Can you paint your house any color you want?

Making a decision on what color to paint your property is an important task; after all once it’s

done you don’t particularly want to be struck with a change of heart and have to start all over

again. Painting the outside of a property is a big job and starting from scratch would take far too

much time and effort. That’s why it’s important to make a solid decision on a color scheme before

you start painting your home.

One of the questions you may be asking yourself is can you paint your brick home? The answer is yes you can; brick can look great when painted, as long as you follow the right process. Any exterior

surface of your home can benefit from a paint job, but you have to take some points into

consideration when choosing a color.

Are you free to choose whatever color you want?


This is the main theme we want to address here. The question does not just apply to “can” you

choose a certain color, but also to “should” you choose it. There are certain areas and housing

associations which impose restrictions on colors that can be used when painting the exterior of a

property. The first thing that you need to do is check that none of these restrictions apply in your

area. If they do then you are going to be restricted in your color choice.

Even if there are no restrictions, you may want to give some thought to the type of area you live in.


If your home is located in an area of historical significance, where homes stick to certain color

schemes, it may go down too well if you paint your home bright yellow. It may be a bright color that

reflects your personality, but does it really fit with where you live?


What color should you choose?

Once you have discovered that you have complete freedom of choice when it comes to painting

your property, you then have to decide what color to opt for. One of the main deciding factors is

going to be whether your property is a home or an investment. If you want to settle in the property

then you will probably want to put your own stamp on it. If the property is more of an investment

then you want to stick to a clean and neutral color scheme that makes it easier to sell the property

on.

You may also want to take a look around you and see what colors your neighbors have opted for.

Sticking with the same themes or shades is often a good idea. You may be thinking that you want to

stand out and be individual. There is nothing wrong with that, but you may have to be prepared for a

backlash. You also have to decide whether you really want to spend years living in a home that is a

talking point for everyone, or would the novelty start to wear thin after a while.

There is a lot to consider when you decide to paint the exterior of your home. It’s important to do

your research and spend time making a decision in order to save yourself problems and time in the

long run.

Can you paint over a water damaged ceiling?

A water damaged ceiling looks unsightly and the water can cause drywall to become loose. Both of

these problems obviously need to be addressed. The good news is that you can get rid of that ugly

water damage stain on your ceiling; it just takes a little bit of effort and knowledge.


We are going to take a look at what steps to take when painting a water damaged ceiling. This

includes the attention you have to pay to repairs that may necessary as a result of the water

damage. One thing it’s important to note before you start is that you need to ensure the source of

the water damage has been located, and the problem dealt with. You don’t want to do all of this

work only for the water damage to re-appear.


Check for loose drywall


In the case of a more serious leak there is every possibility that the water may have caused the

drywall to become loose from the joists. If this has happened the problem obviously needs to be

resolved before any painting is done. It’s easy to test to see if the drywall is loose; all you have to do

is give a gentle push in the area of the stain. If you can feel that it’s loose you will need to take some

drywall screws and fasten the panel back in place.


Check for any cracks 


It’s also possible that the presence of water may have caused cracks to form. If this is the case you

will need to fill in any cracks with spackle and allow it try dry for the recommended amount of time.

After it has dried you will then need to sand the area down.


Remove any mold


There is a chance that you may find mold on the stain caused by the water damage. If this is the case

you will need to remove the mold with a bleach solution, before letting it dry.


Use primer first


You can’t just paint directly over a water damage stain and expect it to disappear. After you have

made sure the area is repaired if necessary you then need to use an oil-based, quick drying primer.

Using this first means you will then be able to easily paint over the stain.


Painting the stain


Once the primer is dry you are able to paint the area. You should use water-proof paint that matches

the color of the original paintwork. Make sure that you paint using smooth strokes and that you start

dabbing when you reach the edge of the stain; this helps the paint to blend. You should apply two

coats.


If you carry out all of these processes then you should be able to paint over a stain that results from

water damage. It takes a little time and effort but you will soon have a ceiling that looks as good as

new again.

How long is it okay for an air mattress to be inflated for?

How long you want to keep an air mattress inflated for is going to depend on your reason for using it in the first place. The only time you will really want to keep an air mattress inflated for any length of time is if you are using it as a replacement for a solid bed. If this applies to you then you may be wondering what the rules are regarding inflation and deflation.

You will find lots of useful information if you check out the latest air bed reviews. What you may not find is any details about how long you should leave an air mattress inflated for. This is because manufactures don’t generally have any rules or suggestions for this. We are going to give you a few tips to consider, to help you out.

What problems could keeping your air mattress inflated cause?

The vast majority of people purchase an air mattress as a temporary sleeping option in their home, or for use while camping. If this is you then you probably won’t want to keep your air mattress inflated for any significant period of time. However, if you do need to use an air mattress for a longer period of time then there are some things you should be aware of.

The first thing we should point out is that there is no actual recommended time limit for keeping an air mattress inflated. The main problem with leaving your mattress inflated is that there is more chance of an accident happening if you do. If you have children or animals in your home, they can be boisterous. It’s all too easy for them to cause damage to an inflated mattress without intending to.

What could happen if you inflate and deflate an air mattress often?

If you are using an air mattress for an extended period of time then you need to consider both sides of the coin. While you may be exposing your mattress to damage from cats and dogs by leaving it inflated you may also cause damage if you constantly inflate and deflate the mattress. Although  air mattress are obviously designed to be inflated and deflated, completing these actions all the time can put excess pressure on seams. As you can probably imagine this is not a good thing as it can lead to the seams bursting. This in turn can lead to you having to repair or replace your air mattress.

Overall, if you are using an air mattress each day it probably makes sense to leave it inflated. If you decide to do this then you should try end keep the mattress away from any potential sources of damage. If you can manage to do this then you should not encounter any problems, except having to top up the air when the mattress naturally deflates a little over time.

Tips for Preventing Household Pests

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You know you have to share this planet, but sometimes it’s nice to have a space of your own. Even the smallest of housemates can be a nuisance, and insects have a way of getting into your home whether you want them to or not. Harsh repellants and pesticides can damage your air quality and can lead to respiratory irritants. Fortunately there are some common sense preventative measures you can use to reduce your risk of an infestation.

Household Cleaning

Vermin are attracted to sources of easy food. When you leave crumbs and spills out in the open for too long, you are inviting unwanted guests over for a feast. In addition to cleaning up messes in the kitchen, you should also avoid leaving open trash containers sitting for too long.
Vacuum regularly to clear up dust and contaminants. Clean up your furniture by lifting the cushions and removing debris and dust that has fallen in the cracks. Also try to keep food in areas that are specifically designated for eating. Restricting eating habits reduces your exposure to vermin throughout the rest of your home. Also, check your food cupboards regularly and discard any open containers that have sat for too long.

Home Maintenance and Repairs

You need to seal off all points of entry. Insects are small enough to wiggle their way through the tiniest of cracks, so it is important to restrict their access as much as possible. An annual exterior inspection of your foundation can help to identify areas where termites, cockroaches, and ants may invade from. Torn screens and improperly sealed window panes are points of entry for mosquitoes and flies.

Alternative Lighting

Some insects are confused by sources of light. As nocturnal creatures, their survival depends on their ability to remain hidden in the shadows. Certain varieties will respond to light by avoiding the area. If you have found a point of entry into your home that you have not successfully sealed up, try installing a small, low-voltage light near the area. Some aluminum foil also helps to reflect light and causes confusion.

Control Temperature and Moisture

Humid and warm environments help termites, roaches, bedbugs, and other parasites to do more than just remain active. They breed and multiply rapidly. It is essential that you keep your home as dry and cool as possible to discourage their activities.

Fix leaking water pipes that run under your house. Water damage is a serious enough cause for concern, but extra moisture is inviting to pests. As insects absorb the moisture through their bodies, they are able to travel farther and cause more trouble.

Wipe up spills as soon as they occur. Open your windows and doors regularly to allow trapped humidity to escape. You should also launder wet towels and avoid leaving laundry to sit for too long. In some dry climates, humidifiers may improve your personal comfort, but avoid using these devices for prolonged periods. Get in the habit of turning the thermostat down when you are away from home. Not only does this help you to save on your power bill, the varying temperatures discourage insects from coming indoors.

Always Check for Hitchhikers

Bedbugs, fleas, and other parasites often catch a free ride into your home. Pets may bring these vermin indoors where they can attack the rest of the family. Routinely bathe your pets with a shampoo that is specially formulated to remove insects. If you have stayed overnight at a hotel, you are at a higher risk for bedbugs. Make sure you check your suitcase and personal belongings for any signs of infestation before you get home and unpack.

You may not be able to eliminate every insect from your home, but you can reduce the risk of becoming the target of an infestation. If you have already adjusted your habits and are still struggling to control an outbreak, contact a professional exterminator for help.

Every chef deserves the right kitchen sink

When it comes to food and cooking habits, Australia’s early indigenous history l has a great influence on what people eat every day. An whilst hunter gatherer diets such as bush tucker are now a less common occurrence, being replaced over time by the influence of British colonization, the culture of outdoor barbecue cooking is still a very prominent aspect of Australia’s food culture. However, modernization and multiculturalism have brought Australia a diversity of new cooking habits which have brought people back to the art of indoors kitchen cooking, popularizing the use of pan and oven cooking.

A country rich in fresh produce

With its climate, land and sheer size, Australia is a land where fresh produce is readily available. The coastal areas are rich in fish and other seafood products, and the inland sees the seasonal growing of many vegetables, including cucumber, asparagus, cauliflower, tomato, peas, mushrooms and many more. This diversity has given birth to a culture of stir-frying and steaming lean meats and vegetables. Australia is also known for its fruit growing culture, especially known for being the birthplace of the famous iconic apple: the Granny Smith.

Australian drinking

Whilst beer is often seen as Australian’s drink of choice, the country has a huge wine making culture. This is because the land and the climate allow for the growth of well ripened grapes, producing rich, fruity and often slightly higher in alcohol wines. Red wine varieties such as Shiraz and white wines such as Chardonnays are among the many wines Australia’s land has to offer. And as well as the love for tea drinking, brought along by the British colonization, another very popular drink in Australia is coffee, brought along by the immigration of Italian and Greek population over the past 100 years.

The need for a good kitchen

Just like any other country, Australian homes deserve a good functioning kitchen. This is necessary for the cooking of all the diverse ingredients the country has to offer. There is always room in the garden for a good barbecue but when it comes to food preparation, indoors is where it is at. The Australian climate can be too hot to leave foods outside, so a cool temperature kitchen is essential for the preparation of all those lovely dishes.

Keeping it clean and hygienic

Because of the hot climate, insects and other animals can still make their way into people’s kitchens. This is why hygiene is very important in an Australian kitchen. The sink is the central hub of cleanliness in any kitchen, it is essential to washing our dishes, cleaning our foods, keeping our hands clean and maintaining the hygiene levels to a good standard. The sink is one of those aspects which is worth investing into as it will be a central part of our cooking for the rest of our lives. Looking online, kitchen laundry sinks from abl are some of the best ones to buy in the country, offering a variety of choices, from beautiful designs to practical sizes where all kitchen hygiene needs can be met. After all, a clean kitchen is a good kitchen.