My House My Home

Don’t Play Renovation Roulette With Asbestos

November 1, 2019 By editor

November is Asbestos Awareness Month to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos as Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.

Asbestos-related diseases continue to increase as a direct result of exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations and maintenance.

Many people wrongly believe that only fibro homes contain asbestos, but asbestos products can most likely be found in any Australian home built or renovated before 1987, whether it’s brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad homes.

It can be found under floor coverings such as carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions to homes, outdoor toilets, dog kennels, chook yards and backyard sheds.

It’s vital that Australians take the warnings seriously, stop playing ‘renovation roulette’ and protect themselves and their families from exposure to asbestos fibres during renovations and maintenance.

If you suspect you have asbestos in your home: Dont cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… don’t dump it!

Check out the NSW Ministry of Health fact sheets about asbestos and health risks at www.health.nsw.gov.au

Things To Do Before Leaving For Holiday

April 5, 2018 By editor

You have a million things to do before you leave for a trip, so it’s very easy to let some important to-do’s slip through the cracks. Read through the below to make sure you’re ready for your next travel adventure!

• Pay off your bills before you leave or schedule automatic payments for your bills.

• Sort through your wallet and remove items you don’t need for your trip. Think extra credit cards or reward cards that only apply in your country of residence.

• Update your calendar. Be sure to check your calendar to see what commitments you have made while you are gone. Reschedule them before you leave.

• Put mail on hold. You don’t want strangers knowing that you’re away with the pile of newspapers at your door, so be sure to request to hold your mail. You also don’t want a mailbox that is overstuffed when you’re back from your holiday.

• Unplug and switch off. Remember to turn everything off, or better yet, unplug them, to conserve energy and money.

• Create an automated email response or a personalised voicemail to let people who are trying to get in touch with you know that you’re out of town.

• Clean out your fridge and garbage. Clean out perishables from the fridge so you’re not in for a nasty surprise when you get back. Take out your rubbish as well.

Habits Homeowners Need To Break

March 1, 2018 By editor

Bad habits are so easy to fall into but in the end, we know they only make us miserable. Here are some bad habits to break now for a happier you (and a fuller bank account):

Taking Long, Steamy Showers: Spending 20 minutes in the steam may be good for your pores, but it’s also great for mould and mildew. Run the fan while you’re in the shower, squeegee the walls afterward and scrub that grout every few months.

Keeping Out The Sun: Shutting your shades on winter days might seem smart. More insulation from the chilly weather, right? Your energy bill disagrees. A sunny window can warm your home and lower your heating costs.

Compulsively Buying Bargains: Finding a deal feels so good, but cheaper isn’t always better. In fact, budget buys might cost you more in the long run. For instance, dollar paintbrushes will leave annoying streaks, requiring a costly re-do.

Running A Half-Full Dishwasher: Your dishwasher wastes water unless it’s completely full. Dishwashers do save more water than washing by hand but most machines use the same amount of water regardless of how many plates you’ve put inside, making a half-empty cycle significantly less efficient.

Going On A Remodelling Rampage: Don’t break out the sledgehammer for a demo three weeks after moving in unless your home needs serious, obvious work. Give yourself time to understand the home’s quirks before renovating.

Packratting: You know clutter is bad, but you just can’t help it. You had to put that unused exercise bike in the spare room instead of by the road as a freebie because what if? Plus, there’s so much in there already, and decluttering seems like such an insurmountable goal. If the task seems impossible, clean out a drawer or reorganize your counter, and then you feel the satisfaction of having done it. It becomes easier to do the next small thing.

Just remember that breaking habits takes time and a lot of slipups. It’s important to be kind to ourselves when we fail. When we create new habits, we’re building new wiring, but it’s not like the old

wiring disappears. Don’t turn goof-ups into give-ups.

To read the full article, go to the houselogic website (source).

Making Maintenance Easier

February 1, 2018 By editor

No one ever said maintenance had to be fun. But can’t it be just a little bit easier? Here are some home hacks to take a bit of the drudgery out of your to-do list:

• Tuck chalk in your toolbox to stop rust: You can keep the metal tools and hardware in your toolbox rust-free with blackboard chalk. Chalk is a moisture-sucking material that traps dampness. Place several pieces throughout your toolbox.

• Spray your mower’s blades to keep clippings from sticking: If you have a lawn, mowing is one of those must-do drudgeries. Fortunately, cooking spray can make the chore problemfree. When applied to a mower’s undercarriage and blades, it can help prevent grass clippings from sticking.

• Toss in a tennis ball to clean your pool water: Suntan lotions, moisturizers, and body oils will leave a greasy slick on pool water. To clean, toss in a fresh tennis ball. Its fuzzy surface will soak up the oils your guests left behind.

• Grab a makeup sponge to repair drywall holes: Typically mesh or paper tape is used to fill small holes in drywall. But a cosmetic sponge will get the job done, too. Just stuff it into the hole and spackle.

To read the full article, go to the houselogic website (source).

New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home

January 18, 2018 By editor

Every year when January rolls around you vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do you set for your home?

Here are some resolutions that will make your home a more beautiful, efficient and clean place:

Streamline The Stuff

One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter. This year resolve to go roomby- room periodically clearing anything that you don’t use, wear or love and donate it to charity. Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVD’s, remotes and those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets. Clear your counters of everything you don’t use on a daily basis.

Work Out A Weekly System For Keeping Your House Clean

• Daily: Dishes go in the dishwasher every night. Dirty clothes go in the hamper and jackets or clean clothes are hung in the closet. Bring everything back to its assigned place.

• Weekly: Clean your entire house.

Shrink Your Bills The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home:

• Remember to switch off the lights when you leave a room.

• Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house.

• Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them.

Get Your Place Ready For Entertaining

To make you feel like inviting people in, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update? One easy update that makes your home seem more “finished” is the addition of plants. Lastly, take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television.

Source: HGTV website

Staying At Home This Festive Season

November 2, 2017 By editor

Staying at home for the holidays is becoming more and more popular as people ditch the getaway in favour of a “staycation” at home.

Why can’t your home be your holiday retreat? Your home should be your sanctuary; a place to unwind and relax in over the weekend as well as during this festive break. Combining relaxation with the comforts of home has made the staycation a very attractive option – hassle-free, affordable and no jet lag or traffic!

Here are a few ideas to help you avoid stress and recharge this festive season.

Get organised

If you’re going to the supermarket around Christmas and New Year, one thing you can guarantee is it’ll be busy!

So get it all done in one hit. Write a list, check it twice, that way when you get home you can just relax and don’t have to stress about forgetting the sponges for your trifle. Stock up on those bits and pieces you’d normally have on holidays so you can still enjoy those holiday treats.

Keep it simple Don’t go too far out of your comfort zone. When it comes to cooking and decorating stick with recipes and ideas that are tried and tested, and add anything you need to get to your shopping list above to avoid additional chaos!

Get Outdoors

You don’t stay in the hotel room when you go on holidays, so don’t stay inside at home! Pools, spas, slip and slides, outdoor lounge areas, sprinklers, decks, alfresco kitchens or any patch of grass.

Get moving and go for a walk, take your dog to the park, play with your kids in the playground. We spend so long at our desks, inside or in the car it’s nice to be able to roam free outside and enjoy the fresh air and the chance to unwind in the sunshine.

Stay offline

With phones being as ‘smart’ as they are, it’s super tempting to quickly jump online and check those emails and Facebook.

Before you know it you’ve replied to work emails and are back and forth with colleagues and clients or you’ve filled up your break traveling around town to catch up with people rather than relaxing. If you want to catch up with a few people, organise a BBQ or a picnic in the park and just invite everyone!

Relax

Remember the whole point of a break is to be with family and friends and to unwind from a long year and recharge the batteries. Take the chance to relax and enjoy those things you don’t manage to find time for normally.

Source: Dale Alcock Homes website (Dale’s Blog)

Solutions For Indoor And Outdoor Areas

October 5, 2017 By editor

Amber Orange (formerly known as Orange Tile Market) is one of the newest additions to the Amber team and the largest store yet!

Serving Orange and its surrounding regions, Amber offers a variety of indoor and outdoor tiles, natural stone tiles, mosaic tiles, pavers, retaining walls and artificial grass.

Amber Orange staff can provide customers with personalised and cost effective solutions for both indoor and outdoor areas.

Visit Amber Tiles Orange to take advantage of the 20% off sale from 9th to 14th October. Amber Orange is located at 26- 32 Peisley Street, Orange.

Ooh La La! French Doors are a Stylish Addition

August 3, 2017 By editor

French doors create a sense of luxury in any home. Their lavish styling is complimented by their practicality, with a variety of options available to open up your living area and allow wide access to a courtyard.

At the Glassplace, hinged French doors are available as double or single doors, and come in either aluminium or Western Red Cedar with a full range of matching windows available in either material. If interior wall space is limited, French doors are a great option. Available as both an open in or open out application, French doors have the ability to be a stunning 2400mm high. French doors can be fitted with toughened or laminated glass or with Low E glass for energy savings and more comfortable living.

Full locking options are available for security, safety and peace of mind. You can view various French doors and single hinged door options on display at the Glassplace showroom, where you will see for yourself how Low E Glass can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

Visit the Glassplace showroom in Clarke St Parkes, the website www.glassplace.com.au or contact them on 6862 2346 to learn more about the range of French and single hinged doors.

Window Myths Busted

July 6, 2017 By editor

Several myths exist when it comes to windows in homes, and we’re here to help you sort the fact from the fiction.

Myth: You need Council or planning permission to replace windows.

Fact: This is not true for most homeowners. Replacement of existing windows and doors (provided the opening size remains the same) does not require a planning permit, unless your home is heritage listed.

Myth: Windows don’t have any effect on energy efficiency.

Fact: Experts estimate that up to 70 percent of energy is lost through windows and doors, and that 90 percent of this heat loss occurs through the glass. There are several products and options that can impact positively on the energy efficiency of your home.

Myth: Double-glazed windows work best.

Fact: This is not true. While double-glazed windows can work well in both hot and cold climates, reflecting energy back into the room, Low-E Glass works very well in our climate.

Also known as Pyrolytic, Smart glassTM, or Comfort PlusTM, Low-E glass works in three ways. Firstly, it reduces direct heat radiation from the sun. Secondly, it reduces the hot and cold energy transfer between the inside and outside of your window. Finally, if you choose the tinted version (grey or green), it also cuts down glare. Low-E glass is also cheaper than double-glazing.

Myth: Anyone can install windows.

Fact: While technically this is true, not everyone can install windows correctly. Window installation is an acquired skill, so the more expe- rience an installer has, the better the result will be. Issues that can arise from a poor installation can include leaking, drafts, and difficulty opening and closing. It is always recommended that you use the services of a professional window installer. If you are not confident installing windows, or are not sure where to start, the team here at GlassPlace can help you find a licenced professional installer to help with designing and installing your new windows.

When Was Your Last HIV Check?

June 15, 2017 By editor

NSW Health is encouraging people to have their HIV status checked with testing now easier and faster than ever before.

Manager of HIV and Related Programs (HARP), Ann Ryan said around 10% of people with HIV in NSW may be unaware they have the virus, a statistic NSW Health hopes to change.

“As well as risking their own health, people with undiagnosed HIV infection are at risk of passing the virus on to others without know- ing,” Ann said.

However, the statistics are improving. The number of HIV tests done in NSW continues to increase with over 500,000 tests conduct- ed last year, a 7% increase on the number of tests in 2015.

Nursing Unit Manager Dubbo Sexual Health, Margie Crowley said HIV testing was easier and faster than ever with a high quality, safe and innovative HIV testing ser- vice. To make testing for HIV easier, the NSW Government has launched the Dried Blood Spot HIV test – a free, easy, private and accurate way to test for HIV at home.

“We need people in groups at risk of HIV to test regularly so they can receive early treatment and prevent transmission of HIV to others.”

Most (82%) new HIV infections reported last year were in gay and homosexually- active men, with heterosexual people ac- counting for 15%. One third of people newly diagnosed with HIV were diagnosed with signs of late infection, which could have been avoided with earlier testing.

Margie said heterosexual people who may be in an at risk group should also be tested. “This includes people from African and Asian countries, and/or those who have had previous sexual partners from one of these countries. Anyone who has had unprotected sex should also be tested.”
“All pregnant women should be tested irrespective of risk, as treatment during pregnancy is very effective in preventing infection from mother to child.”

People can request HIV testing at their GP or at their local sexual health service: Dubbo Sexual Health at 203 Brisbane Street, contact number 6841 2489 or Orange Sexual Health at 96 Kite Street on 6392 8600.

Information on Dry Blood Spot self-sampling test at https://www.hivtest.health.nsw. gov.au/. To find out where to get tested go to: www.health.nsw.gov.au/sexualhealth/ pages/sexual-health-clinics.aspx.