Cobbs Site: Home improvement, Money matters and other random stuff — A site for me to share, a site to inspire others

Helpful sites and numbers in Singapore

September 22, 2014 by cobbs2

I realize that one of the bad thing about the internet is that there is too much information yet too little organization. What do i mean by that?

Well u can probably find just about any information you would need using google search but when you need to contact several related say government agencies regarding an issue, you would need to do several searches in order to get it done. This is why i am compiling this page which hopefully i can update every once in awhile when i am free.

Listed below are my list of helpful sites that you might just need one of this days. Basically they are some of the major banks here and other services which you will probably need to get hold of one of this days.

Money Related:
1. Singapore Credit Bureau
2. DBS
3. UOB
4. Monetary Authority of Singapore
5. CPF

Home Related issues:

1. singapore.craigslist.com.sg/hss/
2. http://singapore.gumtree.sg/
3. www.singaporeexpats.com
4. locksmithsingapore24hour.com
5. www.24hrsingaporeplumber.com
6. http://sg.theasianparent.com/useful_singapore_emergency_numbers/

Child cares:

1. www.etonhouse.com.sg
2. https://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/

Practical Tips to Prevent Plumbing Emergencies

June 28, 2021 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“Plumbing problems are a nuisance for companies and home owners similarly. Breakouts in your plumbing fixtures come from diverse elements such as its position or spot, usage and its extended life Nevertheless additionally, there are occasions that the root cause of it are inevitable like weather like freezing temperature or accidents in the area which we can’t control.”

The Worst Plumbing Emergencies and How You Can Help Prevent Them | Priority Plumbing

https://priorityplumbing.ca/

Households and even business is unable to get away from the fact that plumbing outbreak may arise. There are various reasons and components which causes obstruction, breaks and tears in your plumbing fixtures. Yet in addition there are occasions that the reason behind it are inevitable like weather conditions such as freezing temperature or incidents in the area which we really can’t manage.

At this point, we’re going to go over exactly what are the plumbing issues that we usually encounter and the reasons behind it.

Water pooling near underground pipes – At the same time positioned water on the ground over where the house or business’ drain pipes run a ruined pipe underground is among the most likely offender. Pipes will be able to break for a lot of sorts of reasons, but the most usual conditions are destruction from roots, construction digging or icy temperature.

Clogged drains can take place when unusual objects or materials just like hair or soap, fats or food accumulation usually are caught between the drainpipe and the pipes that move below. At the start the substance might not fully block out the drain, yet eventually materials continuously accumulate which could prevent water from flowing freely and can at some point result in the drain to block.

Leaking indoor pipes – are commonly due to aging of plumbing fixtures, burst water pipe or worn gaskets. This can actually end in the development of mold and mildew. Therefore, this is actually damaging not only to the house but will also contribute to medical issues for you and your household.

Leaking Toilets – Toilets in a bathroom also can start to leak. The condition has 1 of 3 causes which are the following; the water level is regulated way too high, the float is damaged and not shutting off the refill valve or the refill valve (ball-cock assembly) is worn and needs replacement.

Dripping faucets- Dripping faucets are often the result from worn washers or gaskets in the handles that make the water on / off. Either can usually be replaced at a minimum cost, however in some cases installing new faucets may be needed.

Low water pressure – A very frequent cause of low flow is stuff in the water. You probably have previous iron pipes, plug with rust, and rust breaks free and plugs up aerators, valve, and anywhere there is a restriction in the pipes. Pinpointing how you get the main problem is the first step towards properly repairing it. Whilst, sometimes, you’ll ought to diagnose the situation by discovering all of the probable factors and making the essential repairs.

Water heater issues – The water heater at your residence is in charge of providing you with the hot water you require for bathing, cleaning plates, as well as other numerous appliances at home. Whenever they cease working, it can cause a big bother in your home, and cause chance for significant water damage. The problems actually differ depending on whether you have an electric or gas water heater.

Plumbing has already been part of the residence. And that means you must know the fundamentals on restoring the system yourself in order to avoid fee and unforeseen expenditures. On the other hand, if you are not that self-confident and accustomed in performing it yourself, it is recommended to to just call up and get a professional plumber to undertake the fixes for you.

10 Steps to Make Sure Your Home Is Ready for Winter

May 28, 2021 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

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Frozen pipe

Preparing for winter may not feel necessary—or even be top of mind—this time of year, but starting now will help you make sure your home is in great shape for fall and winter. If your area experiences harsh winters, create a plan for preparing your home and property now, so when that first surprise freeze hits, you can rest easy.

How to prepare your home for fall and winter

1. Insulate pipes

Any exposed pipe that runs along a wall or is in an unheated area (a basement or a crawl space, for example) is a potential hazard. The water inside can freeze and cause the pipe to burst when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. “It’s easy to protect them with pipe insulation. Get it at the hardware store—it looks like a giant piece of spaghetti with a slit,” says Lou Manfredini, the host of HouseSmarts. “Cut it to fit the length of the pipe, wrap it around, then secure with duct tape if needed.”

Eliminating Weeds Naturally In Your Garden

March 31, 2021 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“Preventing weeds is easier to do than eliminating weeds. Every gardener’s biggest fear is seeing weeds dominate their garden. It is going to ruin the look of your plants and prevents you from enjoying the rich green garden that you simply deserve. If you let weeds take control it’ll be a battle to take back control of your garden. It will be much easier to put work in in the beginning to prevent weeds than it will be to remove them later on.”

Best Tips for Pulling Weeds - Salisbury Greenhouse

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Your garden’s worst enemy would probably be the weeds. Keeping your garden or lawn weed-free is hard to do. It’s been a battle for most of us to keep their plants from these weeds, even when they may be lawn experts, these intruders will not be easily eradicated and total suppression isn’t feasible. Nonetheless, planning your actions will help you succeed against these unwanted plants

Pulling weeds is a miserable job, but it’s the fastest and best way to remove weeds. Unless they’ve grown totally out of control, annual weeds must be pulled out by hand, but be sure you pull out the whole root, not only the top of the weed, or it is going to be back before you know it. Some of the roots is going to be six inches long! By using a tool will help your back; try a hula hoe, a trowel, or a shovel.

The second thing you have to do if you need to learn how to stop weeds is to put together material called “mulch”, which is basically something that may cover the topmost layer of soil – this can include things of nature such as ground bark and leaves, as well as the most not likely suspects such as newspapers, or even an unused carpet. By covering the soil and keeping it under shade, you are able to prevent any other weeds from growing in it. Attempt to cover your soil with up to 3 to 4 inches of mulch for optimum effect.

If you have shrubs, begin using these plants to your advantage! Allow them to grow to their maximum size because they will be able to keep soil cool under their height and prevent unwanted weeds from growing by choking them even before they can cause any trouble to your soil, garden, along with other growing plants. This can be done by fertilizing the soil where your shrubs are very well during the growing season.

If you must, make use of ground covers that can spread fast so that weeds won’t even get the chance to develop and grow in the soil. Some of these ground covers include vinca or hypericum. Foliage makes it hard to feeds to grow to their full potential.

Finally, pull out weeds regularly – this is the key to a weed-free garden. Be consistent and check your garden constantly for any indications of weed growth. Do not wait for them to grow before you pull them out. Pull them out as you first spot them! This is the most important thing to remember to make sure that your garden is freed from any damaging weeds.

HOW TO VARNISH WOOD… SO IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD!

February 28, 2021 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“A durable finish for woodworking pieces, furniture, and flooring, varnish beautifies wood and protects it from scratches and stains. To the uninitiated, achieving a smooth and lustrous look may seem like a magician’s trick, but once you understand the basics, varnishing wood couldn’t be much easier.”
floor-varnish
Add several coats of varnish to wood and it will enhance the natural colour of the timber, delivering a lovely, rich sheen. Varnish protects wood, providing a durable surface that helps to prevent damage and keeps it in good condition. So far, so simple. But there’s a bewildering array of wood floor varnish and other products on the market. Here’s our guide to varnishing wood and wood varnishing finishes, with a few handy product recommendations thrown in.

Wood varnish guide

How to varnish wood?

Whatever product you want to use, as a general rule, you will have to completely remove any existing varnish, waxes, oils, wood stains, dust, dirt, grease, uneven areas and sticky stuff before applying a wood varnish.

Your workspace needs to be dust and dirt free, otherwise it can collect on the surface of the wood and the freshly applied varnish, spoiling the sheen and smooth finish…

Uses and Benefits of a Modular Kitchen

January 30, 2021 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“The modular kitchen is known to bring convenience and comfort to home makers in several ways. Traditional kitchens are being substituted with these classy and elegant kitchen designs.”

https://www.quora.com/

Whenever there exists a talk of kitchen, it’s regarded as the most significant portion of house for women. So, the decoration and care of kitchen is as important as the other sections of the home. As the question of decorating the kitchen arises, lots of people appear to have taken a fancy to the modular kitchen of late. The modular kitchen set has now become a popular feature.

Modular Kitchen design is a set of style linked to kitchen furniture. This includes cabinets and other furniture. The market is packed with a lot of options that you can combine a lot of Modular Kitchen designs to make a design of your own. A lot of people that have integrated these designs into their kitchen attest to enjoy doing kitchen work, rather than feeling required to do it.

Benefits

The merits of Modular Kitchen Designs lie in the fact that they make cooking a celebration. This is due to subtle nuances of environmental psychology are taken into account while designing Modular Kitchens. That is the reason why the module kitchens are came under use very frequently.

Maximizing storage space happens to be a priority in the kitchen. New storage trends integrate dividers and sliding trays into cabinet and storage spaces, bringing space to previously cluttered the kitchen. From shelf height to cabinet handles, in terms of storage space, design is in the details. Designing our very own, efficient, custom-made structures for the cabinets can increase the kitchen’s functionality, clear up precious countertop space and create a more tranquil atmosphere.

Experts also consider that Modular Kitchens have countless the boons. They’re very easy to dismantle and whenever we have to move our residence, we could carry all the modules and modular kitchen cabinets in a box and install it our new kitchen.

Deciding on a modular kitchen is a wise decision with regards to budget since it costs lesser than the traditional ones where you need to spend on buying appliances and getting additional work done to enhance the space. It can be cleaned and maintained in a much efficient manner. Additionally it is easy to repair individual components of the kitchen separately.

Modular Kitchens have changed the concept of kitchen in today’s world since it provides household women with a comfy yet a classy space in which they could invest their quality time and space. As against the traditional concept of kitchen which required a lot of maintenance to stop messiness, the emergence of modular kitchens have diminished those problems as they are simple to handle with full facilities and comfort which helps in making cooking a celebration.

Communicating Effectively With Children

December 28, 2020 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“Children base their views of themselves and the world on their daily experiences. One of the most important experiences adults can provide for children is to talk and listen to them. Through these daily interactions, children and adults can develop relationships that help children learn about themselves and the world. “

Mother and daughter talking together

What is great communication?

Conveying our message is only one part of communication. Great communication goes further and allows us to build trust, self-esteem and strong healthy relationships.

Great communication is a two-way process. Listening is as important as talking
Your child’s brain is still developing including learning to handle their emotions and communicate well
Successful communication with your child depends on what, how, when, where and why you say things. What you don’t say is also important!