a horizontal position. Try to use the garlands of contrast color as that of the Christmas tree. It will create a great visual for the viewers. You can choose from the variety of garlands available, such as the beaded garland, ribbons or thick paper garland to wrap loosely around the whole tree. Make sure you do not put too much of garlands otherwise it will give a very messy look to the tree.

Baubles

Baubles are the colorful decoration items that you can hang on your Christmas tree to make it look more colorful and interesting. You need to place them in prime positions on the tree so that they appear more prominently.

So you can purchase the Christmas tree from the online shop and decorate it using the ideas mentioned above. You can also send an online Christmas tree to your friends and relatives to wish them a warm and joyful Christmas.

Unnecessary Heating Mistakes We Make Every Winter

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As the winter sets in, as it is right now, many of us turn to our heating in order to give the home a good warm through. Naturally, using the heating for a pre-longed period of time like we do in the winter means far more money being spent on our gas bills, and whilst it is normal to accept this, many of us are spending far too much.

The reason as to why so many of us are spending too much money is because of basic errors which many people make throughout the winter period. Let’s take a look at some of the common mistakes which you may have been making, and how you can avoid them.

Timer

It is nice to have a warm house to come back to and to wake up in, but heating an empty or an inactive house, makes very little sense. It is for this reason why everyone should use a timer which they can set to switch their heating on at the appropriate times. For example you could set the timer to come on just before you wake up or get home, a far more efficient way of heating the house.

Windows and Doors

Replacing windows and doors is not something which many of us do often, but failing to do so for a long time, can result in us wasting money on our heating. The reason for this is that over time, the insulation seals on our windows and doors can wear away and allow heat to escape. If heat is escaping then your house, then money may as well be finding its way out as well.

Curtains

If you have curtains in the home then during the winter it is important that you replace them with thick curtains which will keep the heat in, and the cold out. Make sure that you keep your curtains closed as much as you can during the wintertime so that you can seal that valuable heat in, and ensure that the cold stays where it belongs, out.

Loft Insulation

It is good practice to ensure that you have loft insulation and cavity walling up to date in your home. The places where air sneaks in is through the walls so make sure that they are sealed. In terms of the loft, don’t forget that heat rises and this is your last line of defense in terms of keeping the heat in. Make sure that you get your insulation checked out before the cold air comes.

Bad Practice

Finally, make sure that everyone in the house is doing all that they can to keep the house as warm as possible. Basic stuff like closing doors behind you, making sure that windows are shut, closing the curtains and only turning on the heating at appropriate times, are all things that can help you to save heat and money this winter.

Don’t give away money for nothing, make sure that your house is locked down this winter.