Blog - Page 211 of 224 - Local Handyman USA

Jan 24, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Complete This Survey for a Chance to Win £100 Amazon Voucher

Couple looking at home improvement plans

If you are planning, currently undertaking or have completed a self build or home improvement project, then we want to hear from you.

Homebuilding & Renovating is conducting a survey into the motivations behind the home improvements we make, our experiences on site, and the lessons that we have learned with hindsight.

The survey should only take a couple of minutes to complete.

No project is too big or too small — if you have been taking steps towards creating your dream home, through a self build project, whole house renovation, substantial extension, or a simple redecoration scheme, then please do complete our survey to help us better understand your needs and discover how we can assist in making those projects easier and cheaper for you.

Submit your email address with your survey and you will automatically be entered into the draw to receive a £100 Amazon gift voucher. T&Cs apply.

Survey closes on 31 March 2020. T&Cs can be found at the end of the survey.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Jan 23, 2020 admin Uncategorized

English Housing Survey Reveals Energy Efficiency Improvement in Homes

The Energy Housing Survey has been released

The energy efficiency of English homes has considerably increased over the last 20 years, but slowed in recent years, according to the latest English Housing Survey 2018-19.

The English Housing Survey, a national survey of housing circumstances which has been running since 1967, also revealed positive news for young homeowners and progress being made on reducing the number of non-decent homes in the UK.

Energy Efficiency Improvements

Today’s release of the English Housing Survey showed progress is being made in making more homes environmentally-friendly.

The number of homes with an SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) rating of A to C energy efficient has increased from 9% to 34% since 2008, and in 2018 the average SAP rating of English dwellings was 63 points, up from 62 in 2017. Moreover, the proportion of dwellings in the lowest F and G bands fell from 14% to 4%.

There has also been an increase in the number of smart meters in homes: 22% of dwellings with mains electricity were using a smart meter in 2018, up from 15% in 2017.

The findings are positive for a plenitude of reasons. Not only can upgrading your home’s energy rating make a difference for lowering carbon emissions and tackling climate change, but it can also increase your home’s value by up to £25,000. And a recent study on energy efficiency in homes revealed the benefits of greater education for homeowners whose properties waste less energy.

Home Ownership for 25-34 Year Olds

Other findings included 41% of 25-34 year olds now owning their homes, an impressive turnaround considering that between 2003-2014 the proportion in owner occupation of this age group dropped from 59% (2003) to 36% (2014).

Interestingly though, home ownership was down to 55% among those aged 35-44, compared to 67% in 2008-09.

Despite more young people reportedly being homeowners, Joseph Daniels, founder of modular developer Project Etopia, urged the importance of lowering house prices further.

“Falling home ownership among the young still threatens to become a national crisis rooted in high property prices and stretched affordability but the tide has finally started to turn,” he said.

Significant Improvement in Homes Standards

Moreover, the number of non-decent homes – defined as homes considered to meet the Decent Homes Standard – fell to 18% in 2018, a significant improvement on 33% in 2008.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Govt said: “The number of non-decent homes has continued to decline – but we are committed to eliminating it entirely and in the private sector we are cracking down on rogue landlords to increase standards.”

One notable negative from the report was the increase in overcrowding in the renter sector, up from 5% in 1998-99 to 8% in 2018-19. Conversely, the under-utilised space in owner-occupied properties has risen amongst homeowners from 42% to 52% in the past 20 years. A 2019 study revealed the average homeowner over 50 is sitting on over £56,000 of empty space.

Shadow Housing Secretary John Healey MP said of the report: “The Conservatives didn’t want to talk about housing ahead of the general election and the Government’s own statistics show why. These figures confirm that the number of younger home-owners has fallen dramatically since 2010, with over 800,000 fewer households under 45 now owning their own home, and the number of recent first-time buyers is falling.

“After 10 years of failure on housing […] Labour will not let the Tories get away with having no plan to fix the country’s housing crisis.”

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Jan 22, 2020 admin Uncategorized

How Can I Keep My Pipes From Freezing?

With winter well underway in many areas, you may be wondering how your pipes are faring, and what you can do to prevent them from freezing for the second half of the season.

A general handyman services company will be able to help you prepare your pipes for the next polar vortex and repair pipes if they do freeze. In general though, here are some things that can keep your pipes from freezing.

How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing This Winter

Keep your home warm – even when you’re traveling

If you’re traveling this winter, it may be tempting to turn the heat down or off to save a little money – but this can spell disaster for your water system. To prevent frozen pipes, set your thermostat no lower than 55°F throughout the winter. Before you leave for your trip, make sure to replace the thermostat battery if you haven’t done so over the last year.

Open up cabinet doors

To keep your pipes warm, open the under-cabinet doors for your bathroom, kitchen and laundry room sinks. This will circulate your home’s heat around the pipes, keeping them warm and unfrozen. If you don’t like staring at open cabinet doors all day, you can limit this to while you’re away on vacation or at night when the temperature dips.

Insulate exposed pipes

For pipes in colder areas of your home – such as the attic or basement – you’ll want to make sure they’re properly insulated from freezing temperatures. There are many pipe-insulating and warming products to choose from, including pipe tape, heating cables and foam pipe wrap, but the best solution will vary from home to home. An experienced general handyman service or plumbing professional can help identify and insulate any potential problem pipes your home may have.

If the power goes out, run the water a little

If your heat and power go out in the middle of winter, make sure to run the water just a trickle to keep it moving. Standing water in pipes is more susceptible to freezing, so letting the water flow on even just a light drip will keep your plumbing system safe.

Want to prepare? Pipes already frozen? Give us a call

If you want to level up your home’s winter weather protection, or are already dealing with frozen pipes, reach out to Handyman Connection. In addition to general handyman services, our experienced craftsmen offer a variety of home maintenance and repair services to keep your home warm, safe and dry all winter long, including electrical, plumbing, and more. Get in touch today – call 1-800-88-HANDY.

The post How Can I Keep My Pipes From Freezing? appeared first on Handyman Connection.

Jan 22, 2020 admin Uncategorized

How to unstick a door

So, you’ve got a stubborn door that keeps getting stuck to the door frame, making it very difficult to open. This is the last thing you want to deal with, even more, when you are running late for work or school, but you simply don’t haven’t had the chance to fix it or don’t know how to do it.

You’ve finally taken some time out of your busy schedule to repair your door, so you can stop having to think about it and stumbled upon our blog post. That’s perfect, continue reading to find out how to unstick doors. In case you don’t have time to do it yourself, call the Squad on 0800-0-12-12-12 and we’ll send our London carpenters to unstick your door.

Identify the problem.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand the reason why your door is not opening properly before looking into the solution. Closely examine the door to find the problem area.

- If there is any dirt or grime built-up on the door you might just need to clean it.
- In case you can hear the hinges squeaking it might mean that they need to be oiled.

The most common reason for doors to stick is actually the weather – there might be an abundance of moisture in the air due to rainfall which can cause wood to swell.

Fixing a swollen door.

If you can easily access the problem area with the door open, you can sand it down using a coarse-grit sandpaper. However, you might have to remove the door from the door frame by removing the hinges, and then sanding the problem area, in case you can’t easily access it.

Once you’ve sanded the door enough so it’s closing and opening smoothly, don’t forget to repair the finish by painting or staining the area to match the rest of the door. Let it fully dry before closing the door.

Don’t have time in your hands to fix your door? At the Handy Squad, we have a team of carpenters in London who will be able to give you a helping hand with any door-related task you might need, from hanging new doors and repairing door frames to planing doors.

The post How to unstick a door appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

Jan 22, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Net-Zero-Carbon Housing Scheme Design in Wales Unveiled

A net-zero-carbon emissions scheme has been designed

A new design for a net-zero-carbon housing scheme in Wales, that will be powered by renewable energy, has been unveiled.

Developed by Loyn & Co Architects, Parc Hadau is a carbon neutral neighbourhood that will comprise 35 eco-friendly dwellings, built from cross laminated timber, on a scrubland site in Pontardawe.

Construction is set to begin later in 2020, with residents expected to move in during the summer of 2021.

Environmentally Friendly

Earlier this month a study flagged that more homeowners need to be aware of the benefits of making their home more environmentally friendly, so the development of neighbourhoods like this are a great way to champion eco-friendly measures in the world of house building.

For self builders, designing a home that is more energy efficient from the outset can involve initial capital costs, but result in much lower long-term costs.

Parc Hadau has been designed with landscape architects Farrer Huxley for Sero Homes to use passive design and renewable energy technologies to generate enough electricity to power the scheme.

Each house will be built using cross laminated timber, which absorbs atmospheric carbon as it grows, and retains it during its lifecycle.

Externally, the homes will be clad in a mix of locally sourced and low-energy materials including timber, local stone and reclaimed brick.

(MORE: House Cladding: A Homeowner’s Guide)

Low Energy Demands

According to Loyn & Co, Parc Hadau’s layout and form is “optimised to ensure the correct balance of daylight, solar gains, heat loss and thermal efficiency” to reduce the energy demands of the homes.

The Passivhaus principles of the homes will be combined with a mix of renewable energy technologies including solar panels and ground source heat pumps, meaning that residents will not have to pay energy bills.

(MORE: A Guide to Renewable Energy)

“Parc Hadau will be an international exemplar of what great places to live can look like, and we hope will be one of many opportunities for us to create new neighbourhoods across the UK that enable more people access to great quality, zero-carbon homes at a time when they are needed most,” said James Williams, managing director of Sero Homes.

Once complete, Parc Hadau will comprise 11 two-bed homes, 22 three-bed homes and two four-bed homes. Residents will also share a large communal garden and community building.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Jan 21, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Local Authorities Using ‘Dirty Tricks’ With Right to Build Registers, NaCSBA Finds

An estimated 55,000 people have signed up to Right to Build registers across England

A growing minority of local authorities are using “dirty tricks” to limit the number of people joining and remaining on Right to Build registers, according to the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA).

Around 11,400 new registrations have been added to the self and custom build registers in the past 12 months, NaCSBA has revealed, but these numbers do not match the underlying demand.

The Right to Build is legislation that supports people who want to build their own homes. Passed as part of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, Right to Build requires local authorities to help to find plots for aspiring self builders, which is done through the Right to Build register. You can find your local self and custom build registers on NaCSBA’s Right to Build Portal.

NaCSBA believes the increasing use of “dirty tricks” by local authorities are preventing people who want to build their own home from achieving this, highlighting three areas of what it considers unacceptable practice:

Local authorities are charging excessive fees to join registers and denying those living outside an authority to build a home there
Local authorities are counting plots intended for building on by housing developers as being suitable for self building when they clearly are not
Local authorities have removed the names of people who’ve joined a register to justify reducing the number of plots that they need to permission – around 8,000 names have been cleansed.

Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, CEO of NaCSBA said: “For the first time, local authorities have had to meet a statutory duty to help self builders access the plots that are needed. It is clear that overall they have come up short. In some cases, this is despite the hard work and best efforts of the authority, and we recognise those that have worked hard in this area.

“In too many cases however local authorities have spent scarce time and effort not on delivering plots but rather on seeking to avoid their obligations. This cannot continue; not least if we are to deliver homes in the volume and of the quality that this country needs.”

Right to Build Registers Grow

NaCSBA’s research indicates that since 1 April 2016, an estimated 55,000 people have signed up to Right to Build registers across England. However, due to roughly 8,000 removals, the total currently sits at around 47,000.

The register is growing, which is extremely positive for the self build and custom build community, with 11,400 new sign-ups to the Right to Build registers between 2018-19. But, while 13,000 plots are being delivered per year, this is not enough to meet the demand.

On Right to Build Day (30 October 2019), local authorities had to demonstrate whether they had granted planning permission for 18,000 plots for custom and self build homes (to match the number of people who signed up to the self build and custom build registers between April 1st and October 30th, 2016), but NaCSBA’s bid to track which local authorities are performing in their duty to create housing diversity in the UK led to some concerning findings.

Only 45% of councils claim to have met their legal duties with regards to the Right to Build registers, 37% failed to provide any response to NaCSBA, and 18% accepted that their obligations have not been met.

NaCSBA is now calling on local authorities to address the areas of unacceptable practice that have been identified, and that they act within the letter and the spirit of the law, and to ensure more plots are permissioned.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Jan 20, 2020 admin Uncategorized

UK House Prices Increase by 2.3% Amid ‘Stability’ Following Boris Johnson’s Election Win

House prices increase as market stabilises

UK house prices have risen over the last month at the fastest rate on record for the time of year, new data suggests.

Research from Rightmove indicates that the average price of properties coming on the market has increased by 2.3% over the last month, with the average asking price now £306,810, a rise of £6,785 since Boris Johnson’s General Election victory on 12 December 2019.

The so-called ‘Boris Bounce’ has been attributed to the property price increase, providing a period of stability following the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, according to Rightmove.

Sellers now reportedly feel more confident about the housing market, with nearly 65,000 UK properties marketed over the last month. The number of sales increased by 7.5% between 13 December and 15 January compared with the same period last year.

Miles Shipside, a director at Rightmove, said of the findings: “The housing market dislikes uncertainty, and the unsettled political outlook over the last three and a half years since the EU referendum caused some potential home movers to hesitate. There now seems to be a release of this pent-up demand, which suggests we are in store for an active spring market.”

The data supports findings from Nationwide last week that showed house prices increased by 0.1% month on month through 2019.

First-Time Buyers

While the healthiness of the housing market is reportedly on the up, first-time buyers are still facing crippling house prices. The average two-bedroom property now has a national asking price of £193,103, and this could increase to £482,741 over the next 30 years.

While Shipside acknowledged that first-time buyer activity has remained consistent, he added that: “the downside of this high demand is upwards price pressure, with the average price of typical first-time-buyer property hitting a new record high”.

First-time buyers struggling to get on to the housing ladder, may find that self build offers them the opportunity to create a home that meets their needs and requirements, often saving up to 30% on market value.

Self builders also typically enjoy a profit of 25% on their investment, as reported in the Homebuilding & Renovating Self & Custom Build Market Report 2017.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Jan 19, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Plumbing myths that can cost you money

When it comes to plumbing, there is a lot of information and ideas floating around about problems and solutions. Sometimes that information can help fix a problem, other times it makes it much worse. With plumbing myths in particular, there are a few that can cost you more money.

Yes She Can Plumbing in Edmonton is a professional plumbing and gas fitting company. They share some plumbing myths and the truths behind them, so you don’t lose money on costly mistakes:

You only need a plumber when there is a problem

It’s true that when you’re in the middle of a plumbing problem, it’s best to call a plumber. That being said, the problem can be avoided by having a plumber come in even when there is no problem. Preventative maintenance and routine checkups with a plumber can help avoid problems arising or becoming worse. By catching issues early on, your plumber can handle them right away. Investing in services now saves you money in the long run!

A dripping faucet is nothing to worry about

A leaking faucet is more than just an annoyance to listen to; it can quickly make a dent in your water bills. Even a small drip can waste 7-10 gallons of water a day. Add this up over the year, and that’s a lot of money dripping away down the drain. That’s why it’s important to fix a leak as soon as you notice one. Sometimes a leak can be missed, so having a routine check-up with a plumber is important. If you have a current leak that is getting fixed, also have your plumber check your other faucets just in case.

Your pipes don’t need to be checked

Just because your pipes and drains are in working order, doesn’t mean they don’t need check-ups. Over time your drains will get build-ups along the insides of the pipes and if left unchecked can cause some serious problems. Even if you do give your drains and pipes a regular cleaning, it’s best to also get an annual inspection. Your plumber will give your pipes a thorough, professional cleaning and prevent any minor issues from turning into major ones.

Lemons will freshen your garbage disposal

While it’s true that in the short term, lemons will make your disposal smell better, it’s bad in the long-term. This is because the acid in lemons can actually erode the metal in your garbage disposal. If you keep popping lemons into it anytime it smells, you’ll eventually need a replacement! The tough skin of lemons can also end up dulling the blades, making the garbage disposal work harder than it needs to. If you do smell something bad, this DIY cleaning guide will help dispel any bad smells. If the stink still lasts, call in your plumber for help!

Plumbers in Edmonton

There is no plumbing problem that Yes She Can Plumbing can’t handle. From plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning services, whatever you need they can provide. Yes She Can Plumbing pride themselves on the skills, quality and care applied to their work and to their customers. So if you find yourself in need of plumbing help, they are the ones to call!

Don’t hesitate to contact Yes She Can Plumbing today!

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More than an online directory, we are Western Canada’s fastest growing marketing platform for promoting and connecting the best trades, service, and home improvement companies to homeowners.

Click to Find >>> Best Plumbers in Edmonton.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Jan 19, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Different kinds of concretes for driveways

If you are looking to change the look of your driveway, it may be a challenge to decide what to do. Concrete is a great material to use for new driveways. It gives you a clean, modern look that can add a curb appeal to your home. However, there are a few different kinds of concrete looks to choose from. Here are some different kinds of concretes to use on your driveway, from Concrete Impressions Inc. in Calgary.

Stamped concrete

This kind of concrete is a type of concrete that gives the look of natural stones. Stamped concrete allows for a little more creative freedom and you will have plenty to choose from when it comes to design. It comes in many different colors, patterns, and styles, and can be arranged in numerous ways. The material can provide a rougher surface, allowing for more grip and traction. It’s long-lasting, durable, and weatherproof, making it a great choice for your driveway.

Stamped concrete and other decorative concrete styles are also a stunning choice for the back patio and walkways. Concrete Impressions Inc. can help you design a patio for your outdoor living space that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Plus, having this eye-catching concrete design on your property will help boost its value.

Exposed aggregate concrete

Exposed aggregate concrete is a type of concrete design where the top layer of concrete is removed. Once it’s removed, it reveals a pattern that looks like gravel or stones. This pattern is great for driveways because due to its texture, it has a great grip. It’s skid-resistant for those cold, icy climates. It can also be very decorative because you have more options when it comes to colours and textures.

Broom finish concrete

Broom finish concrete has a clean look and is typically what you see for driveway concrete in most neighbourhoods. Depending on what stage of the concrete installation that the broom finish is done, it can create a different effect. For example, if it’s done earlier on in the process, there is more traction seen on the driveway because the concrete is still freshly put down. If it’s done later in the process, the traction marks stand out less. No matter which stage of installation the broom finish is applied, it still allows for a fresh clean look that can add simplicity to your home.

Concrete Contractors in Calgary

Over the last 12 years, Concrete Impressions Inc. has been serving Calgary and area residents, meeting and exceeding their concrete work expectations. They work with both residential and commercial customers. They offer decorative concrete like stamped and exposed aggregate concrete, as well as concrete breaking, removal and replacement.

For more information, check out Concrete Impressions Inc. today!

More than an online directory, we are Western Canada’s fastest growing marketing platform for promoting and connecting the best trades, service, and home improvement companies to homeowners.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Jan 19, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Benefits of getting an electrical audit during the winter

Winter is the time for staying indoors, keeping cozy and turning the heat up. With an energy-efficient home, you can rest assured that your home will stay warm and your bills low. But have you ever wondered how efficient your home is? Or if there is room for improvement?

Wally’s WW Electric are a professional electrical company with years of work and experience behind them. They offer electrical audits and share the benefits of getting one and getting it during winter:

You’ll prevent unknown energy loss

When you get an electrical audit, your electrician will assess your energy consumption. From this, they will be able to tell you what parts of the home can be improved to be more efficient. When you use more energy, it costs more money, so less energy used means more money saved. This is particularly useful during the winter when your energy use will be higher anyway. Doing it during a high demand time is more likely to reveal areas that can be improved on.

It prepares your home for the summer

The changes that you make to keep you comfortable during winter will also help when summer comes! Things such as making sure the heat stays in or your airflow is working, all help with the summer heat. It’ll keep the cool air in and your air clean and circulating, so your cooling bills don’t creep up. A winter electrical audit will help your home now and continue year-round.

Learn tips and tricks to lower energy

After an electrical audit, you will get a list of ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. The benefit of this, aside from the savings, is how customized it will be for your home’s specific needs. Instead of a general fix, you’ll be able to specifically target the areas that need improving. As well as improvements to invest in, there might be a few easy DIY tricks that you can do to save energy. Either way, the result will be higher energy-efficient savings!

Your resale value will go up

If you are planning to sell, then performing an audit now will help boost your home’s resale. An audit will let you know what needs to be fixed, which will improve your home’s value. Letting potential buyers know that a professional audit was done, lets them know the house is in top condition. They’ll know they are buying an investment, not a house that will cost them money after they move in.

Electricians in Edmonton

Wally’s WW Electric offers electrical repairs, installations, build-outs and more. They pride themselves in having a highly-skilled group of electricians to help provide the best possible service. Wally’s WW Electric guarantees quality and expertise, no matter the job. When you choose them, it’s a promise that your home is in the best hands!

Contact Wally’s WW Electric today and get an estimate for your home!

More than an online directory, we are Western Canada’s fastest growing marketing platform for promoting and connecting the best trades, service, and home improvement companies to homeowners.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com