How to renovate your bathroom on a budget

November 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment

According to Household Quotes, replacing a bathroom can cost anywhere from £2,500 to over £6,000 to complete. With such a high price tag on a total renovation, here are some creative alternatives to update your bathroom without breaking the bank.

  • Shabby chic or just plain shabby?

Take a look at your bathroom as it is and decide what does and does not work. Replacing units for the sake of having a completely new bathroom is simply a waste of money and it can quickly mean that you’ll break your budget.

That outdated avocado bath-tub might be considered ‘retro’ by adding a few pops of colour to the room and those dull off-white tiles could be transformed with a lick of high-quality paint. When you’re working on a tight budget, it always pays to “refurbish” rather than replace wherever you can.  

  • Shop around for everything (and we mean ‘everything’)  

If certain pieces simply have to go, consider replacing individual items rather than going for a totally new suite. This can lower your total bill dramatically while making your bathroom look completely new.

Homebuilding and Renovating list the average price for individual bathroom installations as follows:

  • Bath – between £480 and £1,000
  • Shower – between £50 and £2,000+
  • Sink – between £50 and £300+
  • Toilet – between £50 and £500

As you can see, prices in the industry can vary greatly. This is why you should always shop around for the lowest price possible.

The two things people always seem to forget when budgeting for home improvements are labour costs and the price to remove your old suite. If you’re not careful, these easily-forgotten charges can quietly push up your overall bill way out of your budget.

Make sure you get quotes on the complete installation cost; including materials, labour, and removals. Ask around for quotes from at least three local tradesmen and select the best price for you.

  • Do It Yourself as much as possible

A macerating toilet, also called an upflush toilet, is ideal if you want to save on installation and labor costs. This fixture is made of durable, high-quality parts. This means they last for years and require very little maintenance. As such, they’re ideal for anyone who wants a unit they can easily install and then not think about for years.

Another tip for staying within your budget is to DIY as much of the job as you can.

Of course, difficult areas like plumbing should only ever be carried out by a fully qualified professional. But when other jobs like tiling can cost you between £350 and £800 for just a tiny bathroom, it may be worth sacrificing a weekend to give it a go by yourself.

  • Little changes, big impact

Other simple touches can have a huge impact on the appearance of your bathroom for a fraction of the cost of ripping out your old suite.

Replacing accessories like shower curtains and bathmats or even just switching to a new colour scheme with your towels can make your bathroom look completely revitalised. The other great perk is that this makeover takes just seconds (and you won’t need to turn your home into a building site in the process!).

For more money-saving tips for home improvements and more, visit the blog by Cashlady today.

 

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Roto Rooter for Your Clogged Drains

October 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment
It is very annoying and can be time consuming when your sink or drains begin to back up. Never at a convenient time (although, really, when is there a good time), our good friend Murphy always makes sure that it’s when you are in a rush or have company. Sometimes, though, a quick fix can be had.
roto rooter
We recently tried Roto-Rooter on one of our clogs, and I can tell you that this is not a staged photo. For real. Our bathroom sink has been super annoying, backing up regularly. Not much has helped it, and we’ve tried pretty much everything. Sometimes, you just need something to get the water  moving in a pinch.
clogged drain
These are the kinds of situations you will be glad you have Roto-Rooter on hand. Just follow the directions on the Roto-Rooter bottle, and pour half the bottle down the drain. After it cleared, we flushed hot water down the drain as the directions stated. The clog disappeared, and the water moved down the drain as it should.
There are quite a few options of Roto–Rooter products. You can check out thesite, http://rotorooter-products.com to see the full line of options.
Here is a video with some tips from Roto-Rooter;


If you end up in a messy situation, it’s always good to have some Roto-Rooter on hand. Having to run out to the store with a clogged-up sink is never fun, it’s one of those things that’s just better to have on hand when you need it. No one likes running around, especially for things like this.

Head to the website, and see which product best fits your need. Keep some on hand for your next emergency, it will make your life that much easier.

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For Kids: Renovation Ideas Perfect for Your Basement

October 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment

photo via extraspace.com

Kids need their own space too. They need a safe and comfortable place where they can play, goof around, and generally just have fun. You don’t have to look far that place. In fact, you don’t even have to go one step away from your front door. Your home has just the right space to turn into a special kids zone—the basement.

 

Yes, behind the damp, dreary atmosphere lies the potential to be a fun, comfortable place where the kids can freely and safely play to their heart’s’ content, without disturbing the neighbors. So for your next home improvement project, try these basement renovation ideas that are perfect for kids.

 

Get Rid of the Moisture Problem

 

Before anything else, you must first address the moisture problem in the basement. Most basements have damp environments due to the pipes and mechanisms located in the room. Plus, basements are underground, so there’s moisture coming from the soil and not enough ventilation to let them all out.

 

It isn’t healthy to be exposed to such environments, especially for developing kids. Dampness encourages the growth of molds, which puts people  at risk of certain health effects, upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and wheezing. Moreover, the moisture-rich environment itself is unhealthy for people.

 

As such, your first step for renovating the basement should be resolving the moisture problem. There several ways this can be done. You have to find the sources of the wetness and remove them then you can install insulation and waterproofing to get rid of the problem for good (or at least for a long, long time). When they moisture problem is done and dealt with, you can then move on to turning the basement to the space you want.

 

Make a Family Room

 

Spending quality time with the kids is crucial for building a closer relationship with them and for their development. But you don’t have to go far or spend a lot of money to have fun with the little squirts. Bonding time can be spent indoors, in your very own basement family room.

 

The basement family room can be an extension of your living room, except with better soundproofing. You can add in a big TV or projector, surround sound system, video game consoles, board games, and even a popcorn-making machine. The family can gather there watch movies, play all kinds of games, and be as loud as they want.

 

Build an Extra Bedroom

 

An extra bedroom is always useful when you have kids around. Kids need to be taught how to be independent and sleep by themselves. This allows parents to have peace and quiet at night and recharge for the next day.

 

You don’t have to extend outside to create another bedroom. With the moisture problem out of the way, the basement can be turned into one. The space doesn’t have a lot of natural lighting, but you can make up for it by installing for fixtures, brightly-painted walls, and exciting decor. And with that, you have the perfect kiddie room.

 

You can add a bathroom in the bedroom, so the kids don’t have to run upstairs when they need to go. It’s isn’t such a hassle to install an upflush Saniflo toilet since it comes with a macerator and discharge pipe that can be connected to your sewage system, septic tank, or holding tank with extension pipes.

 

Kids are notorious for flushing all kinds of things down the toilet, but the powerful macerating pump can break down most solid wastes to prevent clogging.

 

Turn It into a Playroom

 

Children love to play, and they love to go where the fun is. Instead of worrying where the kids are when they going out to play, why not just turn your basement in a room where the kids can play, hang out with their friends, and just have fun?

 

Child proof your basement by removing and locking away any dangerous equipment then install bright lighting and use age-appropriate decor. You can migrate all their toys and add in all sorts of fun things (e.g., indoor swings, a ball pit, tents, etc.) in the basement playroom.

 

Need something to inspire you? Here are some creative kids playroom ideas you can try out.

 

Convert It to a Music Room

For the young music enthusiasts, they need their own soundproofed studio where they can practice all they want (or be as loud as they want), without disrupting the neighborhood. And the basement is the perfect place for that. Being underground with very little opening, it has a natural soundproofing, so it doesn’t take a lot of work to turn it into a music studio.

 

Install sound dampening foam on the walls and seal the gaps between the door and the windows just to make sure the sounds stay in. Then you can add the sound system and instruments and let the kids play all they want.

 

Create a Cozy Reading Room

 

Reading a great habit to instill in kids. It helps develop their communication, critical thinking, comprehension, creativity, and imagination. To raise a family of bookworms, you can’t miss having your own cozy reading room or library inside the house. And your basement can be ideal for this purpose.

 

In the basement, it’s harder to see and hear what’s happening outside. You’re able to focus and enjoy without fear of any distractions. For the kids, letting them read in peace can be great for developing their concentration.

 

Aside from shelves of books, add in comfortable bean bags, mats, and cozy nooks where the kids can just sit or lie on their stomach and enjoy their books. The basement reading room can also be a place where the kids focus on studying and doing their homework.

 

Check out these back-to-school study room ideas to get inspired.

 

Final Word

 

After you deal with the moisture problem, the house basement can be turned into any room that you want. It’s perfect for creating a fun and safe environment where the kids can play, sing, dance, read, study, and explore all they want.

 

It’s important to give kids their own space. It helps develop their independence and confidence. From that, they can learn about commitment, responsibility, and obligation. By giving them their own space, you let them that they belong and that they have your trust. It won’t be apparent at the start, but you will see the good it does as they grow up.

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6 Things To Remember When You’re Furnishing A Bedroom

October 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Your bedroom is the last thing you see when you go to sleep and the first thing you see when you wake up. That’s why it’s important that you decorate and furnish it nicely. If you wake up in a bedroom that you aren’t comfortable in, you’ll start the day off in a bad mood. A bad bedroom can have a serious impact on your sleep as well which causes you all sorts of problems. There are a lot of rules that you have to follow when you’re decorating a bedroom like staying away from any bold patterns or over the top colors that might be too stimulating. Furnishing a bedroom is tricky and if you get it wrong, you’ll end up wasting space and creating a cramped room that you can’t sleep properly in. But it doesn’t have to be as hard as you think to furnish your bedroom properly, you just need to consider these things.

Start With The Bed

If you buy all of your furniture at once, you might find that you can’t fit everything in or some of the pieces don’t look right in the room, at which point it’s already too late and you’ve wasted a load of money. This is especially important if you’re moving house and you’re trying to buy furniture before you’ve actually moved into the house. The bed is the most important piece of furniture in the room because it’s a focal point and it takes up the majority of the space. That means you need to build the rest of the room around the bed. When you start furnishing, buy the bed first. Then you can start to think about what other pieces of furniture will work well with it.

When you’re buying your bed, you need to consider a couple of things. Firstly, be careful with the size. It’s tempting to buy a huge king sized bed but if it only just fits in the room and you don’t have any space for other furniture, you’re going to end up with a cramped bedroom with no storage and hardly any floor space around the bed. Don’t just buy the biggest bed you can fit in there, think about how much space you’ll have around the bed once its in.

Once you’ve found a bed, you need to get a mattress for it. Mattresses can get quite expensive and you might decide to save yourself a bit of money by getting a cheap one. But cheap mattresses are cheap for a reason; you’ll end up with a bad back and you’ll never get a good night’s sleep. It’s better to spend a bit more money on a decent one so you don’t have to replace it in a couple of years.

Decide On A Trend

When you’re picking the furniture for the bedroom, you need to make sure that it all matches, otherwise, it won’t look good. If, for example, you get a modern bed and then put two antique bedside tables in, it’ll look wrong. You need to decide on a trend and stick with it and that starts with the bed. If you’re not sure what to go for, have a look at some furniture sites and pick out your favorite pieces of furniture. Then you’ll get a better idea about what kind of furniture styles you like and which ones you don’t. Now that you’ve picked a theme for the room, you can start shopping for furniture.

Measure Twice

When you’re furnishing a bedroom, you need to be careful that you don’t fill all of the space with oversized furniture. It’s equally as important that you don’t leave the space too open either, which is why measuring is so important. You don’t want to estimate the size of a wardrobe when you’re buying it only to find that it’s way too big when you get it home. It’ll save you a lot of time and hassle if you measure and then measure again before you start buying anything. When you’re measuring up, outline an area around the bed that you should keep clear so you’ve got space to move around in there.

Spend Some Money

Now that you’ve decided on a style and you’ve measured the room up, you can choose some furniture. If you’ve just moved into a new place you might be short on cash and it might seem sensible to save money by getting budget furniture. That might save you some money now but you’ll end up having to replace that furniture in no time at all. Cheap furniture won’t look as good either because it’s more likely to be made with poor quality materials. You’ll be a lot happier with the room if you invest a bit more money in some good quality furniture.

Window Dressing

The window dressing you put in the room is an important thing to consider. If you’ve got some thin curtains that let loads of light in, your bedroom won’t be ideal for sleep and relaxation. You’ll get loads of light coming from outside and disrupting your sleep. Noise can be an issue as well; the windows will absorb most of it but thicker curtains can give you a little bit of added protection. It doesn’t really matter whether you go for curtains or blinds, it just depends what works best with the rest of the decor, but you do need to make sure that you’re blocking out enough light so you can sleep properly.

Bedding

Avoiding anything too bold is always good advice in the bedroom but you’ll still want to introduce a bit of color to your bedroom. One of the best ways to do that is through your bedding because if it doesn’t work, you can just change it. Get a few different sets and rotate them to keep the bedroom looking fresh and exciting. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you might want to go for something more neutral. It’s important to go for quality here as well. Cheap sheets are going to be uncomfortable and won’t do you any favors when you’re trying to sleep.

Follow these basic rules when you’re furnishing your bedroom and you’ll be able to create a great space and get a good night’s sleep every night.

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Clogged Drain? Try Roto Rooter

June 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment
What do you do when you have a clogged sink or bathtub? It’s super annoying, and it causes serious issues in the house. How are you supposed to do anything when your sink isn’t working right? And it always happens when you are having company, am I right?
roto rooter
We recently tried Roto-Rooter on one of our clogs, and I can tell you that this is not a staged photo. For real.
Our sink has been super annoying, clogging up on the regular. Not much has helped it, and we’ve tried pretty much everything. Sometimes, you just need something to get it moving in a pinch.
clogged drain
We followed the directions on the Roto-Rooter bottle, and pured half the bottle down the drain. After it cleared, we poured hot water down the drain as the directions stated. It did indeed keep it clog free for quite some time.
There are quite a few options of Roto–Rooter products. You can check out thesite, http://rotorooter-products.com to see the full line of options.
Here is a video with some tips on unclogging a stubborn sink from Roto-Rooter;


If you end up in a sticky situation, it’s always good to have some Roto-Rooter on hand. Having to run out to the store with a clogged-up sink is never fun- and you know it’s likely to happen with you have a house full of guests or you are running out the door (or some such mess, it’s always something).

Head to the website, and see which product best fits your need. Keep some on hand for your next emergency, it will make your life that much easier.

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How to Clean a Garden Umbrella

June 1, 2018 by 1 Comment

Garden umbrellas can be quite convenient in offering that well-sought shade in the garden. They ensure that you enjoy the warmth of the sun without necessarily getting a sunburn. Not only are they convenient in providing shade in a garden setting the can also be used to provide shade in outdoor patios. Some even say that they are a fashion statement to complete the outdoors décor. The charcoal gray patio umbrellas are particularly a favorite when it comes to making statements.

This means that the Umbrella needs to be kept looking pretty and tidy. For this regular cleaning is essential. So the question begs, how do I clean my Outdoor umbrella without damaging it?

For starters, it is advisable that you clean your garden umbrella regularly. The recommended span between each clean is at least once monthly. However, umbrellas that are placed under trees or shrubs may require cleaning more often because of the dirt and debris that accumulates from the trees.

So, to begin the cleaning process, it is important to note that the canopy and the umbrella stand or base and frame need to be cleaned differently.

Related- 10 Best Patio Heater Reviews and Comparison Chart 2018

Cleaning the Umbrella Canopy

For non-removable fabric umbrella canopies, move the canopy from the sun into a shaded area so as to prevent the soap from drying up before you complete cleaning it.  

  • Begin by taking the canopy and laying it on a protective surface
  • Then dust off or vacuuming any loose dirt on the canopy. Avoid using a hard bristle brush as this pushes the dirt deeper into the fabric.
  • Next, pour in a quarter cup of laundry detergent into a gallon of luke-warm water.
  • Then use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the fabric in a circular motion.
  • Leave the detergent on for about fifteen minutes. This will give the detergent enough time to work on and loosen the dirt
  • Eventually, rinse it out thoroughly. It is recommended that you use a hosepipe or sprayer to rinse the canopy
  • Move the umbrella under the sun to allow it completely dry.

For umbrellas with a removable fabric, carefully remove the canopy from the frame, shake it thoroughly to remove any loose dirt and dust. Check the umbrella for any washing and drying instructions. Wash the canopy according to the given instructions and dry accordingly before replacing the canopy on the stand.

Cleaning the Umbrella Frame and stand

The main types of frames found in garden umbrellas are wood and aluminum. The two have different ways of cleaning. However, most umbrellas come with the manufactures instructions on how to clean the frames. These instructions must be adhered to for the longevity of the umbrella.

Wooden frames – usually a mixture of a mild dishwashing detergent and water will do the trick. Dilute the detergent as much as possible then dip a soft cloth inside the water. Squeeze out any excess water.

Next, use the cloth to gently wipe the frame and stand. Then completely rinse out the cloth in clean water and repeat the procedure. You may opt to rinse the material out a second time and wipe the frame again to ensure that all the detergent has been removed. Leave it to dry under the shade.

Aluminum frames – begin by gently removing any surface dirt before using a soft cloth to gently wipe the frames and base with a mild solution of water and dishwashing detergent. Thoroughly rinse the cloth before wiping the frame again to remove any traces of detergent.  

For water spotting or calcium build up, clean by wiping it down with a solution of one part vinegar to nine parts water. Again use a well rinsed out cloth to wipe it down. Ensure all the traces of the solution are rinsed out. Let the frame dry in an airy shaded place.

Finally

Because of their nature of being exposed to the outside elements, garden umbrellas accumulate dust, dirt, and other elements. So, if you want to keep your umbrella in tip-top shape, you must ensure that you clean it regularly. This will also ensure that your umbrella lasts longer. And don’t forget to give it a clean before tucking it in for the winter season.

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Four Safety Tips to Follow before Leaving the House

May 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

away from home

You want to always leave the house with a sense of peace knowing everything is in order even when you are away. Whether you’re off to work or embarking on a summer adventure to a faraway island, check this list of four safety tips before you step out of your home:

 

Make Sure You Have Your Keys

 

Your house keys are probably one of the most misplaced items you own. You don’t want to get locked out of your own home, so it’s best that you double-check that you got your keys with you at all times. A simple hack for making sure you do not forget your house keys is to keep them in one dedicated spot, like a decorative tray or bowl set in a place that’s accessible to you. Make it a habit to toss your key into this designated corner as soon as you get home so you’ll always know where to find it. Also this trick makes it easy for you to grab your keys and go when you’re rushing out the door.  If worst case scenario comes that you really can’t remember where you last placed your keys, calling a locksmith or using some nifty lock picking tools will be your friend.

 

Turn Off the Plumbing

 

This tip will depend on how long you are staying out of the house and if you have any household appliances that require your plumbing system to be constantly turned on like automatic sprinklers. Otherwise if you are going out of town for a couple of days then you should turn off the main shut-off valve of your home’s plumbing because, among other things, water pressure could unexpectedly surge while you’re gone. You want to keep your water bill under control while you are gone. This will also ensure your different toilet fixtures from your sink to your high quality macerating toilet to be in tiptop condition when you get back. If you will be gone for a few months, request a friend or house-sitter to turn on the water at least once a month to prevent plumbing fixtures from drying up or cracking.

 

Make Sure Your Pets Are Taken Care Of

 

It can be quite tricky to go on extended vacations if you have a pet at home. Still you can make arrangements with friends or neighbors to help you care for your fur babies while you are gone. Ask a friend to watch over your pooch or feline in the meantime. You can either leave your pets at your friend’s house or ask the pet-sitter to drop by your home every day. Either way make sure you leave behind a good supply of dog food or cat food and any special vitamins your furry friend is taking. Also, make sure to leave the contact details of your pet’s vet so your friend can easily contact them in case of medical emergencies.

 

Put Your Mail and Print Subscriptions on Hold

 

This tip will also depend on how long you will be gone. If you will be out of the house for weeks then you should contact the post office and request them to hold your mail. Do the same for newspaper or any magazine subscriptions that you have. Doing this could save you money and prevent any important mail or packages from getting lost. Last but not the least, this will also keep deliveries from piling on the front door and making it apparent that you are out of the house which can be a very tempting sight for burglars.

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What To Look For When Buying A Backpack Leaf Blower

May 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

If you are someone who is very sensitive about his yard then honestly a backpack leaf blower is an extremely important tool for you. A lot of people think of a leaf blower to be a seasonal tool that can just be used when it autumn out there and all the leaves are falling. Well, guess what? A leaf blower cannot only help you in the autumn season ,in fact you can also use it in the spring season and all the other seasons because the basic purpose of a blower is to clean the yard of all the debris, dirt and the dry leaves that fall from the trees and there is no specific season of debris which means yes, you do need a high-quality leaf blower for your yard.

 

Now, buying a good quality leaf blower can actually be a big hassle because you see the thing is that the market out there is full of different companies, offering different leaf blowers and claiming to provide the same and the best standards of quality which obviously isn’t possible. All of this situation can actually put you in great confusion, and you might as well end up buying the wrong/poor quality product. However, this time when you go out there to buy a backpack leaf blower, we assure you that you won’t get into any confusion because today we are here to tell you about a few things that you should consider before buying one.

So, folks, take notes of what we are about to tell you because this article can actually be very useful for you in the long run.

 

1- Gas Or Electric

There are two types of the leaf blower, one runs on gas, and the other one runs on electricity. Now, it’s all on you that what type of a blower you want. You see both the types have their disadvantages and advantages, so it’s better to identify your needs first. However, gasoline blowers are considered to be better at performance than the electric ones, but the gas ones require some maintenance too. So, if you are ready to put some effort into maintaining your blower, then we suggest you go for the gasoline one.

 

2- Backpack, Handheld or Wheeled

The internet is full of information on highest rated backpack leaf blowers of 2018 which obviously means that a backpack leaf blower is way better than the handheld or wheeled one. Now, this time when you go to the market, know that you have to pick up the backpack leaf blower because it is easy to carry on your back and you can easily use it without holding all the weight in your hand for a long time. The best thing about the backpack leaf blower is that you will be able to clean your yard without getting tired.

 

3- The CFM and MPH Ratings

The power of a leaf blower is basically measured by CFM and MPH.  CFM is the cubic feet per minute rating which indicates the amount of air moved by the blower. On the other hand, MPH is miles per hour which is the speed of air coming out of the blower. So, before making a final purchase decision, do check the CFM and MPH of your leaf blowers because both these units matter a lot.

 

Conclusion

So, these are a few things that you need to consider before getting yourself a good backpack leaf blower. Use these tips while buying this product and we assure you that you will end up buying a good quality leaf blower for your yard.

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