My Daily Nourishment

When homeowners are looking for a plumber, it is easy to become distracted by the sheer number of plumbers in a given area. Trying to narrow down the initial list from the directory or Internet search can feel like a chore, all on its own. If customers are in the midst of what feels like a plumbing catastrophe, the stress of finding the right plumber probably feels that much more stressful. (more…)

Leasing retail space is something that every business must do to give their company a chance to sell their wares. While selling online can be extremely profitable, there are many businesses that need a store that they can work out of on a daily basis to sell their goods, meet with customers and make a connection with customers that they may not be able to make with them online. Also, the leasing of a commercial space to create a retail store is something that the business can do when they work with a firm that is able to offer the right spaces in the right part of town. When the business gets to choose a space that makes the most sense for its needs, there is a chance that the business can thrive simply because they are in the right place. (more…)

Sustainability is a major talking point. We’re seeing discussions about it everywhere these days. It’s something that even applies to the appliances you use every day. Some companies like Electrolux are heavily invested in the sustainability of the machines they produce. The following are the top three ways we’re seeing sustainability encouraged in appliance manufacture.

The first thing that can be done to improve the sustainability of appliances is looking into their efficiency. Refrigerators are designed to shut off when they reach a certain temperature. There’s no need to cool the fridge further if it has reached the optimal cooling state; anything further can cause freezing of the food stored in it.  (more…)

Home insulation reduces the flow of heat both into and out of your home, meaning that you get to stay cool in the summer as well as toasty during the winter. There are several types of insulation to consider – cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, loft insulation, as well as things like double glazing – but all have one thing in common: they save you money.   (more…)

We’ve just experienced one of the mildest, yet wettest winters in recent history. In fact, January 2014 was the wettest since records began. But it’s not time to relax. Now is the time to start preparing for next winter, as I’m sure the snow will arrive again then. Here’s a small guide to help you save money on your winter heating bills.

Prepare in spring and summer

Winter is only just over, many people are anticipating the summer and paying little thought to next winter. So spring and summer are the times to get work done, tradespeople are quieter and keener to get your business.  Expect quotes to be cheaper during these times compared to the autumn and winter months.  (more…)

It can be tough when there is not a lot of money to go around. It seems the poorer you are, the greater the burden you have to bear to clear the national debt that was caused by people who, somehow, have been let off scot free. My point is, when you are at the bottom of the pile it can be hard not being able to afford the thousands of pounds that other people pay for home renovations.

The huge cost of a new kitchen or bathroom is beyond many people’s reach as there are more pressing things to spend money on. (more…)

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Designing a garden is not as easy as it once was. The options available to everyone now are immense when considering materials to use. Paths, for example, used to be either slabs, gravel or concrete. Now we can use blocks, natural stone, marble, stone chippings, and even glass beads. While settling on the best design for you is difficult, it has never been so much fun since all of these materials became available for the masses.

Patios are no longer a flat, plain, surface. Since they are used mostly for entertaining, they have become elaborate affairs. With water features and built in lighting effects, they can be works of art.  (more…)

Our consumption of energy has soared over the last two decades. Homes are warmer thanks to the modern, efficient heating systems available to us. We shouldn’t become complacent, however; nothing comes without cost. The demand for cheap energy around the world has already equalled the supply available. People don’t realise just how shaky the ground on which they stand is, with regard to future energy reserves.

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I read recently that, at one point this winter, English reserves of gas ran down to just a few hours. This is a scary situation to be in as not only will our heating systems fail, but gas fired electricity power stations would be at risk too.   (more…)

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A couple of years ago, I made the decision that my home needed a lot of work doing to it. Nothing major, I can cope with the kitchen and bathroom. I just wanted to improve the general internal appearance. I was going to do this by redecorating and renewing woodwork. I knew I would have to become handy with tools. I had received quotes from various contractors for the work, but the price was out of my reach.

Woodwork came first on my list. I worked through one room at a time replacing skirting boards and architraves. I’m sure they had been replaced in the past to a very poor standard. (more…)

Two years ago I decided it was time to take on a little project in my kitchen. There was a built in pantry cupboard, in one corner of the room that I intended demolishing so I could extend the worktop and cupboards into the valuable space. I started by removing the door and the internal shelving. It’s a great feeling to swing a hammer in anger! 

Anyway, having succeeded in removing the shelves  (I was left with some very nice timber boards to use on another project) it was time to begin taking down the walls and door frame. I was pleasantly surprised, at this stage, to find that the wall was actually made of a timber frame with a lath and plaster finish. Result! This was going to be easy. I began hammering away to remove the lath and plaster and became immediately suspicious when I noticed a fluffy filling in the wall. It had a blue-green tinge to it, so I stopped work immediately.  (more…)