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Archive for August, 2010

Give a wall a new look with plaster

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Before starting this job clear the room of furniture and any expensive electrical equipment. The job is messy and the materials used could easily cause damage which could result in a claim on household insurance.

Spread plenty of plastic sheets all over the floor of the room. Mix your plaster according to the instructions on the bag, remembering to always add the plaster to the water using a clean bucket. It is vital to mix the water and plaster thoroughly so that the ready plaster will have a thickish, creamy consistency with no lumps. During the warmer months, the plaster can set within minutes, so it is a good idea if you are a novice to only mix an amount that can be used straight away. Another good tip is never add any new plaster to an old mix and do not add extra water to the plaster in an effort to make it more workable.

When the mix is ready, get a trowel full of plaster from the mix and onto the hawk, and then transfer about half the plaster to the trowel. Try to keep the wrist as straight as possible and use a flicking action with the hand holding the hawk to move the plaster from the hawk to the trowel.

Starting at the bottom of the wall, try and use smooth strokes to press the plaster onto the wall. Slowly close the gap between the top edge of the trowel and the wall when moving the tool upwards. Keep the trowel at a slight angle to the wall at the end of each stroke. If the trowel is flat against the wall surface it could easily pull the new plaster away from the wall.

Go over the entire area with the aim of applying a base coat, uneven areas or holes are not important at this point. The coat should be around 2mm thick. Next job is to level and smooth the surface, but only do this when the plaster has hardened slightly. Waiting for the plaster to go off can vary from a couple of minutes during the summer to twenty minutes or more in cold conditions.

Use the trowel at a shallow angle to the wall and go over the entire surface smoothing it out. Leave the plaster to dry for around forty minutes. When it is dry it can be polished. Do this by wetting the face of the trowel and flick water onto the wall. The idea of this is to provide just enough lubrication for the trowel to glide over the surface and fill out any small holes and imperfections. Use sweeping strokes to start and finish with long continuous strokes across the wall. When happy with the finished effect, wash all the tools immediately ready for future use.

Tags: Advice for Tenants, DIY, Home Insurance, household insurance, tenants
Posted in DIY, Home Insurance | No Comments »

The path to a better looking garden

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Any home looks better with a well presented garden, and a gravel path is an attractive addition, and done correctly will enhance kerb appeal to a property. Provided the area is flat it is a reasonably quick job to complete. It is also economical and, if a change of mind happens at a later date, it can be very easily changed. The main objective is to keep all the gravel in place with good edgings to avoid gravel spreading over the garden.

Suitable edgings for a gravel path would include bricks, treated timber or concrete kerbstones. However, if any plants are going to spread on to the gravel path, there is no point in spending a lot of money on the edging as it will be hidden. Remember when working outside to have all windows and doors locked as opportunist thieves in the area may mean a claim on the household insurance.

When choosing what type of gravel to use on the pathway, consider the drawbacks of using pea gravel or any other small sized stones. Smaller sized gravel does not stay together as well as larger stones and they will spread everywhere making it look unsightly. So it is always best to use larger gravel. First job is to mark out the position of the path, do this by using string and pegs. If enough space is available try and make the path wide enough for two people to pass each other. Use a spade to excavate the marked area to a depth of at least 4in, then the area will need levelling with a rake. A good idea at this point is to apply a liquid weed killer which will help make it harder for weeds to grow up through the gravel.

Next position the edging all along the side of the pathway, if using timber, screw them to some timber pegs inserted into the ground. Now place weed proof sheets along the floor of the trench and make sure to overlap the sheets where they join. Another option is to lay the sheets before fixing the timber edging so the sheets will cover the edge of the pathway as well. Next lay around 2in of hardcore onto the sheet surface which will create a good firm base for the gravel. Spread the hardcore as evenly as possible using a rake and then compact it all using a rammer. Place the gravel on top and rake evenly. Add extra gravel wherever it is required. After a few weeks more gravel may need to be added as the surface begins to settle.

Tags: gardening, Home Insurance
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3D to cost over 2K

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Earlier this year one of the biggest technology events in the world of TV took place. The first 3DTVs went on sale in the United Kingdom.

They had already been on sale in the US and Japan for many months, and as expected the price for a new 3DTV was not cheap. The price of the first 3DTV released cost a huge £1,799 and there are also a lot of other bits of kit needed to get the set up right. For example a pair of 3D glasses for the system cost £150, a 3D Blu-ray DVD player is another £350 and a compatible HDMI cable will cost around £50. At that price it is advisable to inform the household insurance company of the extra contents in the home.

It may well be the future of television in this country, but getting there is not going to be cheap. Sky are showing sport in selective pubs around the country and they hope to have a 3D channel soon. Video gaming is another area where there’ll be a lot of 3D content available in the future, and this is seen by some in the industry as a key driver of 3D TV sales. Forecasts are for only modest sales during the first year but once the content improves and the price comes down, sales will improve.

But it is not all good news for 3DTV after the world’s largest electronics firm highlighted potential dangers the technology may pose to pregnant women, the elderly, children and also anyone with serious medical conditions. The manufacturer warned of an array of possible side effects viewers may suffer. They claim the devices may trigger epileptic fits or cause problems which can range from altered vision, dizziness, sickness, cramps, and even involuntary movements such as eye and muscle twitching. Anyone who has been deprived of sleep or anyone who has been drinking alcohol is also being advised to not watch a 3D television.

The technology was given a boost by blockbuster films such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland being made in 3D. To view content in 3D, special glasses need to be worn which bombard the eyes and brain with a succession of flashing images that will appear for just a fraction of a second. The technology puts unusual strain on the body, so viewers will need to take regular breaks to prevent suffering from the side effects. Watching television while wearing the 3D glasses for long periods of time can cause headache or fatigue. If this happens it would be a good idea to stop and rest.

Tags: 3D Television, Home Insurance, household insurance
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Toasters help start the working day

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Most people love toast, be it white, brown or wholemeal, thousands of people enjoy a nice crisp piece of buttered toast first thing in the morning to kick-start their day. Some stand by the oven watching and waiting for the bread to turn brown, where as others take the easy route and use an electric toaster which turns the power of electricity into heat that can cook the bread.

But how does the electricity that flows into the toaster actually toast the bread? A toaster heats the bread by infrared radiation. The vital component of the toaster is the nichrome wire which is an alloy of nickel and chromium. When looking down inside of the toaster, all that can be seen is a row of wires on each side of the bread. When the electricity runs through the wires, they get very hot and direct their heat towards the bread. Nichrome is not very good at conducing electricity, so when electricity is run through the nichrome wire it gets very hot very quickly. When the toaster is switched on, the wires must never be touched, either with fingers or even more dangerous, a knife. They are very hot and also carry large electric currents that could go through the body, cause electrocution, and in the worst case scenario be fatal. If a piece of bread gets lodged in the toaster it should be removed safely, so always unplug the toaster first. It is not a good idea to leave a toaster unattended, it has been known for them to catch fire which could mean a claim on the household insurance.

Making toast has come a long way since the days of piercing the bread with a stick and heating it over the fire. Most electric toasters now have a function that allows the user to select how long the bread is toasted. When the bread is toasted it will pop out of the toaster automatically and the electricity stops flowing. The shell of the toaster is made of either plastic or metal that does not come into contact with any of the mechanisms that are inside the toaster. This is to keep the toaster cool to the touch yet not lose any of the heat in the toaster. They vary in size and capability but almost every home in the country will have one that can toast two, four or six pieces of bread at a time. Some toasters have wider slots which enable thick bread or bagels and they now include a defrosting capability.

Tags: Advice, Bread, Electric, Electricity, Home Insurance, household insurance, Toast, Toasting
Posted in Advice for Tenants, Electricity, Home Insurance | No Comments »

The mouse that everyone needs

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Before 1984, the thought of a mouse being inside most homes and people happily handling the mouse on a daily basis would have been crazy talk. However, 26 years later, that is what happens in millions of homes and offices throughout the world. The Mouse first entered into the public consciousness with the introduction of the Apple Macintosh, and since then they have helped to completely redefine the way that we use computers today.

Every day of computing life, means reaching out for the mouse whenever the cursor is needed to move or something needs activating. The mouse will sense any motion and the clicks are sent to the computer so that it can respond appropriately. It is amazing how simple and effective a computers mouse is, something else amazing is the fact it took so long for a mouse to become a part of everyday life. It was originally born in the 1960s, but it took a couple of decades before the mouse was to become popular.

For many years light pens were used on an array of machines as a pointing device, and graphics tablets and even joy sticks were also popular in the 70s. None of these really took off as the perfect pointing device. However, when the mouse hit the scene (attached to the Mac), it was an instant success. It is easy to see why as there is something about it that is natural. When compared to a graphics tablet, a mouse is inexpensive and they also take up very little space. In the computer world, the mouse took longer to gain ground; this was because of a lack of support within the operating system. Once Windows made Graphical User Interfaces standard, the mouse quickly became the pointing device of choice for the public at large, and PC’s started appearing more and more in the home. Now most homes will have some sort of computer covered by their household insurance.

The first type of mouse around was the mechanical mouse (also called a ball mouse), and it used a moving ball to work. As the mouse was moved across a surface, the ball moved as well. An optical mouse is one of the most common computer mice in use today. It works by using optical technology and so does not need any moving parts. As the optical mouse is moved over a surface, a small red LED (Light-Emitting Diode) will emit light onto a surface and then it will read the pattern on that surface. The mouse will then convert the surface information into meaningful data which it then sends to the computer. Laser technology has been the newest technology breakthrough in a computer mouse. They work similar to an optical mouse, but with better results as it can deliver up to 20 times the performance of an optical mouse.

Tags: Contents Insurance, home entertainment, Home Insurance, technology
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An audio system that is a sound investment

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Anyone who loves films or is a music lover will no doubt yearn for the clearest, crispest sound to enhance their audio experience. With all the advancements in technology, more and more people are deciding to go for a surround sound system. Having to navigate through all the options can be intimidating so it is a good idea to learn the jargon and find out exactly what equipment fits best. By not doing the homework, a lot of money can be spent on what turns out to be a disappointing or too complicated audio system. Make sure the household insurance will cover the new technology that will be in the home.

Surround sound works by using several speakers, with each one contributing a different audio channel. The system will allow the listener to hear the full effect of sound, for example take a speeding car, first, the car approaching will be heard, and then there will be the sound of it right beside the viewer and then finally the faint sound of it in the distance as it drives past. It is this reason why some say full surround sound for a movie-like experience will need at least 5 speakers. These would be front centre, left front, left rear, right front, and right rear. All the film action and speech are separated among the speakers which add realism, and also background noises will come out of the back speakers.

The figure 5.1 is often mentioned with surround sound systems and this refers to five speakers (in the positions described earlier) plus one subwoofer, which is designated by the .1. Subwoofers play the sound at a very low-frequency. It is very easy to get overwhelmed with the vast array of options to pick from. For this reason, it is best to familiarize yourself with the choices.

An important factor in choice is the size of the room in which the audio system will be in. The larger the room, the more the power will have to be increased. Receiver audio output can go from 50 watts per channel, which for a small room would be fine, to 150 watts or more for a larger room. Remember that any speakers bought should be built to withstand this power.

For anyone who is just starting out with surround sound it is a good idea to buy a small, quality system, and over time the technology can be gradually built on. It is not a good idea to be economical on the wires. They may seem similar but the wires can significantly affect the quality of the sound. Proper placement of the speakers is vital to get the most out of the system. Something else to think about is buying speaker stands. It can be tempting to save some money here and mount the speakers on bookshelves or tables, but having individual stands will deliver the best audio experience.

Tags: contents cover, Home Insurance, property insurance, sound system
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Students urged to protect themselves

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Next month, new students starting university will take an average of £4,000 worth of belongings with them, making protection against theft essential. Research has found that a third of the value of these possessions will be carried with them when they are out and about. The average student will leave their digs with over £1,300 worth of possessions on them; these will include books, bikes, clothing, laptops, MP3 Players, smart phones, clothing and even cash. Other items that make up the total value of possessions that students take with them to university accommodation include cameras, hair straightener’s, a games console, and a musical instrument.

Vicki O’Connell, spokesperson for the research team, said: “Students are more tech savvy than ever before. Compared to just a few years ago we are seeing a much greater number of smart phones, games consoles and laptops filling students’ rooms. As lifestyles become more mobile the ‘must have’ items become more portable. Our research shows just how easily the value of your possessions accumulates. It’s important to remember that items which are lighter and smaller are also more prone to loss or theft. Our research looked at the possessions of an individual but the value of a household can increase considerably when second and third year student house share and have multiple sets of equipment. We would encourage students not to rely on being covered by their parents’ insurance.”

Modern day higher education makes it a necessity for students to have a range of expensive technology and when moving away from home for the first time will mean taking a lot of expensive items with them. This means it is vital that students take precautions, having cheap home insurance will protect against theft and damage and will give peace of mind and also make sure that they are not left out of pocket.

Tags: Home Insurance, Possessions Insurance, students, university
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Do not buy a new Computer, upgrade it instead

Friday, August 6th, 2010

If a computer in the home is becoming a little dated and has old versions of software and programmes on it, before deciding to throw it away and buy a new computer, it is possible to have the latest software on your computer by simply upgrading it to match the latest new machines. There are lots of things that can be changed and tinkering with it will make it run faster, be more compatible and just simply perform better. Tell your household insurance company about the upgrade as the computer will be worth more after the changes.

The monitor is the best place to start the upgrade as it’s the window onto the computer and the larger and the better the resolution the more it will improve the computer’s usability. Next look inside the computer for the best upgrade choices. The more RAM that the computer has the faster it will run. Applications will use the RAM memory to run and the operating system will use it to make sure that the applications work, so generally, the more the computer has the better. Make sure the right RAM is purchased as systems can differ. There are lots of RAM manufacturers who can tell what RAM is needed just from the name and model number of a computer.

The storage space is something else that can be very easily upgraded. They are getting bigger all the time and upgrading will allow the ability to store more music, images and documents on a larger hard drive. Not only that, a computer will run much faster when there is more disk space available. A graphics card is the technology that powers the display and the faster and more capable the graphics card is the better all images will be. As with the RAM card, check that the graphics card is compatible with the computer. One of the best ways of improving performance and speed of a computer, is to replace the processor. This is quite a complex process and should only be done by someone who knows what they are doing.

There are other things that can be added to most computers. Many have space slots that allow the adding of expansion cards. Adding some USB ports modems or network cards are all possible. Upgrading a computer is one of the easiest ways of making it run faster and be much more capable.

Tags: computers, Home Insurance, media, upgrade
Posted in Home Insurance, Saving Money | No Comments »

Loan sharks massing for attack

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Homeowners across the country are being targeted by bogus loan fraudsters attempting to take advantage of the stricter financial qualifications High Street Lenders are asking for from customers requiring a personal loan.

It is becoming apparent that the credit crunch and the new austerity measures imposed by the present government, has inspired a whole new industry to spring up around borrowing money and most of it is illegal. The fraudsters have discovered members of the public already in significant debt are particularly vulnerable to the scam and are now targeting these people.

The scam works in a number of ways, the basic scheme comes into operation when a member of the public receives a cold call, text or email from an unknown company offering loans at very good rates, usually far better than a person with a bad credit rating can get from a High Street Bank. The customer is told that the loan repayment conditions are indeed true and that all they have to do is pay an administration fee up front. Of course once the victim pays the fee he or she finds that the loan company is suddenly untraceable and the money is lost.

The crafty crooks, however, don’t just rely on this method. If they feel the basic rip off fee is not going to work on a particular victim they will still try to take advantage of the personal details they have gleaned from them. Bank account details, dates of birth and of course addresses are often disclosed before the victim realises the loan company is not exactly bona fide, and these can lead to even more sinister crimes such as phishing and identity fraud. Crimes which leave the victim with an empty bank account but also continuing problems with credit in the future.

Avoiding this nightmare situation is easily done by just using common sense measures when dealing with financial matters. Never, ever, pay an upfront administration fee. Even respected banks often now put administration fees on loan deals so the scam sounds plausible but always insist any fees will only be paid once the loan is in place. If this can’t be done then try somewhere else. Remember the old adage “Too good to be true”. If a deal sounds too good to be true then it more than likely is.

It is nearly always possible these days to buy legal cover with your household insurance policy; victims of scams should remember this when trying to recover their losses.

Tags: credit crunch, debt, Home Insurance, loan sharks, money
Posted in Home Insurance, Home Security | No Comments »