Did you Do It Yourself over Easter?

If the figures coming from Retail Desicions (ReD) are to be believed, a larger number of homeowners did tackle a DIY task.  If you Did It Yourself over the Easter break, are you one of the unfortunate ones, counting the cost of your efforts?

Many homeowners are now rethinking getting experts in as their purse strings are tightening.  This is all well and good for an experienced DIY enthusiast, or someone who already works in the building trade, however the less experienced home improvers may be seriously damaging their homes - reducing the property's value or even putting themselves and loved ones at risk!

A report today from Santander confirms that DIY disasters are costing £331 million in damages - no small amount!  According to the report, 72% of british people who are planning on improving their homes this year will choose to tackle the work themselves.  That's 20% more than last year, confirming the suspicion that the challenging economic climate has driven people to pick up a screwdriver for the first time.

According to the report, 14% of DIYers have some form of accident or make a mistake, costing, on average, £344 to repair the damage.

As the Easter Bank Holidays have just passed, thoughts are probably bubbling up in homeowners minds to prepare for the next two bank holidays in May when they can crack on with other home improvements, as is normal for the spring season.  Granted, there's very little permanent damage you can do with a paintbrush and roller, but over-enthusiastic DIYers may choose to tackle more challenging tasks which may have been better left to the professionals.

More complex tasks being tackled include tiling the bathroom, fitting kitchen appliances, woodwork and carpentry, garden improvements such as laying a patio or bricklaying and roof repairs.


If you're planning for your next Bank Holiday's DIY, you may want to consider preparing more than just your shopping list.  TradePlumbing recommends before embarking on anything more challenging than giving your room a fresh lick of paint, you should fully research the task at hand and give careful consideration to calling in an expert.

To help homeowners make the most of their own resources, there are a number of helpful articles to get you thinking.  The site has articles on choosing the right colour scheme for your bathroom and helpful hints on how to bleed your radiator.  They also offer a small number of White Papers to help with more involved tasks, such as dealing with bathroom stains and dealing with bathroom plumbing emergencies.

If you're confident in your own skills, or have an expert in the family on whom you can call if you hit a tricky spot, then now is the time to order in your bathroom suite or shower enclosure, to make sure that it arrives in time for the next long weekend.

Above all, Plan, Plan Plan!

Main awarded CORGI Heating Manufacturer of the Year - 2009

Date:

11/09/2009

Main Boilers is CORGI Heating Manufacturer of the Year 2009Main has been awarded the prestigious CORGI Heating Manufacturer of the Year 2009 at a glittering awards ceremony held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The event was hosted by comedian Stephen K Amos and was attended by many leading figures in the heating industry. Mark Kelly, CEO Baxi Group UK and Ireland, collected the award on behalf of Main.

Jim Boyce is Sales Director for Main. He said: "We are delighted to be acknowledged by the industry as the Heating Manufacturer of the Year. It is particularly satisfying for us to win because installers themselves have voted for us.

"Main specialises in supplying products for independent merchants and their customers, and we strive to provide them with what they need to help them grow their businesses. This award shows that we are giving them the products and services they need.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for us - we're very grateful for your support and very proud of our achievement.”

Earlier this year, Main was voted Heating Supplier of the Year by CEMCO, and the SEDBUK band A Main Eco boiler was rated highly in the Which? 2008 boiler report.
See the moment when Main won the award here.

Scotland gets it's own boiler scrappage scheme?

Following on from the English boiler scrappage scheme, Scotland, who have their own assembly, are currently considering a similar scheme.  The scheme would inject £2m into the local economy, to help fund the replacement of older boilers that are less efficient.  Eligible Homeowners would be able to claim £400 towards the cost of replacing an inefficient boiler.

Scottish homeowners could soon be benefiting from efficient combi boilers or system boilers, depending on the configuration of their homes.

About Combi Boilers

Combi Boilers are now a really popular type of heating solution.  They provide hot water on demand, by heating the water before it runs to your tap.  They're ideal for new build properties, as you don't need to make space for hot water storage in an airing cupboard. This means that you can save energy, as a hot water cylinder has to re-heat water once is falls below a certain temperature.  Apart from new build properties, considering a combi boiler is ideal if you're planning on replacing both your boiler and your central heating radiators, as you're likely to need new pipework anyway.

If your gas safe registered heating installer advises you that your water pressure is good enough, we would recommend a condensing combi boiler.

Combi Boilers

Combi boiler prices aren't as expensive as they were.  The price of a combi boiler is coming down, with Baxi Gold boilers now starting from as low as £675.99 for a Baxi Potterton Gold Combi boiler 24kW. Once you take off the redemption voucher you could receive if you're eligible under the Boiler Scrappage Scheme, the price of your boiler will be under£300.  We recommend you talk to your Gas Safe registered boiler installer to find out more, but ask him to include the cost of the boiler in his quote to you.  Don't forget to get 3 quotes and try to get a fitter who you've heard good things about.  Here are our tips for finding a good plumber.

Carbon Monoxide Risk in Freezing Weather

A paperboy from Scarborough, UK noticed an unusual smell when delivering a newspaper to a pensioner and thought to alert the authorities.  The actions of Dan Eggleton, 17, from North Yorkshire saved the lady's life.  The lady didn't want to be identified, but thanked the young man for saving her from death by carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to Northern Gas Networks, the company who own the gas pipeline, ice had caused a build up of the lethal gas by blocking air vents in the pensioner's home.

Trade Plumbing recommend that during snowfall, you check that all your air vents and air bricks are not blocked by snow or ice.

Hot Water Pressure Cylinder

You may be searching for pressurised hot water cylinder, pressurised hot water cylinders, pressure hot water cylinder or many other search terms to describe the hot water storage vessel in your airing cupboard.  Essentially, this is a metal cylinder containing stored hot water for use in your bathroom and kitchen.  Many new homes and new gas boiler installations do not include a Hot Water Cylinder, as the type of boiler being used is a Combination Boiler (sometimes called a Combi Boiler), which heats your water on demand.

If you've definitely not got a combi boiler and you know you have one of these storage tanks in your airing cupboard that needs replacing, then you need to choose a Hot Water Pressure Cylinder . 

Remember that a new pressurised cylinder MUST be installed by a competent professional.  In the UK, this means that the installer has to be accredited by the Gas Safe Register.  Here's an article to help you when choosing your plumber.  To find a qualified professional, visit the Gas Safe Register.