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:
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.
The dining table has long been the centre of the family home and a place for sharing food, stories and experiences.
Most of us grew up recounting the events of our days, discussing current events or debating the latest hot topic in the news.
Much has been made in recent times of the decline of family communication due to the influx of digital media in our lives.
The popular wisdom is that kids and even parents are more engaged with their devices and social media feeds than they are in meaningful communication with each other.
There may be some truth to this premise, however, some recent studies have found that there is still plenty of hope that the humble dining table may yet be holding on to its critical role in our lives.
They’re Still Selling
After couches, dining tables are the second most commonly purchased item of furniture, coming in at a little under 20%.
Not bad going for an item that is said to be becoming redundant.
While it is also true that this number has been declining in recent years, it is clear that there is still plenty of relevance left on the table. (pardon the pun)
Dinner Table Conversation is Still Valued
It’s probably no shock that 80% of adults think that their kids are more likely to talk to them during mealtimes.
What’s surprising is that this appears to be one of the few things upon which teenagers actually agree with their parents!
Around 70% say that eating together with their parents is important.
Generation gap? . . . What generation gap?
Dining Tables Keep You Healthy
No, we’re not recommending bench pressing your table.
However, families eating together at a common table has been shown to have numerous positive influences on eating habits.
Studies have shown that such good family meal habits result in children getting a more balanced diet.
Children that eat together with their families are 25% more likely to eat healthier foods, and 12% less prone to obesity.
Family Dinners Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Believe it or not, teens that regularly eat dinner with their families are at significantly lower risk of indulging in tobacco, alcohol and both prescription illicit drug abuse.
Studies have shown that teens in such families are up to three and a half times less likely to engage in these kinds of damaging behaviours.
Dining Tables Make Kids Smarter
According to one poll, almost twice as many kids do their homework at the dining table than at a designated homework or office space.
When compared to the bedroom, this number increases to a factor of 2.5.
Ok, so maybe that doesn’t actually mean that the table itself makes our young ones smarter but it does go to show just how important a part of their lives our “other 4 legged friends” are.
The Shape of Dining Tables Reflects Culture
In western countries, families tend to dish up their food onto personal plates and tuck in, hence the bulkier square or rectangular shape is favoured.
In Asian countries, by contrast, the emphasis is in sharing from a communal plate. Not surprisingly, these regions favour round tables, which allow for easier access to the grub.
The Longest Dining Table on Record was over 1.5km Long!
Custom built in 2015 in Saudi Arabia for people with special needs to eat their post-Ramadan fast “Iftar” meal, this incredible, winding table measured in at a whopping 1,508m in length!
Whatever your choice of dining table, there can be no doubt that enjoying a great meal and meaningful conversation is a fabulous way to us to bond with each other and establish healthy lifestyle patterns.
So, pull up a chair, sit at the table and Bon Appetite!
You never know when you’re going to need to perform an odd job or task.
After all, while a good house will last a lifetime there is still always going to be those little repairs or acts of maintenance required to keep your place in fine condition.
Unfortunately there are some things that belong in your home improvement kit that often get forgotten.
Or they get broken, damaged, go missing or get borrowed and never returned.
Let’s take a look at five devices that are essential for home improvement, but are often forgotten.
A nice bright torch is a great tool to have for those random tasks around the house. It can help to provide light when working under your house, or in your roof.
It’s also great for working at night.
In a perfect world, all home improvement jobs would occur in full daylight. . . . butlife isn;t perfect
With a good quality torch, you’ll be able to make those little home improvements, no matter the hour of day.
Yet some households forget to include a simple lubricant in their home improvement kits!
Ypu can be so easy get caught up in buying the latest and greatest tools and toys that you can forget the basics.
A good lubricant can help to fix that noisy door, unstick that stuck recliner chair and remove rust from just about anything.
A Spirit Level
This is another device that is easily forgotten. If you have all the power saws, screwdrivers and spanners in the world they don’t amount to much if you can’t make sure that something is straight!
If crooked photos really bug you then you’ll want to invest in a level.
A level makes sure that you don’t hang or install anything without it being perfect.
A good quality metal spirit level is well worth the investment. If you need hands-free levelling, you could consider a laser level.
A Hacksaw
This is another commonly forgotten-about home improvement tool.
A hacksaw canto cut steel and many other materials.
You never know when you’ll need to cut through something, and sometimes plain old scissors, or a knife, just isn’t up to the task.
A hacksaw can cut easily through metal, but can also be used to cut plastic pipe, wood and other household materials.
Just an old-fashioned hand hacksaw with replaceable blades.
Cable Ties
Again, another easily overlooked device.
Cable ties are a great tool.
They can get used to tidy up all those loose cords and wires in your study.
They can hold things in place while you work on your home.
You can use them as cheap child-proof locks.
Did you know you can even unclog your sink drain with a long cable tie? Just poke it down there and give it a wiggle and presto!
There you have it. for the next time you’re at your local hardware store, have a think to yourself.
Is your home improvement kit complete? . . . You might need to invest in the above five items to be fully prepared for those little jobs that pop up from time to time!
An entrance way or hallway of a house often gives an immediate impression of your home to anyone stopping by.
For that reason alone, it’s important that your hallway is decorated in a way that expresses your unique personality, and sets the tone for the overall style of your home.
It’s also important to remember that this area should feel as if the house is welcoming your friends and company, not overwhelming them.
Your hallway should convey a gracious and friendly feeling, not blast visitors with an outlandish design. We’ve gathered a few tips for using fabric as a way to enhance the hallway of your home.
To Paper or Not to Paper
Adding colour and design to the walls is one of the first things that people think of when it comes to decorating their house or apartment, and if they want to add a pattern or design to the walls, wallpaper is often the first choice.
Wallpaper can be used to easily add colour and pizazz to bare walls, but fabric can add so much more.
There’s a reason that the most beautiful palaces in the world used fabric to line their walls.
Fabric adds a texture and sensory delight that wallpaper just can’t provide.
Whether the fabric is a woven pattern of plaid, checks, or stripes, or a beautifully delicate weave of flower blossoms floating on air, fabric fills your walls with personality.
It’s one of the best ways to enrich the hallway of your home.
Fabric as Art
Another way to use fabric in your hallway is to display it as an art piece.
Again, let’s take a look at those castles in Europe.Fabric hangings were a way of life in castles or palaces made of stone.
Wall hangings not only acted as a minimal form of insulation on those cold stone walls, they also provided visual interest to walls that were difficult to decorate.
Although you probably don’t live in a castle, framing and hanging beautiful curtain fabrics is a wonderful way to add impact to your hallway.
The fabric you choose to hang doesn’t have to be an ornate pattern or a pictorial weave, but it should be something that adds a definite statement to your walls.
For example, if your hallway is lined with a deep aubergine solid fabric, a framed square of a lime-coloured pattern of leaves, plants and grapes can create a gorgeous contrast that calls attention to both the wall and fabric hanging.
Cool and quiet
Another way to add impact is to actually downplay the colour of your hallway walls.
A cool grey or beige burlap-type weave is a great choice for your walls if you want to highlight a certain object or piece of art.
Your hallway will still have impact but in a different way. For instance, if you have an original Warhol print, you would want that to have centre stage on the wall.
And what if you don’t have a Warhol original to hang on your wall?
The focal piece of your wall doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to make a statement.
Something as simple as a large mirror with a dramatic frame can be your objet d’art.
Antique tools and saws, framed book covers, and Edwardian table linens are just as notable and amazing as a print or painting.
Make Your Hallway Welcoming
The most important thing to remember is that whatever you feature in your hallway should reflect an aspect of you or your family.
After all, when someone comes to your home, they’re there to see you.
However you decorate it, just make sure that when people walk into your hallway they receive a charming message of “welcome to my home.”
