Homes & Gardens

Spring Plumbing Checks: Why March is Critical for Homeowners

March arrives, and most homeowners think about gardens. They plan which flowers to plant. They check whether the lawn survived winter. They rarely think about what winter does to their plumbing system.

That's a mistake.

Winter stresses pipes. Cold temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, and shifting ground place enormous strain on the systems carrying water through your home. Spring is when these stresses reveal themselves. A pipe that survived January might fail in March. A joint that held all winter might suddenly leak. Hidden damage becomes visible.

The question...

Topsoil donation brings Cranbrook pupils closer to nature

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 06/03/2020 - 9:56pm

Taylor Wimpey Exeter has helped Cranbrook youngsters get more in touch with nature by delivering a load of topsoil to St Martin’s C of E Primary School.

Prior to the lockdown restrictions the site team at Cranbrook donated earth normally used for gardens and open spaces to help refill raised beds in St Martin’s forest school area, as well as some large planters. Outdoor lessons at St Martin’s give pupils the chance to develop their skills through practical, hands-on experiences in a natural environment.

Angela Whitten, Forest School Leader at St Martin’s, said: “Outdoor...

7 summertime gardening tips

You will undoubtedly be spending plenty more time outdoors enjoying the warmer weather now that summer is finally here. As such, you will also probably want to start giving your garden some extra TLC. Here are some tips for sprucing it up – from the grass to the flowers and everything in between.

1. Treat your lawn for moss

Moss tends to pop up in poorly drained lawns and when the soil has become slightly more acidic than it should be. Not only is it unsightly, but moss can also affect the longevity of your grass if the issue isn’t dealt with properly. Usually, you can...

Lockdown project: ‘How-to’ create a pot  water fountain in a few easy steps

Lockdown project: ‘How-to’ create a pot water fountain in a few easy steps

Authored by Reporters
Posted: Sun, 05/31/2020 - 5:34pm

YOU CAN now create a water feature in your outdoor space using a new simple free step-by-step ‘how-to’ video guide available online thanks to one of the UK’s leading water garden product companies.

The video, which is part of a series, shows how to create a pot water fountain, which is a self-contained water feature, using either a purchased or home-made receptacle.

Development Manager at Blagdon, Andrew Paxton explained: “Using our easy-to-install new Liberty 200 mains-free, solar-powered pump you can make the water feature you’d like, anywhere in your garden, whether a...

Enjoying gardening in later life

Gardening is a hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. This activity can be beneficial for the elderly. It can help keep them active and busy. It can also help seniors find purpose. Not only will they get to enjoy the results of their hard work, but it will also provide them with some exercise and fresh air while working in the garden. There are several benefits that the elderly can get from gardening, so it's best if they're encouraged to commit to it as a hobby.

The unusual circumstances we have been experiencing in recent weeks have led to new interest in self-sufficiency...

Can your builder still work during lockdown?

The government has published a document for construction workers containing guidelines on how to undertake work during the Covid-19 lockdown. Homeowners are also allowed to arrange for renovation or improvement work for their homes under the new guidelines.

According to a survey carried out by Which Magazine , 6% of people surveyed had an urgent issue that they needed a tradesperson to fix at the end of March, but 73% (three-quarters) of them could not find anybody to do the work.

With the coronavirus lockdown, it has become doubly-difficult and more stressful to get...

What is the standard handyman's tool checklist?

Authored by David Banks
Posted: Tue, 05/26/2020 - 8:34am

Whenever there is a task or repair work; the handyman is expected to arrive. It is because only a handyman has the correct tools in his toolbox that can perform the task and save time, efforts, and energy. As a handyman, he must always be prepared with a checklist before leaving the house or before starting with the activity.

In this article , we shall guide you with some of the standard items in a handyman’s tool checklist. You may make note of these and take many printed copies of the same. Whenever you are leaving to perform the repair work, tick against the tools in your...

How to get a professional DIY finish during lockdown

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 05/22/2020 - 5:42pm

With people spending a larger amount of time than usual in their homes, taking on DIY tasks has proven an extremely popular way to keep busy and mentally active. RGB Building Supplies has therefore put together advice and top tips on how to tackle three of the most popular DIY jobs.

Paul West, Branch Manager at RGB Exeter, commented: “We all have things in our homes that we would like to do, but many of us put the jobs off because we don’t have the time. As this has now changed for many, there’s an influx of people decorating and carrying out repairs. So, our tips are there to...

What material to choose for internal doors

It is no secret that perfecting the interior of your home requires a bit of effort. There are so many things to consider from furniture, to wall coverings, lighting to soft furnishings. So it is no wonder that energy can burn out before everything is just right. It’s important, however, not to overlook elements of your home that can make a big difference, one of which is the doors you have throughout.

Internal Doors UK is a trusted supplier of a huge range of doors for the home and wants the doors in all homes to be just right. Without the right advice, it could seem a daunting...

Taylor Wimpey's Exeter developments to reopen to customers

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 05/20/2020 - 9:06pm

Following the latest UK Government guidance which came into effect on Wednesday 13th May, removing restrictions on non-essential home moves and supporting the return of activities related to the sale and purchase of homes, Taylor Wimpey will begin a phased approach to reopening its sales offices and show homes in Devon and Cornwall from Friday 22nd May.

Taylor Wimpey was the first UK homebuilder to stop construction on sites and close sales centres in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. A phased return to construction has since restarted on a number...

Top 5 tips to better maintain your garden shed

Authored by Claire Small
Posted: Wed, 05/20/2020 - 10:40am

The humble garden shed can be an often-overlooked part of our exterior space. Shoved into a corner, out of sight and generally treated without much care and attention. As time goes on, the shed becomes even less favourable as the elements take their toll and claim the beauty that might have once existed. Once perhaps the pride and joy of the chief gardener of the home, it can soon become an unsightly mess, and can even become so poorly maintained that it can no longer even be used for what it was originally intended.

Take a look at our top 5 tips to better maintain your garden...

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