Rising damp may not be the most rampant form of dampness affecting homes, but it is arguably one of the most destructive damps found in buildings. In most cases, this band of wetness causes the masonry material on walls to disintegrate, causing wallpapers or the mortar between bricks to fall off.

If you think your property might be at risk of rising damp, understanding what it is, its causes and the best actions to treat and prevent dampness is one way to protect your property.

What Does Rising Damp Mean? 

Rising damp is the upward movement of moisture from the ground beneath your house’s walls through the fabric of the walls.

The water flows through capillary action and usually rises to a maximum of 1.2m. However, the effects of rising damp such as salt deposits may be visible at a greater height. 

Because of the high repair and maintenance costs that come with rising damp; it is essential to get home insurance if you suspect your property might be at risk of this problem. If you are not sure what provider to choose, a local comparison site like iSelect (if you are based in Australia) can help you compare home insurance providers so you can find one that best fits your unique needs.

What Causes Rising Damp?

In most cases, rising damp occurs when water flows up your wall from the ground beneath or around it. This often happens if your area has gone through a period of extreme humidity, such as heavy rainfall. 

In other situations, constructional faults can result in rising damp even when the damp proof course (DPC) is intact. Examples of constructional faults resulting in rising damp include plaster overlapping the DPC and surrounding ground levels higher than the DPC. 

Signs of Rising Damp

It is relatively easy to spot the first signs of rising damp. Here are a few signs that you should look out for:

• The appearance of bubbles underneath your wall’s paintwork
• Flaking or falling away of wallpapers
• A musty smell in the house with no apparent source 
• Plaster flaking away
• Wall staining
• Rotting skirting boards

How to Prevent Rising Damp

One of the most effective ways of preventing rising damp is installing a damp-proof course between the foundation and the wall to avoid water absorption from underneath into the walls.

A damp-proof course is usually a non-absorbent water-resistant material such as slate, bitumen, and plastic, with the material used depending on when a home was built. Sometimes these physical DPCs may fail due to age or may not exist in older houses. 

Treating Rising Damp 

Treating rising damp can be costly because it goes beyond fixing the damp-proof course to include replastering and repainting. Timber flooring may also be necessary, depending on the level of damage caused. 

There are several ways of fixing a rising damp problem. However, the cheapest and the most cost-effective way is by injecting a damp-proof injection cream at the faulty sections of the damp-proof course. This option is only applicable for small damp patches. 

To stop such issues, you may have to replace the damp course membrane under your house after every few years. This process can be complicated and is best left to the experts.

Who Treats Rising Damp?

If you suspect your rented home or property has a rising damp issue, it is the responsibility of your landlord to deal with the damp. However, if you own the building, you will need to first confirm your suspicions before treating the damp.

When diagnosing and treating rising damp, you will need to work with a rising damp treatment specialist, professional damp surveyor, or preservation firm with vast experience in rising damp injection treatment. Whether you choose to hire an individual or a company, make sure they have the necessary qualifications to help you fix your rising damp problem.

In Australia, Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing is the most industry-recognized qualification that professionals should have. This certification is vital for experts who ensure waterproofing standards are fulfilled in structures. In other words, any professional with this certification can diagnose issues with water entering your building below ground level and recommend the ideal design or treatment solution.

Protect Your Property from Rising Damp

Considering the damage that rising damp can cause to your property and the high repair costs that follow; it is important to get home insurance to cover the structure of your home. However, choosing the right insurance for your home can be tricky, with all the insurers on the market. 

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It’s easier to live when you have electricity at home. With electrical energy, you can have a well-illuminated home, keep cool or stay warm indoors depending on the season, and power all the appliances and gadgets you need to use daily. It has become something that most people can’t live without in today’s world. But regardless of how well it serves your household, electricity can still cause disasters. When electrical issues on a property are ignored, they can lead to all sorts of trouble, the worst of which is fire. As electricity is a common presence in everyday life, it’s crucial to know a few practices to prevent electrical problems at home.

Trusted services can help in safe-proofing electrical fixtures and prevent electrical problems in the home. If you don’t have any electrical background and need electrical system inspection and repair.

Your safety is crucial when it comes to household electronics. Hence, here are some safety tips to help you protect your house and family from any electricity-related mishaps:

1. Quell Surge Damage

It’s normal how power surges at a minor degree. Every time you turn an appliance on or if you switch the lights on, the amount of electricity in your home varies slightly. However, when the power surge peaks largely and dramatically, it could be a cause of concern.

A power surge may be brief, but it’s dangerous. In order to safeguard your home from electrical surges, take note of the following measures:

To protect the circuit, use a fuse. Fuse boxes are less popular these days, but they can still provide functionality. They’re essential for electrical systems in that they protect your home from electric shock or fire. You can use time delay fuses, which allow for a brief surge in electricity before the fuse blows.

Never connect plugs to other plugs. Don’t attempt to connect an extension cord to a power strip that’s subsequently connecting to another power strip. Such a configuration will almost certainly trigger a power surge.

Invest in safe appliances, particularly those with built-in surge protection. Before purchasing any device or appliance, ask questions and make sure to choose those with safety features.

Consider installing surge protectors throughout your home.

2. Use the Right Wattage

Do you regularly check the wattage of your household equipment and appliances? To avoid electrical problems, you must use the correct wattage. Check your light bulbs, devices, and other fixtures to ensure they’re within the recommended range. If the wattage of a light fixture isn’t specified, you can use bulbs that are 60 watts or less. Other ceiling fixtures, on the other hand, can use 25-watt bulbs.

When determining the right wattage to use for your appliances, you can check this information on the user manual or manufacturer’s instructions. If you lost it, you could search it online by typing in the brand and model of appliances you have. Appliance manufacturers have online sources that consumers can use to replace the physical user manual.

3. Unplug Unused Appliances

One of the most underrated ways to prevent electrical problems is to unplug all unused appliances; however, it’s often forgotten by many. Unplug appliances such as the oven, television, and chargers when they’re not in use. In doing this, you’re not only lowering your energy consumption but also reducing phantom drain, which is the amount of energy that an appliance consumes even when it isn’t being used.

4. Avoid Overloading Electrical Outlets

An electrical outlet overloads when more electricity is drawn from it than it can carry. An example of this is when too many appliances or devices are drawing energy from the same outlet. Overloading can also occur when several high-ampere appliances are plugged into a single outlet. Here are tips to avoid this from happening:

Inspect your outlets to see if they’re still cool to the touch.

For your appliances, avoid utilizing extension cords or multi-outlet converters.

When your outlets are hot when touched, have them checked by an electrician.

Only a single heat-producing piece of equipment should plug into an outlet at a time.

Try using smart plugs to evaluate your outlet’s power loads.

5. Keep Electrical Devices and Outlets Away from Water

Water and electricity aren’t compatible. To avoid electrocution, keeping electrical appliances, devices, and outlets as dry as possible is critical. Doing so will allow you and your family to stay safe from accidents and injury.

Educate your children about keeping away from electrical outlets and devices right after coming out from the shower or bathroom. Always keep in mind that handling electrical fixtures with wet hands increases a person’s risk of electrocution. If such an incident happens, the immediate action is to cut or shut down the main power line and call for emergency rescue. Never touch or go near the victim, as you might also experience the same incident if there are still live wires or electricity lying around.

6. Repair or Replace Damaged Wiring

Defective power connectors pose a serious risk to household electricity safety. This is because they can result in both fire and electrocution.

To keep your home safe, inspect all of your power and extension wires for fraying or scratching. If you find such electrical issues, have the wiring repaired or replaced as necessary? Power cables mustn’t staple or run under floor coverings or furniture. Wires under carpets can cause potential hazards and overheating, while furniture could destroy wire insulation and damaged cords.

Extension wires are used when there aren’t enough outlets. However, if you use them on a daily basis to meet your needs, you may have to install additional outlets in rooms where the extension wires are frequently used. Look for a trained electrician to perform the installation.

7. Cover Your Junction Box

Another cause of electrical problems at home is a junction box that’s uncovered. A lot of wires are connected in a junction box, so it needs to be covered to keep anyone from coming into contact with the wires by accident. If not, a person could be electrically shocked as a result of a faulty wire.

Furthermore, when wires are connected, the electrical flow becomes more complicated, and heat might develop. A fire could start if too much heat develops at the wire splices. Covering your junction box will be your first line of defense in preventing the spread of electrical fires.

8. Secure Your Used and Unused Cords

Electrical safety tips apply not only to power cords when they’re in use but also to cables that must be stored safely to avoid damage. Avoid wrapping cables tightly around anything since this may cause them to strain and overheat. Finally, avoid placing cords on hot surfaces; this can lead to damage to the cords’ insulation and wiring.

9. Keep Your Exhaust Fans Clean

Appliances like air coolers have an exhaust fan. Since it vents out odors, particulates, and contaminants, it can get clogged or dirty with debris, which as a result would make the appliance work harder. This can reduce the device’s life span or result in the accumulation of toxic gas. Clean your exhaust fans on a regular basis to avoid an electrical fire hazard.

You can vacuum your exhaust fan or use a brush to remove the accumulated dirt and debris. The best solution for exhaust fans with unremovable grates is using compressed air. Spray the compressed air onto the blades and grate to clean off the dust and debris quickly.

Final Thoughts

In any household, electrical safety is critical. From powering your appliances to illuminating your home, electricity is of the essence in your everyday routines. By following the electrical safety tips outlined above, you can reduce your risk of accidents, avoid overloading your home’s electrical grid and keep yourself and your family safe.

For more information:

How Level 2 Electrical Services Can Transform Your Home

A material that has gained instant popularity in a short period of time. It has now become one of the most commonly used coatings in interior and exterior decorations. Can you guess this material name? Yes, we’re talking about Microcement!

In recent years, microcement has become an increasingly popular material among homeowners, architects, interior designers, and business owners, and now you can see it in every other house. Anyone who wants to achieve an industrial interior and aesthetic can go for this material. It gives a perfect contemporary look with superior performance and that too at the minimal maintenance.

Due to many reasons, this coating has now become a trend in the renovation of homes and businesses. Microcement can be customized in many ways, including color, tone, and finish. Hence, it is a perfect option for kitchens, living areas, bathrooms, and wet rooms. Due to its hygienic and hypoallergenic properties, it is highly functional and practical. Additionally, it gives a clean and stain-free surface environment. 

So, if you are looking for a perfect microcement to add a unique touch of creativity and aesthetics, visit Topciment. This company is one of Europe’s leading microcement manufacturers and also a registered trademark in the United States. They offer a variety of microcement in many finishes and colors. 

Today in this blog, we’re going to tell you all about microcement, including its advantages, application, and decoration areas. 

What Is Microcement?

Microcement, also known as micro-concrete, micro-screed, or micro-topping, is a polymer and cement-based coating. It can be applied to walls, stairs, floors, and any residential and commercial environments to create a finished concrete look. 

It consists of a continuous layer of minimum thickness, which provides a strong bonding power. That’s why microcement can be applied to any surface, including tiles, yellow tongue, wood, plasterboard, villaboard, MDF, and even on existing concrete flooring surfaces and compressed sheeting.  

This material is highly beneficial for architects, interior designers, builders, property managers, and homeowners. With the help of this material, they can easily create or achieve a concrete aesthetic which is normally not possible with other materials. 

Types of Microcement

There are various types of microcement available in the market. Here are four major types of Microcement for floors: 

• One-component Microcement
• Two-component Microcement
• Ready-to-use Microcement
• Microcement for Swimming Pools

You can select the one based on the effect you want to create or according to your requirements. 

Advantages of Microcement

There are many reasons why this cement coating is becoming popular. Now, microcement has become one of the most common choices of people in the construction industry. 

Below are some of the benefits of microcement over polished based ones are: 

Multiple Finishes and Colors

Microcement comes in a wide range of pigments, textures, colors, and finishes, including gloss finish, matte, super matte, and satin. These days many companies also offer customizable finishes so that you can get a personalized pattern or finish.   

Durable and Resistant

As compared to other materials, microcement is quite durable and resistant. It will not crack easily and will last for many years. It is not only resistant to traffic and knocks but also highly resistant to scratches and even sunlight. 

Waterproof & Anti Slip

Microcement provides a water-proof and non-slip finish. That’s why it is ideal for use in kitchens, swimming pools, shower trays, basins, sinks, and bathtubs. It also provides germ and bacteria-free spaces.

Environment-Friendly

Microcement is made from natural materials, and that’s why it is extremely environment-friendly. On top of that, the cleaning and maintenance are also quite easy. 

Thickness of the Microcement

The coating of the microcement has a thickness of about 2 and 3 millimeters. So, this will not affect the structural load of the building in any way.

Good Thermal Conductivity

Microcement is one of the best building materials for underfloor heating and is completely compatible with underfloor heating. This coating is suitable for interiors as well as exteriors.

Uses of Microcement

Now you might be wondering where you can apply Microcement? This versatile, high-quality decorative coating can be used for several applications, including both residential and commercial. 

It can be applied to the floors, walls, and many areas, including: 

• Walls & Floors
• Workspaces
• External facade
• Furniture pieces 
• Garden pathways
• Kitchen surfaces
• Living and dining areas
• Bathrooms (Including showers and splashbacks)
• Wet rooms (Including steam rooms & saunas)

Conclusion   

Microcement is a high-performance material that is mixed with polymers, additives, ultra-fine aggregates, and color pigments. This versatile coating can apply to floors, walls or furniture, and many other types of surfaces and gives you a clean finish. 

It also offers an anti-slip and easy-to-maintain surface, which is highly beneficial for environments where children and the elderly will be frequent visitors. You can also create various effects and finishes such as uniform, mottled, metallic, or even Venetian stucco. So, include Microcement in your interiors and exteriors and achieve the desired look.

In case you missed it!

• What Is Interior Design?  
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Plumbing is such a maintenance service that requires a lot of skill, expertise, and practical knowledge. If you live in Cranberry and Washington and want to upgrade your plumbing system or repair any damage-causing difficulty, you must keep in mind certain things when you hire a plumber in cranberry.

Problems faced with a faulty plumbing system: Numerous issues can arise like Toilet clog that won’t clear up with plunging.

• The sewer is clogged or broken.
• During the winter, pipes might freeze.
• In your plumbing systems, there is a lack of water pressure.
• Cisterns are flooding.
• A leaking sewer system causes a terrible odor to enter your home.
• Large amounts of water waste might result from broken or failing pipes.
• Also, the sound of water trickling from a dripping faucet or tap.

The important things you must know about hiring a plumber in Cranberry:

Things to Consider While Hiring a Plumber:

1. Adequate Licensing: 

Among the first questions, you must ask a plumber before employing them is if they are state-licensed, qualified, and registered. Even if your jurisdiction does not require licensing, you also can verify to see whether they’ve ever been the subject of any official complaints before employing them.

2. Professional Experience: 

Although there are exemptions to the norm, it is highly advisable to hire a plumber in the company for at least a few years. A plumbing professional with more expertise is more likely to complete the task correctly the first time.

3. Cost: 

Make sure to always get pricing estimates from plumbers in Cranberry and Washington before hiring them. However, keep in mind that pricing isn’t always a good indicator of work quality. This means you shouldn’t pick a plumber just based on their lowest price for a particular plumbing service. However, before selecting a plumber, make sure that their price is reasonable and competitive.

4. References: 

Before hiring a plumbing professional, it’s always a good idea to consider recommendations. Don’t be scared to ask for references; respectable plumbers should be happy to provide them.

5. Certificate of Compliance: 

A competent plumber should provide you with a compliance certificate after the job is completed. They should also offer a six-month maintenance guarantee.

6. Wisely Choose:

Avoid choosing a plumbing company that supplies quotes without inspecting the work first. You could end yourself paying a lot more than you anticipated.

7. Avoid Plumbers Who Demand Upfront Payment: 

Plumbers that require payment in advance should be avoided. They may take longer to do the project or even leave with your money. You can still spend by a milestone for significant projects, which means you pay in installments when each work or part of a more considerable task is completed.

Document a contract once you’ve decided on a professional plumber. Would you please keep a copy of the document in your files if you need to use it later? Never agree on verbal commitments since it will be challenging to prove your case when something goes wrong down the road.

The timetable, or projected delivery schedule, should also be included in your contract. Ascertain that they will complete the project on time, as stated in the agreement. If they need to make the repairs changes, they should let you know upfront, so you know how to do it.

Conclusion:

Considering these points, if you are looking for a plumber in Washington, you must check out Mr. Rooters Plumbing Services of Pittsburgh. They provide various services such as plumbing facilities, cleaning the drainage system, replacing the toilet, repairing water pipeline leakage or sewer, among others. There Plumbing services hosts a wide range of dedicated and qualified professionals who are willing to help and assist you in every step. So, what are you waiting for? Contact them now.

Keep reading:

• Importance of Plumbing in Architecture
• Buying An Older House? Typical Plumbing Concerns!

If you’re a contemporary homeowner, you may aware of the importance of having a space designated entirely for working out. Most people don’t put much thought into having different types of Gym Equipment at home; and those who do, look no further than a treadmill.

However, thanks to a variety of workout equipment available at online fitness gear providers like Gimmie, you may no longer need to restrict yourself to a treadmill. Creating a small gym in your home has never been easier. All you need is equipment suitable to your workout needs and some time at your hands; you can be the best version of yourself without spending a hefty amount every month.

Weighted Jump Rope

If you are a fitness freak and constantly measure your calorie intake, take the best muscle builder, and generally take your fitness very seriously, having weighted jump ropes can help keep your cardiovascular fitness in check. Several trends and fitness training books boast the importance of having these at home.

Weighted jump ropes hardly require any space and are known to improve overall endurance, strength, and coordination instead of regular jumping ropes. The latter isn’t specifically designing for fitness-related outcomes. Weighted jump ropes are known to burn more calories than other workout regimes.

Indoor Exercise Bike

Indoor exercise bikes are a great alternative for cycling outdoors, especially if your circumstances don’t allow you to do so. By using this equipment you can burn body fat and calories along with straightening your lungs, muscles, and heart.

Due to its features that complement a heart-healthy life; it comes under one of the most sought-after cardio equipment recommended by experts. The best part is that, unlike other machines, this one doesn’t stress out your joints.

Dumbbells

Dumbbells are also one of the most useful types of equipment for a low-scale workout at home. The best features of dumbbells are that they’re inexpensive, small, and suitable for different types of exercises to perform at home.

Sometimes, they’re also called free weights and come in various shapes, sizes, and weights to accommodate your fitness goals best. More than a good arm workout, dumbbells, if used well, can help people save costs in the long run, especially if they’re looking to build muscle.

Rowing Machine

Unlike other equipment focused on either increasing your muscle strength or improving cardiovascular health, a rowing machine provides a full-body workout. It uses almost 86% of your muscles and targets the following areas:

Ø  Pecs

Ø  Arms

Ø  Abdominal muscles

Ø  Upper back

Ø  Obliques

While investing in other equipment is equally necessary, the reason healthcare professionals recommend a rowing machine at home is that it’s perfect for every age group. It helps you burn some serious calories and doesn’t stress out your joints.

It allows you to have a good amount of control over the pace and movement, so you can be as involved in the process as possible. Some healthcare professionals also recommend it as a great exercise option for people suffering from osteoarthritis.

Treadmill

At the end of the day, most people invest in treadmills more than any other fitness equipment. This is because the basics of working out include running. It gives people a sense of empowerment to know that this piece of equipment will help them release more sweat than anything else.

It helps them feel like they’ve done enough for the day, and this is why having a treadmill at home can be a good alternative to running outside, especially if you’re conscious about working out outside.

Treadmills help to achieve fitness goals if people are slightly overweight and wish to get rid of the bloated mass. Again, it may not be as useful for people with other weight-related complications. However, some workout is always better than no workout.

Conclusion

In conclusion, working out at home may prove much more feasible for some people than dealing with the hassle of going to a facility. Moreover, investing in gym equipment once means you have it working for you for a good number of years, unlike paying a certain amount per month at a gym that may be more costly in the long run. Considering the benefits, make sure you get high-quality equipment and stick to a regimen.

Most homeowners don’t pay much attention to their attics. Some don’t have the reason to be up there while some just forget that their attics exist. And unfortunately, it’s a space underutilized by most people. So here we will talk about how to maximize attic space.

Thankfully, it’s never too late to use it for something else as a spot for stashing away holiday decorations or empty storage boxes. You can choose to remodel and redesign it to make the most out of it.

And you should consider yourself lucky if you have an easy-to-access attic. It puts you one step closer to having an additional unique living space in your home. Aside from the extra space that you could use, a beautiful and livable attic would also significantly add value to your property. 

Here are some best ideas to get you started.

1. Turn It into a Guest Room

One good thing about attic spaces is they’re already enclosed so you won’t have to go as far as tearing down walls and foundations to make room for an expansion—not to mention that some electrical connections should be already available there. All you need to do is to bring the necessary furniture and furnishing to convert it into a guest room. 

If the room’s too bare, adding flooring to an attic space will be your first step. Once that’s done, you can add two twin beds to create a clean and symmetrical design—maybe three beds if you’re feeling generous. If you usually host several people at a time, you can also consider adding extra bunk beds, cabinets, and drawers.

2. Create a Reading Nook

If you or your family members love books, you can transform your attic space into a reading nook. In there, you can hibernate, chill, and just immerse yourself in those magical pages of your favorite prose.

Since your attic most likely has low ceilings, you can use that to your advantage to play with different design illusions to make the space look cozier. It’s also a great idea to bring in a lounger or a sofa bed where you can comfortably curl up. Don’t forget the lighting accents to make your reading affair more pleasant.

3. Install Built-In Cabinets and Shelving

Remember, your goal is to maximize the space you have. To utilize every possible square meter of your attic, you can turn to built-in designs and ideas. For example, you can build shelves, cabinets, and drawers into knee walls.

These built-in ideas are also applicable in other areas of your house and not just your attic. No matter what little or small space you have at home, there are clever ways to maximize each corner while also making everything looked organized.

4. Convert It to a Home Office

Whether you’re a work-at-home employee or someone who does freelancing jobs at home, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little office space to yourself? Turning your attic into a mini office might just be the best idea you could have for this extra space.

Aside from basic office furniture pieces such as a computer table, chair, and maybe a few desk lamps here and there, don’t forget to consider adding enough outlets for all the electric devices and equipment that you’ll need up there. You need to figure out how to bring your connection up if the Wi-Fi signal may not reach the attic.

5. Use Space-Saving Containers

Regardless of what you’ll do with your attic roof, it’s still a good storage space. May it is a home office, an extra bedroom, or a reading nook you’ve decided to transform your attic into, the space needs to be clutter-free and organized. For that, you can make use of space-saving containers and storage solutions.

One good idea is to utilize clear, large, and stackable plastic containers where you can stash all the stuff that you can’t throw away just yet, but still haven’t figured out their purpose. Clever storage solutions like that would help get rid of clutter and mess on the floor; especially if you only have limited floor space for furniture. 

You can also nail wire shelves to the wall for more storage options. Don’t forget to check the door as well, as you’ll never know if you can incorporate a behind-the-door storage trick for your tote bags and winter coats.

Waste No Space

Don’t let the dark and creepy ambiance of the attic fool you into not exploring and discovering ways to maximize the space you already have. There’s a whole new level of home expansion or remodeling waiting for you if you’ll just tap into the untapped attic space. When you’re all done, it’ll definitely look good as an extra livable spot for the whole household.

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• Maximize Your Small Space: Tips & Ideas for Home Organization
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