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What Should You Be Thinking About When You Get A Dog

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Owning a dog is a fantastic experience and it is a rewarding one too. Getting companionship, a faithful companion and unconditional love can really turn your life around and can help give it further purpose and meaning. So, now you know the physical and emotional benefits of owning a dog, what else should you be considering and thinking about? Getting a dog is a big commitment, and in terms of years it can be a commitment of 15 years plus, so getting questions answered now, before you make the commitment, is essential.

Knowing The Time is Right for a New Addition

Of course, there is nothing such as perfect timing, but there is a good time to get a dog and this is when you are financially and physically in a good place. Dogs are expensive to look after, you need to think about care, quality of life and veterinary bills as well as food and bedding. If you cannot comfortably and easily accommodate these needs, then maybe it is not the right time for you to get a dog just yet. If you are unsure about whether it is the right time for a new addition, look at your life as it stands and be honest with yourself. Do you have enough time and do you have enough disposable income?

Care for the Times When You Are Not at Home

Something that is often overlooked when getting a dog, is the care of a dog when you leave the home. Now when you go out to the store for a couple of hours you should be OK, but if you are going to work for 8 hours a day or you are going away overnight who are you going to get to look after your pet. Getting a provider in place like those at exceptionalpets.com will ensure that your dog receives high quality care and attention, even when they are not in your company. Good pet care gets booked up quickly, so thinking about who you will use and when is advantageous, and it will ensure that you get the care your pet deserves at all times.

The Breed, Age and Background

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and getting the right dog, with a breed and personality that suits you and your home is just as important as anything else. So, what breeds are you looking at, what do you like? Are you specific about a breed, or are you going to look at getting a rescue mongrel? All dogs have their own personalities, but some breeds have traits which may or may not suit your family. So, for example, do not get a border collie, unless you want to be walking every day for long distances. Do not get a greyhound in the hopes that it will join you on a morning run, as this will just not happen.

Getting a dog is a big commitment and to ensure successful integration into your life and home you will have to ensure that everyone within your home and family is on board with your decision.

Which Roofing Materials Offer Longevity & Durability?

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If you are planning a new build, your thoughts will quickly turn to the roof, which is the most important component of the structure. You will naturally want to choose roofing materials that will stand the test of time. You could ask a local roofing contractor for his professional opinion on the best materials for longevity and durability. With that in mind, here is our list of the best roofing materials when taking durability into account.

Slate

This natural material is at the top of the list and with a slate roof, you can expect the roof to last up to 100 years. Search with Google for a specialist Sydney roofing company or one in your local area that has extensive slate experience. Ask them to visit you at home and provide you with a quote. Slate is very attractive and is more than a match for areas with harsh climate. If installed professionally, there’s every reason to believe the roof will remain in good order for many years.

Metal

A metal roof would obviously be very durable and long-lasting. You could expect it to be serviceable for 30-50 years, with the right protection, of course. There are steel and aluminium roofing sections. With state-of-the-art thermal insulation, your interior will remain cool in the summer, while helping to retain the heat in the winter. There is hardly any maintenance with a metal roof, which is another bonus. The roof also comes in many attractive colours to add character to the property. If you live in a stormy region on the coast, a metal roof might be the best solution, as the sections are welded to the metal roof trusses.

Plastic Polymer Roof Tiles

This is a relatively new product that looks like regular shingles, yet they require zero maintenance. You can expect your roof to last 30-50 years. They will also withstand the biggest hailstones, which is great news. The tiles have great thermal insulation, and the colour will not fade over time, while these tiles reflect heat rather than absorb it. Not all roofing contractors work with polymer roof tiles, so you might have to search a while to find a roofer who uses plastic polymer tiles.

Asphalt Roof Shingles

Typically, these shingles will last for 15-30 years, and this is probably going to be the cheapest option. One must be very careful about hail. Only use shingles that have a high hail rating as cheaper shingles might not be able to withstand a hailstorm. Any shingles with no hail rating should be avoided (there are no laws in place to make manufacturers rate for hail) and you don’t want your roof destroyed by hail.

While every roof looks wonderful after it has been installed, time is the big test. When talking to local roofing contractors, make it clear that you are looking for a roof that will last for many years. They will brief you on all of the materials options and you can make an informed decision.

Tips For Remodelling Your Bathroom

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When it comes to renovating or modernizing the family home, it is likely that the biggest single projects that the homeowner will undertake will be within the kitchen and the bathroom.

A good bathroom design must not only be practical and functional, but it must also be in keeping with the tastes and styles of the homeowners to endow it with a sense of comfort and peace.

Here are a few tips to assist in crystallizing ideas for the perfect bathroom renovation.

Customizing your renovation project

Of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom is that singular room where each member of the household focuses on themselves. As such, the bathroom should not only be practical, but it should endow the user with a sense of privacy, serenity, and comfort.

Each person is unique, and a well-planned bathroom remodel should also underscore that sense of uniqueness. Consider engaging with a professional planner such as the Bathroom Specialists in Bedfordshire, Woodstone Bathrooms, to bring the project to fruition.

Consider the purpose of your remodel

Begin by considering the purpose and the scale of your intended remodeling project. Is the plan to gut and modernize the entire bathroom? In many cases, particularly with older homes, the plan is to remove all fixtures and fittings and undertake a complete facelift of the bathroom.

In other cases, the intention may be to retain certain elements of the existing bathroom – the bath or existing floor and wall tiling, for example – and install or blend new fixtures into the existing décor.

Perhaps the bathroom is too small and needs to be expanded to accommodate the needs of a growing family.

Considering the purpose of the project will give both the homeowner and designer a clearer idea of what is required.

The bathroom floor plan

Dependent on the scale and extent of the remodeling project, the plan and layout of the bathroom may perhaps vary from that of the original bathroom design.

A good professional will assist in the best layout, taking into consideration the location and the serviceability of existing plumbing and wiring.

As a general rule, it is advisable to keep new plumbing fixtures and upgrades as close as possible to the existing plumbing if intending to keep costs of demolition and renovation to a minimum. However, the world is your oyster with remodeling, and with the upgrade giving the bathroom an extended lease of life (not to mention increased property value), the homeowner may consider a more radical re-fit to be worthwhile.

Creating a sense of space

Many older-style bathrooms are typically small and cramped affairs and may benefit from some simple renovations to give the room a more airy sense of space.

Changing the room décor to lighter colors is an obvious first step. This can be further reinforced by switching to a clear glass shower door rather than a shower curtain which blocks light and gives the visual impression of a solid barrier.

Switching to pedestal sinks cuts down significantly on space and gives the impression of a more spacious room.

Using a well-positioned large mirror can add a finishing touch to add a further sense of space.

Summary

The bathroom renovation is typically one of the biggest single-room projects the homeowner will undertake.

Following a few early steps and then engaging a professional bathroom specialist will ensure a rejuvenated bathroom that will not only satisfy comfort and luxury but add significant value to any home.

4 Ways To Create An Eco-Friendly Backyard

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The environment and taking care of it, are hugely important, and it’s something we should all think about more in our everyday lives. Many people are doing a great job in being more eco-friendly and using sustainable products, but if you’re wondering what else you could do, perhaps it’s time to consider your backyard.

When we think of being more environmentally friendly, it’s our homes’ insides, or maybe the transport we use, that comes to mind. However, there are also a number of ways we can make our backyards more eco-friendly; here are some ideas so you can implement the changes as soon as possible.

Eco-Friendly Fencing

One of the best ways to incorporate sustainable products into your yard is by installing eco-friendly fencing. First, the fact that this kind of fencing is made up of composite recycled and sustainable materials means that it’s already better for the planet than standard fencing. Yet there are more great reasons to use this kind of fencing too.

One of these reasons is that eco-friendly fencing will last longer than standard fencing. It’s stronger and more durable, and that means fewer repairs and a longer life for the fence; you’ll have to replace it much less. This is great for the environment as there is less waste.

Conserve Water

Conserving water is an essential part of being eco-friendly, and your backyard is a great place to ensure it happens. Look for every downpipe you have and install a water butt at the bottom of it. In this way, you are collecting any rainwater, which can then be used to water the yard rather than using water from your hose.

With the right setup (which you may need an expert to help you with), you can even use this collected rainwater within your home to flush your toilets. However, if you choose to use this water in your shower, it will need to be treated first.

Don’t Use Chemicals

When you use chemicals in your yard to combat pests or to help your plants grow better, those chemicals will leach into the soil and water systems, and cause problems for the environment. This is why they should be avoided as much as possible.

Instead of using chemicals, there are many natural ways to remove pests from your yard and to encourage better plant growth. You can try ‘companion planting’, for example. When you plant certain species of flowers or vegetables close to one another, they can ward off the pests that would normally plague their partners. Another option is to erect bird boxes in your yard; this will help to keep your slug or caterpillar problem down since you’ll have more birds around.

Encourage Wildlife

We’ve already mentioned how to encourage more birds into your yard is a good idea, but encouraging other forms of wildlife is also eco-friendly. The more wildlife you have in your yard, the more eco-friendly it will be.

Bees are especially useful, and since they are becoming endangered, if you can make a safe space for them in your garden, that’s a positive thing. To do this, choose flowers that have large, ‘open’ faces and are brightly colored. You can even install a bee hotel.

5 Things Your Kitchen Needs To Make It Multi-Use

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Thanks to the pandemic, there are thousands of families up and down the country that are now juggling working with childcare as well as keeping on top of the daily tasks that need doing. Therefore, if this is you, you’re not alone, and you will be pleased to know there are ways that can make this difficult task much easier. One of those solutions is to make use of multi-use spaces, such as in your kitchen.

Why Multi-Use Spaces?

Thanks to everyone being at home, your kitchen is likely to have been turned into a multiple-use zone, where the kids do their e-learning, you do your home-working, hubby does his work, and one or all of you still have to cook every day. These five tips will help you create a multi-use area that is perfect for busy families just like you.

A Kitchen Island

Kitchen islands, if your kitchen is big enough, are a really great idea for busy parents and families! They provide ample space for you to work on food while the kids work on their school work, and they look so good too.

To really make your kitchen island multi-use, don’t put the cooker on the islands, as this will mean less work surface space, but keep your island nice and clear. Have a look at granitetransformations.co.uk for some great inspiration for your next kitchen update.

Pop Up Electrical Outlets

If there’s one thing that’s lacking in older homes, it’s a good selection of outlets! Usually, outlets are located on walls. In kitchens, this could mean dangerous wires trailing while the kids (and you) try to charge laptops to do homework or watch TV.

Pop-up electrical outlets are the perfect solution, and when not in use, they can be pushed back into the island out of the way. Perfect!

Good Chairs or Barstools

You’ve probably found yourself doing more homeschooling than you were planning to do over the last twelve months, and if you’re like many busy parents, you’ve also found yourself trying to work at home while the kids do e-learning?

Make this situation better for you all and your bodies by getting good chairs or barstools for your kitchen and bar. Chairs that support your back and help you sit correctly for those long hours behind your laptop will benefit all of you.

Plenty Of Storage

Kitchens aren’t just places to make food anymore, and even if yours is just a food prep kitchen, it’s likely that you’re missing out on vital storage space that can be used to store all kinds of kitchen gadgets and accessories.

Getting a good variety of storage is important here, especially if you’re storing homeschooling supplies next to the cereal.

Easy Clean Surfaces

Last but not least, invest in easy to clean surfaces. More people at home for longer means increased risk in spilled drinks, pen breakages, and of course, the odd crayon finding it’s way onto your work surface.

Go for a nice granite, stone, or lacquered finish for your work surfaces to help with the clean up after the inevitable disaster that’s likely to happen!

5 Home Maintenance Tips for Busy Parents

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When you are a busy parent, it can make it challenging to keep on top of home maintenance, and it can feel like there is always something that needs doing. Home maintenance is hugely important, and putting this off could lead to costly repairs and a difficult living situation, so what are a few ways that you can keep on top of everything? There are a few handy home maintenance tips that will work well for busy parents and help them to keep their house in good condition while hopefully reducing stress at the same time. Read on to find out more.

  1. Create A Schedule

Creating a schedule is a smart way to keep on top of home maintenance as it allows you to make them a part of your routine and spread them out. It is easy to put off carrying out tasks such as cleaning or DIY projects, but when you write them down, it will be a constant reminder, and you will want to get the work done so that it can be ticked off the list.

  1. Involve the Kids

It would be best if you didn’t have your kids carrying out potentially dangerous work, but there are maintenance tasks that they will be able to handle and learning skills like cleaning and washing will develop their independence and self-esteem. It is good parenting to give your children chores, and this is also a smart way to lighten your load.

  1. Do It as You Go

It can be easy to sit there and think of what chores need to be done and then simply forget about them, which is why you should adopt an attitude of performing maintenance tasks as and when they pop into your head. If you put something in the rubbish and notice that it needs taking out, for example, then you should do it straight away as opposed to delaying it.

  1. Call Out HVAC Contractors

Your HVAC system is something that you will rely on heavily in the home throughout the year, and you certainly will not want to encounter any issues. This is why you should use HVAC contractors Waxahachie TX or those in your local area to perform maintenance and any repairs when needed so that you can keep the system running efficiently at all times.

  1. Tackle One Project at A Time

It can also be easy to get overwhelmed when you think of all the big and small maintenance tasks that constantly need doing throughout the year. Instead of juggling multiple different tasks, try to tackle just one project at a time or focus on one room to make it more manageable and minimize disruption.

Home maintenance can feel like a never-ending cycle and difficult to keep on top of as a busy parent. Hopefully, these tips will be useful and help you to keep on top of maintenance, reduce stress, and keep your home in tip top condition throughout the year.

A Workable Guide to Welding Containers and a Recommended DIY Project Idea for Your Backyard

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Have you ever driven around your neighborhood during the weekends and come across garage sells with containers on sale?

Now, if you are like me, I am pretty sure you wondered to yourself, “Why on earth would someone go through the trouble of selling containers?”

Well, if you have a backyard and have been trying to find a DIY project for your garden. Then keep reading on, I will explain to you a reason why you need to get your hands on a container or containers that are up for sale the next time you stumble upon a garage sale.

What can you do with Containers?

If you are looking to start planting potatoes or any other vegetable in your backyard, you could consider nurturing them in containers.

However, you need to keep in mind that you won’t find brand new containers in garage sales. Otherwise, what would be the point of purchasing a used container, when you could simply make a trip down your local hardware store and get yourself a brand new one?

The majority of containers in garage sales have split ends, and more than likely will require you to join the split ends by way of welding.

Here’s some good news for you, if you are passionate about preserving the environment, you could consider reusing these disregarded containers and put them to good use by welding them.

This is because once plastics are taken to the junkyard, they tend to pollute the environment since they aren’t biodegradable.

On the other hand, if they are shredded and reused, it often wastes one’s energy. So, the better way to put split plastics to good use would be through plastic welding.

How to Weld Plastic

It would help if you remembered that you don’t need a certification to make your DIY welding project a success. With careful research online, you can stumble across writeups such as this one that can help you get them done efficiently.

  • Step 1.  The first step towards ensuring a successful result in your DIY plastic welding project is finding a plastic welding rod covered with a non-heat conductor handle, and heat the rod. Once the material is heated for about 30 seconds, you can proceed to the second step.
  • Step 2. After heating the plastic welding rod, your next step would be to join the two split ends using the heated piece.

You go about this drawing the hot material from one split end to the other.

Your goal is to melt the plastic, so it bonds together.

You need to note that the material will tend to cool off after a few seconds, so you will need to ensure that you put it back in the flame to continue tracking your welding up and down the container’s split ends.

  • Step 3. Once you are done with welding, you can fill the container with whatever you need as good as new.

Four points to consider when planning your 2020 festive party

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With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic still greatly affecting everyday life all around the world, it’s not surprising that most people will be glad to see the back of 2020. However, due to the pandemic, you might not be able to celebrate the end of the year with a huge party as you would other years. However, all is not lost as with some additional considerations, you can still host a party this festive season. Here are four points to consider when planning your 2020 festive party.

1. In-person or on Zoom

Many regions around the world have tightened restrictions in an effort to prevent a spike in infection rates over the winter period, and as a result you may not be able to host a huge number of guests at your house. Throwing your party over Zoom can be a great alternative once you get past the awkwardness of being on camera, and has the added benefit of being accessible to friends and loved ones who you wouldn’t normally be able to celebrate with due to distance. If you do decide to have your party in-person, limit the numbers to only your nearest and dearest, and ensure that there is plenty of hand sanitizer and hand washing facilities available.

 2. Food and drink

From pigs in blankets to mulled wine, most people can’t resist the smell of delicious Christmas food and drink. If you’d normally host your festive celebration at your favorite restaurant, that might not be an option for you this year. However, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions do not stop you from enjoying your favorite restaurant meals, with many establishments now offering delivery services, bringing their speciality dishes to your own front door. For instance, you could order a vegetarian meal box delivery for a delicious meat-free feast. If hosting your party online, make sure all guests are armed with their favorite tipple. You could even have some fun by trying to recreate an online cocktail recipe.

3. Decorations

Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like a Christmas tree and fairy lights, and while you no doubt take great pleasure in your annual home decoration ritual, there are additional decoration points to consider for Christmas 2020. If you are planning on hosting a lot of parties on Zoom, make sure that your recording space looks aesthetically festive. You could record next to a roaring fire, if you are lucky to have one, or with your Christmas tree in the background. Or, if your recording space also doubles as your work station, add some Christmas décor for your desk. A miniature Christmas tree will look cute and Christmassy during your Zoom calls.

4. Entertainment  

You might decide not to plan any specific entertainment for your party, instead using it as a chance for guests to chat and catch up with one another, accompanied by some festive tunes in the background. Or, you could plan to play a few rounds of classic board games, or make some festive crafts.

Updating Your Property’s Electrics: A Guide

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To maintain the safety of a property, it is necessary to carry out repair and renovation work throughout the year. The electrical installations play a unique role. Naturally, cables and switches are subject to normal wear and tear, but modern devices and other electrical consumption points place different requirements on the installations than in the past. In addition to replacing power guzzlers, renewing them can often save energy. The power grid for the household’s supply is mostly invisible. This makes a renovation all the more complex. Also, technology is becoming more and more complex. Anyone who is making changes must pay attention to many different aspects.

Refurbishing electrics: The basis for proper planning

If the electrical installations are to be renewed entirely, solid planning is essential. As a renewal involves so much effort, old cables or sockets are not replaced as they should be. What is the case for many older houses, is that the installations have not been changed since it was built and since them, circuits and electricity points could have changed. Often people are unaware that this is a significant risk, as brittle lines can lead to short circuits and cable fires.

On top of this, various new regulations have been issued today to increase security. To ensure adequate protection against overvoltage and to equip the complex system of cables and connections appropriately for today, certain principles should be observed.

Modern upgrades with the best quality products

The number of devices that we use daily has increased significantly in recent years. Private households today consume around ten times more electricity than they did 50 years ago. Especially at this point, the ancient existing pipeline system usually shows significant deficits. In addition, due to the lack of sockets in a house, using an electric lead to allow for multiple plugs to be used simulously can lead to potential danger. For example, if the maximum possible power is exceeded, a fire can occur. The quality of electrical supplies plays a vital role too. You should ensure you have thoroughly researched your supplier and make an educated decision. You can refer to powerpointelectrics.co.uk for more information.

Safety is paramount: Refurbish electrics and plan several circuits

Shorter lines and circuits are safer than continuous cables from the basement to the point where the source of consumption is located. That is why it makes sense to install a power box on the property. Here, too, there are various points to consider:

  • Plan separate circuits: You should provide separate circuits for the individual consumption points, such as lighting, sockets, or communication lines should each be laid separately.
  • Adapt the number of circuits to your needs: Depending on the size of the property and the number of necessary consumption points, a minimum number of separate circuits has become established today.

When it comes to electrics, you should endeavour to be safe and ask professionals to step in where you can’t make the changes yourself. Even as someone with experience, electricity is a powerful force. Make those practical and beneficial changes to your home in an educated and secure way.

3 Ways You Can Add Value to Your Home

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Are you looking to up sticks and move to a new location in the foreseeable future? If you want to ensure that your prospective relocation goes off without a hitch, you need to start putting plans into place regarding the move now. The earlier you start preparing for this massive milestone in your life, the easier you will find it to avoid any problems that come your way.

There are a number of tasks that you should be performing in your attempt to prepare yourself for your move, one of the most important being to add more value to your current property. You don’t want to leave this all-important task to the last minute, simply because it might disrupt your move and, in turn, give you something else to worry about as your relocation deadline draws closer.

If you want to enjoy a stress-free move and subsequent financial freedom, you need to add more value to your current abode today. To unearth the secrets of what you must do to perform this crucial task, be sure to read on.

Enhance your bathroom

Your bathroom will have no doubt been blighted by instances of wear and tear over the years. To ensure that this damage doesn’t impact the overall market price of your property, you simply must make an effort to enhance this room in your home.

Not got any prior experience when it comes to enhancing bathrooms? Don’t worry, there are plenty of external sources of help out there that are willing to provide you with some assistance in this instance, one of which being Beautiful Bathrooms. As stated at beautifulbathroom.net, this team of specialist designers have the experience and knowhow required to transform any old bathroom into a luxurious wet room. With them by your side, you will no doubt find it easier to turn your design dreams into a reality and, as an added bonus, you will also be provided with some much-needed support when it comes to sourcing cost-effective bathroom equipment.

Add more living space

If you want to appeal to potential buyers that have big families, you should make an effort to create more living space within your property. You can introduce this additional space to your home in a number of different ways, a few of which include:

  • Converting your loft
  • Transforming your garage
  • Changing the use of your cellar
  • Building a conservatory
  • Knocking down walls that separate small rooms

Split your house into flats

Splitting your house into flats is another route that you can take in your attempt add value to your property. There are a whole host of people out there that want to rent small, compact living spaces, and embarking down this renovation pathway is the perfect way to appeal to this niche audience.

Of course, if you take this route, you will automatically become a landlord. To find out what you must do to succeed in this money-making venture, be sure to check out this helpful article on the matter.