The Importance of Safety When Renovating

‘Working at a height of just 1.2 metres can be deadly’, was a main message in a recent home renovation safety awareness program launched in Victoria.

Most personal injuries caused during renovations in Victoria involved power grinders, falls from ladders and injuries caused by power saws. Eye injuries, chemical burns and inhalations, fractures and open wounds were also common.

So were back injuries caused by lifting heavy weights? In just a year, more than 1000 Victorians suffered injuries serious enough to seek medical attention.

This picture is not limited to Victoria. No matter where you live, dangers increase dramatically during renovations when the home becomes a construction site with tools, dust, electrical equipment, dangerous chemicals and materials.

And remember, you may not be the only person present and your home renovation site can become even more dangerous when children are around. Unsupervised children in an industrial grade setting can be a tragic combination.

Before you start

Before you embark on any DIY alterations to your home you must make an honest assessment of the work to be done and then decide that you are capable of doing it. If there are parts of the job you’re not sure about, budget to call in a qualified tradesperson.

Some jobs, like electrical and plumbing work, are strictly for qualified people and should NEVER be tackled by anyone without appropriate qualifications.

As a rule, if you need some instruction or advice, don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t just launch into the job thinking you can master it on the run. There are plenty of do-it-yourself books, seminars and videos available.  If you don’t really know what you’re doing in a construction job you probably don’t know what dangers you’re exposing yourself to.

Be particularly aware of inherently dangerous building materials such as asbestos and lead-based paints, particularly in older homes. Your ignorance can inadvertently poison your family. It’s a staggering fact that nearly all cases of lead poisoning in children in Australia are the result of dust or paint flakes released during home renovations. Pets can also get lead poisoning.

Reduce safety risks

Safety risks can be reduced by having an awareness of the issues, knowing the most common danger zones and by removing potential hazards.  Things to keep in mind include:

• falls from ladders, even from low heights, are a top cause of injury;
• power equipment is a major cause of injury to limbs, hands and eyes;
• failure to keep the site safe by leaving materials lying around is a significant cause of injuries to the DIY person and to others;
• asbestos removal is a highly dangerous activity and you should contact your local environmental health department rather than undertake this job yourself;
• on-site consumption of alcohol and drugs is a significant contributor to accidents; and
• impatience and lack of knowledge leads DIY renovators to cut corners with their  own personal safety and, sometimes tragically, with the safety of others.

Don’t forget that at HomeSource we can help you find a professional tradesperson to make the necessary improvements in your home. Call now on (02) 8399 1838 or visit http://www.homesource.com.au for more information.

Lighting Trends

Our choice of lighting and how we use it can have a dramatic effect on how we enjoy our homes. It can enhance our room colours, provide functional efficiency where needed and offer us a sense of safety and security.

Fashion lighting

Lighting is a very important part of an interior designer’s armoury. It is essential in getting the look and feel right for a room at all times of the day when natural light is variable and at night.

It also makes sense that lighting should change as fashion (and available technologies) change. Here are some trends that impact on room lighting:

Casual elegance – this means the creation of warm, relaxed and comfortable environments with casual lighting that is a little more upmarket in design.

Back to basics – this involves the removal of excess. Decorative lighting may be solid brass, but strip it down and give it a rich antique patina.

Soft contemporary – is clean, modern and simple in style. While architectural in design, these fixtures are no longer cold.

People are also starting to use lighting as a decoration device in its own right. For example, you can use a range of coloured bulbs to throw coloured light onto a wall. A plain white wall will never be the same.

Higher ceilings are also having an impact on lighting trends. With higher ceilings there is a growing trend towards the use of floor lamps that are architectural in style. The lamps are not simply a light source, their interesting and unusual style make them a piece of art in their own right.

Remember, the general rule is that light coloured painted finishes actually reflect light and reduce the need for high levels of artificial lighting.

Fluorescents                                                

With the high cost of energy, there is a strong movement to designer lighting that take CFLs. (compact fluorescent lamps). These are now dimmable, last longer and are much cheaper to run than conventional incandescent bulbs.

Warm white or daylight fluorescent lamps (about 3000 K) provide light similar to an incandescent bulb and can be used in kitchens and living rooms. Cool white tubes have a higher colour temperature (about 5000 K) and are suited to garages and workshops. If you mix different types of lighting in a room try to use similar colour temperatures. And remember, the higher the wattage, the higher the running cost.

Fluorescents use 70% less electricity than conventional incandescent lamps. While they are more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, they have ten times the life.

If you are looking for a professional electrician to install the lighting in your home, call HomeSource on (02) 8399 1838 or visit http://www.homesource.com.au for more information.

Smart Home Design

Passive design principles are an inexpensive way to get the most out of natural energy sources, do a lot for our environment, and ultimately will save you money.

Smart Design

A well designed home is naturally warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and has abundant natural light. It follows the principles of ‘passive design’ to minimise the need for mechanical heating and cooling. It’s a healthy, comfortable place to live and is less expensive to run because it uses less energy, water and other resources.

More than 40 million tonnes of harmful greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to the electricity consumption of Australia’s six million homes every year – that’s about a quarter of the total greenhouse gas produced by using electricity and gas.

Some States now require the performance of all new homes to be certified in terms of thermal comfort and energy, water, landscape and stormwater. New homes are being designed and built to use 40% less drinking-quality water and produce 25% less greenhouse gas emissions than existing similar homes.

If you are renovating or building or buying a home, you have an opportunity to save money by making it as comfortable and energy efficient as possible. Just choose the best combination of orientation, wall and ceiling insulation, efficient heating, cooling, hot water, lighting and appliances to reduce household energy consumption.

Passive design

Windows and walls

The amount of heat entering a home can be affected by the orientation of the windows and walls. The size, type and placement of windows should be guided by (seasonal) climate, desired views, shading by vegetation, terrain or other buildings, as well as the building codes.

Interior layout

Align living and outdoor areas to the north or east to maximize cooling breezes in summer and sun in winter.

Ventilation

Consider achieving good cross-ventilation with natural breezes with your layout of rooms, doorways and windows.

Landscaping

Moderate the interior temperature by shading the exterior walls and windows with plants and trees.

Insulation

Good insulation may be the single most effective way to improve the temperature comfort of your home without artificial heating.

Building Materials

Concrete and brick absorb and retain heat which is released when the air becomes cooler.

Water Heating

Hot water is a main energy consumer so consider how you will heat your water and what you can do to reduce your consumption. There are guides elsewhere on this site.

Lighting

Choose your light fittings according to what you want the light to do and always consider low energy fluorescent options.

Buying off the plan

If you are considering buying a new home off the plan, you have every right to ask the builder or the company to customise the design to suit your needs.

If the home is not already built, ask an experienced architect or professional designer to suggest ways of improving the standard design and to negotiate any price variations with the builder.

Some low-cost adjustments to the plan can include:

• Changing the orientation or location of the dwelling on the land to take advantage of north sun, breezes or privacy;
• Changing window sizes or adding windows for cross-ventilation;
• Adding extra insulation;
• Extending the eaves for wider shading;
• And achieving comfort advantages by mirroring or flipping the plan.

The Australian Government (www.greenhouse.gov.au) provides useful passive design information as well as fact sheets and Your Home Technical Manual – Design for Lifestyle and the Future. Don’t forget that at HomeSource we can help you find a professional contractor to make the necessary improvements in your home. Call now on (02) 8399 1838 or visit http://www.homesource.com.au for more information.

Developing a colour scheme

Developing a colour scheme for your house is one of the most important things that you will do that has an impact on your day-to-day living experience.

Defining the space

If you’re about to paint a room a good starting point is to make specific plans for each feature in the room. Consider separately, for example, the floor, each separate wall, the skirtings, architraves and door joinery, window joinery, cornice and ceiling.

Also consider other major contributors to the effect you want: drapery, upholstery, loose joinery/furniture, fixed joinery/furniture, switches/sockets, light fittings and door and window hardware.  You will also need to register some sense of the size and dimensions of this space and the light that fills it (natural and artificial).

Colours and finishes

Now start to think about the type of colour scheme or schemes that you want to use in the rooms. Now is the time to consider how each room will flow into the next (we always catch glimpses of adjoining rooms) and think about the theme or style you want to achieve.

Determine which is to be the base or dominant colour for the scheme. Is it flooring, is it an existing paint scheme, drapery or a combination of all?  Of course, you can start with something totally new. Now next to each element listed in the space description note the colour and the finish that you have chosen.

Collation

If you need help in visualising how this design will work gather up all of the samples, swatches or brushouts you’ve collected. Collate them onto a display board and see how they work together. Change some of the samples over until you are happy with the combination.

Once you have all the colours in the overall scheme you want, document it for future reference in case you want to change something or if you just want to refresh with the same colour (and you can’t remember the name or sheen level)

This now gives you a well-documented colour scheme to work with. This should make your project run smoothly with no unexpected surprises and giving you the greatest chance of getting the finished effect you want.

As you become more experienced with colour, you will have a clearer idea of what you want to achieve and a better language to communicate this to painters, consultants, hardware shops and so on. At HomeSource we can help you find a professional painter to give your home a new look. Call now on (02) 8399 1838 or visit http://www.homesource.com.au for more information!

Universal Design Principles

As we age, our needs and abilities change. Principles of universal design emphasizing easy access can help us incorporate features into our home that benefit all of us.

Ease of access

The concept of universal design embraces the principle that people who are very different can all enjoy the same home. In other words, a home can be built or modified to accommodate all of its inhabitants, even as they age and their needs change.

But universal design is not strictly for the elderly or disabled. Its aim is to make living and work-spaces equally comfortable, safe and accessible to all, regardless of our height, mobility, health or physical ability.

Smart tips

The following ideas can make a home safer for an older resident but they’re pretty smart for home owners of all ages. Not everyone has the luxury of designing an entire house around the prospect of growing old in it (or for their aging parents), but some of these changes can be made to your home with some easy retro-fitting.

• Fit bathroom floors and bathtubs with non-slip surfaces to help everyone avoid a fall, not just people who are frail. The same goes for handrails on steps and grab bars in bathrooms. Think about adding bars by the toilet, too, or other places in the room where someone may need a helping hand. A step-in shower is safer than a tub, but if that’s not possible, support bars will help.
• Think about a hand-held showerhead that is often easier to use than a fixed showerhead for someone with limited mobility.
• A single-handled tap control reduces the chances of scalding at the sink, and a pressure-balanced control does the same in the shower.
• Room thresholds that are flush with the floor make it easy for a wheelchair to get through a doorway and help others avoid tripping.
• Good lighting helps us all see better, particularly those of us with poor night vision. A dark room is an invitation to bump or fall, so make sure there’s adequate lighting in every room, hallway and doorway. Entry ways are especially dangerous if not well lit.
• Think about fitting lever door handles and rocker light switches rather than door knobs and standard switches. They are a blessing for anyone with poor hand strength.
• If your home is on more than one level, secure handrails and good top-to-bottom lighting are essential on staircases. Make sure the steps are clearly defined, particularly the edge of the tread. This is also a consideration on external landings and entry points where people can be distracted by fumbling with keys, packages or the mail. A small bench might help so packages can be put down.

Don’t forget that at HomeSource we can help you find a professional contractor to make the necessary improvements in your home. Call now on (02) 8399 1838 or visit http://www.homesource.com.au for more information!

Garden Maintenance Tips

Do you want to have a beautiful garden that will make your neighbours jealous? Well keep reading! We have put together some simple tips to help you keep your garden in tip-top shape whilst doing minimal work. So here goes…

1. Trim your plants regularly

Regular trimming will prevent the plants from growing out of control and help you to avoid doing the annual battle. After cutting your plants you can leave the green waste  on the ground and turn into mulch.

2. ‘Kill’ the weeds

Show me someone who enjoys pulling out weeds! This procedure, however, should be done regularly if you want to have a tidy looking garden. As an easy alternative, you could use a specialised weed killer spray. Just spray it thoroughly around your garden as soon as you notice the first signs of weeds, but make sure you don’t get it on anything you want to keep. Tip: Don’t use sprays on windy days.

3. Use mulch

Mulch nourishes soil and keeps it cool in summer and warm in winter months. Spread the mulch over your soil after planting. This will prevent weeds from growing too fast and soil from drying out. When selecting between various mulch types go with an organic one, as it has more nutrients! If you are making your own, make sure that you don’t put the weeds in. Always put the weeds in the garbage.

4. Don’t cut your grass too low.

A big mistake many people make is they cut their grass too low. Let your lawn grown to a higher level and only trim the tips on a regular basis. This will make your lawn appear denser and healthier looking. Don’t forget to occasionally check your mower blades, as dull blades tend to  rip the grass tips rather than cutting them. This then leads to discoloration.

Remember to contact HomeSource if you need to find a professional lawn mower. Call us on (02) 8399 1838 or visit http://www.homesource.com.au for more information!

Removing Old Wallpaper

Whether you are a wallpaper lover or you prefer painted walls, there may come a time when you need to remove wallpaper in your home. Unfortunately, it’s not recommended to paint or use the new paper over the old one. Therefore, here’re our tips on fast and easy wall-paper removing:

1. Buy a wallpaper scoring tool in any paint shop which helps you to easily remove wallpaper.

2. Make sure you cover all you furniture before starting so that nothing gets damaged in the process.

3. You can create your own wallpaper removal solution by mixing two parts of hot water with one part of fabric softener.

4. Use a spray bottle to apply the mixture. Spray a small amount over the wallpaper and allow it to soak for a few minutes.

5. Strip the wallpaper from a bottom corner and peel it off using your scorer.

6. Once all the wallpaper has been removed give your walls a good clean using a mix of hot water and dish soap and then dry with a dry towel.

Don’t forget to contact HomeSource if you prefer getting professional help. Call now on (02) 8399 1838 or visit http://www.homesource.com.au for more information!

Risks and Benefits of Building a Granny Flat

A lot of Australian homeowners nowadays consider granny flats an easy and stable source of additional income. There are, however, both benefits and risks associated with having one. To reduce possible risks, take all pros and cons into account before having a granny flat attached to your house.

Benefits:

1. Extra rental income. A granny flat can give you up to $350 of extra income weekly in populated areas.

3. Increasing your property value. By building a granny flat you can increase the total value of your property.

4. Tax claimable. You may be able to claim some losses associated with having a granny flat to offset the tax you have to pay each year.

Risks:

1. Cost.  Building a granny flat can cost you more than expected, depending on whether it’s built from scratch or converted from another property type.

2. Increased overheads. Being an extra dwelling to rent out, granny flat can incur some extra expenses such as ‘common area’ maintenance.

3. Potential issues. The more properties you have, the more potential problems such as tenant or maintenance issues could arise.

Although there are some associated risks, granny flats can become a great investment. All you need to do is obtain council approval and take into account all aforementioned risks.

Don’t forget here at HomeSource we can help you find insured and qualified contractors who can build your fabulous granny flat! Just give us a call on (02) 8399 1838 or email us at info@homesource.com.au for more information.

Six Signs of Termites in Your Home

Now is the time to check for termites.  So here’s some tips on what to look for.

Why now? Because although this can take place at any time of the year, it most often happens in spring when adult termites leave their colony looking for a place to reproduce. Here are six obvious signs showing that you home might have been infected by termites:

1. Termite swarms

Having a couple of swarms in your garden or backyard doesn’t necessarily mean that your home is infected. However, you can start worrying if you find numerous swarms, as this is one of the signs indicating that termites have inhabited your home.

2. Discarded termite wings

Watch out for discarded wings which are often the only sign of a potential termite infestation. Shredding wings helps termites to move into small crevices and begin a new colony after leaving the old one.

3. Termite shelter tubes

To protect themselves from predation, termites build mud shelter tubes using a combination of soil and saliva. The tubes most often found alongside the external walls of the home.

4. Damaged wood

Due to the fact that termites build tunnels inside the wood, this is often the less obvious termite sign. To check a piece of wood, it can be either punctured with any pick-like tool, or knocked on it to listen for hollow spots. Another option is to look for dark or warped wood, which is a beginning of termite infestation.

5. Termite mounds

Termite mounds, or termentaria, is the most obvious sign of termites. Interestingly, Australia is one of a few countries in the world where termite mounds can grow up to several meters long!

6. Termite droppings

Termite droppings look like small piles of sawdust and are second most obvious indicators of termite infestation in your home.

There is no need to panic if you find a small sign of termites, as it usually takes a long time for any significant damage to occur. However, call HomeSource to arrange a pest inspection with one of our compliant and licensed pest inspection experts.

Pool safety reminder … yes even in Winter!

It seems a bit strange to write about this now it’s getting cold and summer is behind us, but seeing the ABC news report a few days ago that three children under four years died in backyard swimming pool accidents last year, and another 15 were permanently injured makes this subject  very relevant.

So in a push for improved safety standards for pools – Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales all have registration schemes for backyard pools.

Well in time for summer 2013 – NSW pool owners must register their pools by October 2013 on the NSW government swimming pool register at http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/pooldb/pgOwnerLanding

We think the initiative is a great idea … but is regulation the only solution.  Should we be doing more to educate pool owners about safety standards, and ensuring more kids get swimming lessons as part of their school curriculum?

We do applaud the great information on the NSW Government Swimming Pool Register site.  There’s some great checklists about what type of pool fence you should have and what to look out for – such as thinking about when it was built or installed, has the pool been substantially changed or altered, and what type of pool you have.  This can all impact how safe the fencing is and if you need to get a contractor out to check it or install a new one.

There’s also a great link to the Royal Life Saving Australia site – with great information about Training and Water Safety.

We can help with finding the right qualified, licenced contractors should you find that you need help.

But don’t forget – the NSW Swimming Pools Amendment Act 2012 which requires pool owners to complete registration by Tuesday 20 October 2013.  So make sure you visit http://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/.

And Victoria – it’s time to join the other States and do the same.