North Leeds Plumbing & Heating – Home Improvement and DIY Advice

Archive for the ‘Home Improvements’ Category

Roman blinds can make a real style statement and they also have a number of practical benefits. Available in a range of fabrics, Roman blinds can suit a number of rooms, particularly those such as the living room, the bedroom, the conservatory and the study. Many Roman blinds are available as a blackout blind option, adding additional style to a bedroom whilst blocking out light and ensuring a good night’s sleep.

The soft fabrics that Roman blinds tend to be made from mean that their appearance is less harsh than other blind options such as Venetian blinds, roller blinds and vertical blinds. The soft, luxurious style of Roman blinds makes them a suitable space-saving alternative to curtains in small rooms.

By simply pulling a cord, Roman blinds can easily be adjusted to different levels to alter the amount of light coming in through a window. This can help to prevent glare and can also prevent other soft furnishings indoors from suffering damage from sunlight. As lined curtains can reduce energy bills by preventing heat from escaping through windows, roman blinds offer style and practicality around the home.

There are a number of tasks that need to be completed around the house each year in order to prevent more serious problems from occurring later. The guttering around your property should be cleaned out annually to prevent a build up of leaves and debris.

There are a number of problems that can occur from a build up of leaves in the guttering, including an increase in fire risk and a high chance of blockage, which can lead to further problems. The only tools you will require are a ladder, hosepipe, trowel and possibly a plumber’s auger. The best time to do carry out this task is at the end of winter, when all of the leaves have dropped.

The first thing you need do is get up on the ladder and move along the entire length of guttering, scooping out all of the leaves with your trowel. Once this is complete, you use the hosepipe to blast the gutter clean. The next stage is to check the downpipes for blockages. Simply aim the hose down the pipe and check to see if the water comes out from the bottom. If not, you may need to use the plumber’s auger to free any blockages.

Just by following these easy steps, you will be able to keep the guttering clear and free of problems, which will prevent any serious issues from developing in the future, such as the guttering coming loose from the wall, flooding, rotting of wooden edgings and leaks.

Shelving can be put up almost anywhere and is a useful way of creating extra storage space. The first consideration is the load that will be placed on it. For heavy loads, for example, steel shelving from 430 mm to 2.4 m long, with brackets from 120 mm to 610 mm wide, is ideal. For lighter loads, steel shelves in lengths from 188 mm to 2.5 m, with brackets from 100 mm to 570 mm is preferred.

There are various other options available, including melamine, softwood, hardwood, coated chipboard, wood veneered chipboard, medium-density fibreboard or MDF, plywood and glass. Timber and wood-veneered chipboard are more expensive than coated chipboard and must be sealed, while coated chipboard is a cheaper alternative and needs no finishing.

Glass used for shelving should be at least 6 mm thick; though 9 mm toughened glass is best. The edge of the glass must be bevelled by the supplier to ensure a safe, smooth, finish; sturdy brackets should be used, as glass is heavy.

Another option to consider is acrylic and Perspex sheeting. This should be at least 12 mm thick and is capable of supporting light to medium loads. 

Measuring for blinds is very important as you want to make sure that your blinds fit perfectly to ensure they are as effective as possible.  Many windows are a standard size but it is still important that you measure your window accurately just to make sure.  There are several pointers to take into account to ensure that you get the measurements you need.

The recess measurement is important if you want your blinds to fit within the window recess.  To measure the width of the recess, measure the inside width at the top, middle and bottom of the recess.  Use the narrowest width measurement when purchasing your blinds.

Take the exact measurement if you are looking for blinds which will hang outside the recess which overlaps the window.

A handy hint is to use a steel tape measure and record your measurements in millimetres rather than inches to ensure accuracy when purchasing your blinds.

Make sure, when measuring the drop required for your blinds, that you measure the height of the window on the right, left and in the middle.  Use the shortest height measurement you obtained when measuring the drop when you are purchasing your blinds.

Roller blinds will be fitted inside the recess so you will need to ensure you have this measurement.  Wooden blinds will also be fitted within the recess.

Measuring for bay windows will require a number of additional measurements to be taken, as they will need blinds for the front as well as for the sides.  There might be a small gap where the blinds meet but this tends to be blocked by the window frame at these points so should not offer too much inconvenience.  VELUX windows should come with a code which will allows manufacturers to know which size of blind you require.

There was a time when any reasonably sized garden would have a shed. Usually a flimsy constructed plywood structure, it would provide gardeners with a little base of operations. “Pottering about in the shed” came to be synonymous with doing nothing much of any consequence, just enjoying your own private space in the world. Gradually, garden sheds faded out of fashion, the stuff of spoof ads in Viz comics and sitcoms about men growing old disgracefully (think of Victor Meldrew’s luckless encounter with a swarm of bees).

In the 21st century, however, the garden shed is making an upmarket comeback in the form of the garden room. No more rickety plywood or plasterboard here, today’s garden room is made of top quality timber, double glazed and heated, offering a viable alternative to a home extension or conservatory.

Types of Garden Room
The phrase “garden room” is usually used by manufacturers to refer to the most basic variety of room, designed as a living space detached from your main home. Depending on the manufacturer, you may also be offered the option of a “garden office”, with more electrical wiring so that you can plug in equipment for your home office, such as a computer or printer; or a garden studio soundproofed for musicians or customised to provide artists with their own studio space.

These rooms will usually not need planning permission, and offer a perfect solution for people who wish to work from home, but may not have the space in their main residence. Some larger garden offices and studios even come with their own bathroom and shower installed, for those who want a true home (a few feet) away from home in their own back yard.

There are a few tips that you should be aware of before you start any new DIY project. From the novice to the professional there are certain aspects of DIY that you need to be aware of from the start.

Know What You Are Capable of Before You Begin

Even experts have their weaknesses. If you are unable to tackle a job it is best to not only know this before you start, but also to employ someone who is capable before disaster strikes. Hiring someone to do it right the first time is always less expensive than hiring someone to fix your mistake and then do it correctly.

Always Follow Basic Safety Rules

When working with tools always observe the rules cited on the tools themselves and be certain to wear the appropriate safety gear.

Allow Enough Time to Complete the Project

To be on the safe side, as far as time is concerned, double the length of time that you think it will take to complete the job. Never try and rush the job, because this will not only increase the risk of mistakes, it will also increase the risk of someone getting hurt.

Double Check that the Work Has Been Completed Properly

In the case of items such as smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, double check that they are working correctly. You do not want to discover that they are not working properly when an emergency situation arises. 

Do Not Buy More Tools Than You Need

This is a mistake that is common to many people when they start their first DIY project. Of course you need the proper tools, but you do not need a box full of professional tools to change a tap washer. Buy good quality, but only buy what you need.

Whatever the style of a room, the type of curtains or blinds that you hang can make an enormous impact. Natural light is an important consideration when you are decorating a room – is it light and airy, or warm and cosy? Are the windows large or small? And do you want to draw attention to them or away from them? These things will influence whether you choose layers of sheer, floaty fabrics, plain tab top curtains on a simple pole, or brightly coloured curtains hanging in dramatic, tasselled swags and drapes.

A plain and simple style in neutral colours will blend into the décor and not compete with a beautiful mullioned window or a stunning view. Warm colours and rich textures such as wool, velvet and damask creates a cosy softness, and sheer fabric creates a romantic soft lighting effect and help disguise ugly views or provide privacy.

When you are choosing curtains for a room there is a lot more to consider than the type and colour of the fabric. You need to think about the length and fullness of the curtains – floor skimming drapes add drama – and the style of pole or tracking they will run on. By choosing different styles you can create anything from minimalist chic to fun and feminine, to overblown Rococo. You can mix and match curtains with blinds to create several layers of window dressing for added impact.

Choosing new curtains is an opportunity to give character and style to a room, or create a focal point, not just a finishing touch.

Copper piping is still the preferred option in domestic plumbing systems, despite the fact that there have been many recent advances in plastic plumbing pipe development, with new materials and techniques coming along all the time.

The outside diameters of copper pipes are standardised to make it easier to work with them, and these are 15, 22 and 28 mm.  Imperial measurements are more likely in the case of pipes installed before 1970, although such pipes are no longer manufactured, and special fittings need to be used when connecting new pipes with these older ones.

When you need to cut through a copper pipe for whatever reason, such as to remove a radiator from the system or to extend or truncate an existing pipe, accurate marking is the key to success.  When making watertight joints, you must make sure that the ends are cut absolutely square.  You can use a hacksaw to do the cutting, but it is better to use a proper pipe cutter if you think there is going to be a lot of this type of work going on.

Make allowance for the length of pipe that will fit inside the join when marking it out.  A guide for the saw blade can be created well enough by wrapping stiff paper around the pipe so that its edges align.

Remember to remove all of the burr from the end of the cut pipe, inside and outside, using a half-round file.  A pipe cutter only produces burr on the inside of the pipe.

A natural wood floor is a great feature in any house and if you are lucky enough to have floorboards lurking under the carpet, why not uncover them and let their beauty shine. Sanding them down will get rid of old stains and marks, ready for a protective coat of varnish. There are plenty of people who can sand your old wooden floorboards for you but doing it yourself saves money and can look just as good as a professional job.

First, check for any loose, missing, damaged or rotten floorboards. You may need to replace some boards and nail down any loose ones. Also check for signs of woodworm, as this can be easily treated. Finally, hammer in any nails that sit proud of the surface, so they are at least 3mm below, and remove any old carpet staples. All these things can damage your sanding equipment.

Having prepared the floor, you are now ready to start sanding. Remember that this is a very dusty and noisy job, so wear a dust mask and consider the neighbours. Hire an industrial drum sander and a hand held rotary sander for the edges and corners. However, if you are only sanding a small area, less than 3m square, you will only need a hand held sander. Make sure you follow all the safety instructions, particularly when fitting the sandpaper. Start with coarse grade sandpaper to get the boards level, then use the medium, and finish off with the fine.

Here are some tips for saving money on tiling jobs:

Avoid buying new tiles by revamping the old ones- you can completely change the look of wall tiles with special tile paints. Spend time doing it properly; take care over the grouting and follow the instructions on the products, and your old tiles will have a new lease of life.

Borrow professional tools- somebody you know is bound to have tile cutting tools, leftover spacers and a spirit level. Just ask around.

Buy from trade outlets- significant savings can be made by asking a friend with a trade account to buy tiles for you, or to let you use their account at a trade outlet. Go to the beautiful, expensive showrooms for inspiration only.

Don’t scrimp on quality- this can be a false economy. If you buy the very cheapest tiles, you may need more of them when they crack and break during installation. Also avoid cutting corners in wet areas such as showers – do the job properly or you will have serious damp problems.