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The Chemical Free Way of Killing Bed Bugs

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It was not long ago that bed bugs were considered eradicated in most countries. The saying “good night and don’t let the beg bugs bite” had lost a great deal of its meaning to generations who have never experienced these types of bugs. Unfortunately, they have made a startling comeback and now they are infecting neighbourhoods both rich and poor.

Bedbugs on a bed sheet

Even posh hotels and mansions have experienced bed bug invasions and the reasons are numerous. First, DDT which was one of the few types of chemicals that actually killed bed bugs was banned a number of years ago because it negatively affected humans as well. Plus, many of the preventative steps that people used to take in their homes to prevent or stop a bed bug invasion have been in decline as well. So, it probably is not all that surprising that the invasion is back.

However, you do not need to use harsh chemicals in order to rid your home of bed bugs. In fact, there are even a number of steps that you can take which may prevent their incursion from happening in the first place.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

There are a number of steps that you can take, but remember that bed bugs are basically parasites that feast on human blood. They do not enter your home through the entranceways or cracks in your home like other insects. Instead, they usually invade because of people that come into your home. So, if you never have visitors, then you’ll never have bed bugs unless you bring them in yourself.

However, this may not be practical, so here are a few things to keep in mind to help prevent an infestation.

Cleanliness: Clean your bedding and put the dryer on hot to kill any bed bugs that might be living inside. You will need to vacuum your mattress and all the furnishings surrounding your bed as well since the bugs like to stay nearby. Using steam to clean your mattress will kill the bed bugs as well, but you may need a professional service to do that as well as clean your carpet which will kill any on the floor.

You’ll want to follow this up by clearing away all the clutter as well. By getting rid of the clutter under and around your bed, you reduce the number of places that bed bugs can nest.

Mattress Bag: This can help smother bed bugs and prevent them from getting to you. Be sure to inspect your mattress bag as well as your pillow for any tears or openings so that they can be sealed. This will help prevent the bed bugs from getting to you.

Tea Tree Oil: One interesting trick is to put tea tree oil in cups and then put each leg of your bed in the cups so that any bed bugs will fall into the “moat” and not reach you. Tea tree oil is a very strong antiseptic that should drown the bed bugs and not allow them to crawl up into your bedding.

A few simple steps can keep your bed from becoming a haven for bed bugs. By taking a few preventative measures, you can enjoy a bed bug free environment.

Top Ten Tips for taking advantage of Smart Technology in your home

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Everywhere we look we can find the use of smart technology; in our cell phones, tablets and now in our homes.

How can you get the most from the smart technology available to you now in your home? Follow our ‘Top Ten Tips’ to discover how to take advantage of what is on offer:

smart tech

  1. Control your home through one simple smart pad: get video, data, telephone, wireless, climate, security, lighting and other factors in your home to run more efficiently through ‘on demand access’ to all of the systems in your home while you are at home or away from home.
  2. Kitchen appliances now pair with smart technology allowing you to play music or watch videos on a screen right on your fridge. Control your appliances with a smart pad, letting you turn on the oven remotely. And save water with faucets that turn on and off without touch.
  3. Smart technology is not just about remote access. It is a way to save costs, keep your family safe and make your life comfortable. For example cooktops that start only when metal comes into contact with them and shut off when the metal is removed, giving you a safer, more efficient kitchen.
  4. Consider what aspects of your home life could be made easier by having smart technology installed. Would you feel safer being able to control your alarm system, lighting and heating remotely or to be able to monitor your children via video. A professional consultant can walk through your home with you and come up with a solution to meet your needs. Being able to control your entertainment systems throughout your home, turn on lights before you pull up in the driveway and check your security system while away from home can add peace of mind and comfort to your life.
  5. Take smart technology into the bathroom and at the touch of a button select each family member’s preferences for water temperature in the shower and music to play through sound tile speakers.
  6. Save money on your water bill by using smart water fixtures that use less water while feeling totally luxurious. Choose a shower head that changes the water wave pattern to use less water. Motion sensors in faucets cut water wastage and LED lighting can show water temperature before you put your hands under it to ensure safety.
  7. Even the temperature in your home can be controlled with smart technology. A monitor that controls your home’s climate can ‘learn’ your family’s preferences and connect via Wi-Fi to control your home’s temperature from any smart device.
  8. The design of your home can be made smart, too, by careful placement of windows and doors to take advantage of the natural seasonal changes. A ‘passive’ house is one designed to heat itself in winter and cool in summer. The siting of the home takes into account the way the sun moves across the sky, the trees that surround the building and the direction of wind. Architects are using more of this technology in designing new homes.
  9. Many new ideas are being developed and will soon be in our homes; a coffee table that allows you to surf the internet while you control your home’s lighting and climate while entertaining guests is not far from reality in everyday homes. Samsung are just one of the companies working to develop these smart technologies.
  10. And, of course, automation is another smart technology we already have. The ability to open and close blinds and awning to controlling lighting and music is already part of our lives.

Want to live on the beach? Here’s what you need to know before you buy

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Many of us dream of living on the beach, waking up to the sound of the waves and being able to take a walk or swim whenever we choose.

beach house

But if we don’t pay attention to some important details our dream can quickly become a nightmare.

  1. Research your location: if you are not familiar with the area consider renting first. Discover if the local area has the amenities that you and your family need to feel comfortable and happy.
  2. Location, location, location: find out about your new neighbours, do they have children or pets that will affect your enjoyment of your new home? In a remote location you may be more vulnerable to theft and in a busier location you may not get the peace and quiet you desire.
  3. Work with a local realtor: is this going to be your year round home, and if so, do the local businesses stay open all year? When was the last big storm and how much damage did it cause? Is flooding an issue? Research all of these to discover if this new house is your ideal home.
  4. As with all new homes a home inspection is key: walk away if there are signs of flooding or the potential for it. Or research the costs of raising your new house, if you are sure that it is the home you want.
  5. Hire a land surveyor: consider erosion and subsidence. Have a professional check out the land and take their advice. A good sign of well draining land is lots of trees and bushes. A newly laid lawn could raise a red flag; what is it trying to cover up?
  6. Consider buying a few blocks away from the beach: a beach front home will appreciate in value more but it could be more prone to storm damage and need repairs. A home just a few blocks from the beach will likely cost less and have more accommodation.
  7. Budget: as with all new properties buy what you can afford. But bear in mind that beach front properties will cost more to insure, will be more prone to wind, salt and sea damage and will cost more to maintain.

Beach living is a dream and not something you should discount due to the considerations it brings. Just make sure that you are wise in your choice and you should enjoy your beachfront home for many years.

Why should you consider designing your own home?

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There are many benefits to designing your own home, the foremost being that you get a living space that meets your family’s exact needs.

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But what other benefits are there to creating your own space?

  1. You get exactly what you need and not what someone else chose
  2. You get to choose all of the fixtures and fittings making the space uniquely yours
  3. Every floor will be finished in your choice of covering, and your counter tops will meet your needs and tastes, too
  4. You are sure that your home will be built properly and to the right standards, which will cut down on future repair costs
  5. You won’t need to renovate in the future to get the home you want and need
  6. You can ensure that your carbon footprint will be low in your custom designed and built home

Top Tips to Make Your Old Kitchen New

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We all know that the kitchen is the heart of every home and if your kitchen is feeling a little frayed around the edges our top tips can help you give a burst of new energy to the heart of your family home.

kitchen renovation

  1. Change out of date, worn flooring with a solid wood, stone or tile to instantly transform the appearance of your entire kitchen. We might not always think about the floor but changing the surface gives a facelift to your entire kitchen. And these products are long lasting which make them worth the investment.
  2. Replace old metal work with new modern products. Instead of the old handles, faucets, lighting and range hood you already have kick your kitchen style up a notch with some of the new metals in use in kitchens. Try brushed aluminum, nickel, copper or stainless steel to modernise your kitchen quickly and with little fuss.
  3. Most kitchens have cabinets on the walls to give more storage space, but by removing them the entire view of your kitchen instantly becomes sleeker and more modern. Consider adding floating shelves and choose a great colour to make your kitchen warm, welcoming and uber sleek.
  4. In a kitchen the countertops take up a lot of space, so don’t suffer in silence with old, cracked or peeling laminate surfaces. Choose a stone, marble, granite countertop. Or consider cork, brick or tile as an alternative to the more traditional choices. Changing the countertops changes the entire look of your kitchen.
  5. In this era of environmental awareness bringing new energy efficient appliances into your kitchen not only updates the look but allows you to lower your carbon footprint. Low flow faucets cut your water usage and you can choose ‘touch free’ technology to help keep your family healthy.
  6. Bring seating into your kitchen to allow your family to spend more time in comfort in this great room. A banquette or bench beside a window makes a great place to relax and read or do homework, while stools with a breakfast bar give space for dining, too.
  7. Even on a tight budget you can update your kitchen by painting, staining or replacing your cabinet doors. Keep the body of the cabinet and replace the fronts giving an instant facelift that makes your kitchen sparkle. Choose between distressed doors, unique glazes and paint colours or doors with details. Just adding some colour to your existing doors will make your kitchen look like new.
  8. Lighting is vital in every room for function and aesthetics, and particularly in the kitchen you need to have lighting that is adaptable and meets all of your needs. Think of recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting, or floor level lighting. An overhead pendant at a dining area adds a great look and the ambiance you want and need. And for a touch of glamour consider a great chandelier.
  9. Think about how to display your decorative items elegantly and with style. Family china or your cook books can be equally beautiful in your kitchen. Display under an island, or add floating shelves to your wall space. Remember that a bowl of fresh lemons can bring a zing to your room, too, for very little cost.
  10. If your kitchen was built years ago it could feel closed in. Consider the advantages of knocking down a wall to join your living or dining area to the kitchen space. Ensure that it is a non-loading bearing wall that won’t affect your structure and bring more light into your kitchen by opening up your living spaces. Make sure to consult a professional before taking a sledgehammer to a wall.

How to Get Rid of Termite In Your House

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The Great Northern Termite, the most aggressive termites known to mankind, was not known to be found south of the Tropic of Capricorn but they have been positively identified in a fast growing colony on the Gold Coast, causing home owners concern about the damage that these fearsome insects can inflict.

Just twelve weeks is long enough for these termites to severely damage the structure of your home and they are known to eat electrical wiring and bitumen also.

So, how can you protect your home?

All home owners need to be able to identify termite damage as soon as it appears, allowing them to be able to call in the experts to rid them of the problem. Look out for:

  1. Pencil wide foraging tubes on your windows, wood siding and other wooden structures.
  2. Damaged woodwork, hollowed out along the grain with mud or grit along the damage.
  3. Winged ‘swarmer’ termites along the floor or windowsills.

termite removal

And to reduce the risk of infestation in the first place take the following action:

  1. Don’t let moisture build up around your foundation: Termites are attracted to moisture and will be more likely to colonise your property if there is constant moisture around your foundations. Divert water from your property with gutters and downspouts that are regularly cleaned and use splash blocks to keep the water from the soil around your home. Keep your faucets, water pipes and air conditioning units well maintained to reduce leaks. And even something as simple as making sure that your lawn sprinkler isn’t causing puddles around your home can vastly reduce your risk of being colonised.
  2. Reduce the contact of wood with the soil: Many infestations come from structural wood being in contact with the damp ground. Having your wood on the soil gives termites easy access and a safe home with lots to eat. Keep your wooden structures, such as latticing, wood siding or any other wood work, at least six inches from the ground to discourage the destructive insects. Bear in mind that pressure treated wood is not immune to termites, and even bedding wood in concrete will not deter termites who will enter through cracks or cut ends.
  3. Keep your crawl space low in humidity: Keep your vents free from debris build up which increases the humidity and attracts termites to the condensation and moisture build up. Ensure that your vapor barrier and vents are up to code and reduce the humidity in your crawl space by installing 4-6ml polyethylene sheeting over about 75% of the soil surface.
  4. Don’t store firewood or other wood against your foundation or inside your crawl space: By doing that you are setting up an ‘all you can eat’ buffet for the termites, and providing a hidden path for them to enter, bypassing any other deterrents you have invested in such as a termiticide soil barrier. Cardboard and old newspapers are also invitations to termites so keep your crawl space and foundation debris free at all times. Remove old tree stumps or rotting wooden structures as quickly as you can, to prevent termites discovering a way into your home.
  5. When gardening mulch sparingly: Mulch is an attractive and environmentally friendly approach to use in gardening, but unfortunately it is also attractive to termites. It is not a preferred food but it offers moisture and shelter. Other products such as pea gravel and crushed stone are just as attractive to the destructive creatures so keep your mulch to a maximum of two to three inches and ensure it is not in contact with your windows or wood sidings.
  6. Consider having a professional treat your home as a preventative measure: All buildings have openings which termites see as an invitation to move in. Using the above measures will make your home less attractive but a termiticide is the best prevention.

Made-to measure glass pet doors for the discerning owner

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Now you can forget all those late night or early morning toilet runs in all weather, which is even worse when it’s raining — when all you want is a steaming hot cup of tea and some breakfast — especially when time is of the essence. The commute to the office has to start early or the traffic will be too heavy to make it on time, meaning extra time at the end of the working day to catch up, and maybe driving home in the dark.

Another chore you can forget (with a perfectly-measured glass pet door) is the mopping up of those little overnight accidents when you first get up and, worse, when the furry culprit decides to do a do-little or two on the new carpet, leaving stains that carpet cleaning can’t quite get out no matter how hard you try. Now, with a made-to-measure pet door, you can stay in bed just a few minutes longer and then paddle your way bleary-eyed to the kitchen without having to look out for puddles along the way.

 

Owners should be able to enjoy having a pet as part of a comfortable lifestyle … Imagine, no more interruptions while eating dinner or watching television or even enjoying some romantic time on the sofa. The pet door takes care of all those annoying pet toilet problems but only if the door fits properly. It should neither be too big or too small.

cat door installation

The secret is to measure the chest of the largest fully-grown pet and make sure that the door size you have selected is larger than your pet to ensure easy access in and out. Another important measurement is from the top of the shoulders to the bottom of the chest or the tummy, whichever is the lowest point of the animal, then add a further 5 centimeters to be on the safe side. A general estimate is 38 centimeters for a medium sized dog and 45 centimeters for a large dog.

How to Service your Patio Doors with ease

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The great Australian way of life is living outdoors with the comfort and ease of indoor domesticity? And the best way to achieve this is with a modern or classic patio doors that seamlessly bridge your living areas with your veranda or garden. But, do your patio doors function seamlessly?

There are a number of issues that owners of appendages to glass patio doors can experience and the best wayto trouble shoot these is to examine them one-by-one and check them off the handy person’s ‘to do’ list. These are: roller adjustments especially after spring or autumn cleaning; panel reversing; insect screen installation, removing or replacing; and/or issues with between safety-glass blinds.

One of the main benefits of between-glass blinds is never, ever, having to dust the slats again. However, there are rules of engagement when operating the blinds. For one, the glass-enclosed blinds should be operated slowly and steadily and never at high speed or with sudden jerks or the operator may stall and need to be re-engaged.

Patio door repair

Here are the correct steps to take to re-engage the blind operator:

  1. Firstly, make sure the operator is at the bottom of the unit and not detached from the glass
  2. Secondly, the operator needs to be moved slowly up and down the glass until the first ‘clicking’ sound occurs
  3. Then, continue moving the operator slowly up the glass until the second ‘clicking’ sound’, which suggests the operator is fully engaged
  4. Finally, run the blind through its cycle a couple of times to ensure it;s fully functional and secure

With panel reversing (which means sliding open from the other side) … One would need to know exactly what one is doing so, if in doubt, engage a professional. Otherwise look carefully at the instructions before embarking on the task. Adjusting the rollers is something one might want to do to hide a weather strip and clear the sill track or make sure the door is adjusted to the correct height.

Ultimately, insect screens should be attached to outside of the operating panel of the glass patio doors. And, always follow the instructions to the letter and make sure the corner screws are adjusted correctly.

How to select windows and doors to suit your home

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When choosing windows and doors for a building, it’s not just what you like or what you can afford that counts… There are many other indicators that need to be considered.

First of all there’s the crucial question of where the block is located, how it’s positioned, and which way you want to have the doors and windows facing. Some people use basic compass readings for this while others rely on Fung Shui methods, which are explained below:

“A good Feng Shui house is a house that attracts good Feng Shui energy, nourishes it and channels it throughout the whole house. From good quality air to a strong Feng Shui front door, there are several basic requirements for good Feng Shui in any house”.

Turquoise_-_Living_Room_-_Coastal_Living_-_Dominique_Vorillon

Dominique Vorillon

Feng Shi is the art or practice of positioning objects, especially building entries, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of Chi… The main entry door of a Feng Shui house should be designed to welcome, strengthen and channel incoming energy throughout an entire building. Believers say this will nourish a home and create good fortune for its occupants.

Believe in this practise or not, placement strategy of doors and windows — in a new or a renovated building — on particular walls can determine the kind of natural light that enters a home, and even the temperature inside. So it’s a really important decision.

Climate definitely plays a role, and doors and windows facing south will receive sunrays from morning to night, (south and west where the sun shines in the hottest part of the day receive the most heat). Glass doors and windows facing south or west should have overhangs to protect them from the harshest weather.

With windows, those that are south facing receive the most winter sun, while north facing windows are better suited to warmer climates with subdued inducted light and heat. Reflective surfaces and shading glass options as well as energy efficient factors should be considered to aid in year-round comfort.

How to add value to your home using ‘curb appeal’

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‘Curb appeal’ you might ask what is that? Certainly, this glass afficionada had to stop and think for more than just a moment, but then the penny dropped and realisation dawned that ‘curb appeal’ is what can be seen and appreciated at first glance of a house and front garden from the street or the curb when walking or driving past that precious patch of homespun pride and joy.

Ask any real estate vendor and they’ll tell you that it’s common knowledge that would-be purchasers have already made up their minds as to how much your house is worth by the time they reach the front porch to view the interior and back of the property. And, not just from doing their homework prior to the inspection, but mostly from that all-important first impression from the vantage point of the ‘curb’.

Curb apeal

Apparently, many realtors advise their clients to update front-facing windows and doors when arranging to put a property on the market, and often also include the entire suite round the house. The end reaping of profit far outshines the cost of undertaking these renovations. Increased energy efficiency also plays a large part in sales-price expectation and newly updated double-glazed glass windows and screen doors are much-desired features at property auctions.

When considering upgrades, the original style of a home should carefully be considered. For example, if the house is new then the lines should be clean and modern, but if it dates back more than a decade, then the architecture and era of the property should be factored in with any upgrades fitting in with the original house style. This also includes the garage door, which is prominent feature, and could be an eye sore and so detract from the fiscal value of the property.

Front and back gardens should also reflect the owner’s lifestyle and hedge pruning and lawn trimming is an absolute must unless you had the foresight to put in a native garden that looks better when it sprawls wild and beautiful and, with a worm bed, saves an absolute mint in wasted water and aching gardener’ backs.