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Milk Tray man? We’d prefer a handyman!

diy-bathroom

Image: Heritage Bathrooms

Forget the chocolates and overpriced flowers – all women want this Valentine’s Day is a handyman to help overhaul their home!

Traditionally, February 14th is a day for loved-up couples to paint the town red but, this year, it seems we’ll settle for just the paint! Research from specialists Heritage Bathrooms reveals that, whilst a third of women would opt for champagne and traditional gifts, the majority would prefer the money to be spent on redecorating the house!

According to Heritage Bathrooms, the cost of Valentine’s Day, including gifts, dining out and travel, is expected to reach just over ┬ú200. Yet many women in the UK would prefer that money to be diverted towards home improvements, with almost half (43%) of those questioned otherwise expecting to spend, at the most, ┬ú500 on updating the d├®cor in their homes throughout the entire year.

When asked how they would┬álike to utilise a handymanÔÇÖs time, 45% of respondents said they would stretch to a bigger ┬ú1,500 budget and get as many rooms as possible in the home finished or updated. Another 35% would use the same budget but focus on a single project, such as updating an ageing bathroom.

valentines-dayHeritage Bathrooms’ marketing manager Claire Jennings┬ásays: ÔÇ£Our research suggests that, post-recession, people are looking to make lasting investments in their homes. WeÔÇÖre not surprised by the findings of our research and think that occasions like ValentineÔÇÖs Day are the perfect opportunity to request more practical gifts from our loved ones.ÔÇØ

The research also shows that, when looking to move house, almost four in 10 women would seek a property in need of redecorating in the living areas but boasting designer statements elsewhere. For a third of men, however, newly painted walls and new carpets throughout would be the clincher in making an offer.

Claire adds:┬áÔÇ£Men like to have the final say on a colour choice in the home but, when it comes to bigger projects like the bathroom or kitchen, itÔÇÖs women who lead the design choice.ÔÇØ

 

Must-do winter maintenance

winter-maintenanceWith another big freeze on the way, will your house stand up to the strains of winter? Here are some must-do maintenance jobs to keep your home in tip-top shape through winter:

Heating up nicely

The middle of a snowstorm is the last time you want your heating to pack up, but you can reduce the chances of that happening with good care. Arrange for your boiler, central heating, fire and gas appliances to be checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who can pick up early signs of wear and tear as well as detect potential dangers. If you take a winter holiday, set your heating on a timer to come on for at least an hour a day to prevent pipes freezing when youÔÇÖre away.

A clean sweep

On a cold winterÔÇÖs day, thereÔÇÖs nothing more cheering than cosying up in front of a real fire. But itÔÇÖs essential to maintain your fire, chimney and vents properly, to check for blockages such as birdsÔÇÖ nests and to remove creosote deposits, a potentially lethal by-product of wood burning. Call in a professional chimney sweep at least once a year and take extra care if you have a thatched property.

DonÔÇÖt lag behind

home-renovations

Check the insulation in your loft and make sure itÔÇÖs up to scratch. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of a homeÔÇÖs heat can be lost through an un-insulated loft, leaving you shivering and sending your heating bills, well, quite literally through the roof! Lag all pipes and tanks and make sure roof insulation is topped up to the recommended 270mm.

Up the garden path

Maintaining the outside area of your property is just as important as the inside. Make sure the driveway or path to the front door is clear of moss and fallen leaves to prevent the risk of a family member or a visitor slipping, and light the way with adequate outdoor lighting. Not only will it help you stay safe but it will deter burglars, who like dark, wintry nights. Keep a bag of rock salt in the garage or shed so you can grit the path in case of snow or ice.

All right on the tiles

Keep guttering clear of leaves and debris and check the roof for loose or broken tiles or problems with the pointing. DonÔÇÖt risk injury by climbing onto the roof yourself; take a look from ground level and call in a reputable roofer to check out suspected issues and make repairs.

Storing up trouble

DonÔÇÖt forget outbuildings and boundaries. Check locks on gates and look out for potential weak spots in fencing that might not withstand the next gale. Inspect the shed for leaks and think about when you might need to replace the roof. A felt roof typically supplied with many sheds will last about five years, whereas a rubber roof could last 40.

Clear the clutter

clutterDark winter days are a good chance to de-clutter your home ahead of the spring clean. Stop hanging onto things ÔÇÿjust in caseÔÇÖ and go through the house one room at a time. Fill boxes for charity, sell them online or find a car boot sale in your local area ÔÇô just get rid of the stuff you donÔÇÖt use!

And if youÔÇÖre still not motivated to do a little maintenance, remember that failing to look after your home properly could invalidate your home insurance policy if you ever have to make a claim ÔÇô so keep up with the upkeep today!

How to… replace a light fixture

light-fixtureIn response to all the questions put to the DIY Advice team about home and garden DIY, weÔÇÖve decided to launch a new ÔÇÿHow toÔǪÔÇÖ series. And what more of an ÔÇÿilluminatingÔÇÖ way to start than with a step-by-step guide to one of the most useful DIY skills you can have ÔÇô fitting a new light fixture to the ceiling!

  1. The first step is to switch off the power supply at the mains – simply switching off the light you are going to change at its switch is not enough and could cause you serious harm. If the light was previously on, wait for the bulb to cool down
  2. Remove the old shade via the screws or clips. Unscrew the light bulbs to prevent them from smashing and then remove the fixture base via the bolts
  3. Using a non-contact voltage tester, double check that the circuit is off. ItÔÇÖs now safe to loosen and disconnect the wiring before removing the old fixture completely. Be prepared for some dust to fall on you!
  4. If the new light is of a fairly similar design (and age) to the old one, it might be possible to use the original mounting bracket. If they are different, remove the old one and attach the bracket that comes with your replacement light
  5. Wire the new fitting. Connect the brown (or if itÔÇÖs older, red) cable to the live terminal connection. Connect the blue (or if itÔÇÖs older, black) cable to the neutral terminal connection. Connect the green and yellow earth cable to the earth terminal, covering any exposed copper with earth cable sleeving.┬áNB. You might need somebody to hold the light fitting for you to take its weight whilst┬áyou connect the wiring
  6. Carefully push the wires into the ceiling box and, following the manufacturerÔÇÖs instructions, secure the light fixture base to the mounting bracket, making sure no wires are caught between the fitting and the ceiling
  7. Install the light bulbs and screw on the new light shade
  8. Turn the mains electricity back on, flip the light switch and stand back to admire your handiwork!

Installing a new ceiling light is not a difficult job or one that requires a great deal of DIY experience. The golden rule with DIY, however, is that if youÔÇÖre really uncomfortable attempting a task ÔÇô donÔÇÖt. Calling in an electrician might seem like an unnecessary expense but itÔÇÖs far better to pay up than risk injuring yourself or other people in your home.