Household maintenance is sometimes an expensive ordeal for most people, however, you should consider doing some of the repairs at home by yourself to avoid unnecessary spending on professional services.
While professionalism is always preferred, a lot of problems can be handled on your own easily.
Before you start off with any repairs, ensure that you have adequate research to help understand what you do not comprehend. Keep in mind that electrical issues can be hazardous and are illegal in Australia.
It is also important to ensure that you have the right tools for the repairs to avoid pointless accidents.
1. Broken toilet levers
A broken toilet lever is quite easy to fix. If the lever does not flush down the toilet, just pop open the tank and fasten the chain.
In some cases when the handle (or any other part that secures the lever to the flapper) becomes corroded, it can easily break. However, these parts can all be replaced in a cheaply.
2. Unblocking a Sink
You can buy a sink plunger for a few dollars at your local hardware store.
A few vigorous pushes up and down over the plughole will clear many blockages in baths and showers as well as sinks.
More serious blockages and you might need as emergency plumber to unblock your system.
3. Clearing a jammed garbage disposal
A waste machine is actually easier to repair than it looks.
Before you embark on such a task, you should first ensure that you have cut off the power to the unit to avoid accidents.
Once you have disabled the disposal, use a wrench to fine-tune the flywheel inside the disposal.
This is done by placing the wrench in the hole in the middle of the bottom of the unit. It is very efficient in loosening the blocked food inside.
To remove any clogging in the top unit, you can use pliers or a wooden dowel and get into the upper part of your disposal.
Reconnect power, run water through your disposal and turn it on to make sure that the jam is cleared.
Check ‘YouTube’ for several useful videos.
4. Patching up small holes in Plasterboard
Some holes in the walls caused by screws or nails on the walls are quite easy and cheap to fix.
All you need to do is push some cellulose filler into the holes with a putty knife and wait to dry.
Then you should sand it down using a sand paper, depending on the texture of your wall.
Then just apply a coat of paint.
5.Loosening a stuck window
Windows that go too long without being opening get mucked up with dirt, making them hard to open.
To handle this, you will need an efficient lubricating agent. Use a pizza cutter to pry away the window sash from the frame.
If the paint concerns you, use a blunter putty knife to free the edges. Once it is open, clean it sufficiently and make sure that the hinges and edges are well lubricated.
The aforementioned DIY tips will definitely help you save time and money in most situations.
On the other hand, a deck could possibly provide the disadvantages of:
Creating a deck will mean extra costs.
It can be time-consuming if you are building the deck yourself.
The good news is that both of the disadvantages can be taken care of with careful planning.
What to consider when picking a deck?
Once you’ve made the decision to build a deck, you need to start planning.
There are a number of things you need to consider to guarantee your deck ends up looking great and your bank account won’t feel robbed.
The most important questions to answer include:
What is my budget? Before you start, come up with a budget to ensure you don’t end up overspending.
What do I want from the deck? You need to list the things you want from your deck, including things like:
An area for barbecue
Space for plants and flowers
Enough seating space for entertaining guests
A roof to stay dry during rain
An aesthetic look to go with your house(matching paint, for example)
Please note these might not all apply to you, but the idea is to identify the things and functions you need.
What kind of material fits my needs and my budget? Once you’ve determined the above, you can start looking into deck materials. The most popular options includewood decks and composite decks.
Can I build it myself? Finally, you need to decide whether you want to build the deck from scratch, perhaps with the help of friends, or whether you’d want a professional builder to do it for you.
Do I need a permit? Don’t launch your project before you’ve checked the building permissions. A deck is a structure that often requires a special planning permit and therefore, you might end up paying a hefty fine if you forget to apply for one.
If you want to find ways to save money, your attention needs to be on the materials and the labour.
Don’t forget that while assembling a deck can be a lot cheaper if you do it yourself, the costs can mount up if you have no idea about DIY or experience in building.
With the above tips, you should get your deck-building project underway smoothly. Remember the importance of planning and don’t rush into the project before you are certain of what you want.
The ‘Statutory Builders Warranty’ or Guarantee is 10 years although some builders offer periods of up to 25 years . . . . but what do you get?
Well the overall Warranty only applies to the main elements of the house
Here are some typical limits to cover:
Up To 3 Months From Handover
Adjustment to doors, windows, cupboards including locks and catches.
Filling and painting large plaster cracks and nails ‘popping’
Plumbing issues.
Heating Issues.
Cooling Systems.
Electrical Systems
Drainage and Sewerage systems
All problems relatiing to roofing, brickwork,painting, tiling, flooring.
Up To A Year from Handover
Weather proofing.
Faulty guttering and down pipes.
Paint.
Up to the Maximum Warranty Term
Generally will only cover structural failure such as
Foundation Failure. (Although recent history has shown many builders will try and blame the house owner for the problems)
Structural Frame. (But you may need to demonstrate you have maintained termite protection systems)
Load Bearing Brickwork.
Exclusions
There will be a wide range of exclusions that are likely to include
Appliances, hot water services, heating and cooling systems after the first 3 months. (The builder will expect you to take up the issues with the manufacturer)
Storm, flooding and fire damage.
Fair wear and tear.
Minor cracking.
Damage to the foundations due to trees or ‘over watering of gardens adjacent to foundations.
As you can see that Warranty is not as comprehensive as most people think,
The above doesn’t mean that you can’t have defects fixed that are outside the Warranty . . .but you could have a fight!
Have you ever thought about the risk posed by Blind and Curtain Cords?
Until recently I hadn’t. . . even though I have put up many sets of blinds over the years.
The Queensland Office of Fair Trading, have reported that since 2000 in Australia at least 12 children have died from strangulation by blind or curtain cord.
Some Installation Advice
When buying blinds look for products that use ‘wands’ instead of cords to operate the blinds
Make sure your children cannot reach any blind or curtain cord (the loops should be at least 1.60 m above the floor.
Move any beds, cots, chairs or playpens away from windows with blind or curtain cordsto prevent your child climbing on furniture to reach blind or curtain cords.
Wrap blind cords securely around a hook attached as high as possible on the wall.
Install a securely fixed cord tensioning device for vertical blinds. (see photo)
Use ‘Safety Tassels’, to join the ends of blind cords together as they split when pressure is applied,
For More Information
For information from Government websites follow the following links:
If you are looking to buy your first home or even taking another step on the property ladder, the whole process can seem daunting and not a little terrifying.
The key to making the process as smooth and painless as possible is to be armed with as much information as you can find.
Below we have tried to break down the process into a basic step by step guide to follow for those looking to purchase through private sale.
Step 1.Approach a Lender
Do this now so you can get an idea of:
How much you will need save
How much you can borrow based on your income/s and factoring in fees and charges you may not have thought of (see below)
What your repayments would be
Step 2.Work out your Budget
When working out your budget don’t forget the hidden costs associated with your purchase – these can be substantial.
Stamp duty, conveyancers, building inspections and a myriad of other cost can eat into your budget, so it pays to be forewarned.
Step 3.Write out your Checklist
Sit down and discuss what you NEED in a property and what you WANT.
Decide whether you want a new build or an existing property.
Remember new builds may save you on stamp duty, but may not have the infrastructure you require or desire.
Occasionally, you can find surprisingly well placed new developments close to the city.
I recently came across Yarra Bend which is one of these new developments surrounded by long established infrastructure.
Step 4.Do your Research
If you are thinking of moving to a location outside your comfort zone, it is wise to do a bit of research to prepare you for any surprises.
Crime rate statistics are probably a good place to start if you don’t know the area very well.
Investigate sold prices published on online real estate sites, so you can get a feel for what you will get for your money, and what represents good value.
Step 5.Inspect, Inspect, Inspect
Even before you have done all the above it, pays to get a feel for the market.
Comparing properties and prices can give you an idea of where the best value for your dollar can be bought, and helps you narrow down what you’re really looking for.
Step 6.Find a Conveyancer
Even in the early stages of house hunting, it is a good idea to select a conveyancer.
Once you find one give them a call, introduce yourself, and let them know that you will be purchasing a house at some stage and will be making use of their services.
A good conveyancer will manage things behind the scenes, such as reviewing the Section 32, to make sure there are no anomalies along with the legal side of the transfer of ownership.
Step 7.Doing your Due Diligence
Property buying is a lot like falling in love.
Don’t be fooled though, what looks pretty on the outside may be hiding some ugly secrets.
Make sure the first thing you do with any property you are interested in is ask for the Section 32.
Once you have that forward a copy onto your conveyancer and then sit down and actually read through it, looking for things such as easements which may run through the property and impede future development.
Your conveyancer is best equipped to guide you through this.
Step 8.Making an Offer
When you have found your property and decided on a figure, your offer will then be written up by the agent to be presented to the vendor.
A deposit will then be taken, and legal documentation signed to make it official.
Things such as a settlement can also be negotiated at this time.
It is important to make your offer subject to any building and pest inspections, and also subject to finance.
This is crucial as new rule changes may have altered your borrowing capacity.You will be given 10 – 14 days to arrange inspections and get finance approval from your provider.
Step 9.Final Inspection
Should your offer be accepted, then both your lender and conveyancer will be notified of the transfer date and all you have to do is make your preparations to move.
About a week before the transfer, you should be allowed the opportunity to make a final inspection of the property to ensure everything is as it should be.
This would be a good time to get your insurances sorted out if you haven’t already done so.
Hopefully this brief summary has given you an overview of the process from start to finish.
Purchasing a property can seem like a confusing maze but taking your time, doing your research and choosing knowledgeable and experienced professionals is the best way to ensure your journey is a success.
The owner built this $2,000,000 house in his mother’s back garden, without planning permission, and with green cladding to disguise it as a large shed.
He was also using a secret room to grow ‘wacky backy’.
Want to find out more? . . . Check out the BBC website which includes a video
Here is a photo of the inside.
For more Unusual House Photos, Wins, and Fails, have a look at: What the………………….?
Australia is blessed with great summers, but the summer conditions unfortunately also do bring the risk of damaging your home.
Here are some handy ideas and tips which will help you prepare your house for summer season, both on the inside and outside;
Clean and Adjust Your Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are not only cost efficient, but they are also very effective when it comes to keeping you cool during the summer season, therefore it is important to ensure the ceiling fan is always kept clean and in good condition to avoid any malfunctions.
Your ceiling fan is designed to rotate in different directions.
Changing the fan’s direction and increasing the speeds can be of great help in terms of the amounts of cool air which is available inside your home.
To do this, you simply need to locate the switch which is near the base, and change the blades’ movements.
Protect Your Home From Fires and Storm
Australia is actually notorious for bushfires during the summer season.
In the year 2014, many homes in Australia went up in flames because of bushfires and lack of proper fire safety.
Australia also tends to experience rather severe storms during the summer season, where houses get pelted with lots of hailstones.
This can seriously damage your roofs and many other areas of your home. To fully protect your home, you should consider getting a steel kit home.
While most other types of kit homes are subject to influence of heat, water and other elements, a steel kit home will always stay in great shape and will offer maximum protection.
A steel kit home will be able to withstand the harsh elements and keep you and your property safe and free from damage.
Moreover, steel kit homes are durable and reduce energy consumption.
As a matter of fact, many Australian homeowners normally choose the steel kit homes because they offer great resistance, and provide safety when disaster strikes.
Stay Cool
It is essential to have a fully functioning air conditioner during the summer season.
To ensure that the air conditioner is functioning optimally, you should make sure that its filters are clean.
You can replace the air conditioner filters, or consider having the central air conditioning system looked at by a professional.
Clean air conditioner filters normally work much more efficiently (this also helps keep the cooling costs much lower).
Having an efficient air conditioner is particularly important, if you happen to live in a place with allergy irritants or in dusty environment.
Consider having some spare filters available so that you can make regular replacements during the summer season.
Ventilate Your Attic
Heat tends to travel upwards, and it’s no wonder that the attic is usually one of the hottest areas of your home, especially during the summer season.
In order for you to counteract the accumulation of heat, you should consider installing a fan or a vent in the attic.
Install an adequately sized vent and/or attic fan, so that you can prevent the hot air from building up.
Your entire home will actually feel much cooler after you do that.
Update Your Insulation
You should check your windows and doors for any areas which need to be fixed.
You can caulk and seal to prevent the heat from entering into your house through leaky windows and doors.
Having proper insulation will help keep the warm air outside your home, and the cool air in.
Use Blinds and Curtains
Dark and heavy blinds or curtains can also be used to help deter heat carrying sunlight from seeping into your house.
However, you should shut your curtains and blinds during the extremely hot hours.
Pay careful attention to rooms which face the west side, since these rooms are more susceptible to heat which is usually high later in the day.
Clean the Gutters
When preparing for the coming summer season, it’s essential to clean the gutters, the roof and the down pipes.
You should remove the leaves and other litter which might have accumulated during the winter season.
Dry leaves are flammable, and can very easily become a roaring inferno if they happen to come into contact with a spark.
It is also a smart idea to install some quality metal leaf guards over the gutters so as to prevent the leaves collecting your drains.
