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3 Ways to troubleshoot hot water problems

Hot Water Problems

 

Taking a bath should be a relaxing experience. It’s where you ought to cleanse your body, and even your mind. But what if an important element is missing? What if there’s suddenly no hot water? Nobody wants to take a shower under cold water especially not when it’s winter.

If you feel like you’re running into a hot water problem, chances are you have to look into the parts of your water heater. It may sound intimidating, but procedures are mostly straightforward and easy to follow. Replacement parts are also available in most hardware stores and are usually inexpensive.

Ready to start troubleshooting? Here are 3 of the most common water heater problems and how to fix them.

  • No hot water

Depending on the type of your water heater, gas or electric, troubleshooting ways may vary.

For gas water heaters:

  • Check if you have no gas. Make sure that the gas is turned on and the valve is in the open position.
  • Check your unit’s pilot light. The pilot light makes sure there’s flame available for when the burner needs to start heating water. If your gas flow is on, but the pilot light isn’t lit, check out the followings components:
    • There might be air in the line. Check the gas flow and relight the pilot several times to flush out air in the line.
    • Defective gas valve. This prevents gas from reaching the burner or pilot. Replace the valve with a new one since they’re irreparable.
    • Defective supply line. Clogs and bends in the gas line may cause intermittent heating. Replace these lines immediately.
    • Dirty burner. A burner clogged with soot may cause improper heating. Take out the part and clean it.

For electric water heaters:

  • Check for water leaks. Tank leaks mean your water heater must be replaced. But first, check if there are only loose elements that need tightening or replacing before purchasing a new system.
  • Check for grounded parts. Failed heating elements, thermostats, and foreign objects shorting across wires may cause ground. Remove the foreign objects, or replace the thermostats and heating elements. Whichever is causing the problem.
  • Short circuits. Scratched or frayed wires are dangerous. They could lead to a short and even cause a fire. Replace defective wiring immediately.
  • Weak Circuit Breaker. Breakers may fail over time. If this happens, replace the breaker.

  • Water temperature is not hot enough

If you’re sure that the unit is functioning but you’re still experiencing this trouble, you may need to check and replace some components.

  • Check the thermostat. If the temperature is set correctly but the heat being delivered isn’t on point, then your thermostat may need replacing.
  • Check the heating elements. Over time, sediments may build up on the heating elements. This causes water to heat incorrectly. Replacement elements are usually inexpensive and easy to install.
  • Check for loose wires. Turn off the power in the unit and check that all wires and connections are tight and not corroded.
  • Check your tank for leaks. A leak may prevent your water from reaching the right temperature. Verify that the leak is coming from your tank and if it is, the only solution is to replace the water heater.

  • Water heater is leaking

If you see that there’s water pooling at the base of your tank, you may have a leak.

  • Check if water is leaking from the pipes. If it is coming from the pipes that are supplying water, immediately shut off your entire house’s water supply.
  • Next, check to see if leaks are coming from the hot water tank. Water heaters deteriorate over time and it could be that there’s corrosion in your tank. If this happens, replace your water heater as soon as possible.
  • Sometimes the leak can come from the heating element gasket. For electric water heaters, leaks can come from the heating element. If this happens, turn off your power, shut down your water supply, and drain all the water from the heater. Then replace the problematic gasket with a new one. After that, make sure to release air from the water heater tank as this could break your heating element. Do this by turning on the water supply to your heater, then running some hot water into your sink.

bath and bath products

Maintaining a water heater should not be a big deal if you know how to fix and perform some checks. Knowing the important parts of your unit and how to control them are definitely helpful.

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Reviews & Adverts

Which, from normal, integrated or condenser tumble dryers is best for you?

Tumble Dryers

 

There are a number of different tumble dryers on the market. But what is the difference between them and which is best suited to your particular needs? The answer will depend on a number of things, such as the layout of your home, your budget and where you intend to place it. In this article, we will discuss the main three types of tumble dryers, namely normal, integrated and condenser types and attempt to address the age-old question: normal, integrated or condenser tumble dryers, and which one is best for you?

So, what’s the difference between these three kinds of tumble dryers?

Vented

  • Firstly, a vented, or normal, tumble dryer is a tumble dryer which uses a vent to take the moist air from the tumble dryer to the outside of your home, usually using a flexible hose. Vented tumble dryers can either have a permanently fixed venting hose which is affixed to the outside of the home, or a movable hose which can be hung out of a door or window when the tumble dryer is being used.  The main advantage of a vented tumble dryer is that they are amongst the cheapest tumble dryers you can buy. As a result, this makes them a good choice for the budget conscious.

Condenser

  • Another popular choice is a condenser tumble dryer.  This is a tumble dryer which doesn’t use vents, but rather uses a condenser unit to turn water vapour back into water, where it is then collected in a removable tank. Condenser tumble dryers are perfect for rooms which have little or no ventilation or where a vented tumble dryer is otherwise unsuitable. The main advantage of a condenser tumble dryer is that, because of the removable tank, they can be fitted anywhere in the home. Another benefit is that they can be taken between properties when you move, without having to worry about whether your new property has an outside venting bracket.

Integrated

  • Finally, the other main kind of tumble dryer is an integrated tumble dryer. As the name suggests an integrated tumble dryer is one which can be integrated into your home’s existing furniture, disguising it and making it more aesthetically pleasing. Integrated tumble dryers are typically installed into kitchen units and hidden behind the unit doors. The main advantage of an integrated tumble dryer is that the unit is hidden. This is likely to be desirable to those who have invested in designer kitchens, so those who simply prefer a less cluttered look.

Tumble dryers and washing machine

Hopefully, you have found this guide useful. In summary:

  • a vented tumble dryer may be best for the budget conscious,
  • a condenser tumble dryer may be best for those who wish to place their tumble dryer in a location away from doors or windows,
  • an integrated tumble dryer is likely to be best for the style conscious, who wish to hide away their tumble dryer.

You can read more about the different types of tumble dryers, as well as check features and prices at IntegratedTumbleDryer.co.uk

This is a collaborative post

Reviews & Adverts

Activ8rlives Wellness and Food Diary App Review

Activ8rlives App

You probably know all about my weight loss efforts over the past 5 years. If not, here’s a quick recap:

I joined Slimming World in August 2012 weighing in at 31 stones 1 pound. On my one year anniversary of joining, I got my 7 stone award.

I went on to get my 8 and a half stone award but it took a lot longer to get there than the previous 7 stones had done.
Since then, I’ve struggled. I put a stone back on and I’ve spent the last 4 years going up and down the same stone.

Recently it’s been even worse because I’ve gained another stone back and I’m finding it really difficult to get it off again.

Food Diaries

When you first join Slimming World you’re given some food diaries to fill in for the first 4 weeks. I carried on filling in food diaries for the next couple of years. I actually started another blog to document my food diaries.
Taking photos of all my meals became a habit. I wrote a blog post every day using the photos to help me remember what I’d eaten.

Things got busier and the busier I got, the harder it was for me to find time to keep up the blog. I stopped updating it.
Looking back, it really wasn’t the best move for me to make. I think I started struggling with the weight loss because I stopped holding myself accountable by taking the photos and blogging.

I’ve tried a few times to start blogging again but I’m even busier now than I was back then so it hasn’t happened.

Activ8rlives

When I was asked to review the Activ8rlives wellness and food diary app, I was delighted. Here’s an app where I can take photos of all meals and not have to worry about transferring them to my laptop. They’re stored on the Activ8rlives cloud account.

You start off by entering your personal details like height and weight and your target weight. The app suggests a healthy weight so you get a healthy BMI. You don’t have to use the suggestion, you can set your own target weight.

Activ8rlives app

Food Intake

When you’ve taken your photo you can then add a description of your meal. Everything can be listed, including healthy extras and syns if you’re doing Slimming World. The option to choose whether you’re having a good choice or a bad choice makes you think before you eat.

It’s great for anyone who is calorie counting. You can see how the calories are adding up throughout the day.
I was expecting the app to have lists of different foods to choose from with all the nutrition info like other apps I’ve used but you put the info in yourself if you want to.
This is a great feature because while I’m on Slimming World, I don’t have to worry about calorie counting and frankly, I don’t want to know how many calories I’m having each day. The eating plan doesn’t work on calories and if I keep seeing them adding up each day, it could mess with my head!

Activ8rlives app

When you’ve logged your meals, snacks and drinks for the day, you can go to your food diary and see your daily intake in pictures as well as text.

Activ8rlives app

Measurements

On your dashboard, you can quickly see your numbers for the day. You can buy a Buddy Band 2 that syncs with the app to measure your steps. I really need to get more exercise so this would be great for me.
There’s also a set of Smart Scales and Pulse Oximeter available to buy.

This is a screenshot of my starting weight. I weighed myself on May 9th.

Activ8rlives app

And this is my progress so far. I weighed myself this morning, May 17th

Activ8rlives app

I’ve lost 12lb since I downloaded the app :o) I’m really pleased with my result. This is the best weight loss I’ve had for quite a while and I know the app has helped get this result.

Customisable

If there are things the app measures that you’re not interested in having measured, you can delete the widgets. It’s totally customisable to your needs.

Activ8rlives app

This app is going to be a huge help in my Slimming World journey. I lost 6lb from the first weigh in I did for the app, to my second. I still have another stone and a half to go to get back to my ‘regular’ weight which is 23 and a half stone but I know this app will make it easier for me to get there 🙂

Activ8rlives QR code

There are lots of apps out there to help you with your goals; this weight tracker app calculates your BMI, BMR and body fat.

This is a collaborative post

Reviews & Adverts

Ant’s New Wedding Suit From Jacamo

New Wedding Suit From Jacamo

 

You may know that as well as the three children that live with us, Ant also has 6 adult children from his first marriage.
A few weeks ago, we got the very exciting news that the second eldest son, Jourdain, had proposed to his lovely girlfriend, Netty. We’re so very happy for them and can’t wait to officially welcome Netty to the family 🙂

While we were discussing the wedding, Ant mentioned that he didn’t think his one and only suit would fit him anymore. He bought it 12 years ago when we were getting married. He uses it every time we have a wedding or other function to attend. When he tried it on, he was right! It was time to order a new one.

He picked a lovely grey Williams & Brown pin dot suit jacket and trousers from Jacamo.

Williams and Brown pin dot suit jacket from Jacamo

Williams and Brown pin dot suit trousers from Jacamo

 

Jourdain and Netty have been talking about getting married in Las Vegas so Ant also ordered a new pair of 3/4 cargo pants to help keep him cool. I don’t think they’re going to be saved for the wedding, though. He’s already talking about getting his shorts on when he’s working in the garden. He’s always too hot anyway, no matter the weather!

3/4 cargo pants from Jacamo

They’re all really great quality and Ant’s very happy with them 🙂

We’d like to thank Jacamo for sending us the suit and cargo pants for review.

For more men’s suits, visit Jacamo.

 

 

 

Books, Reviews & Adverts

Goth Girl – Kaycee And Ella’s Book Club & Book Review #19

Goth Girl

 

Kaycee and Ella haven’t had a book club this month yet. They’ve both been busy with school projects and family outings.
We’re hoping to organise it in the next week or so. At least everyone has had plenty of time to read their books!

Looking ahead to book club next month, they received Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse to review. It’s written and illustrated by children’s laureate, Chris Riddell. Kaycee started reading it first and she’s going to pass it on to Ella when she’s done.

Goth Girl and the ghost of a mouse

We’re passing it around to each member of the book club and Kaycee’s going to get them all to dress like Goth Girl when they meet to discuss the book.
I can’t wait to see them all dressed up and to share the photos with you!

Cover Design

I have to say I love the design of the cover. I was a wannabe goth when I was a teenager, I just never had the courage to be different to everyone else!
The book is aimed at readers aged 7 – 11 but speaking as a 40-year-old reader, it’s got something for everyone.

Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse is the first book in the Goth Girl series. The illustrations make the book for me. They actually made me long for the days when all the books I read had pictures!

Ada Goth

The book centres on Ada Goth.

Ada Goth from Goth Girl

She’s the only child of Lord Goth of Ghastly-Gorm Hall.

Lord Goth from Goth Girl

Her mother died when she was little. She looks just likes her mother and her father can’t face seeing her too often because it makes him sad.

He makes her wear big clumpy boots so that when he hears her coming, he can go into his study to avoid her.

It all sounds quite sad when it’s put like that but Ada understands why her father acts the way he does. They do spend time with each other once a week when Ada takes tea with him.

Ishmael

At the start of the book, we’re introduced to the little ghost mouse whose name is Ishmael.

Ishmael mouse from Goth Girl

I have to say, though, it’s another sad part when Ishmael’s telling Ada how he followed a delicious smell to a part of the house he wasn’t familiar with when…. SNAP! He was white and see-through and hovering in the air.

Plenty Of Humour

It’s not a sad book, though, it’s really not, no matter what impression I’ve just given you from my review! It’s funny and entertaining and just a really good read. I laughed out loud when we saw Ada’s previous governesses. Hebe Poppins, who kept bursting into song was my particular favourite!
When she found that Ada wasn’t unhappy or shy, she ran away with Van Dyke, the chimney sweep!

Ada is sometimes lonely so she’s very happy when she meets William and Emily. They’re the children of an inventor whom Ada’s father invited to stay at the hall and then forgot about.
William and Emily are members of the Attic Club and Ada asks them if she can join. Other members include the young maids who aren’t normally allowed to talk to Ada.
When one maid asks if she’ll get into trouble for talking to Ada, Emily tells her, ‘what happens in the Attic Club, stays in the Attic Club’!

I love the little nods to other literary works, historical figures and movies, like Fight Club, Peter Pan, Frankenstein and Mary Shellfish, the novelist! It’s these that makes the book enjoyable to older readers.

I can’t wait for Ella to read this book, she’s going to love it. I know the rest of the Goth Girl books will be on the birthday wishlists on Amazon very soon 🙂

Amazon Blurb

Here’s the blurb from Amazon where it’s now available to buy in paperback.

Chris Riddell’s Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse is the beautifully illustrated winner of the Costa Children’s Book Award.

Ada Goth is the only child of Lord Goth. The two live together in the enormous Ghastly-Gorm Hall. Lord Goth believes that children should be heard and not seen, so Ada has to wear large clumpy boots so that he can always hear her coming. This makes it hard for her to make friends and, if she’s honest, she’s rather lonely.

Then one day William and Emily Cabbage come to stay at the house and, together with a ghostly mouse called Ishmael, the three children begin to unravel a dastardly plot that Maltravers, the mysterious indoor gamekeeper, is hatching. Ada and her friends must work together to foil Maltravers before it’s too late!

 

Reviews & Adverts

Garden Essentials From HomeSense

Garden Essentials

 

It’s the year of the garden for us, as you may know, so we’ve been window shopping for ideas. We’ve got a plan but as we know from previous experience, plans tend to change when inspiration strikes!

We’ve seen some lovely garden furniture at HomeSense

garden furniture garden essentials

garden recliner

wooden garden chair

The girls would love this swing seat 🙂

garden swing seat

garden table and chairs

garden chair

Don’t you just love this birdhouse? We want to make our garden as wildlife friendly as possible so we’re going to be adding bug hotels, bee and butterfly friendly plants and birdhouses 🙂

bird house

I used to have lots of gnomes in the garden but when we moved we got rid of them because they weren’t looking the best. I’ve decided we’re going to have lots of fairy ornaments in this garden but I did fall in love with this little fella!

It’s not your typical garden gnome but I think that’s why I like it 🙂

red garden gnome

We want lots of lights in the garden. The pink watering can ones are my favourite.

garden lights

We’re not going to have many borders so I’m going to have lots of planters dotted around.

elephant planter

HomeSense doesn’t just stock pretty things for your garden, they also have a full range of tools.

garden tools

Hopefully we’ll get chance to get out in the garden next week and get the new raised bed finished 🙂

Reviews & Adverts

Esure Insurance

Esure Insurance

 

Esure is an insurance company based in Surrey, UK that provides car insurance, home insurance and other types of insurance coverage. It has over two million clients in the UK. 

When would you need to contact Esure? Usually, clients have questions, inquiries and other issues, but it would be a good idea to look at their website and read the FAQ section before calling. You may find the answer to your question.

Esure’s call center works Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

Esure is actually a phone- and Internet-based company. Its head office is in Surrey, but it also has branches in Glasgow and Manchester.

Keyboard

Peter Wood founded Esure in 2000. He also founded the Royal Bank of Scotland Direct Line insurance and the Sheilas’ Wheels brand, aimed at car insurance for women. Both enterprises have been very successful.

Esure utilizes celebrity endorsements, the most memorable being from 2002 to 2005 with Michael Winner.  

In 2007 news emerged that Esure would replace E.ON as the ITV National Weather bulletin sponsor. The deal was said to be worth £10 million. In 2010 Lloyds Banking Group sold its 185-million-pound share in Esure to Wood’s Esure Group Holdings. Esure was listed on the London Stock Exchange in the spring of 2013. This led to concerns about potential conflict of interest, as Wood donated a huge sum to the Conservative Party and the company’s IPO drew notice to the fact that legislation supporting insurance companies offered Esure expansion potential. The company was definitely put in advantageous positions by the amendments, and Wood earned around 200 million off the flotation.

Esure targets lower risk customers, offering low-cost premiums for clients with an effective no claims bonus for car insurance products.

In the fall of 2014, Esure came under fire for declining an insurance claim, leaving a client homeless. Her abusive husband had burned her house down, and Esure offered a ‘goodwill payment’ of only a few thousand pounds. The case came to trial, and the husband admitted he had tortured the client with an ax for days. Esure did not change their mind, stating that their policies covered unexpected events and accidents, but not purposeful and unlawful acts by persons destroying their property.

That same year, Esure was also criticized over potential conflicts of interest. This involved ownership of insurance comparison sites by insurance companies. According to the Financial Conduct Authority, any and all actual or potential conflicts of interest must be reported. Esure acquired the insurance comparison site Gocompare in full late that year. Earlier, it held 50% and this was indicated on the gocompare website. Eventually, it came to nothing as the FCA found no evidence such companies had profited due to potentially conflicting ownership.

Click on the link above to get more information about Esure. It would be best to contact them directly.

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Reviews & Adverts

The 3 Best Types of Siding for Your House

Siding for Your House

3 best types of siding for your house header

New siding for your house can make it easier to sell. It can also give your house an attractive makeover. Sidings are not only decorative; they protect your house against the elements such as the wind, snow, and rain. Loose or cracked shingles or panels can make your house susceptible to more damage by moisture and insects, which can lead to extensive damage.

Siding contractors Rochester NY can help you ensure that your siding is appropriate and can keep your roof intact. Once you have decided to use siding, you need to determine which type of siding works best for your needs. The types of siding vary, and one may suit you better than others. It’s up to you to decide how much you want to spend and what priorities you have for your home. The following types of siding are considered to be the best in the construction industry and should be considered.

Vinyl Siding

  1. Vinyl siding. The low maintenance required and the low costs associated with vinyl siding make upkeep a breeze. It is by far the most popular choice for siding because it is resistant to twisting and warping. It also protects against water and insects. However, the downside to vinyl siding is that it can burn, rattle, and crack. Some types of vinyl siding may mimic the look of wood from afar, but not up close.

Fibre Cement Siding

  1. Fiber cement siding. This type of siding is a blend of cellulose, cement, and sand. It looks like real wood and the costs parallel those of vinyl siding. This type of siding is waterproof and insect-proof. However, it can be easily damaged if the paint is not maintained. Usually, fiber cement siding comes pre-painted from the factory, but specially painted siding can also be ordered.

Wood Siding

  1. Wood siding. Wood siding is costly, but it is unmatched by any the first two sidings in terms of look and feel. It is less less expensive than shingles, but more expensive than both vinyl or fiber cement siding. It is resistant to impact, but it can twist, burn, and break. In addition, it is not resistant to woodpeckers, which can damage the house. Wood can be left natural or finished. It is also available as factory-primed or pre-ordered with both primer and paint. Wood needs periodic maintenance in terms of paint. Factory-primed wood costs more, but it is worth it in the long-run.

Once you have decided on the type of siding that you feel is right for you, it’s time to contact a contractor who can cater to your needs. JJ Construction is a contractor located in New York, and our team of roof specialists and construction consultants will be happy to assist you any time. Finding a contractor for your construction needs should be hassle-free and worry-free. As such, JJ Construction is a prime choice for your needs. The company boasts of many projects that were successfully completed on time and with the highest quality.

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Reviews & Adverts

4 ideas on how to improve your home’s curb appeal

This is a collaborative post

Curb Appeal

Spring is the most popular time to put your home on the market for sale. After a long winter, many consider moving to a new space and in order to do so, need to update their current property. While it is important to make sure that the interior of the property is clean, freshly painted, free of clutter, and smells fresh, the outside needs to look just as nicely kept. For instance, adding a water feature, specimen plant, fresh new exterior lighting, or looking for flag poles for sale to replace your old one with a lovely new one will all help to add to the curb appeal. This article will provide more ideas on how to improve your home’s curb appeal to prepare it for the real estate market this spring.

First Impressions

  1. Make sure that your grass is cut, weeds are picked, and plants are watered. When potential buyers pull up to your property, the very first impression they get of your space is the landscaping. If your yard is in total disarray or in need of maintenance, it is likely that the potential buyers will already have a tainted perception of your property before even stepping inside the house. If you have a beautiful house that is in pristine condition thanks to a recent exterior remodel from American Made Windows of the Upstate (or a similar company in your area), you should be sure that your yard represents the same. It is possible that you could miss out on a sale if your yard is overgrown and a mess.
curb appeal

Paint The Front Door

  1. Paint the front door. Along with the yard needing to be in tip top shape, the look of your front door needs to be appealing to the eye as well. A fresh coat of paint on your front door is an inexpensive update that can help you sell your house. Again, the smallest thing can impact a buyer’s perception and cause them not to buy. It is important to do what you can to fix small little things that are minor but that make a big difference such as the shape of the front door.

Mailbox

  1. Update your mailbox. When a potential buyer pulls up to your property, chances are that they will see your mailbox. Be sure to have a mailbox that is in good shape, works properly, and is standing upright. If your mailbox is on the side of your house, make sure that it is free of cobwebs, dust, and dirt.
mailbox

Fences

  1. Make sure your fence is in good shape. A fence around the property is something that potential buyers find appealing. That being said, it is important to make sure that the fence is in great shape and not falling down. While one of the most tedious of tasks to update, a great fence can be a selling point. If your fence is in need of repairs, or if part of your fence needs replaced, you may need equipment that can be expensive to help with the task. Instead of spending money buying the needed equipment, it is more cost effective to invest in  small excavator rental.

These tips will certainly help you get your house ready to sell. Curb appeal makes a big difference to potential buyers and does not require a great deal of money, time, or work. Minor repairs make an impact.

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