The Right To Build Scheme Comes into Effect and Makes Self Build Main Stream?

The DIY Doctor's Blog
The DIY Doctor's Blog - DIY and Home Improvement Hints, Tips, Help and Advice from The DIY Doctor

The Right to Build Legislation that comes into effect on 31st October is designed to make self and custom building more accessible to those that want to do it. The biggest issue with self building has been the lack of suitable plots. This scheme aims to address this. For more information about the Right to Read on...

The Right To Build Scheme Comes into Effect and Makes Self Build Main Stream?

from The DIY Doctor's Blog http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/blog/2016/10/right-to-build-scheme/

Epoxy Repair Mortar for Tarmac and Concrete by Rizistal

The DIY Doctor's Blog
The DIY Doctor's Blog - DIY and Home Improvement Hints, Tips, Help and Advice from The DIY Doctor

How to repair asphalt and Tarmac with RIZISTAL Epoxy Repair Mortar for tarmac and concrete: When you have a Tarmac or asphalt driveway or path laid there are often patches around the edges of drains and along the edging stones at the borders that need to be finished off by hand. Laying paths and driveways Read on...

Epoxy Repair Mortar for Tarmac and Concrete by Rizistal

from The DIY Doctor's Blog http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/blog/2016/10/epoxy-repair-mortar-for-tarmac-and-concrete-by-rizistal/

Driveway Resurfacing System from Rezistal

The DIY Doctor's Blog
The DIY Doctor's Blog - DIY and Home Improvement Hints, Tips, Help and Advice from The DIY Doctor

Find out how to get your driveway looking like new: Recoat your Driveway with Rezistal Tarmac and Asphalt Restorer, which is as easy to apply as paint. This Driveway resurfacing method is a DIY project that anyone can undertake in a weekend. Over time the surface of your Tarmac driveway or paths can become eroded, Read on...

Driveway Resurfacing System from Rezistal

from The DIY Doctor's Blog http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/blog/2016/10/driveway-resurfacing-system-from-rezistal/

The 3 Steps to Choosing the Right Screw for Your Project

The DIY Doctor's Blog
The DIY Doctor's Blog - DIY and Home Improvement Hints, Tips, Help and Advice from The DIY Doctor

Selecting the right screw for the job can be a tricky proposition, particularly when you are buying them online, as we are tending to do more and more these days. Screws, of all the fixings, seem to be the most complicated largely because there is so much choice out there. In light of this and Read on...

The 3 Steps to Choosing the Right Screw for Your Project

from The DIY Doctor's Blog http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/blog/2016/10/choosing-the-right-screw/

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.

The post Creating a Mould-Free Bathroom appeared first on UK Home Improvement Blog.

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