How to Choose the Right Size Skip for your DIY Project

For some home improvement projects, simply chucking your waste into the household bin isn’t the best solution. If you’re doing a big clear out, refurbishing a room, or undertaking an ambitious DIY project, hiring a skip for the day may be the ideal solution for quickly and cleanly clearing away your waste.

Benefits

You may be thinking that a skip is a costly investment for a simple domestic project, but that’s far from the truth!

Skip hire will actually reduce your waste disposal costs, providing a quick and easy solution to getting rid of your waste in one fell swoop. What’s more, a skip will ensure you comply with all waste disposal regulations when dealing with certain materials, providing a safer method of disposal and keeping your home and the surrounding area safe. Finally, skip hire allows you to lessen your environmental impact by selecting materials to be recycled instead of sent directly to landfill.

Why would I need a skip?

Skips are suitable for a range of construction and domestic wastes, including general waste, building materials, soil and more. If you are handling potentially hazardous materials, you should discuss your needs with us first to ensure you are not putting unauthorised materials in your skip.

What can go in a skip?

Skips are suitable for a range of materials, although it is always best to check with your skip provider first:

• General waste
• Construction waste (e.g. concrete, aggregates)
• Soil
• Timber
• Metals
• Green waste
• Dry recycling

Skip Sizes Explained

For home improvement projects, it’s unlikely you’ll need a commercial-sized skip. We stock smaller skip sizes ideal for home improvements and renovation projects that can be delivered and picked up at your convenience. Skip sizes ideal for home DIY projects include:

3yd Mini Skips

Measuring 5’ x 4’, mini skips are ideal for smaller amounts of household or garden waste, capable of holding up to 25-35 black bags of waste. These skips can be used for a huge range of projects, from simply throwing out unused items while redecorating, to completely rehauling the look of your garden.

4YD Midi Skip

Midi skips measure 6’ x 4’3, so are more suited for large household or garden construction improvements, such as demolishing an old shed, renovating a large room or several rooms in one go, or a total spring clean or your garage and attic.

8YD Builders’ Skips

At 12’ x 5’6, builders’ skips are a popular skip size, ideal for large domestic renovations such as complete refurbishments, or garden landscaping.

 

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/how-to-choose-the-right-size-skip-for-your-diy-project/

The Undeniable Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding

When you think of fiber cement siding, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Boards dripping with wet cement? Gray, unappealing textures? Perhaps even thoughts about how it can’t possibly be environmentally friendly?

None of this could be further from the truth! The fact is that fiber cement siding has tons of benefits, both wallet-friendly and environmentally favorable! In the infographic below, Allura USA helps homeowners understand the advantages of choosing fiber cement siding in keeping their houses covered.

This beautiful type of siding comes in a huge variety of colors and textures. It is also so durable, that you might not have to paint for 25 years! That is a huge amount of time saving labor, not to mention paint costs, which many people don’t realize! While it might cost you a bit more upfront than vinyl siding, it certainly costs far less than stucco, which will need to be repainted every 3 to 5 years. This beautiful, yet durable, type of siding far outlasts vinyl siding, which means a great deal less trash in our landfills!

You may not have heard as much about fiber cement siding, but it certainly isn’t new. In fact, this type of siding has been around for almost 100 years. So it’s not as if you are dealing with some newfangled product no one has heard of!

While you can paint fiber cement siding yourself, why not get it primed and painted right at the factory? This way, the work is done for you and the warranty is much longer than siding you paint yourself. There are dozens of colors and textures, too, so you should be able to find exactly what you want. Many people opt for a natural wood color and grain like texture, but there are dozens of choices.

If you live in a hot and/or humid climate, fiber cement siding would be the perfect choice for your home. It won’t rot like wood and it’s termite resistant.

If you are thinking of replacing your siding, you would be wise to check out fiber cement siding. You will be pleasantly surprised by all the colors and options available!

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Finding The Best Vacuum Cleaner

Most people enjoy having clean floors in their homes. Unfortunately, finding the right vacuum cleaner that works well and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg can be a bit of a challenge. The folks at Reviews.com decided to master the challenge of finding the best overall vacuum cleaner for you.

They put 19 of the most popular, best selling upright vacuum cleaners to the test, and managed to narrow the field to 4 of the best performing models on the market today. They used the following test criteria to reach their final decision:

Best Overall Winner

The Hoover Air Cordless Lift – This vacuum cleaner took top spot for a multitude of reasons.

• Fantastic suction power! It picked up 100% of the different testing materials in just 2 passes (1 front and 1 back.) The reviewers used a combination of Cheerios, sand, ground cinnamon and talcum powder to represent both large and fine particle debris.
• At a mere 12 pounds, it is easy to move from room to room.
• It is very maneuver in tight spaces.
• It does a good job picking up debris found in corners.
• It is battery-operated so there is no cord to get in your way while cleaning.

Top Three Runners Up

• The Oreck XL Classic – Chosen as the Best Performer for Carpets. It’s the loudest of all vacuums tested but has great cleaning power.
• The Samsung VU7000 Motion Sync – Chosen as the Best Performer for Bare Floors and for allergy sufferers. It is heavy to maneuver but it comes with a top class advanced HEPA Filtration System.
• The Bissell CleanView 9595A – Chosen as the Best Budget Pick. At $79.00 on Amazon, this vacuum was the least expensive model tested that gave good cleaning performance.

Vacuum Cleaner Tips To Keep In Mind

• Most vacuum cleaner filters should be replaced, on average, every 3 to 6 months.
• Stick-style vacuums work best for small spaces and when used for above-the-floor cleaning tasks.
• Canister vacuums work bests when used for furniture and spaces that can be difficult to reach.
• Lithium batteries (like the ones often used in cordless vacuums) generally need to be replaced every 2 to 3 years.
• Vacuum cleaners can range in price anywhere from $50 up to more than $1,000

Little Known Vacuum Cleaner Facts

• The average person will spend up to an hour a week, over the course of a lifetime, using a vacuum cleaner.
• If you attempt to vacuum up damp dirt or mud, it will clog the roller brush and reduce its cleaning effectiveness.
• Using a vacuum cleaner that doesn’t have a “Bare Floor” option on floors, can result in premature wear and tear on floor finishes.
• A vacuum cleaner’s performance has more to do with air flow ability than it does how many amps it has.

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from Homey Improvements http://homeyimprovements.com/finding-vacuum-cleaner/

What are Floating Laminate Floors?

If you want to give your home an immediate and affordable facelift within a reasonable amount of time, then a floating laminate floor may be just what you need. Laminate floors have been growing in popularity over the recent years because of their durability and the wide variety of colors and patterns in which they are available.

Floating laminate floors are not attached to the subfloor or substrate underneath them. They install quickly and easily and can even be a DIY job with the right tools on hand. Made of sturdy interlocking planks that snap into place, they fasten and float over your subfloor or current flooring, giving your home a new look with a short installation time.

What is laminate flooring made of?

According to DIY Network, laminate flooring is made of “ wood fibers and pulp bonded to a plastic surface.” These are then formed into planks that mimic the look of hardwoods, stone, or tile for a fraction of the cost.

These planks are made to connect with each other through interlocking grooves that are on all sides. This efficient process eliminates the need for nails, glue, or staples, allowing the finished floor to rest comfortably and discreetly over your current floor.

Floating laminate planks consist of four layers. The wear layer is the top layer that protects the bottom three layers from footfalls and other wear and tear. The second layer, or photographic layer, contains the image of the desired wood, tile, or stone the homeowner wants.

The third layer is called the “substrate” layer, which is a water-resistant fiberboard that lays on top of the fourth layer, the backing layer, which protects the floor itself from any warping or water damage.

What are the advantages of installing floating laminate floors?

• Variety. Because the photographic layer can replicate classic favorites like different stains of hardwoods, stone types, and tiles, laminate flooring is a favorable choice for the homeowner who wants many options at a good price.
• Affordability. Laminate planks are already more affordable than hardwoods, bamboo, tile, and stone. Because floating laminate planks can be installed right on top of your old floors, you can also save on the labor that would have been used to remove it.
• Durability. Laminate floors are very resistant to trauma like burns, chipping, and scratches. At the same time, they can handle high-traffic areas in the home.

What are the disadvantages of installing floating laminate floors?

• You need to start with an even surface. If you are attaching laminate planks over an existing floor or subfloor, you will need to make sure that your current floor is even or else the planks will not lock together. Also, if your floor isn’t even, you will hear squeaking as you walk over your new laminate floor. If you don’t have an even floor, you probably should consider another flooring alternative.
• They are louder. Because floating laminate floors are not attached by nails to the subfloor, they can be louder than attached floors. However, by placing a thin cushion to insulate the area between your subfloor and laminate floor, you can reduce potential noises.

How do you install floating laminate floors?

Installing floating laminate floors is easy enough to be a DIY job with the right tools. Here are the basic steps:

• Remove all moldings, wall bases, and shoe trims if applicable.
• Install the underlayment and tape it down.
• Cut the laminate flooring to meet the required dimensions.
• Install the laminate planks in rows and modify/cut when necessary.
• Reattach all moldings and trims to the walls after installation, not on the laminate floors.

To find out more about this procedure, the North American Laminate Floor Association has a useful guide that walks you through the process with more detailed descriptions.

Should I have professionals install floating laminate floors in my home?

Though floating laminate floors are relatively easy to install on your own, sometimes you may not have the professional equipment or the time to invest in this kind of renovation. That’s when hiring professionals is the right thing to do.

Also, since these floors don’t take long to install, you won’t need to vacate your house for an extended period of time. The installation doesn’t involve any nails, glue, or staples and doesn’t require ripping out old flooring either, making the time to complete the job quicker than other flooring installations.

Overall, getting professionals to do it right the first time can save you a lot of hassle and stress. Got questions?

If you have any questions about floating laminate floors, please leave a comment below. We will respond as soon as possible. We have years of experience helping people beautify their homes with the perfect flooring upgrade at the right price.

About Shawn Farina — Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

“Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It’s really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.” – Shawn Farina

Photos by www.armstrong.com

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Creating a Mould-Free Bathroom

There are three words a homeowner never wants to hear; you’ve got mould. Mould is a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments and isn’t too picky when it comes to temperature. Due to an excess of water mould is most often found in bathrooms. If left untouched mould can rapidly grow and in turn cause major harm to a room. You’ll want to do your best to prevent the growth of mould and put an end to it as soon as it’s visible. To avoid the damage that may be caused to your home along with your health.

Create the Proper Drainage

There’s nothing worse than stepping into a shower or bath and dipping your toes into water that somebody else has already bathed in. When your done cringing, realise that there’s a pretty easy solution to this objectively scarring experience. Your drain is clearly not doing its job. But before placing the blame, the next time you take a shower see if the water is pooling in certain areas of the shower because your floor isn’t properly slanted to guide water to the drain. If water is pooling around your drain, make sure hair or other objects aren’t clogging it. If your drain itself is defective, try out a linear or square drain.

Install a Fan

In its early stages of growth mould is rather delicate and can’t withstand being pushed and pulled. A bathroom fan will knock mould off its rhythm by making it hard to grow. Fans also suck up excess moisture that would normally pool up around your bathroom and form perfect pockets for mould to form in.

Protecting Your Walls From Water

Most likely your walls aren’t made from tile. That being the case you’ll need to make your walls impervious to water. Water will inevitably absorb into your walls if you don’t apply the proper primer to your bathroom. Applying primer is the most important step you can take towards making your bathroom walls water resistant.

Getting Rid of Mould

If this pest of a fungi has already found a home in your bathroom you’ll need to act fast before it spreads any further. You can find cleaners that have the sole purpose of killing mould at pretty much any cleaning store or major market close to your home. If you’re up for making your own concoction mix three parts water and one-part bleach. Once you have your cleaner ready, apply it with a scrub brush. After you’ve applied use a rag to wipe away the cleaner.

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/creating-a-mould-free-bathroom/

5 Reasons Why you Should have a Driveway

Whether you want to create a parking space to safely store your vehicle or you are looking to add value to your property, a driveway can prove to be a very worthwhile investment. Despite being the first thing someone will see when visiting your property, the benefits of having a driveway are often overlooked. Here, we will explain the reasons why driveways are becoming more and more popular amongst homeowners, and how your property can benefit from having one fitted.

 1 . Increases property prices and adds kerb appeal

The addition of a driveway can instantly increase the value of a property by 5-10%, leading many homeowners to invest in one prior to selling their house. The driveway is the first thing potential buyers will see when viewing a property, so a stylish, low maintenance drive will make a great first impression for those visiting.  

2. Minimises the risk of your car being stolen

Storing your car on a driveway will reduce the chance of your vehicle being taken, as thieves will be deterred by the prospect of having to come nearer to your property. Cars on the road can be stolen and be damaged. Criminals may slash tyres or even smash windscreens. To improve security on your driveway, you can choose to put certain measures in place, such as the installation of a security gate or motion detector lighting. That way, you can rest assured knowing that you have implemented the necessary security measures to keep your car as safe as possible.

3. Reduces the cost of car insurance

When it comes to car insurance, keeping your vehicle on a driveway is typically much cheaper than parking it in the garage or on a road. Whilst it may seem tempting for car owners to say their car is kept on a driveway when it’s actually parked on the road, they could end up invalidating the insurance and any claims will be refused by the insurance company if they are caught out. In fact, insurers have even been known to check whether homes have driveways or garages on Google Street View. 

4. Adds convenience

In an age when people are leading busy, often stressful lives, a fresh, well-laid driveway can make a world of difference. Thanks to new materials and products such as decorative stone and resin bound paving, minimal maintenance is needed to keep your driveway looking its best for longer.

Not only that, the added functionality of having a driveway means that your vehicle can be parked as close to your home as possible. This makes tasks such as carrying your shopping to the house much easier, which is particularly important for the elderly or those with mobility issues.

5. Makes a lasting impression

With an array of textures, colours and materials available, you are guaranteed to find a driveway style to complement your modern or traditional home seamlessly. As your driveway is typically the first thing people will see when visiting your property, incorporating a stylish design will impress and inspire family, friends and potential buyers alike.

The post 5 Reasons Why you Should have a Driveway appeared first on UK Home Improvement Blog.

from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/5-reasons-why-you-should-have-a-driveway/

5 Outdoor Christmas Decorating Tips For Your Home

Are you thinking of decorating the exterior of your house for this year’s Christmas holidays? It’s a trend that’s been growing for some years now, and new innovative lighting designs can be used to great effect to give your home a special and unique Christmas feel.

A few words of caution though, before you let your creative juices run away with you: safety is paramount.

First, electricity needs to be handled with respect. Make sure the lights you wish to install are specifically for outdoor use, and don’t be tempted to overload your electrical sockets – it’s dangerous and can cause a fire. LED lights are best, not only because they are more energy efficient and need less wattage than traditional incandescent bulbs, but also for their beautifully clear, crisp light output. 

Secondly, putting up and taking down outdoor Christmas lights on a building comes with a fair degree of personal risk. Are you working off a simple household ladder? If you do, make sure it’s in good condition and a stable position on a firm and flat surface. Also, it’s advisable to always work in pairs, so you have someone assisting you – two pairs of hands are safer than one. For high roofs, rooftops or other elevated areas, ladders are unlikely to be the right solution. You may be better off hiring a scaffold platform or tower, or even a cherry picker. The last thing you need this Christmas is a nasty accident.

With the essential safety concerns addressed, are you ready to add some festive fun and magic to the outside of your home? Here are 5 design considerations and decorating tips to help you make your home truly Christmassy.

1.       Highlight the building’s architectural features

When installing lights to the front elevation of your house, always start at the centre and work your way outwards to the sides. Look at interesting architectural details of the building to see what can be highlighted in the design scheme. Gables, rooflines, chimneys, arches, windows or similar features lend themselves particularly well. 

Combine horizontal and vertical features to achieve the perfect balance. Rather than covering the entire house in lights, perhaps pick out the roof outline up to the gable peak and down again, then highlight the front door outline to create a simple yet effective festive aesthetic.

2.       Create a professional, three dimensional effect

Whatever you do, it needs to really impress, especially at Christmas – so don’t skimp on lighting; the thicker your lighting garlands are, the more effective the result will be. Use large, bright LED bulbs spaced properly and evenly, every 30cm or so, and include cutbacks so that your house doesn’t appear two dimensional. Make sure the length is just right; you should have a bulb positioned right at the top of the apex, and no overhanging lights at the bottom – otherwise it just looks messy.

3.       Don’t forget to decorate your trees

Beautifully decorated trees add impact, especially when they frame the house. There are two techniques you can use to light up your trees in the front garden. Spiral/canopy wrapping encircles the entire tree (perfect for conifers), while trunk & branch wrapping highlights the main branches and emphasises the structure of the tree (ideal for deciduous trees). Both can look wonderful, as can mixing and matching the two.

4.       Classic white or colourful fun?

Whether you go for the traditional Christmas favourite all-white look or have fun with some on-trend colour is entirely up to your personal taste. This year, one of the popular colour schemes to emerge is a very festive combination of red, green and white. Then again, other colour contrasts can work well too – try silver and gold, or green and blue perhaps, to create an effective and unusual wow factor for your Christmas home.

5.       Add extra decorations to set the scene

For a bolder look, you can give your front garden a Christmas theme with the addition of festive characters – Father Christmas, reindeer, snowmen or penguins, angels and stars, or a nativity scene? The shops are now full of inspiration, with all kinds of fun characters and wonderful light designs to choose from – go and have a look.

Finally, complement your outdoor Christmas light display with some lush greenery to add an extra festive touch to your exterior decorations. Evergreen wreaths or garlands (either real or artificial) can be trimmed with ribbons, ornaments and lights to provide enchanting accents for windows and doors.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working alongside a selection of companies including MC Property Maintenance, who were consulted over this post.

from Home My Heaven: UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/10/5-outdoor-christmas-decorating-tips-for.html