North Leeds Plumbing & Heating – Home Improvement and DIY Advice

One of the key advantages to installing electric underfloor heating or water underfloor heating is that it helps to reduce your monthly heating bills.  We are all concerned about conserving energy, and reducing the cost of your heating means that you are taking the right steps to do exactly that.  Compared to traditional heating, electric underfloor heating or under tile heating has numerous advantages including:

- Heat is spread evenly throughout the room
- Little or no maintenance costs
- Low installation costs
- Reduces the amount of dust and dust mites in the air

There has been a 25% increase annually in the demand for underfloor heating systems since the late 1990’s.  In the UK alone, numerous high profile buildings now have had these types of heating systems installed in them.

Electric or wet underfloor heating systems are the two most popular types of underfloor systems being installed today.  Most homes currently use the electric type as it is wired directly into the home’s electricity source and does not require a boiler to heat water the way a wet underfloor heating system does.  Additionally, electric underfloor heating systems heat the floor much quicker making them more cost-effective and efficient to operate compared to a water underfloor heating system.

You can also control the heating by installing an underfloor heating thermostat in each room.  This also helps to reduce your monthly heating bills as you can control which rooms gets heated and which do not.  Whether your rooms are carpeted or tiled, you can install an electric underfloor heating system throughout the house, even in your bathrooms or your conservatory.

This DIY job won’t need expert building skills, but most economically-minded architects would approve of it. Thermostatic radiator valves save money, conserve fuel and reduce carbon emissions. If you’re not keen on tasks like painting, decorating and plastering but you’re handy with a spanner, this job is for you. The valve ensures that rooms only reach temperatures which you set; empty rooms can be set to minimum, so no energy is wasted in warming them.

Begin by draining down the central heating system. Whilst this job will take about an hour per radiator, try and fit valves on all your radiators in one go (no one wants to drain the system several times).

Place a spanner firmly on the body of the old valve and loosen the nut connecting it to the pipe with a second spanner. Then loosen the adaptor connecting the valve to the radiator, and unscrew it completely. Wrap PTFE tape clockwise around the threads of the adaptor on the new valve (about five or six times) and tighten it to the radiator. The new valve will have a cap nut and olive to fit on the copper pipe, so remove the old ones and replace with the new. Make an incision in the old olive with a junior hacksaw and prize it away from the pipe with a screwdriver if it’s really jammed on. Tighten the cap nut to the new valve, refill the central heating system and look out for any leaks.

Living rooms are normally set to maximum, bedrooms a few degrees lower.

When you consider that you are going to spend up to one third of your life sleeping, it is important to choose the right metal or wooden bed frame, as well as the correct mattress for your bedroom. 

Beds today come in a wide array of designs and styles so it is important to do some research before making your purchase of a new bed.  Here are some suggestions that will help you make the right decision:

Firstly, consider your available budget  – obviously this is the most important step in the decision making process since you don’t want to overspend, but there are plenty of websites that you can pick up decent cheap beds from.

Determine your bedroom’s dimensions and decide where you want the bed to be located – this will enable you to decide on the size of bed frame that you are going to purchase.

Functionality and practicality is the key – think about if you want a bed frame with a headboard and footboard, as well as the construction, design, and material that it is made from.

Remember the theme of your bedroom – this will help you determine the design and style of bed frame that you are going to purchase so that you do not upset your bedroom’s theme.

Consider the height of the bed frame – beds today can very greatly in size from being low and simple in design, to tall and very overpowering. You are going to have to decide what is going to work best in your bedroom.

More and more people are using bathroom mirrors to make small rooms look larger and to also brighten up the space. If you can combine a mirror with a window or skylight, the effect can open up the bathroom and make it lighter and brighter than ever before, giving the illusion of space, even in a small bathroom. Mirrors also come in more shapes and designs than ever before, giving you a wide range of options to work with.

For small spaces that have been left white, try painting one wall an accent colour and hanging a bathroom mirror with a dramatic frame on the opposite wall. For example, a mirror with a dark cherry or black frame opposite a wall painted your favourite shade of blue or green will spread the colour as well as spread some light.

Another option is to use a series of small bathroom mirrors as a design element. This is a particularly good choice in bathrooms with odd angles, such as one added in an attic or basement. The bathroom mirrors can be arranged to fit the room’s outlines, making the wall interesting rather than odd.

Small, swing-out bathroom mirrors can be mounted on a side wall, allowing you to see your back easily and avoid those bad hair days. There are also fog-free bathroom mirrors, allowing men to shave without nicks.

Illuminated bathroom mirrors are functional, but these days they can do far more than just create a reflection. They can add style and the illusion of space to small bathrooms, brighten a room without using any electricity and help you start your day a little easier. What’s more, they’re one of the easiest ways to spruce up a room.

When you take out a mortgage you will be obliged by the lender to take out buildings insurance. This covers you in the event of the property suffering severe damage through fire, flooding, subsidence or some other catastrophic event and it having to be rebuilt. It covers the lender too, of course and is effectively a security on their loan to you.

Contents insurance, on the other hand, is not obligatory whether you have a mortgage or not, but it is highly recommended that you take it out. This type of cover protects you against theft, loss and damage to your possessions or the non-fixed items in your home, such as jewellery and electronic goods. Some types of contents policies treat the garden as another room, so the shed and any non-fixed items can be covered against loss and damage.

A contents policy may well also cover your possessions when they are taken out of the home, such as cameras and handbag. If you take them on holiday with you, however, the contents policy will probably not cover them and you’ll have to take out separate travel insurance. Check the details of your policy or give the insurer a call.

Home contents insurance, if taken out along with buildings insurance from the same provider, may result in reduced premiums and it’s also a good idea to shop around for the best deals. Even with buildings insurance, you don’t have to accept the policy suggested by the lender.

Wooden beds have been around for centuries, but today, the choices in types of wood, as well as the design and style of the bed, are astounding. No matter the style you want to use in your bedroom, you’re sure to find a wooden bed that will set off your room perfectly.

If you really want to make a statement, try a canopy bed with a carved headboard.  Kings and queens of old slept in these massive beds, which lend a feeling of security and aura of wealth. They can also be surrounded by hangings of various colours and fabrics, from sheer netting to heavy velvet drapes, turning them into a central design element as well.

For your little prince or princess, a wooden bed is a natural choice. The variety of beds available from children can help you design their smaller spaces. Choose a divan bed with storage beneath if you need space, or even a wooden platform bed with a full set of drawers.

If you want to go green, wooden beds are the perfect choice. Choose a new bed made from sustainable woods like bamboo or mango, or an older bed that’s been repurposed.  Designers are even creating wooden beds from cast-off building materials, like the doors and window frames from old buildings. After cleaning and re-painting or staining, these treasures from a bygone day have a future in the present.

Wooden beds can be purchased as bare wood, so you can stain or paint them to suit your décor exactly. Or, of course, you can purchase them already finished, take them home, and enjoy them that day. Wooden beds offer the ultimate in flexibility and environmental responsibility, and are the perfect choice for your home.

One of the primary ways self-builders illustrate their knowledge of the many advantages of designing and creating their own homes, rather than buying ready-built houses, is by featuring customised styling, combined with energy efficiency. A key was to do this is through underfloor heating.

Underfloor heating in British homes

Underfloor heating actually dates back to Roman times, where water was heated and then passed between and through flagstones to heat the floors. For many years, underfloor heating has been quite popular in Europe. Here in the UK, we have taken a bit longer to get used to the idea. In 2005, about 20% of new-builds included underfloor heating. Most of those were professionally developed properties rather than self-builds. However, since that time, the number of homes with underfloor heating built-in has increased.

How underfloor heating works

Underfloor heating works much like conventional heating does. Warmth is generated either by water or electricity and then passed through pipes. But, instead of leading to a series of wall-hung radiators, underfloor heating is installed into the fabric of the floor. This means each room within a home can have its own set of pipes, along with its own underfloor heating thermostat and controls.

Popularity amongst self-builders

Underfloor heating has become popular with self-builders because it is both cost-effective and space-efficient. Further, while it is easiest to install underfloor heating at design level, it is not all that difficult to include it in already-built homes by placing piping on the existing floor and installing a newly tiled surface above.

Radiators are a quiet efficient way to gently heat a space like a bathroom, especially if you have a newer model. Some of the older ones are not at all efficient and make odd noises and clangs when you least expect it. If you’re considering updating your bathroom with a new radiator, consider one of the designer models that not only work well, but also make a style statement at the same time. 

Many of today’s new bathroom radiators are sleek and stylish, barely protruding from the wall. They are smooth and can really update the living space, as well as brighten it, since they reflect so much light. Many of the radiators are available in satin and full polish finishes, whichever you prefer. For a really ultra-modern look, go for the full polish finish, while for a slightly softer, more contemporary look, the satin finish is the perfect choice.

Another option is to find a designer or design company that suits your tastes. MHS have an ultra-modern look, while The Radiator Company provides everything from classic-look bathroom radiators to bench radiators. After deciding on the model for you, check to see what radiator valves are available for it. You may find more than one alternative, which may provide the perfect finishing touch.

On the other hand, you may want a designer radiator in a particular shape or pattern. Surfboard shapes, circles, quadrangles and even spiral shapes make quite a fashion and design statement. For smaller bathrooms, look for designer radiators that lie flush with the wall and don’t use any floor space. No matter which you choose, though, a designer radiator will instantly update your bathroom space.

It is sometimes confusing for the new homeowner when confronted with the vast range of options out there when it comes to home insurance. When you take out a mortgage the mortgage lender will make buildings insurance a condition of the loan. The lender will be only too happy to recommend their own buildings insurance provider, but you’re under no obligation to accept.

In fact, it’s better to look up a few comparison websites to get some house insurance quotes. Cheap house insurance is available, and offers come and go, so you’ll have to take a calculated plunge at some point. Be careful not to be paying premiums for things you don’t need, such as protection against flooding if your house is in the mountains, to mention one extreme example. And earthquakes in Devon are probably not a major concern either.

When it comes to contents insurance, the cheapest form of this is indemnity insurance, but if your property gets damaged or goes missing it will only be replaced by items comparable in age and condition. The more popular ‘new for old’ home contents insurance will get you completely new replacements for only a bit more on the premium.

The basic coverage will be unlimited, meaning that the cost of the items is not an issue and the payment will be automatic as long as the conditions have been met. Coverage can be extended but it will cost you more in larger premiums.
Get a few home insurance quotes before deciding on one suitable for you.

When you are contemplating replacing your current heating system with an underfloor heating system, the first thing you want to take into consideration is the cost and whether or not your current budget can handle it.  There are a number of factors that come into play where the cost of the system is concerned, all of which depend on the type of system you decide to go with.

Initially, when you are comparing costs, you can assume that all material factors are fairly equal.  These factors include the size of your property, where you are located geographically, and the insulation needed for your heating system.  However, the primary consideration is the ease and cost of the actual installation when you are talking about an underfloor heating system.

Underfloor heating systems can be installed in about 40% of the time that is required to install the traditional type of heating system.  Another key factor is that the actual installation of underfloor systems is usually cheaper.  However, the component parts of an underfloor heating system typically cost more.  But when you consider what you will be saving over the long run on your monthly heating bills with an underfloor heating system, the initial investment is soon recouped.

Finally, an electric underfloor heating system is less expensive to operate than a hot water underfloor heating system because there are no boilers to purchase for producing the heat required for warming up a room.  Statistics in the UK show that it costs about 25% more to install and operate a wet underfloor heating system compared to an electric one.