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Archive for September, 2010

Laptop that does a job home or away

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

These days most homes have a desktop computer, a great majority now have a laptop as well. They are ideal for children when studying as they can be used both at home and in college as they are easy to transport. Commuters also love them as it means they can work during their commute hence giving them the option of working fewer hours in the office.

Computers should always be protected by household insurance policies, but remember if they are taken away from the home then special clauses may come into play.

If you are looking for a small and light notebook, then the Advent 4489 could well be the answer. It is ideal for the traveller as it is super light weighing just 1.2 kg. It is slightly smaller than an A4 sheet of paper but has a 9 inch screen which is plenty big enough to enjoy videos or pictures.

The netbook is really easy to use, the keyboard is light and gentle on the fingers, yet big enough to use comfortably, the touchpad is responsive and accurate. Another big plus is that the Advent 4489 is energy efficient. If left unused for 15 minutes, it automatically shuts down but the information is readily available when switched back on.

One downside to Advent 4489 is that programmes cannot be played from CD or DVD without buying extra equipment, but its primary use is the internet and considering its price then that is acceptable. The battery supplied lasts just over two hours which is okay for short trips and it does recharge quite quickly. To make it the perfect travelling companion for any trip, higher capacity batteries can be purchased for around £30.

The Intel atom processor is 1.6GHz and comes with 512 MB of RAM, which is quite sufficient for the commuter working on office documents. Upgrades are available and are inexpensive if the computer is to be used for games etc.

Overall, I think at just over £200 the advent 4489 is great value and although it will never be a main computer it can certainly be used as a backup. It is a perfect train traveller.

The netbook is available at PC World and can be bought via the collect at store option.

Tags: Advice for Tenants, Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, Possessions Insurance
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Garden Design

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Designing a garden is not an exact science. Plants may not thrive in a particular spot even though you select the right soil conditions, the right position regarding sunlight and feed them with the advised plant food.

Nevertheless, forward planning will produce consistently better results than adopting a haphazard approach. Sitting down with a pencil and paper and giving a little thought to the job in hand should eradicate any major mistakes. Placing a patio in a shaded area, building a parking space too small for a car, or even erecting a boundary wall that does not meet local council rules and regulations can all prove to be costly mistakes. Pre-planning will avoid them.

It is the permanent features of a garden that should be considered first, but bear in mind how they will fit into the planted and turfed areas of the garden; no-one wants to live in a concrete jungle!

Before you even put pen to paper try and get a feel for the sort of garden required and consider whether it will sit happily with the house and its surroundings. Is it to be formal, laid out in straight lines or maybe geometric? Maybe a more relaxed style such as a cottage garden appeals. Whatever takes your fancy there is no shortage of material from which to draw inspiration. Countless books and magazines are devoted to garden design and now there is also the internet to access for ideas.

Be sure to measure the plot of land as accurately as possible especially the diagonals, because what appears to be a square or rectangular may well taper to one end or do something equally as unexpected. Make a note of how the ground slopes, paying attention to the direction and length of the slope. Check how the passage of the sun affects the garden and the direction of the prevailing wind. Don’t forget the angle of the sun will be steeper in summer and that trees planted as a windbreak, will be redundant if they shed their leaves.

Test the soil for condition but remember this can be easily altered by the use of fertilizers and chemicals. Plot the position of features you want to keep in the garden such as existing footpaths, lawned areas and established trees.

When you are happy with your design try it out. Will it be possible say, for two people to pass on the path without stepping into the flower beds? Try placing furniture on the area marked out for the patio to ensure you can sit comfortably and eat a meal with guests. Most people build a patio alongside the house but if you have to place it elsewhere because of the position of the sun will it become a chore to walk back and forth with drinks.

It is always wise to inform your neighbours of your intentions, a wall or trees you intend planting may cause an inconvenience to them that you haven’t thought about. A quick alteration of the plan can avoid years of stress caused by neighbourly disputes.

By the time your garden comes to fruition, there may well be a considerable amount of valuable plants and furniture out there. Remember to cost this into your household insurance policy.

Tags: DIY, Garden, Garden design, Home Insurance, household insurance
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Married bliss becomes a rarity

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

As mortgages and properties become harder to acquire seemingly day by day, the number of couples getting married is diminishing at an alarming rate.

It appears that the old tradition of a young couple getting married and buying a house together as soon as possible after their wedding is a thing of the past. Cheap home insurance is not usually taken out to protect wedding gifts these days, which is a pity because a lot of the old traditions may die out if the slump in weddings continues.

For instance it is very rare these days to see a bride carried over the threshold of a new home, in fact it seems to be disappearing completely. Interestingly enough the tradition of carrying the bride into the wedding home goes back to Roman times when it was considered the worst luck of all for a new bride to trip over the entrance to her new home. Hence the groom carried her over; little is said about how many grooms actually fell over with their bride in their arms!

Research done by a mortgage company reveals that over the last five years 37% of first time buyers were single and that only 29% of people bought with their married partner. The figures are important as it is the first time since records began that single first time buyers have outnumbered married couples.

Looking back to the 1970′s, over 85% of first time buyers were married couples and only 1 in 10 sales were to a single party. Fast forward to the 1980′s and the change starts showing, as did social acceptance of couples living together out of wedlock. In 1982 almost 2 in 10 sales were to single people and the trend then started increasing.

The 1990′s saw 46% of first time buyers being married couples, 32% single and now 19% of first time buyers were couples who were not married. The modern day research now shows that the axis has turned completely and married couples are in the minority for the first time.

The social trend has had an impact on building trends also. The turn of the century has seen builders and property developers concentrate on building flats and apartments rather than family homes. As a consequence family homes are now more difficult to find and therefore more expensive to buy. Which could mean the trend away from marriage may well increase.

Tags: Advice for Tenants, first home, Home Insurance, marriage
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DIY flat roof repairs could save money

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Many properties along the length and breadth of the UK have sections where their roofs are flat. It is no coincidence that many insurers ask if a property has a flat roof because as the owners of such homes will be aware, flat roofs can cause many headaches. There are a lot of reasons why a roof can go bad with the worst being a leak. When this happens it will need repairing as soon as possible.

A flat roof will often have a rubber roofing material called EPDM. It does have a warranty of up to 40 years and is relatively cheap to buy and easy to install. However, it is not unheard of for the roof to leak during the lifetime of the EPDM. This leak can be fixed with a couple of hand tools and some basic roofing materials. If the roof is leaking, take immediate action to prevent further damage and a claim on the household insurance policy. Inspect the roof, checking for any areas that could be causing the leak. Leaks are usually caused by seams that have been poorly bonded but could have been caused by debris that has blown onto the roof and pierced it.

When the area that needs repairing has been found it will need washing with a cloth and some warm water. Wait until the roof is dry and clean the area again, this time using alcohol to make sure that the patch will adhere properly. Any seam tape which has been poorly bonded to the roof will need removing. When removing the badly stuck tape remove enough to ensure the seam is exposed for at least 12 inches each side of the leak. Use alcohol again to remove any adhesive residue that is apparent after removing the tape.

Apply roofing sealant to the damaged area of the roof using a knife with rounded edges. When repairing a puncture, the sealant will need spreading until it reaches 6 inches beyond the damaged area of the roof. If it is the seam which is being repaired, sealant will need placing underneath the roof membrane as well as along the area of the roof that will be covered with new tape. Cut a piece of rubber roof seam tape which will cover the sealant patch. Press it into the sealant using your fingers before finally using a silicone hand roller to smooth out the creases and also roll over the patch in every direction to remove any air bubbles.

Tags: builders, DIY, Home Insurance, property repairs
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First time buyers still wary of taking on debt

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

The percentage of the housing market occupied by first-time buyers went down to 34% in July; this represents a drop of 4% from the previous month and is at its lowest for three years, according to the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

The CML says the reason for the drop is due to the increasing difficulty a first-time buyer has in getting a mortgage. Early this year the problems seemed to have eased but now loan criteria have tightened up meaning first-time buyers will have to find a deposit of 24%, an increase of 3% in April and May. Mortgage activity does generally drop in August because of the summer holidays, however this years decline is much larger than was expected. And the mini-housing boom of the past twelve months has slowly stopped, and is very unlikely to pick up before next year.

With cuts in the public sector, tax hikes and constant talk of a double-dip recession, buyers’ confidence is low. We should know better how the housing market is going to perform once the coalition government has announced their spending review, and it may be that many prospective buyers are waiting until the details are announced before deciding whether to take on more debt. It may mean renting and taking out household insurance for protection until the market picks up.

Howard Archer, of economists Global Insight, said “This mortgage data for July remains very low compared to long-term norms and does little to dilute suspicion that house prices will remain under pressure. It is also notable that mortgage approvals to first time buyers actually weakened in July, which suggests not only that they may be becoming more reluctant to move into the housing market in the current uncertain economic environment. It also suggests that first time buyers are finding it hard to get mortgages.”

Tags: Advice for Tenants, Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, household insurance
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A stone floor will need care and attention

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Imagine buying a new home that is protected by household insurance, and while in the process of removing some old carpet or lino, instead of finding a concrete floor underneath. You discover a hard stone tiled floor which is covered in dust and dirt. Restoring it to how it should be is going to take a lot of time, but doing it correctly could add value to the home.

If the lino was stuck down using vast amounts of glue, a scraper should be used carefully or even try using a heat gun to melt the glue. It is vital to take care of the tiles when scraping as it is easy to chip the floor if too much force is used. White spirit can be used to remove the last stubborn bits but this must be washed off straight away. Stone tiles are natural stone which have been taken from a quarry; they could be slate, granite or even marble. Stone tiles can withstand most punishments and will last a lifetime if looked after. Stone floors should be quite easy to keep clean and if they are looked after they are unlikely to stain very much.

The most damage to a stone floor is caused by sand, grit and dirt because of their abrasiveness. A stone floor needs to be dust mopped often using a clean, non-treated dry dust mop or brush. A vacuum cleaner is very helpful if it is in good condition and has nothing on it that will scratch the floor. Place mats/rugs by doors as these will help collect loose dirt before it has a chance to get on the stone floor, just make sure it has a non-slip surface and remember to shake them regularly to remove dirt. Always clean up any spills immediately using a neutral pH detergent or pure soap and warm water.

Do not use anything that contains vinegar, lemon juice, acids or any ammonia-based cleaners on a stone floor. These products will dull the look of the floor. Other good tips are, avoid using scouring powders, bathroom tile cleaners and do not mix bleach with ammonia as this will create a lethal and toxic gas. Take great care when moving any heavy objects across the stone floor to avoid making any scratches or chips. It may even be worth using protectors on any furniture to avoid any accidental damage.

Tags: Advice for Tenants, Home Insurance, Laminate Flooring, stone flooring
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Older houses need help to become energy efficient

Monday, September 13th, 2010

An eco-house which is 200 years old has managed to cut its carbon emissions by 60%, and is now is opening its doors in a bid to encourage many more homes to become energy efficient.

The house in Llanidloes, Powys, is owned by Mr Andy Warren and is part of a United Kingdom network of properties which have all been refurbished. A visit has been arranged by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) who are asking the Welsh Government to cut house emissions by 40% within the next decade. Many older houses, like Mr Warren’s house were built with little thought for insulation. His property which was built in the early 19^th Century, when even household insurance was not needed, was transformed in the late 80s and had solar thermal panels added in the last few years. The house is part of a scheme called ‘Old Home Super Homes’ which is a jointly run project run by the SEA (Sustainable Energy Academy) charity and the NEA (National Energy Foundation). Mr Warren’s home is one of only two properties in Wales which met the criteria set.

Head of WWF Wales, Anne Meikle, said “The refurbishment of existing homes to tackle climate change is a key area for the next Welsh Assembly Government. WWF Wales is keen to demonstrate to politicians that through supporting energy efficiency measures clear gains can be made in terms of meeting their carbon reduction targets and through engaging with the public on this positive agenda. Its important homes are energy efficient for the good of the global environment, and without sounding dramatic it’s a matter of survival.”

Mr Warren has previously worked as an ecological builder and is unable to say how much all the work had cost had cost because he had done a lot of the work himself. He has managed a 60% cut in domestic emissions thanks to external insulation, secondary double glazing, installing solar thermal panels and using low energy lights.

Tags: energy, Home Insurance, household insurance
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Bleak future ahead for many pensioners

Friday, September 10th, 2010

It should be a time to relax after a lifetime of hard work, but the reality is that millions of elderly people and those approaching retirement still have large debts, and with no pension and no savings they face a bleak future, research reveals today.

These figures show a worrying picture of a country with an ever increasing population of elderly people who simply have to keep working. A major study, from an insurance firm has found that two in ten people over the age of 55 are still paying off a mortgage. On average the size of their mortgage is £60,440 which takes a large part of their income each month.

The report shows how the elderly are having to rely heavily on credit much more than previously thought. Two out of every ten are forced to survive on an income of around £25 per day. Some even fail to take out household insurance which could be an expensive mistake. The report harshly shows how everyone will need to save and plan for retirement. The research illustrates the gap between those who planned for retirement by saving, having a private pension and also investments, and those who did not plan and now have nothing. It found 15% do not have a penny of savings or investments. There are a small percentage of well-off and well-prepared people who have done significant planning for the future. Sadly it seems that traditional retirement will not be possible in the future and future generations will have to work longer.

A spokesperson for debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service, said soaring numbers of its clients were older people. “We have seen a big increase in over-55s coming to us for help with their debts. They tend to be asset-rich but cash-poor which leaves them struggling to repay their debts. One of the big trends making it harder for people to save is having children later in life which means they often have dependent children who they are supporting through university as they are reaching their own retirement.”

Tags: Advice, debt, Home Insurance, household insurance
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An outside tap can be handy for the garden

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Fitting an outside tap to a property is always a good idea. Watering the garden and cleaning the car suddenly become so much easier. Some basic plumbing skills are needed for the task of fitting an outside tap but it can be accomplished with care. First job is to turn off the water supply. If there is an isolation valve on the cold water supply pipe, turn the valve off. If there is not, go to the main stopcock which is usually found in the kitchen. When the water supply is turned off, turn on the cold tap on your kitchen sink and run until the water stops and the system is drained.

To install a new tap you will need to drill a hole through the outside wall for the connecting pipe work. The easiest thing to do is to put the tap near an exposed cold water supply close to the sink in the kitchen. Make sure to position the tap at least 250mm above the damp-proof course and mark the screw holes for the tap.

A 15mm diameter pipe will be required to connect the tap to the properties cold water supply. The hole for this will need to be about 150mm above where the earlier marks were made indicating the position of the tap. A quick job to do before drilling the hole is to make a ‘sleeve’ for the pipe to run through using a piece of 22mm diameter plastic pipe. This ‘sleeve’ will stop the pipe rubbing and if the pipe does burst it will stop water leaking out of the hole and also avoid having to claim on any household insurance policy. It is time to drill the hole next and make sure that the hole is big enough to take the diameter of the ‘sleeve’.

Cut through the cold water pipe directly under the hole that has been made in the wall. Use a hacksaw for this job and then file the ends. A T-piece connector is going to be fitted so make sure enough of the pipe has been removed. Connect one end of a short piece of pipe to the T-piece connector and the other end will be connected to the isolation valve, this means that the water supply to the new outside tap can be cut off if and when required. When deciding on whether to use copper or plastic pipes it is worth remembering that copper looks the best out of the two but plastic is much easier to work with. It is also best to use either Push Fit or Compression connectors as they will not need any soldering.

Finally to attach the new tap, drill the holes for the outside tap’s wall plate, use some plugs and then screw the tap plate to the wall. Put some plastic clips on the pipes on the inside which will stop any vibrating. Use a sealant to seal around the pipe. Then turn the water supply back on and hopefully there will be no leaks. If there is no leak, then it is another job well done.

Tags: Garden, Home Insurance
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Easy ways to keep a bathroom free from germs

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

It is surprising how much time is spent in the bathroom. The average person can usually put up with a collection of dust under the bed. But a dirty/grimy bathroom is another matter. The bathroom should be cleaned at least once each week and even more if a large family or perhaps even pets are bathed in the family bathroom. Hard earned money is spent on household insurance, and keeping the property clean should be done regularly, this should apply even more so to the bathroom.

In today’s world most bathrooms are made of materials that are easy to keep clean so there should be no excuse. Make it a rule in the home to rinse out the bath or shower straight after use. Spraying some water from the shower head onto all interior surfaces, before lathering soap onto a damp sponge and swishing it around the tub or shower cubicle before finally rinsing does not take long and will help keep on top of the cleaning. Cast iron or steel baths can be cleaned the same way as an acrylic bath, but only use products recommended and a soft cloth. A good whirlpool or spa model are generally self-draining, but it is still important that the pipe works are cleaned out regularly. If this bath came with the house a good tip is to once a week fill the bath with water and add a cupful of a good cleaning agent, let this circulate for a couple of minutes, then empty the bath, refill with some clean water, allow this to circulate again for a couple of minutes, empty out and rinse.

A bathroom basin can be cleaned by using an all-purpose bathroom cleaner, followed by a wipe over with a damp cloth. Rinse the plug hole and buff to a shine. The same goes for the taps on the basin. A shower tray is no harder than cleaning the bath, again use an all-purpose bathroom cleaner, if the area of the house is a hard water area, use a lime-scale remover once a week. Cleaning a shower screen can be done much better if using a squidgy. This will help to remove the excess of water from the screen. Each week clean the screen with a solution made up of washing up liquid and use a soft cloth. Do not forget the hinges of the door as these can get really dirty. As for the shower head go either eco friendly and soak it in a solution of half distilled vinegar and half water for a few hours, then rinse thoroughly. Otherwise use a liquid descaler and an old toothbrush, but do a test first to check that the shower head will not get damaged by the chemicals.

Tags: Advice, cleaning tips, Home Insurance, household insurance
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