Alf's Home Improvements

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, or EPDM, is a synthetic rubber membrane offering an easy to install and maintenance-free flat (or gently sloping) roof solution. Read more »

If you think that flat roofs collect puddles, need constant repairs to stop leaks and are generally unstable, think again. Thanks to new, improved materials and the latest technology, the modern flat roof is designed to withstand whatever the British weather throws at it. Read more »

The functions of the satellite dish and the standard Yagi TV aerials are basically the same, but whereas TV aerials pick up terrestrial TV such as BBC1 and BBC2 satellite antennas collect digital signals from satellites circulating in space. This means that you can get different a range of television programmes if you have a satellite dish. These are generally on subscription, such as Sky Sport and Sky Movies. The dish is used to collect the signals from a specific broadcast source and transmits it to your television. A terrestrial TV aerial is made up of reflectors and elements in a Yagi configuration, whereas a satellite antenna is made up of a parabolic dish and a feed horn which in turn has a controller which controls the signal through the feed horn to the dish. Read more »

There are numerous kinds of locks and devices which can be found around the home, office and in public areas, all of which have a variety of different electronic or mechanical functions. Ascertaining the knowledge and know-how of what kind of locks there are and which lock devices work best around the house is up to the task of a locksmith. Read more »

When selling your home, it is important that you enhance the good points about the property, as these are the selling points and the things that mean you can justify putting your property on the market at a higher price. Many people don’t pay much attention to the outside of their home, however this is one of the biggest selling points to a potential buyer and so should be considered carefully to maximise the profit. Read more »

If movie montages are to be believed then a spot of spring-cleaning is fun, filled with upbeat music and in some extreme and fantastic cases made far easier by small woodland creatures giving you a hand. Unfortunately if small woodland creatures were invited to help it is more than likely they would hinder cleaning rather than help. Though in the place of the furry little friends, there is an array of products from multi-purpose surface sprays, latest technologically advanced vacuum cleaners, the shiniest polish and varnishes and the brightest cloths, available to help with cleaning the house and lots of fun ways to put them to use. Read more »

Solar panels are becoming more and more commonplace. What was once seen purely on commercial buildings are now increasingly being seen on residential dwellings.  So why all the interest.  What are they and what are the advantages and disadvantages against other energy sources? Read more »

Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. On a green roof, the conventional covering, for example tiles or slate, is replaced with growing plants. As well as offering effective protection from the elements, green roofs look attractive and create valuable wildlife ecosystems. Organic matter is laid on manufactured layers or membranes, which are specially designed to protect against root invasion, allow for optimum drainage speed to minimise flooding and provide insulation. Plants can vary from low-growing evergreens like sedum to flowering plants, shrubs and even trees. The earliest green roofs covered prehistoric homes – and today, ancient wisdom combines with 21st century technology to make the modern equivalent an eco-friendly, cost-effective roofing alternative. Read more »

When the time comes to move out of your rented accommodation there are plenty of things to be worrying about. One thing that you won’t want to be thinking about is cleaning up after yourself. However, in virtually all tenancy agreements it states that you must leave the accommodation in the same way it was when you moved in. Sounds easy, right? When it comes down to it, end of tenancy cleaning is actually a lot more complicated and difficult than you may think. Read more »

Since the recession swept the UK, many homeowners have been unable to sell their properties because they have been in negative equity meaning that they would still owe the bank money if they sold their home. This has led to many people opting to undergo DIY projects to try and boost the value of their property in the tough economic climate. New bathroom installations are among the popular projects that homeowners are taking on as this can add up to five percent to the value of your property which is a great investment, and there are plenty of plumbers about waiting to help you with your renovation venture. This articles looks at new bathroom and shower installations that could help you maximise your home’s potential. Read more »