Choosing Wood Flooring Responsibly

Wood flooring definitely offers a timeless beauty and elegance that many are attracted to. The problem is that some hard woods take a very long time to grow, are rare and are not ethically harvested. There are however, several alternatives that are earth friendly and can offer the same look as exotic hardwoods. Sustainable Flooring Options: Reclaimed Wood Flooring (salvaged from another property) Vintage wood will add value to your home, is aesthetically pleasing, generally very durable, and can be painted, white-washed or stained any colour. However, it must be examined thoroughly and could amplify sound, but this could be mitigated with the use of rugs. Bamboo (a quick-growing grass that can be worked into hard-wearing floorboards) Bamboo is quite easy to clean, water resistant, inhospitable to dust mites, repels... Read More »

Easy mistakes to make on a new build home

If you’re buying a new build home, you may think you’ll have absolutely no problems whatsoever because it’s new. Those expectations are certainly fair, however, there are too many houses being built in such a rush these days, and it can mean you move into a new build with a few problems that need sorting right from the off. Common issues include poor sealants around the bathtub or shower leading to leaks, misplaced tiles leading to leaks, missing panels inside kitchen units, unfinished doors, marks on the walls from builders, ‘snot marks’ from plastering, tiles that do not line up and chips in surfaces or floors from tools and heavy equipment. We recommend you take the time to check the house every few weeks up to its completion and do... Read More »

Restoring your home after water damage

Water damage to your home due to a burst water pipe, flooding or any other reason, will require home restoration. Even a small amount of water damage can cause alterations to the structure of your home and therefore there could be a safety issue with your home’s stability. Gaining expert advice regarding restoring your home following water damage is important for your family’s health and safety. If water enters the brickwork of your home, walls and floor will need drying out. Wet, damp walls can cause multiple health problems and also weaken the structure of your home. Any kind of damage to your home is devastating and that’s why it is important to seek help and advice regarding restoring your home as quickly and safely as possible. It is recommended... Read More »

Fire damage at home: Help from restoration experts

The damage received from a fire at home is in most cases severe. Even small fires will leave some sign of damage. A fire damage restoration company will then likely come in and remove all of the stuff that is completely gone and take the stuff out that can be repaired reasonably. Many fire and water damage companies have other businesses affiliated with them that can repair things like your important documents or your home media items. If you choose the right company, they will repair many things in your house from the bottom to the top. If the fire damage is pretty heavy, you will need to find a place to go to stay out of their way. You can check on them from time to time if it... Read More »

Is your roof in need of repair or maintenance?

If you are a home owner, it is important to get your roof surveyed to make sure it is functioning as it should. Your roof should provide structure, insulation and waterproofing to your home. If your roof has broken tiles or damaged internal structure, the functionality of your roof could be compromised. Making sure your roof is working properly is vital as it will keep your home safe and save you money too. Your roof works to provide insulation to your home, if heat is lost through the roof, your energy bills will begin to increase as you try to compensate for the internal temperature of your home. Damaged tiles can lead to leaks in your roof, causing water damage to the structure eventually leading to collapse. Water damage can... Read More »

Bathroom Inspections: What to look out for

When you’re looking at a property that’s for sale and you’re planning on viewing the property soon it’s important to be aware of what you should be looking for. Bathrooms can be one of the most problematic of rooms for homeowners should something go wrong and it’s not just the money spent on plumbers and spare parts, it’s the downtime that people can’t really do without. You see, you can actually get by when your kitchen isn’t complete as you could always use a microwave, but when your plumbing system is down then you have a more serious issue on your hands. So, when you’re visiting that house you’re growing interested in, you need to make sure you have a good look around the bathroom. You should check behind the... Read More »

Painting the outside of your home

Paint can prove to be a bit of a hero on the outside, not only does it make your house look nicer; it gives it another layer of protection which is always a bonus. It’s a good protector of wood but of course, like oils and waxes, over time this layer can wear out, and when this happens you have exposed wood or brick which can suffer from erosion. Rain and air moisture can ruin a home over time, but a fresh lick of paint can always be the hero keeping you one step ahead. That said, if you have window frame made of wood then paint isn’t a choice it’s a necessity and you should make sure it’s waterproof. If you leave any wood without paint, you could be... Read More »

Are Wall Cracks Always Concerning?

A lot of people that don’t have much experience with living in and managing a new building. As a consequence, many of them get very worried when they start to see cracks in walls appearing, but more often than not these are actually not a big deal. There is a good reason why these cracks have been appearing, and a good reason why it is not something you should be too worried about. There are two reasons why cracks appear; the wall is too stressed and is weakening under the pressure (bad), or the weight is settling in to its proper position (not a big deal). The way you can tell between the two is best done by hiring a building surveyor, but if that isn’t in the cards for... Read More »