Your home is likely one of your favorite places in the world.

After all, countless memories are made within those walls. As a result, whether you live in a new build or are trying to look after an older home, it’s important that you work to protect it from damage. After all, failure to do so could mean that you’re spending a fortune on repairs.

While there are many different maintenance issues you may encounter as a homeowner, the most pressing tend to be those caused by adverse weather conditions, such as storms and floods. 

Photo by Luke Southern on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some simple steps you can take to protect your home, whatever the weather! 

Seal any cracks. 

Cracks in window and door frames or exterior walls can allow air to enter or escape your home. Not only could this mean that your energy bills skyrocket, but it could also expose your home to the elements. As such, you must work to seal any of these gaps before bad weather hits. For example, you can use sealants or weatherstripping to achieve this goal. 

Be prepared for the aftermath. 

While it’s important that you make a real effort to protect your home from damage, you should also be prepared for the aftermath of adverse weather so that you’re able to repair any issues right away. For example, if your property were to flood, you should be prepared to reach out to companies that offer 

Water Damage Mitigation Services. This way, they can arrive on-site right away, reducing any long-term damage to your home. 

Maintain your roof. 

Maintaining your roof is a relatively easy way to weather and waterproof your home. After all, when tiles are damaged or missing, they provide a getaway from the elements, be that wind or water, to enter your home, which could lead to a wide range of maintenance issues. For example, the build-up of moisture within your attic space could lead to mold and mildew. As such, you should regularly inspect your roof for any signs of damage, working to carry out any repairs as quickly as possible. 

Shore Up Your Electrics 

Harsh weather conditions can wreak havoc on your home’s energy supply, especially if you live in an older property with an outdated panel unit. If your setup is too old, you risk flickering lights and blown fuses among other problems. Before storms or floods strike your home, research electrical panel replacements and fittings to help keep the lights on (and your family safe) during adverse or extreme weather. 

Clean out your gutters. 

Another way in which you can prevent weather damage to your property is by keeping your gutters clean and free from any debris. After all, when they become clogged, this stops rainwater from filtering away from your property. This could also cause both interior and exterior pipes to burst. Thankfully, cleaning out your gutters is a task that you can easily DIY – which means you don’t have to break the bank to protect your property. However, you should be careful when working at height in order to avoid accidents or injuries! 

Final thoughts. 

While we cannot control the weather (though that would be fun), there are plenty of steps we can take to protect our homes from adverse weather conditions. Doing so will help you to cut back on maintenance and repair costs while also giving you greater peace of mind. 

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A winning garden space brings a whole new dimension to the home. However, it can feel like a daunting task if you have let yours go unloved for several months. Thankfully, with the right strategy, it will be possible to design the peaceful paradise that you deserve.

Whether you have a compact or large backyard space, it can become your favorite part of the home. Here are five simple steps that will lead you to success.

Choose The Right Plants & Trees

If you are eager to bring tranquility into the garden, the natural beauty of plants and trees will be the key to success. Pindo palm trees are the perfect choice if you want a tropical vibe but live in a location that lacks the climate needed for other palm tree types. Meanwhile, you should be eager to introduce vibrant flowers. When using seasonal blooms, you must plan ahead so that the garden shines all year.

The right plants will set the tone for your garden. Just be sure to consider the ongoing maintenance needs too. 

Declutter 

Knowing which trees you wish to plant is one thing but you also need to remove the clutter. Removing unwanted shrubs or stone features will make it far easier to begin work on the upgrade. Meanwhile, simple ideas like removing weeds can help you ensure that only the desired insects enter the garden. Their sounds can be very peaceful, especially when you’re not worried about them causing damage.

Hiring a skip may be necessary if you have lots of brickwork, broken furniture, or foliage to remove. Or you could hire a professional.

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Build A Simple Deck

If adding a new dimension to the home is your goal, a garden deck is ideal. It is possible to build a simple one with help from an online tutorial. Adding backyard furniture, along with heating and lighting will take your enjoyment to new heights. You can enjoy it alone, with your family or when hosting friends. It’s certainly versatile.

Patios offer many of the same benefits. However, the natural materials of a wood deck will add to the peaceful atmosphere.

Add A Water Feature

OK, so a swimming pool is expensive and high maintenance. However, a simple hot tub is the perfect place to relax your muscles and mind. Alternatively, the sound of a small water feature can be very relaxing too. You will probably want to choose one that can be turned on and off as required. When you get it right, though, it will transform the garden into a calming setting for all the senses.

Of course, if you have children, you’ll need to consider the safety factors. In truth, though, only small adjustments will be required.

Lay An Artificial Lawn

For many homeowners, the problems don’t surface from completing a garden makeover. The main issues relate to maintenance. One of the easiest ways to overcome this is with an artificial lawn. You will no longer need to cut it. Instead, you’ll just need to vacuum it to maintain a pristine look. Given that robotic vacuums can be purchased to do this, the appeal is greater than ever.

Besides, it means that you can spend less time maintaining the garden and more time enjoying it. Perfect.

If you have an issue at home and you are wondering whether or not you should try and tackle it yourself, then here are some of the jobs best left to the professionals.

Fixing A Gas Leak

You shouldn’t be attempting to fix anything to do with gas. You need a gas-registered engineer to come and deal with the issue at hand. If you try and fix it yourself then you may find that you end up putting your health at risk as well as the health of others. You also put your home at risk of an explosion, which is the last thing you need.

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Removing Asbestos

Removing asbestos is very dangerous, so it’s wise to try and leave it to the professionals. To have asbestos removed, it’s possible that you will have to get an inspection done so that the type of asbestos can be identified. You will then have to come up with a plan so that the asbestos can be removed as safely as possible.

Fitting a New Bath

It doesn’t matter whether you are upgrading your bathroom or whether you are having issues with the bathtub you have now because you should leave this job to the professionals. Failure to do so could well result in a leak in your home and this could be disastrous. A lot of DIY installations for bathtubs end up with the tub not being sealed properly, and if there is a leak then you may find that this contributes to mould growth. If you do not secure the tub in place, then this can lead to it moving around or even falling through the floor.

Knocking down a Wall

Knocking down an internal wall might seem like a very good way for you to open up your living room. That being said, knocking down a wall can be dangerous if it is load-bearing. If you attempt to knock down a wall without any kind of steel reinforcement, then it could result in your ceiling falling through. Whatever it is supporting, will come down with it and this can be incredibly dangerous.

Any Electrical Work

If you have a light switch that has gone or if you have to replace a bulb, then these jobs might seem simple enough and you can take care of them yourself. That being said, you do have to make sure that you leave any bigger jobs to the professionals. If you don’t then you may find that you put yourself at risk of electrocution. You also run the risk of an electrical fire starting. If you want to avoid this, then be sure to hire a professional electrician. If you do, then you will soon find that they can give you the help you need, and they can also make sure that your electrics are wired up in a way that is safe as well.

So, you shouldn’t attempt these jobs yourself. If you do then you could be putting your life in danger, as well as the general integrity of your home.

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Home is so much more than just a physical place- it’s a refuge, a safe space from the world around us. A good home is so important for our wellbeing as it’s a sanctuary for our mental health, not to mention a haven where precious memories are created with loved ones. Whether you’re setting up your first home or just want to transform your property into a more warm and inviting retreat with custom shutters and cosy nooks, here’s how you can go about creating a space that goes beyond aesthetics and truly nurtures your soul.

Keep it Cosy 

When it comes to creating a cosy atmosphere, it’s all about the details. Soft furnishings are a great place to start, they add colour, texture and pattern to any room (perfect if you’re adding interest to very neutral decor) but they’re also functional as they keep you cosy. Cushions, rugs, curtains and throws are all fantastic choices. Lamps and lighting can help to set a cosy mood too, if you invest in smart bulbs you can really tailor the light without purchasing lots of lamps. Clear, warm fairy lights can be a nice way to add both atmosphere and a pretty look to a room all year round- not just at Christmas!

Get the Temperature Right

One of the key elements of a comfortable home is getting the temperature just right, none of us want to feel too cold or too hot in our own space. You can maintain good ventilation simply by opening windows or using fans, this helps to keep moisture and mould at bay. Installing an HVAC System could be a good investment and keep your temperature perfect, even if you dont live in a climate that’s particularly extreme it’s a great thing to have. 

Dont Overlook Scent

Scent is a powerful tool that can transform any space, its strongly linked to memories so a great way to invoke a feeling of happiness and nostalgia. Maybe the smell of cinnamon reminds you of your childhood Christmasses, or perhaps the smell of fresh laundry reminds you of visiting your parents home. Reed diffusers or candles in the scent ‘clean cotton’ can emulate this. A subtle and gentle aroma can work wonders in creating a welcoming and soothing environment for both you and your guests.

Keep it Clean

Maintaining a clean and organised living space is so important if you want to achieve a comfortable home. Regular cleaning keeps a hygienic environment but also contributes to a sense of peace and serenity too. Put together a cleaning routine that suits your lifestyle, focusing on things like decluttering, dusting and tidying up on a regular basis. Invest in storage solutions that help keep belongings neatly arranged, reducing visual clutter and promoting a calm atmosphere. Don’t forget to pay attention to frequently overlooked areas like windows, carpets, and upholstery, as their cleanliness greatly impacts overall comfort.

Add a Personal Touch

Adding personal touches to your home creates a sense of familiarity and warmth. Display things like photos, artwork or sentimental objects that bring you joy and remind you of special memories. Create nooks or corners where you can go to for relaxation or reflection or wind down with a book. Consider adding some indoor plants which not only enhances the aesthetic of the place but also improves air quality and promotes a connection with nature.

Photo by Terry Magallanes

Making your home smell as fragrant as possible is probably something that you strive for. Learning how to use fragrances in your home is a key factor in ensuring that you keep the bad odors out and the good odors in. 

If you have been struggling to find ways to keep your home smelling fresh here are some tips that will assist you.

Get the Smell of Cooking Out

Deodorizing your kitchen right after you have cooked is important. Many people have smells from their kitchen going into several different areas of their home when they cook and this can make the home smell like one big kitchen. 

Thankfully, there are natural remedies that you can use to make your kitchen smell better after you have cooked certain foods and prevent the smell of food from permeating into the rest of the home. 

To get fish scents out you should consider setting a bowl of vinegar in your kitchen right after you have finished cooking fish. It will deodorize the room. 

To get the smell of garlic and onions out of your kitchen try having a lot of baking soda on hand. If you want to keep your kitchen smelling good place a tub of baking soda, somewhere in the fridge or the kitchen.

Make Your Shoe Closet Smell Great

The closet where you keep your shoes and boots can be a bit smelly. You should try adding a small bar of soap inside each shoe and then leaving it overnight.

The soap will kill off the bacteria that are producing the foul smell in the shoe. Since the soap is extremely porous it will also absorb the odor and in turn, give the shoes a nice scent.

Another great idea is to place bath bombs in your shoes overnight. This can have the same impact as soap and leave your shoes and shoe closet smelling great.

Use Scented Candles 

Scented candles are a great way for you to make your bedroom smell good. When 

selecting a fragrance for your bedroom from a candle maker such as White Fox Candles, consider the feel and smell that you want to have in the room.

Maybe you want to bring a little bit of the outdoors in. In this case, a woodsy citrusy scent may be just what you need. However, maybe you prefer your bedroom to smell a little more fragrant. Candles with fragrances of essential oils like lavender may be what you prefer.

Get Your Home Smelling Good

Making a home smell good is something that you should strive for at all times. Unfortunately, there are times when odors will develop in your home. Whether it is the kitchen, closet, or bedroom, it’s always good to have strategies for eliminating these types of odors. 

This will not only make your home pleasant for you but if you have to have guests over, you can prevent any embarrassment you may feel. 

As you can see there are many ways you can get your home smelling great and it doesn’t have to break the bank.

Have you ever thought about the ways in which your business could be vulnerable? If it doesn’t have the right protection, there are various problems that could affect it. It can be damaged in different ways, from financially to reputationally. It takes a lot of work to make a business successful, but one wrong move could mean that it all starts to come apart. You need to be aware of the ways in which your business can be vulnerable and what steps you can take to protect it. Here are some of the things that could be making your business’s future unsafe.

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You Don’t Have the Right Business Structure

When you set up a business, you have different structures that you can consider using. You might become self-employed, or you could set up a limited liability company or a partnership, among other options. But it’s important to have the right business structure to protect your business and yourself. For example, if you are self-employed, there’s no separation between you and your business. This means that both you and your business could be more vulnerable, especially when it comes to financial and legal matters. It might be a good idea to consult an accountant or a business lawyer.

No Protection of Intellectual Property

There are some cases when it makes sense to take steps to protect your business’s intellectual property. You might have a unique product you want to patent or something that you want to trademark. While this isn’t always necessary, and can be expensive, it can be a crucial step in protecting your business. It helps to prevent competitors from simply stealing your ideas. You should think carefully about whether you need to seek extra protection. Talking to a lawyer with the relevant knowledge can help you decide what to do.

You’re Not Insured

If your business isn’t already insured, it’s something that you need to arrange right away. Without insurance, your business is vulnerable in many different ways. You could find yourself experiencing problems due to damage to your premises, legal claims, and more. Insuring your business is simple, so there’s no excuse not to do it. Start by getting some quotes from Tivly so that you can compare costs and different levels of coverage. There are many different types of commercial insurance, so make sure you get the right options for your company.

You’re Lacking a Dedicated Customer Service Team

Small businesses often start off without dedicated people to manage customer service. It may be the business owner who is handling any inquiries or complaints. However, there will come a point when this needs to change. Without someone to manage your customer service, you could be letting your customers down and gaining a negative reputation. You don’t have to hire staff to do this. You can consider outsourcing your customer service, which can help you to save money.

If your business is vulnerable, it can be fixed. Once you’ve identified the problem, you can look for the right solution.