Cladding your home – what are the results?

Tweet

You want to make sure that your home is an attractive and comfortable environment to live in. It also helps if you can reduce the cost of living in the property. Cladding your home can help with all of these things. You may wonder just how durable cladding is, and whether it's safe to use.

In this article, we are going to talk about different types of cladding, and explain the positives and negatives. We are also going to explain why hiring a professional like Peter Bracey is a good idea. The experts can help you decide which type of cladding is best for your needs, and can make sure that it's fitted in a secure and safe manner.

Which cladding should you choose?

Any cladding material can help to insulate your home. This is a useful way of reducing your energy costs. Cladding also helps to protect the exterior walls of your home against damage caused by extreme weather conditions, such as damage to the paint work during hailstorms, or cracks to exterior decoration, due to high temperatures. If you live in an area where traffic is busy, you can also benefit from the noise reduction that comes with having cladding fitted. There are three main types of cladding material to choose from; vinyl, timber and UPVC. You will get benefits from them all; but, there are also some drawbacks. Let's take a look.

Vinyl cladding is often a good choice, from a budget point of view. It's generally the most affordable option. The potential downside is that this type of cladding may need to be replaced over time as it can warp and the colour can fade. Timber cladding is often the best fit, from an appearance point of view. But, if you choose timber cladding for your home, you need to be prepared to spend a significant amount of time on maintenance. If you do not do this the cladding can be highly susceptible to rotting.

UPVC cladding is the most durable option, so it's unlikely to need replacing for a considerable length of time. It's also easy to maintain. All you have to do is wipe it down using a clean damp cloth and cleaning fluid, to get rid of dirt and mildew. The one negative aspect of this type of cladding is the price. It's usually the most expensive choice, in terms of initial outlay.

The choice you make depends on your own personal circumstances. You have to consider your motives for having the cladding installed, as well as the budget you have available.

Why professional installation is important

You should always have cladding installed by a reputable professional. Check independent and online reviews and ask people for recommendations. Take some time to ensure that you make the right choice. It's important that you choose the right provider to do the work as poorly fitted cladding is not as effective when it comes to the benefits we have mentioned. It's also likely to need replacing sooner, and may be unsafe.

You can see the benefits that can be gained from having cladding fitted to your property, as well as the pros and cons of different cladding materials. If you choose to have cladding fitted, do not forget to invest in professional help.

Bingo and exercises- make you a healthy and happy mom!

Tweet

Life of a mother is never less than a roller coaster ride! From looking after the child to taking care of the entire family, what not you have to go through 24/7 as a mom.

The stress level reaches its peak when you happen to be a working woman too. It gives you a jitter of nerves every moment for sure.

But inspite of going through such hectic schedules all day you can live your life healthily and happily.

A health conscious and a happy mom brings in positive ambience in her house which in turn helps in proper overall development of her child.

Your kids often follow you and think you as their role model. So if you are a fit and healthy mom your child is definitely going to be a disciplined and a healthful one too.

Fitness is not always about working out hard or hitting the gym.

It can be about following simple things like sleeping on time, eating right, doing some exercises and engaging in recreational activities.

A proper balance should be maintained in all the above mentioned aspects to get that healthier you.

Exercises can be simple free hand ones or going for a walk and running in your nearby parks.

Your pastime activities can include anything that you love to do in your spare time to keep yourself entertained.

The best one among them that can make your day every day are the exciting online bingo games.

Sign up on one of the best bingo sites with free bonus no deposit named BingoMagix and get an impressive bingo bonus worth £10 completely free for your gameplay.

Play, win and be the happiest mommy ever!

Monday Faves

Tweet

Father's Day is just a few days away and yes, I'm panicking! I still haven't thought of the gifts for the two men in my life... My dad and my husband. I normally don't have problems buying gifts for my loved ones, but I have to admit, these two are the hardest. Both men are vain, meticulous and has lots of requirements when it comes to their personal stuff. So, if you think we, women, are the more vain ones, nope, I totally disagree! I know a lot of men who are so vain.

Then Gifts Less Ordinary came to my rescue. I'm so glad I found this because they have so many unique gift ideas. True to its name, their gifts are less ordinary. Here are some of my cool finds.

Personalized Map Photo Wall Art Blocks For Him

This set includes a personalized set of ready to hang wall art blocks, one treasured map location, one photograph and your personal message. A great Father's Day gift, isn't it? You simply need to tell them your one special treasured map location, send them your chosen photograph and let them know your message for the engraving.

Personalized 'Best Dad' Whisky Glass

Spoil your dad with a personalized whisky glass this Father's Day! This etched whisky glass will be a permanent reminder of how much he is appreciated and can be used time and time again.

Personalized Luxury Leather Travel Wallet

This stunning leather travel wallet is perfect for your trips abroad. With a secure popper opening, and three sections including one clear pocket, this luxurious accessory can organize all your travel essentials with ease. Compactly sized, it can easily fit into a handbag or briefcase, and is extremely useful for keeping all your travel documents at hand. Handmade in the heart of Italy from the finest full grain leather, this luxurious document holder is guaranteed to stand the test of time.

Personalized Men's Silver Message Necklace

Our beautiful sterling silver hand cast pendant can be personalized on the front and back with a message of your choice.

Watch Stand

This is all new personalized wooden watch stand was handmade from beautiful English Oak and Amish American Black Walnut. It can be personalized to make a truly unique and timeless gift. The watch holder itself is designed to hold your watch in the correct position so it can be easily read. This design turns your watch into a great night stand.

So there you have it. Aren't they cool and unique? If like me, you still have no idea what to give your main man on Dad's day, I'm sure you'll find something for him from Gifts Less Ordinary.

What to do in case of Water Damage at Home

Tweet

Water damage is one of the most expensive repairs to fix because it spreads at a rapid pace and saturates materials which will ultimately need to be replaced. This is such a common problem that restoration fees have skyrocketed to $2.5 billion annually in the United States, with the average homeowner paying $7,000 to repair the damages. One of the most expensive fees associated with water damage is paying a professional to remove mildew and mold that feeds on the damp materials. Black mold is incredibly dangerous for humans, and any area with mold greater than 3 square feet must be removed by a professional. The most important thing to do when you find water damage is to locate the source of the leak, assess the damage, and determine the appropriate means to repair the water leak and damage. You may visit this link to know more about mold remediation.

When pipes get old, washers easily break and compromise the seal of the waterline. These leaks can be difficult to spot until it’s too late, so you must know a few simple techniques to find a leak before it becomes a problem. One of the most common leaks associated with water damage is caused by pipes leading to the bathroom. These are often the most used water source in your home unless you are a dedicated chef cooking four-course meals. When toilets leak, there will be a distinct hissing sound coming from the tank. This hissing is the sound of water slowly draining from the tank, and you can begin to determine which part needs repairs. Clogged gutters are the most common problem not associated with broken pipes. This is a common problem in cities like Seattle, where there is heavy rainfall and deciduous trees constantly clogging your drains with leaves. When the water backs up it will have no place to go except into your roof. This is simply remedied by cleaning your gutters so the water can flow away from your home.

Assessing the damage is the most difficult task for an untrained homeowner. The first thing you will want to do is contain the leak. If you have a broken pipe somewhere in your home you must shut off the water to prevent further damage. You will need to determine if the water damage has compromised the structure of the building to ensure you don’t fall through your floor. You will then need to make a thorough inspection for mold and pay careful attention for strong smells of mildew.

The last step is determining how you should go about repairing the damage. Unless you are a handyman, you should not attempt to fix this damage by yourself. There could be dangerous mold hidden in the walls and you do not want to needlessly expose yourself to harmful spores. If you find the leak quickly, then a professional may be able to use special drying techniques to repair the damage rather than replace it. For severe damage, you must call a professional to fix the leak, and a restoration company to eradicate mold and restore the structure.

Is Your Food Influencing Your Mental Health?

Tweet

It is estimated that one in four people experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. It should not really come as a surprise in this fast paced and stressful world we live in. Mental health is an important issue and needs to be taken care of to experience a normal life. Interestingly enough, it has been found that several factors influence your mental well being, including the king of food that you eat! Here are the foods that greatly influence your mental health:

1. Vitamin D: It has been found that Vitamin D deficiency can lead to depression, especially in younger women. The vitamin which makes bones stronger is obtained primarily from sunlight. It is thought that people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) often face the symptoms of the disorder because of vitamin D deficiency.

2. Calcium: Low levels of calcium are linked with anxiety and depression. Calcium influences the neurotransmitters in the brain that release hormones that stabilize one’s mood. This works just like how playing a game on a bingo site in the UK would! It can make you instantly feel better.

3. Magnesium: A magnesium deficiency can cause the presence of high levels of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is the stress hormone that leads to the “fight or flight” response. High cortisol levels can leave you feeling anxious and on edge, and can also affect your ability to fall asleep leading to sleepless nights. These sleepless nights inevitably affect your moods.

Food and nutrients influence us more than we probably think. Eating right has always been an important thing to do when faced with physical afflictions, but now you know it is similarly important in case you are feeling anxious or depressed.

Cleaning drains – five mistakes you do not want to make

Tweet

A blocked drain is something that no-one wants to have to deal with, but it's a common problem. It's easy for a drain to become blocked, especially if you are not careful about what goes down the drain. If you think a household drain may be blocked, you need to deal with the problem as soon as possible. If you do not do so, it will only become worse, and more difficult to resolve.

If you are dealing with a blocked drain in your home, there are some things you should not do. We are going to take a look at these things, and explain why doing them might worsen the problem rather than solving it.

Using caustic drain cleaners

Many people assume that using a caustic drain cleaner is a good idea, when there is a blockage in a drain. This is not the case. Many household drain cleaners have been shown to be bad for the environment. They are also not very effective when it comes to removing a blockage. At best, they may loosen a small part of the blockage, but you are unlikely to completely resolve the problem by using them. They can also cause damage to drains, over time.

Sticking items into a drain

You may think that sticking a coat hanger, or a broom handle, down a drain will remove any blockage that is present. In fact, you are unlikely to be able to reach a blockage by doing this. Even if you do reach the blockage, you are more likely to push it further into the drain, rather than removing it.

Trying to move a blockage using water pressure

This is a tactic that people sometimes use when a drain becomes blocked. They take a hose, and use it to direct water down the drain. You will probably get very wet if you do this, and the blockage is likely to remain exactly where it is.

Trying to resolve a complicated blockage yourself

You may want to try using a plunger on the blockage to remove it. This can be a successful tactic. If the blockage is more complicated, the best idea is to ask a plumber in Mosman for help. They can clear the blockage quickly and easily, whereas you may only make matters worse with your efforts.

Letting the blockage happen in the first place

One of the biggest mistakes, when it comes to blocked drains, is allowing them to happen in the first place. It's a good idea to use drain guards, to stop items such as food, grease, dead skin and hair, from going down the drain. You should also be vigilant about what you wash down the drain, and make sure that debris is cleaned from around the area. Hopefully, you are now more aware of what not to do, if you have a problem with blocked drains in your home. If you are in any doubt, it's best to speak to a professional, and let them deal with the problem for you.

Receptra Prime Fresh Berry to Manage your Joint Aches and Pains.

Tweet

It's been a while since I last reviewed a product. I got caught up with too many things at work and at home that blogging had to take a backseat. But a blogger will always be a blogger no matter how busy and I'm glad I finally found the time to squeeze in a post. I was recently sent samples of Receptra products to try via Tapinfluence. Lena was very accommodating and she sent the products as soon as I gave her my details. The products arrived at my doorstep and I was very excited to try all of them.

Receptra offers premium organic, whole plant, pure hemp extracts. These oils are locally sourced from the owner's family-owned farms in Colorado. I got the Prime Fresh Berry, Receptra Body Butter, and the Receptra Targeted Topical. I must admit that I am new to CBD oil and this is actually the first time that I will be using these products. Let's know more about the hemp oil. 

What is it?

Health and Wellness is Receptra Naturals’ line of pure hemp CBD oils. Available in 2 concentrations, Prime & Plus, for a natural defense against a full spectrum of threats to your immune and central nervous systems. According to research, hemp oil also works against convulsions, anxiety, insomnia, neuropathic pain and ulcers. CBD oil is great for pain relief and recovery.

My sister-in-law was diagnosed with Lupus. It is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs. She is still very young, but her body feels old because of these symptoms. She gets tired very easily and the joint pains are terrible. I asked her to try the products and see if they would help.

She said the Prime Fresh Berry flavor is great. Her exact words were "I don't know how it works, but it really does." I am glad to be given this opportunity to review these items because my sister in law found something that would help her manage joint pain and aches.

I, on the other hand, tried the body butter. I love what it does for my skin. It feels soft and smooth and there is a glow according to my husband. It's only been a few days and I haven't noticed anything like reduction of wrinkles, but my skin definitely feels younger.

I would say you get these products if you are looking for ways to help you manage the pains and aches caused by exercise or chronic diseases.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Receptra Naturals. The opinions and text are all mine.

What is Termite Baiting

Tweet

Termite are among the most destructive pests in the country, costing homeowners in the Unites States over $5 billion a year in repairs. It’s no wonder why you would want to exterminate a pest that is eatings its way through your bedroom. There are many forms of termiticide on the market which work as barriers to keep underground termites from entering the home. A termite that l comes into contact with the poison is either killed or leaves the area immediately. An alternative treatment for termites is placing bait with slow acting poison near areas they inhabit. To understand how termite baiting works, you need to know what it is, how it is implemented, and the overall success these baits have in eradicating the insects. If you believe termite baiting is an appropriate form of pest control visit this website to get a free estimate today!

Termite baiting is the process of placing poisonous bait near an area infested with termites. This bait needs to be highly preferred for termites, such as: cardboard, untreated wood, and paper. You will first place these traps with no poison, so the termites leave a trail to the food source for their colony to join the feast. Once you have determined they have found the bait, you will add a slow-acting poison that can be spread to other termites in the colony. If your poison is too strong and kills termites around the bait, then the colony will catch on that it is a dangerous food supply and find a meal elsewhere.

Termites that live above ground are very common in the United States. These termites have wings that allow them to attack any area of your home. They often like to set in somewhere near your attic and invade through your ceiling. To treat these flying termites you should place bait near holes the termites are using to remove their excrement and other locations you know they have infested. Underground termites are a little trickier because you don’t know exactly where the nest lays in the dirt. You will install your bait into the ground using a plastic feeding system with spaces for the termites to enter and exit freely. You will want to place several of these plastic tubes throughout the affected area to ensure that the colony is feeding on the bait from multiple locations. 

These various type of baiting strategies have wildly inconsistent results. A major factor in their success largely depends on whether or not the termites found the bait. As stated above, if the poison is too strong, the termites will die immediately and the other termites will know something isn’t safe about that food supply. Since the results can be somewhat inconsistent, it is recommended that you call a professional if your home has a large infestation that is already causing significant damage. Always keep in mind that spending a few hundred dollars for an exterminator is much better than spending a few thousand dollars on a contractor.

Written by: Quintin Bentley Crevling

Pregnancy Talk

Tweet

It's been ages since I've gone through the stages of pregnancy. I have two grown up kids and a twin granddaughters. It seems kinda odd to be talking about pregnancy when I am way past this, but I want to point out some of the differences during my time and now. 

Back then, women couldn't easily Check Pregnancy. There were no kits available to find out for yourself if you are in the family way or not. You have to go visit a gynecologist and have a pregnancy test to know if you are conceiving. 

When I was pregnant with my first child, I had a hunch because there were already signs that I conceived. Things that I didn't normally feel like, dizziness, shortness of breath and my lower back getting tired easily, I felt. I knew there was something, but I just couldn't confirm it because there was no other way of finding out. Nowadays, pregnancy kits are easily available and what's great about these kits is you can now find out even as early as the second week.

Women today also have a lot of other options and resources. Aside from books, there are a lot of websites that offer pregnancy tips and tricks which a lot of first time moms would find useful. Websites like Check Pregnancy that cover a lot of topics about how to take care of yourself and your baby, fertility and implantation bleeding. You can even find top baby humidifier reviews at checkpregnancy.

But, whether you are a new mom or not, I'm sure finding out that you are in the family way was one of the best news ever and knowing that a little bundle of joy is growing inside you, makes everyone else in the family very excited, too. You know you are already a mom from day one and you would do everything to make sure that your baby will be the healthiest inside and outside your tummy. You will do everything to take care of yourself and your baby. 

What's important is you have the support of your family and you have a good doctor to take care of you. Choose someone you can trust and you'll know you're in good hands.

Grooming Your Eyebrow

Tweet

One of the most important things to do when it comes to beauty is grooming your eyebrows. There are many options that you can choose from when it comes to removing those unwanted hair: plucking, waxing, threading, and lasers.

Tweezing at Home

This do-it-yourself option is the most popular because it won't cost you a penny, except for the price of the tweezers, which you only buy once. Although it's a bit painful, especially when you're not used to it, the process allows you to remove unwanted hair using tweezers in the privacy of your own home. A lot of women choose to do this because you have complete control over the shape of your eyebrows.

Use of Creams or Depilatories

Depilatories are chemical-based creams designed to remove unwanted hair.  This is easy to do, but is not really recommended for use on eyebrows. Like tweezing, this is also inexpensive and can remove hair in about 5 to ten minutes.

Waxing

As with waxing, a hot wax is used to remove unwanted hair at the follicle. The process is rather painful because the hot wax is applied on the hair and covered with a cloth A quick pull of the wax does the trick. This can also be done at the convenience of your home and the results can last up to four weeks.

Eyebrow Threading

The process of threading involves lassoing individual unwanted hairs with a thread and pulling them out from the follicle quickly. This can easily be done by experts and like waxing, the results can last four to six weeks.

Laser

A laser is used to destroy hair follicles with heat, allowing for permanent reduction of unwanted hair. Although laser hair removal is costly, this has become more popular because the process is painless and provide long lasting effects.

Whatever way you prefer to groom your eyebrows  totally depends on your budget and how comfortable you are doing it yourself against letting an expert handle it. Hopefully, the list provided above helps.

Fell in Love with El Nido

Tweet

Unlike in Boracay where the night life is really alive, El Nido is more laid back. It was still in the 90's when my family visited Boracay and if you are like me hates loud music and would rather prefer the soft sound of a musicians friend banjo, you will feel overwhelmed once night time sets in. 

There is a long strip of clubs, bars and restaurants where there is loud music playing, so you can just imagine the mix of head battering music. Even in our hotel room, you can hear the music played from the bars. El Nido, on the other hand is very quiet and calm. You can rest assured that when night time comes, guests can rest and sleep peacefully. Oh, I miss the sound of the waves and the soft wind blowing. I fell in love with Palawan and I can't wait till my next visit.

Young and Skillful

Tweet

One of the things that amazed me when we visited Palawan a couple of weeks ago are some of the young weavers. It was not the fact that they were young that amazed me, but it was because they were males. I didn't think men would be interested in this kind of stuff. Most teenagers and even some of my friends would rather get into sports or play the guitar. By the way, if you are looking for great and affordable guitars, you can find them here: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sony/MDR-7506-Headphones-1274115027504.gc. Okay, I digress. 

It was amazing how fast they skillfully weaved those fabrics. Displayed outside their work area is the woven dress where my mom is standing beside it. They also have a souvenir shop where we bought some items.

Product Review: Ozeri OZP1 Movie Time Healthy Popcorn Maker

Tweet

Everyone at home got very excited when this cute little popcorn maker arrived on our doorstep. This was sent to me by Ozeri for review purposes. So let's so how this little machine works.

Product Description:

• Pops up to 26 cups (2 large bowls for the whole family) in under 2 1/2 minutes - outperforms microwaves and other devices by more than 50%, with virtually no unpopped kernels 
• Liberates you from more expensive microwave bags but utilizing hot air for a low calorie treat of puffier popcorn, yet free of saturated fats, artificial flavors, unneeded salt and preservatives 
• Works with regular and gourmet popcorn types and offers a see-through chute for that traditional movie-theatre taste and experience 
• Includes a removable butter cup that automatically melts and distributes the butter for that ultimate savory popcorn treat Certified to North American electric standards, simple to clean, with auto sleep technology for the best in safety and enjoyment

My Thoughts

When I opened the box, I found the unit rather small. I wasn't sure if this could really make 2 large bowls of popcorn in under 3 minutes. To my surprise, though, it did. This little machine is tough. I love the fact that I can make popcorn with less grease because I get to control the oil or butter that goes in my popcorn. There were also fewer kernels left when I made a couple of batches. You may think it's small, but it's perfect on my counter top. It's not bulky and I can easily keep it inside the cabinet.

My Recommendation

This is a must have item at home if you love popcorn. I love that this popcorn machine is easy to operate, just don't leave the unit unattended or you'll get popcorn all over your place. Save yourself from buying expensive microwave popcorn that is not even good for your health. Make your own and control the amount of butter or oil that goes in there. I highly recommend this.

Where to buy?

This cute popcorn machine is available at Amazon for only $26.95.

Disclosure: I have received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for my honest review. I was not paid for my thoughts and opinions. What was written above are 100 percent my own and was in no way influenced by the brand or anyone.

4 Remodeling Jobs Made Better By Hiring A Professional

Tweet

Many homeowners like the idea of remodeling their home and saving money by doing it themselves. While it is fun to take on home projects, you can often get better results by hiring a remodeling contractor. A professional can get you that finished look that adds value and beauty to your home. Some remodeling projects seem simple, but they wind up looking much better when you bring in an expert.

Interior Painting

If you are considering painting the exterior of your home, then you would more than likely want to bring in a professional. But most people try to tackle interior painting on their own, and that can be a big mistake. You hire a professional for exterior work because there is special prep work required and it can be difficult to get the right results if you don't know what you are doing. The same can be said for interior painting jobs, which is why it is best to hire a professional to get the best possible results.

Furniture Moving

The idea of hiring an expert to more your furniture can seem a little outlandish, but there is a good reason for bringing in an expert to rearrange your room. A professional interior decorator knows how to make the best use of your space and get the most from your room's layout. A professional can recommend new upholstery for certain types of furniture to make your room seem larger, and they can utilize brighter colors to help get the most from the natural light.

Landscaping

You really do not need to hire an expert to mow your lawn every week, but you should considering bringing a professional in once a month to get your lawn to look its best. A professional landscaper will be able to remove weeds and fix brown spots on your lawn that will make your lawn look much better. An expert can also show you how to properly water your lawn and get your lawn to look lush and green.

Holiday Decorating

The biggest reason some people put off holiday decorating is because it is a lot of work. You love the look of holiday lights on the outside of your home, but you don't want to go through the hassle of having to climb a ladder to get the work done. The other problem is that it can be difficult to get that holiday display look you see in the magazines if you are not someone with the right kind of experience.

If you care about the look and condition of your home, then you should never hesitate to invest in the services of real professionals. Whether you are looking for a professional finish to your painting job or a magazine-like look to your holiday lights, there are plenty of good reasons to bring in the experts when it is time to do even simple tasks around or in your home.