Sara - Home Services Contractors: Home Restoration and Damp Proofing

Is Grab Hire More Cost-Effective Than A Skip?

When you start thinking about waste management, you will want to choose between two options. The two options are going to be a grab hire Leicester or a skip.

In this decision, the one detail that is going to matter a lot after the results will be the cost. You are going to want to maintain a set budget and that will not be a problem when you go down this path.

Here is a look at what you are going to have to consider when it comes to the costliness of both options. This will make it easier for you to decide one way or the other.

Wide Array of Sizes

Going with a skip is the way to go.

This is an option that is going to let you choose the size that works best for your situation. If you want to go with a smaller option then you are capable of doing this instantly. The same is not going to happen with the grab hire and this can be restrictive. However, grab hire is better for removing larger quantities of materials without having a skip on your property for a week or so.

Why not go with something that is easy to personalise? The sizing is going to be good and you are going to feel in control of what you are investing in.

Customisable

The beauty of going down this path is knowing it is customisable. Most people are going to want to maintain a set budget because it will make their life easier. You will feel confident in the value you are getting and that is a must when it is time to set things into motion.

Choose the size that works for you and know that is the value you are going to get with the skip.

This is not the same with the grab hire. You are going to be paying more and it is not going to be as personalised a syou want it to be.

Easier To Adjust

The best part about going with a skip is that you are going to find it easier to adjust. This is important for those who are dealing with a set budget and do not want to overpay. When you go with a grab hire, you are going to pay more and it will add up making it harder to adjust.

This is important for those who are thinking about saving as much money as possible while getting the job done. This is a lot easier with the skip.

If the goal is to make sure you are going down the right path and seeing appropriate results, you will want to think about going with a skip. You will see impressive results and it is going to turn out the way you want it to.

Most people want to save money and get things done efficiently. This is only possible with the skip as long as you are on a set budget.

Take the time to look for a good skip and find the size that works for your situation. This is how you are going to see impressive results.…

How To Choose The Right Blind To Buy For Your Home

We can’t give you a specific answer because it depends on many different factors. We fit many different blinds in Essex as well as shutters and curtains.

Here are some of the questions we think you should ask yourself to help you make your decision:

What are the sizes of your windows?
What style of decor is your room?
What’s your budget?
Do you want to be able to adjust the lighting?
Are you looking for energy efficiency?

Once you have answers to those questions, you can start looking at the different styles of blinds.

Here’s a list of the most common types of window blinds according to English Blinds.

Roller blinds
Venetian blinds
Vertical blinds
Roman blinds
Wooden blinds

Roller Blinds

This blind comes with the choice of single or dual roller. The roller blind comes with the most customisable. These blinds are predominately made with different fabrics that have many different shades, patterns and the amount of light they let through.

There are many different configurations for this blind which lead to different names such as Zebra, duo, day and night blinds.

The biggest benefit of the roller blind is the ability to adjust the light that comes in through the window. The double roller blind is also quite pricey.

Venetian Blinds

Commonly referred to as metal or wood blinds because they are typically made from real wood, faux wood or aluminium.

Venetian blinds are fantastic for controlling the amount of light that enters a room. These blinds can be adjusted by controlling how much the blind hangs and you can also control the angle of the slats to adjust the light that way.

When it comes to light control, the Venetian blind is preferred making these blinds the ideal choice for the darker room. They are really nice to look at and you can create different feels by adjusting the angles of the slats.

The Venetian blind can in some circumstances let light through gaps where the chord fastens the slats together. If you want complete darkness then blackout blinds are going to be better.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are similar to Venetian blinds. Both blinds consist of slats. Venetian blinds have horizontal slats and are typically made from wood or metal. Vertical blinds have vertical slats typically made from fabric.

Vertical blinds are a very common and cost-effective solution for both windows and doors. They have many different fabric choices, colour shades and patterns.

One of the downsides to the vertical blind is the difficulty in cleaning them. Because they are constructed from many vertical slats, cleaning each one separately can take time.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are a popular choice, especially for home lovers and interior designers. These blinds are typically a lot thicker than the average roller blind. They are constructed mostly of fabric with rods stitched into the fabric to control the vertical movement of the blind.

Roman blinds can help with energy efficiency as they do provide protection from the cold outside. There are many choices of fabric, colours and patterns for the Roman blind.

If you’re looking for a window blind solution for the kitchen, bathroom or any area that could get damp, Roman blinds are probably not your best choice. As these blinds consist of higher-quality fabric, they tend to be more on the expensive side.

Conclusion

There’s no one-fit answer when it comes to the “best window blind”. It’s a personal choice. Once you have explored and answered the questions above, you should be in the idea position to buy the right window blinds for you.…

Choosing The Right Tiles for Your Garden

Gardening is usually the responsibility of professionals but with some great guidance and careful planning, it can also be done DIY.

It can be hard to know how to use the limited space in your garden, but a good place to start is by dividing it into zones. Once you’ve figured out what each area should contain, it will be easier for you get some garden inspiration!

This home has a nice lounge space for relaxing with your friends, as well as a dining area for hosting gatherings. Additionally, the landscape design provides space for nature to be showcased—creating a tranquil environment in this busy world.

In this post we’ll be looking at how you can use pavement tiles to create a base for a seat area in your garden. They are commonly used as the ground cover when there is no soil to make them firm and stable. We partnered with a Leicester tiler to create a range of looks under three different garden styles, contemporary, traditional, and Moroccan.

CONTEMPORARY

Decking became popular in the early 2000s but fell out of favour for a few reasons. It requires a lot of upkeep, needs to be replaced regularly and is prone to rotting.

Everscape wood are perfect for garden landscaping. They provide a great alternative to the usual wooden planks and you’ll find that their safety features make them practical too.

Grey garden tiles immediately create a contemporary, sleek feel to your space. Choose a mid-tone grey for a concrete-like aesthetic and take advantage of rounded, chunky furniture to provide an interesting tactile element.

Take an alternative look at your dining space with concrete bench seating – perfect for a dining set! The design includes a beautiful planter that will help break up the shades of grey.

Consider choosing a structure of plants with varying heights – palms for lower levels, succulents up high.

An office space also needs to be well-lit. Wall lighting is good for practicality, whereas a ground light creates a more relaxing atmosphere.

TRADITIONAL

If a traditionally English style garden is what you’re looking for, you may wish to consider flagstone style slabs. Although they are quite hard to keep clean in the British weather and potentially dangerous, they still offer a traditional look that will go well with certain types of houses.

Everscape tile is resistant to stains and spills so a quick wipe down at the beginning of spring will give your patios and gardens an awesome fresh look all summer long.

The Everscape Pitsbury pattern tiles are a great way to take your design into the modern day. This vine-covered walkway provides a sense of character with its cottage-style planting. Plus, they look just as beautiful as they do practical – providing your guests with an enjoyable stroll.

Slatted oak coloured furniture will contrast satisfactorily with the grey and work well with neutral toned accessories such as cushions, throws and a hammock. Balance the look with muted greens and off-whites on wood or stone and burnished coppers light fixtures.

MOROCCAN

To recreate a Moroccan feel in your garden, use colours and patterns. Use earthy tones with accents of bright primary colours.

One way to create pattern on your walls is by using a small format tile in a certain shape, for example an octagon. You can also opt for printed pattern on square tiles. If you have an enclosed, cozy seating area you can make it feel decadent by using bold colours and powerful geometric shapes.

A low corner sofa in richness of colour will best emulate the comfort & elegance of a 5-star riad. Mix and match rustic furniture with other stylish elements and finish the look with accessories that have Arabic details. If you really want to take your customers for a trip to exotic Morocco, then you’ll need to have some warm lights (and a couple of patio heaters!…

Is Kitchen Wrapping A Good Idea?

If you need to spruce up your kitchen, vinyl-wrapping from kitchen wraps Glasgow is one option. It involves sticking a protective plastic film on raw MDF cabinetry. This can be done in-home by yourself, saving you both time and money if you don’t need heavy renovations

For someone thinking about re-doing their kitchen, you should consider three factors:

Your budget and the maximum amount you can spend on your kitchen.
Make sure the kitchen will be much more beautiful after the renovation.
They chose quality materials for the new kitchen and are confident that it will maintain its appearance for a long time.

Pricing

As the cheapest option, many people choose to wrap their kitchens. They might also go for a kitchen spray, although these are slightly pricier than vinyl wraps. Kitchen replacements are the most expensive but it’s important to consider that over time these pay for themselves and save you money in the long run. Although wrapped kitchens can get worn out faster than if you use other methods, what you save on initial costs might make it the best option for your business.

The Right Look

Vinyl’s one downside is the grade of finish. Spray painting usually leaves grain visible with a vinyl wrap as well. Wrapped items always have a smooth finish. You could also cover your item with vinyl wrapping using a wood vinyl effect, though there are more colour and pattern options too.

Vinyl wrapping, as well as paint spraying, are widely accessible. One benefit of spray painting your kitchen is that you can find any colour that suits your taste and have it fully coated.

Long Lasting

You can use a reliable, local company, and the paint can be guaranteed for up to 10 years. It’s because the paint is so resilient. However, vinyl wrap can pick up more scratches. If it scratches the damage should be touched immediately because it cannot be fixed by changing the paint colour.

Plastic kitchen wrap often loses its plastic coating due to heat or moisture. This can be an issue in areas where there is for example a kettle, toaster, dishwasher and cooker because the materials placed near it could damage the coating and make it peel off. If money is tight and you’re looking to re-design your furniture, vinyl might be the best option. However, if you’ll be getting a lot of heat or moisture in the room on an hourly basis then that may not suit your needs very well.

If you decide to wrap your kitchen, we encourage you to do so with caution whatever you can to keep it away from any damage.

Placing your appliances in a way so that they avoid letting out moisture or heat near your cabinets and drawers and discolouring them.

Considerations

Vinyl wrap can be installed much faster than spray painting it. The speed may be an issue if you really want it finished fast and are willing to sacrifice quality for speed. The kitchen sprays we offer can usually be completed in 1-3 days, depending on the size of the kitchen (with a typical kitchen sprayed within a day).
If you go with a sprayed kitchen, make sure the upkeep is easy – we advise that you wipe down your kitchen after each use and do not use any solvents to keep the surface looking good throughout its lifetime.
Thanks to spray paint, you can decorate a kitchen in a new colour or finish at any point. However, if you should ever chose to remove the vinyl wrap on your kitchen counters, it won’t be so easy to remove.

Tree Surgeons Guide to Pollarding

Is pollarding good for a tree?

Gardening is a complicated and unpredictable task, but thanks to tree pollarding, things are a little easier. Tree pollarding has its roots deep in history and is an important part of garden maintenance

Forest management techniques in medieval times helped provide people with a regular supply of firewood, basket weaving material and fodder for animals. By pruning back the upper branches of trees and shrubs, they were able to collect all three.

Tree trimming, or pollarding are techniques we use every week at Coventry Tree Surgery. Pollarding is a more modern technique for shaping trees and bushes to a manageable size. It is mainly done for the health of the plant and typically for the aesthetics – making it a safer choice when living in an urban environment.

We’ve written a short guide about tree work so that you can understand your garden and maintain it properly. This way you can pick the right tree care service for you or your business.

What does pollarding actually do to the tree?

It is possible to boost growth in certain trees and shrubs by giving them an occasional drink of water, fertilising their root zone with manure or compost from time to time, and pruning them twice a year.

By removing thinner branches or those with little strength, you enable the life force of your tree to circulate more freely and reach all areas.

Arguably the major advantage of pollarding is being able to safely and effectively remove any rotting limbs that were a safety risk. It can also be likened to getting a second chance at adolescence in your 40s – it refreshes your energy and brings back how it was when you were younger.

Encourage a healthy growth of plants beneath the tree. Un-pollarded trees and shrubs act like a canopy/umbrella above the ground. Thinning and pollarding can let sunlight reach the ground and circulate fresh air. This will stimulate plant growth and create a sense of openness in your garden.

Increase the number of trees and foliage at lower levels. This will make your eye level look at more green plants and more fresh growth. Landscape architects know that you need different height for different plants to grow well: some high, some low, etc.

Increase your garden space by trimming tree growth. Horizontally and vertically, unchecked trees can quickly eat up all of the space in your garden and affect its enjoyment and value.

Reducing tree canopy exposure can make the space around your building safer. (NOTE: As this is British English, “top heavy” becomes “lofty.”)

When planting trees and shrubs, it is important to respect potential 3rd-party services on your land so they don’t interfere with utilities. If something happens, you may end up liable.

We recommend that you get the help of a professional tree surgeon before doing anything with the plants in your back garden.

There are many reasons why you would want to pollard a tree. The next question is whether your tree is suitable for being pollarded.

Pollarding a tree is a process where some or all of the tress branches are cut back to one or more growing buds but which tree should you pollard?

Trees like these grow new branches on top, even after they’re cut off. Sometimes, people cut them so they can be pollarded- the process of shortening a tree only selectively.

A haircut for the tree

Pollard has its root in the word ‘poll’ which means the top of your head. Polling used to mean cutting your hair.

If you want your trees and shrubs to get a shaping, contact us. With 20 years of experience, be confident that your trees are in good hands!…

Garage Door Choices

Choosing a garage door can be fulfilling, but it is important to also consider the following things when doing so. Let’s lay out some of the main factors you should take into account for this purchase. There are many decisions to make. You can go to extremes in terms of security and go for a roller shutter garage door, garage doors Leicester has many options for you to choose from.

Purchasing Tips

Once you’ve made a decision, for example for a new garage door, consider who you’ll buy it from. Think about the appearance of the garage door and queries concerning its functionality. How much clearance do you need at the garage door? Do you want to use a remote control or would you prefer a manual door? Reputable suppliers can supply a good range of doors and advise on the best one for you.

Cost Implications and Budget

Your budget is an important factor when buying a garage door, but it all depends on what you want. For example, if you need something more complex or with certain features, the price will potentially increase.

It’s important to go through various options to find the one that fits your criteria best. Here, the more expensive garage door is usually better as it provides greater quality for your needs.

Image of a luxury home with three garage doors

The price of the materials is what determines this. You may want to reconsider buying a cheap door. A low-quality product not only poses the risk of it falling off, but it can also affect your curb appeal, which is why they’re not worth the savings. Custom options such as entry gates are often quite expensive in comparison.

There are a few considerations that you should make before buying your garage door, including the level of security that it needs to provide. Apart from cars, other expensive tools can also be stored in garages so it’s important to have proper security measures.

Pick a door with strong materials and high-quality locking mechanism, such as the euro profile cylinder lock, to make sure your garage is secure. Newer doors are more secure than older ones so it is always a good idea to have the professionals take a look.

Styles of Garage Door

There’s a lot to take into account when choosing a garage door to suit your house. It might have to match other parts of your home, or it might just be a matter of personal taste.

Great customisation is one of the advantages we offer. We have a wide range products and can help you find your perfect door. We now offer different styles and colours as well as those with or without windows or those that open automatically.

Maintaining Your Door

In order to ensure that your new garage door lasts as long as possible, take a look at the care necessary for upkeep. New garage doors often need little maintenance.

However, it’s important to keep in mind a few things that you can do to make your door last a long time. As always our team will be happy to help you with any questions or concerns.

Our team of experts are more than happy to discuss your needs and help you find the right garage door for you. Remember that it’s important to think through all of your options especially considering how much of an investment a new door can be.…

Rising or Penetrating Damp?

Dampness is commonly found in older buildings throughout the UK.

Dampness is a difficult problem to identify the source of and resolve, due to its diverse nature. The symptoms can be dealt with but not without at least attempting to find the causation and solving it.

Homeowners often confuse penetrating and rising damp. They can both be serious problems, but it’s important to take the time to understand the difference between them.

Too much moisture can cause all sorts of problems in your home, like structural damage, decorative spoilage and plaster staining. Mould outbreaks can also cause more serious health risks if left untreated.

There are multiple types of dampness that your house might have. We want to talk about the differing aspects of penetrative damp and rising damp.

Damp That Rises

Rising damp is an issue when water seeps through the building’s walls and flooring, which could not be stopped by installing a damp proof course. This is normally present in older homes that do not have a an adequate damp proof barrier.

The nitrates at the top of the damp stains on walls, typically between 1 and 1.5m tall, can show that moist conditions have been present for a long time.

Signs you have rising damp:

Paint or wallpaper coming off the wall
Have wet spots on your walls
Skirting boards or plaster shows signs of mould
Stains located on within a 1.5m height
If you notice a white powder near the top of walls in your home, it may be because of crystallised nitrate salts. The material may be the result of water and moisture damage and can also lead to stains on surfaces like paint and wallpaper.

About Penetrating Damp

When water leaks into a building from the outside, it usually ends up in a wall. This is then either Vertical Penetration or Lateral Penetration.

Lateral penetration is the name for dampness that has seeped into your walls. This is often due to your property being built on top of the underground ground, which means the dampness seeps into the walls.

When it comes to dealing with vertical penetration damp issues, it’s usually caused by poor building upkeep or structural defects within the building.

Poor building maintenance and structural defects can bring about other issues such as mould growth and thus, should be taken care of sooner rather than later. Over time, small leaks or cracks in your wall can lead to water damage inside your home.

Penetrating damp signs:

Pools of water or drops of water forming
Damp, damaged plaster
Wallpaper and paint blotches
The damp circles tend to darken in periods where you receive a lot of rainfall.

Think You Have A Damp Problem?

Damp is a major problem in many homes, and it can get worse if not dealt with quickly.

If you’re concerned about damp at home and want to stop the issue from worsening, please get in touch with a local company that specialises in damp proofing Leicester. We use specialist training and cutting edge damp survey equipment to find the root cause of any damp problem. We can also recommend what course of action to take…

Prevention of Woodworm Infestation

It’s one of two times during the year when we see the most activity. Autumn is a great season, but it also has its effects on pest control firms. One of these has to do with woodworm numbers increasing in the fall.

Spring does have its own set of challenges with increased pest population, increased human contact with pests and more localized bugs being reported during this time of year. Being infested by woodworm can do serious damage to your home and furniture, so it is best to be vigilant about protecting against them.

Most companies would be happy to come to your site to treat a woodworm problem. However, the sooner you realise the better because delay [to] [doing] so can result in significant amounts of damage from wet or dry rot. Eliminating pests before they have the chance to invade your property is usually a better strategy.

If you’re interested in taking precautions against woodworm, here are the three best things you can do:

Humidity Control

Woodworms thrive in high-moisture content timber. You can stop this by depriving them of water, preventing them from living and growing. Achieving a humid environment is usually more of a problem for people in cold climates. For most, the optimal humidity level is between 30% and 50%. If you need to, open your windows to let air flow in.

Take Out Infected Wood

If you see any of the early signs of an infestation, it is best to remove furniture or timbers immediately, otherwise, they may spread the pests around your house. These can be reintroduced once they have been treated.

Setting Up Traps

Although woodworm larvae cause damage to homes, this is not done by adult beetles. These larvae bore into wood surfaces in order to feed on pulp. If any adult beetles do make it into homes they can reproduce. Install insect traps during the summer months to reduce the chances of respiratory infestation.…

Author: Sara