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

Removing Wallpaper: Top Tips for Doing the Job Right

December 6, 2018 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“Removing wallpaper is among those tasks we put off for a long period. If one or more of your walls is covered in wallpaper the last owner of the home set up, you probably avoid removing it since you wouldn’t like to damage the walls. But there is no reason to let this faded paper cramp your decor.”

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https://www.homebase.co.uk/

Wallpaper is a choice which can be easy to apply and easy to remove – if you’re dealing with the right tools. They are the number 1 choice In redecorating the home without having to spend much. Wallpaper could right away put personality and age to any room and may also be used to make a modern twist within a room. Using these tips, you have to be able to easily remove wallpaper from your walls

Modern wallpapers nowadays are pre-pasted, causing them to be very easy to install and remove. As opposed to traditional wallpapers, removing strippable wallpapers just isn’t so harmful to the walls and requires less effort. Removing wallpapers now tend to be less difficult with the right tools and steps to adhere to.

Tip #1 Some wallpaper is strippable all of which will peel from the wall very easily. Sadly, unless you put the wallpaper up yourself, the only way to determine if your wallpaper is strippable is to try out peeling it off the wall. Begin in an inconspicuous corner and pry the paper away from the wall with a utility knife. Pull at the corner of the paper being careful to keep the pressure from pulling as near to the wall as you can. With steady, average pressure strippable wallpapers must peel away from the wall. In the event the paper starts to tear or does not come away from the wall quickly, your old wallpaper is maybe the non-strippable type and you’ll have to soak or steam it to get it off the wall.

Tip #2: After taking out the paper, the harder part comes in, and that is cleaning the glue along with other residue that’s left out once the wallpapers are peeled off. To deal with this, you need a scraper and some cleaning solution. The cleaning solutions could be the same ones you utilized before. You need to simply mix a fresh batch of it.

Tip #3: Let the walls to dry and use a wallpaper primer should you ever plan to re- wallpaper the walls. If you intend to paint, use an acrylic primer/sealer to the walls just before painting.

After studying the step-by-step guide on how to remove wallpaper, it is time to redesign your walls. As soon as the wall dries, placed on new sets of wallpapers or paint the wall to your heart’s delight. Make sure though that you will never make any dressing up without repairing some damaged parts of your wall.

Next time you purchase another set of interior wallpaper, go for the pre-pasted ones. They are easier to install, reposition and take off if you ever tire of them. Additionally, bear in mind removal jobs will be different at times so if assistance is necessary then call for it.

8 Plants with Amazing Anti-Anxiety Benefits

December 5, 2018 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“Having plants in the home and office environment is a must if you wish to lower blood pressure, improve well-being, increase productivity and raise job satisfaction. Other benefits include improving reaction times, increasing concentration, promoting a restful night’s sleep and lowering levels of anxiety.”

Plants are not just for the garden as they have a number of health benefits too, including the ability to soothe headaches, calm ailments and reduce everyday stresses and strains.

If you spend a lot of time indoors, be this due to long working hours or weather conditions, poor air quality is bound to affect your health. In fact, indoor toxins can have a detrimental effect on our health. Such toxins can cause allergies, asthma, inflammation, anxiety, stress and even certain types of cancer.

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to improve your indoor health, one of which includes bringing the benefits of the outdoors inside. One cost effective way to do this is to invest in an array of house plants. Read on to learn more about their many benefits…

Things To Know Before Starting A Renovation

December 3, 2018 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“A number of renovations may add more comfort to an present home. However, to make renovation stress free and bring down the likelihood of setbacks and crisis, it is important to undertake a proper plan. As a part of this planning process, you have to take into account numerous aspects.”

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https://www.realtor.com/

Small or large, home renovations could be a challenging task irrespective of whether you’re tackling a do-it-yourself project or enlisting professional help. Careful planning is critical to a productive renovation, since the process can be difficult and there are many decisions to be made at each step of the way. So before you embark on any home renovations, there are a few things to consider first.

Set your Goals

Most people who decide to renovate their houses only think of a few things they wish to do, and then they are stuck. You might know that you want new cabinets and countertops for your kitchen renovations, however you have no clue what kind of cabinets you would like, and what about flooring, walls, appliances, etc.? You will need to have a total picture of the house renovation ideas you want before you can move on, or even come up with a budget for it.

Plan your Space

Carefully consider the features of a room or space before you begin a renovation. In many cases, home owners do not make major structural changes to a room, but even if you plan on a full overhaul you should consider the space first. For example, when you get a lot of natural light in a bedroom you plan to renovate, you’ll want to take into account how you want that light to impact your final design. Ideally, you’ll want to utilize natural assets your home offers and arrange your renovation accordingly.

Determine your Budget

Probably the most significant facet of any renovation is your budget. Even if you are completing a small DIY project, you still need to accurately plan your budget. However, if you intend to work with a contractor, consultant, designer, or other renovation specialist, you wish to ensure to clearly communicate your budget at each and every step of the way. In addition, take into account that late changes to a renovation plan will almost always impact your budget; so if you have specific spending limits and no margin for error, you should define your budget and your build. In addition, you must be realistic about what you’ll be able to accomplish with your budget. Depending on your resources as well as the current condition of your home, the cost of a renovation can differ considerably, so renovation and budget planning could be of vital importance.

Get Permit

Ambitious renovation projects like structural alterations, and electrical or plumbing changes, require you to get permits from the local authority. It is important to be well acquainted with the renovation laws in your city, as failure to obtain a permit can lead to delays, fines, and over-stretching your budget. Prior to embarking on this project, make sure you’ve received the required permission.

10 Tips to Make This the Best Summer Ever with Your Kids

November 29, 2018 by cobbs2

“We need to make things fun for our loved ones. We do not want them to be happy only with their friends or other people but not with your own household. Do not make them look for fun with others but instead, make them feel like they don’t want to leave the bond or the joy of being with the family.”

Summer lives in our imaginations throughout the year because it nourishes our souls. The warmth….the fun…the sheer deliciousness. But mostly, the luxury of time, unbounded by school. Time to explore, to make new friends, to lie on your back and watch the clouds billow. The vivid aliveness and freedom of a child’s summers can change her forever.

Does this sound like the summer your child is having? Or is he glued to an electronic screen, or having to get up early for camp so you can go to work? Or has he gotten so used to constant stimulation that he’s complaining he’s bored?

You CAN reclaim summer for your family. In fact, you can make this the best summer ever with your kids. It doesn’t take travel or a lot of money. All it takes is your time.

That’s right, your time. I know that sounds like the one thing you don’t have enough of. If you’re anything like most parents, you have a long list of things that need to get done and you feel a little (or a lot!) overwhelmed. But it’s summer. Your kids won’t be kids forever. This is the stuff their childhood memories are made of. These are the experiences that shape who they become. Why not decide now to make the most of this opportunity to connect with your kids?

Of course, your kids also need plenty of lazy summer afternoons with not much happening. So finding that sweet spot of “just enough” activity without over-scheduling is the goal.

Here are seven simple tips to make this summer your best summer ever with your kids:

1. Set aside some time every day to have fun with your child.

Whether it’s running through the sprinkler together on a hot afternoon or counting the stars on a blanket in the backyard before bedtime, do at least one thing a day to connect and have fun. Remember, what matters is always how it FEELS, not how it LOOKS. Your child doesn’t need a Martha Stewart activity; just a loving connection with you.

2. Find the “sweet spot” for structure.

Research shows that kids get stressed during the school year from academics, homework, the social scene, and all the activities. They really need time to chill and relax. But they also need structure, meaning they need their day and week to have a shape — so they know what to expect. For instance, every morning after we play, we do errands or pick up the house together for an hour, and after lunch we have reading time and then quiet time. Every afternoon we run through the sprinkler or go to the pool.

3. Commit to de-stressing and just enjoying your life this summer.

Kids pick up our attitudes. If you’re still stressed, they’ll still be stressed, and they’ll fight with each other and drive you crazy. Even if you have to go to work, can you find a way to dial down your stress for the summer? And if you’re lucky enough to be home with the kids, don’t you deserve a delicious …

Tips for Effective Weed Control

November 28, 2018 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“Preventing weeds is easier to do than getting rid of weeds. Every gardener’s biggest fear is seeing weeds dominate their garden. It will ruin the look of your plants and prevents you from taking pleasure in the rich green garden that you deserve. If you let weeds take charge it will be a battle to take back control of your garden.”

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https://www.naturallivingideas.com/

One of the largest pet peeves for the garden enthusiast is weeds. And regrettably, these nasty growths will not be totally avoided – the truth is, you can probably ask any gardener out there and he or she can tell you many stories about horrible weeds growing in the garden. Nonetheless, there is, of course, a way of getting rid of weeds. This is a guide on how to prevent weeds from doing damage to the plants in your garden.

First of all, if you are already experiencing the fast development of weeds in your current garden, eliminate them first! There is no point trying to destroy new weeds if there are already fast-growing ones invading your garden in the first place. Regardless of whether you end up digging them up, chopping them, or hoeing them, you’ll have to do whatever it takes to take out the real cause of the problem.

The second thing you need to do if you wish to figure out how to prevent weeds is to come up with material called “mulch”, which is basically whatever may cover the topmost layer of soil – this could include things of nature such as ground bark and leaves, and even the most not likely suspects like newspapers, or even an unused carpet. By covering the soil and keeping it under shade, you’ll be able to prevent any other weeds from growing in it. Make an effort to cover your soil with up to three to four inches of mulch for optimum effect.

One of the best approaches to control weeds is utilizing horticultural vinegar. You can buy this at any home and garden stores or centers, which are more concentrated and created to kill weeds and prevent them from growing back. This can be accomplished utilizing the roots with twenty percent concentrated contents compared with the five percent found in the regular household vinegars

Now while most people will make use of this as a first option preventing the weeds from growing is much better than killing them as you still have to uproot them. One can find products on the market which are so-called Weed Preventers which. These kinds of chemical is used to the surface of the paver and kills off all seeds and weeds that wants to rear their ugly heads.

Time management is equally important in weed control; select a specific time of the day when you believe you’ll be most available to battle the invading army in your garden. Whichever time you end up choosing, make certain you stick to your schedule at all times. Consistency and perseverance are what is going to win the battle and not a blitzkrieg kind of offense.

Chlorine Shower Filter: a Healthier, More Enjoyable Shower!

November 27, 2018 by cobbs2 Leave a Comment

“It’s true common to many houses across the country that. without shower filters, the water that will reach them is not always entirely fit for immediate use in the shower. Simply by using a quality shower head filter it is possible to decrease or even eliminate chlorine completely from your daily shower.”

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https://www.toolsforwellness.com/

If you are living in a home that’s attached to a municipal water system, likelihood is very good that the water in that house is treated with chlorine. While you could buy or filter your own normal water to prevent taking in chlorine, you might not be aware of the health problems that chlorine in the shower may contribute. Chlorine removing shower filters may remove this chemical from the water you use to shower.

When water is heated, chlorine gas which is dissolved in the water could be released into the air. As most people shower in a relatively small area with the door closed, there may be enough of the chlorine gas accumulation in the shower to cause respiratory conditions. You might notice these conditions as irritated sinuses, nose, throat or perhaps lungs. When you have asthma or bronchitis, these conditions could be aggravated by the chlorine.

Chlorine in your shower water might be responsible for dry or brittle hair. If you color your hair, the chlorine might even react with the hair coloring to produce a color which is far from what you had planned. Even though you work hard to remove the shampoo from your hair, the chlorine in the rinse water can be responsible for split ends and other troubles related to dry hair.

The effects of chlorine is seen and felt in the skin too. Chlorine in the shower water may dry the skin creating scaling or flaking. Persons with skin conditions such as eczema may have more skin problems when they shower in chlorine treated water that’s not been filtered.

An additional to having a shower water filter is that it can help boost the pH of water and bring it much closer to the “neutral” range of 7.0. There are several different shower water filtration systems out there that use their own technology or techniques to filter the water. Some even claim that they can have some type of complex, a number of stage filtration system that offers eliminate of every kind of synthetic and volatile organic chemicals.

You could have your water tested or you may simply by house and shower water filters which are qualified to eliminate chlorine as well as other contaminants. If you have a well, shower filters can improve the mineral balance, block copper and stop staining of your fixtures.

To summarize, promoting healthy way of life to our life isn’t that difficult if you know how to do it. Through taking couple of minutes to think about the impact of chlorinated water, you’ll realize how the implications of it in a long run. Now it’s the time to take action by getting chlorine removing shower filters.