Plumbing is, nowadays, a very lucrative business and if you develop a real interest in it, you could even consider a franchise in plumbing. There is a good living to be made! But firstly, it's a good idea to try out some DIY projects, to see if you enjoy the work.

There are many quick and easy products on the market now to make plumbing a simple job. One of the easiest DIY plumbing projects to undertake is dealing with blocked drains. In many cases, you can prevent a blocked drain from occuring in the first place by buying a waste strainer or a hair trap. Blocked drains are nearly always the result of a build-up of either food scraps (in the kitchen) or hair (in the bathroom). Preventing blockages in the first place is the best plumbing step that you can take. If a blockage does occur, you can usually easily clear it using one of the many chemical drain clearers available in shops. Care should be taken when using these, as the fumes are extremely toxic. The proper safety precautions and equipment must be utilised. If you prefer a more natural approach, bicarbonate of soda is a great alternative. Simply pour a cup of bicarbonate of soda down the drain, followed by three cups of boiling water. For an even more intensive result, you can add a cup of vinegar after the boiling water. This will react with the bicarbonate of soda to cause a fizzing action, which should remove even stubborn blockages.

Sometimes, even these solutions won't be enough. But, before you call a plumber out, you could try investing in a plumber's snake. This is a long piece of shaped metal, which is inserted down drains and is then used to remove blockages.

It is also very important to know where your valves are located! The location of your stopcock or mains water valve is particularly important, as it will need to be turned off quickly should you ever get a leak. If a new system is being installed, then you can have isolation valves fitted, which allow the water to be turned off in different sections of the home. Look after your boiler and make sure that the flame is clear and blue (if it is orange, there could be a problem). Make sure your boiler is booked in for its annual safety inspection. And sort out drips as soon as they occur by replacing any perished washer. Following these simple tips will ensure you don't need to call out a plumber too often! 

The main reason why drain repair is often neglected until it's too late is simply because the faults aren't readily visible. Anything from general deterioration, bad construction, subsidence or invasion by roots can cause faults, which is why older drainage systems are particularly at risk. More and more householders are saving themselves costly bills by having their drains checked using the latest technology: CCTV drain surveys. 

During a CCTV (closed circuit television) survey, a camera is inserted into a pipe and driven all the way through the drainage system. Drainage engineers are able to inspect the internal condition of the pipe by examining colour images as they are transmitted live via the TV monitor. If potential problems are spotted, the drainage engineer can stop the camera's progress and record the findings. When the CCTV survey is complete, a detailed report is compiled, including more in-depth fault analysis. The advantage of CCTV surveys is that they are extremely accurate, comprehensive and virtually instant. These advanced diagnostic surveys can pinpoint the exact location of faults, such as cracked pipes, root invasion and poor gradients. Once these problems have been identified, they can be put right quickly and effectively. 

Probably the most common cause of drain problems is blockages.  If you notice sinks and baths are emptying more slowly or toilets are overfilling, you need to check your drains for blockages. There are steps you can take to prevent blockages happening – for example, never flush nappies down the toilet, or pour fats and oils down the drain. However, root invasion, structural defects or subsidence can cause broken pipes and lead to blockages. Plumbing and drainage specialists are skilled at locating and removing blockages safely and speedily using trade equipment such as industrial rods and/or power jets.

It may be a shock to discover you have cracked or broken pipes, but it's not nearly such a big deal as it used to be. Thanks to advances in technology, it's now possible to repair some damaged or broken pipes without resorting to major excavation. This 'no dig' approach saves time and money. If only a small section of pipe is found to be damaged, patch repairs can be done. Even if the whole pipe is damaged, it doesn't necessarily have to be removed. It can be cleaned and relined with tough uPVC instead.

However, sometimes the drainage system might be in such a poor state that it needs to be removed completely for reasons of health and safety. Always choose  reputable drainage specialists to undertake drain excavation, so that you can rest assured that the work meets current standards of legislation.

In this situation, you could end up having to call in someone you have no prior knowledge of, and having to agree to whatever charges they come up with. Far better to choose a plumber and keep their number handy without the pressure of needing them there and then.

What to Consider:

Qualifications/Credentials

Membership of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) is a key credential. It shows they have undergone proper plumbing training, hold recognised qualifications and possess extensive experience.

Ensure they have expertise in all the areas you may require. For example, are they capable of working with gas if you have a gas heating emergency? Are they Gas Safe Registered? Your ideal plumber will be skilled in all aspects of the trade as you never know what type of emergency you may need them for.

References

Ask friends and acquaintances if they have experience of an emergency plumber. If so, would they recommend them? If one cannot be found in this way, then plumbers you do find should be reference checked if possible. They should be happy enough to provide testimonials from existing customers. You can also find a good emergency plumber through related trades people if you know of anyone. For example, you might know a builder who has worked with plumbers: who would they recommend? Does their recommended plumber offer a full twenty-four hour emergency service? Are they keen and eager for new work?

Service

When you have found one — or a shortlist — of plumbers, clarify exactly what their emergency service consists of. Is their telephone manned throughout the day and night? If not, what happens? Do you have to leave a voice message and wait for them to call back? If so, how long might that take?

Can they give you an estimate for the work over the phone? Is there a standard call out charge?
If a one-man outfit, what happens when they are away? Do their calls get diverted to another emergency plumber?

How they conduct themselves during your ‘fact-finding’ telephone conversation with them can tell you much about their service. If they sound friendly and professional, then you can proceed with a degree of confidence. If they sound somewhat non-committal and dis-interested, it does not bode well for when you need their service in a hurry.

Double Insurance

It may be worth having two plumbers lined up for emergencies. If your ‘first choice’ is a one-man concern and cannot offer a full service (or maybe any service at all) when away on holiday or ill, then having another plumber’s details to hand who has satisfied your criteria is a good idea.

Finally, put their contact details where they can be found quickly when needed.

Outdoor aerials are usually fitted to the rooftop. These include directional antennas and VHF/UHF Yagi antennas. The directional antenna is a TV aerial which radiates greater levels of power in specific directions.  This kind of TV aerial can increase the transmit performance and reduce any unwanted interference.

With VHF/UHF Yagi antennas, these are generally pointed in the direction of the signal’s source. The longer elements of the antenna ‘VHF’ frequencies are at the back which relate to the direction of the aerial and the shorter elements are based at the front, which provide both direction for the signal as well as improving gain – the performance of the signal being received. 

There are a range of indoor antennas, which can be a cheaper and easier installation option than having a satellite aerial fitted onto the roof. Simple dipole antenna TV aerials or loop antennas as they are otherwise known can utilise VHF/UHF signals from inside the home. These look like bunny ears, but are effectively two aerials looped together. This can be more convenient than having a TV aerial installed on the roof.

As dipole antennas are bi-directional they can cover a broader band than aerials with lots of elements. Dipole antennas receive the signal backwards and forwards, but this can make them less effective at picking up a signal; as a result as they don’t ‘narrow’ the signal, therefore making them less directional. This kind of TV aerial may also need to have its lengths properly adjusted for reaching desired channels.

In an age of digital television, a new type of TV aerial has emerged – digital compatible aerials, sometimes called ‘digital aerials’. In contrast to analogue aerials, which were traditionally used for picking up tv signals, the digital aerial can pick up a wider range of channels using the same amount of space that an analogue aerial can.  To use a digital compatible aerial, you need to have an aerial which can receive signals to a device such as the digi box, digital compatible aerial rig or a digitally enabled television.

However, TV aerials which are digital compatible can be hit and miss – either they perform well and the signal is clear, or perform badly and what the viewer sees when this happens, is a frozen screen.  This occurs when the signal drops below a certain level. It can usually correct itself as the signal picks up, so the picture will unfreeze. It is worth bearing in mind that as digital television is relatively new, not all transmitters will be capable of picking up a digital signal – so you may have to find another transmitter source.

Wood is stronger when stressed along the grain than across. This is because the parallel strands of cellulose fibres in wood are stronger than the lignin binder that holds them together. Cellulose fibres resist stress, and spread the load over the length of a board. Different species of wood have different strength levels, and joiners will use these accordingly. A popular choice of wood for joinery is beech, which has a relatively high psi level, but still has a small amount of flexibility.

Traditional joinery does not use any other materials apart from wood, and a good joiner can design joints that will hold together without the use of any glue or fasteners. A prime example of this is the mortise and tendon joint. This extremely strong and widely used joint is used by joiners to build tables, panelling, tables and cabinet doors. One piece of wood will have a small slot cut into it, known as a mortise, while the other will have a piece at its front cut to the same size as the mortise. This is known as a tendon. The two joints will then simply slot together.

For many other joints, joiners will use other methods to strengthen the joint. Glue is commonly used – often in the form of animal glue, as this is soluble in water, meaning that joints can be disassembled using steam to soften the glue. Simple nails and screws are also often used, along with other mechanical fasteners. In some cases, joiners will use metal plates that are incorporated into designs when wood would not be strong enough to support the load.

Alongside these basics, a joiner will need to use other tools to ensure that they get the best out of their materials. Essentials include power tools such as routers, band saws and planes which can also be purchased from the wood suppliers in most cases. A router is used to shape joints made from wood. Joiners will use the router to cut corresponding edges in different pieces of wood. The band saw is used in joinery to cut curves or unusual shapes into wood, and can also be used to cut wood into thinner pieces. And the plane is used to shave small layers off wood. This allows joiners to achieve very exact measurements, and to thin out pieces of wood. The plane also gives wood a smooth and professional finish. In conjunction with larger tools, a joiner will use chisels, drills and drill bits, tape measures, spirit levels, screwdrivers, layout squares and sliding bevels.

If you're in need of joiners Nottingham, joiners Manchester, joiners Bristol, joiners in Birmingham or joinery experts from any other parts of the UK, check your local directory or simply search on Google.

Popular worldwide, Kahrs flooring is produced in over 100 varieties of styles, in three strip, two strip and one strip plank design. These floors are further enhanced with a range of surface treatments such as satin, matt lacquer and natural oil, and are available in brushed and bevelled surfaces. Customised to meet different tastes and lifestyles, Kährs floors are designed for private, public and commercial applications.

Stunning range of versatile wood floors

Kährs Original and Kährs Linnea are two diverse flooring ranges that are crafted to meet different needs in the home, office and retail environment. Both these flooring solutions are offered in myriad designer finishes, grading and treatments, and encompass a limitless selection of light to dark wood species from all over the world including oak, beech, walnut, ash, cherry and maple. No matter the type of decor that you have or design that you are planning for your home or office, Kährs flooring solutions help you create the specific look that you desire.

The largest range of wood floors offered by Kährs, Kährs Original is constructed using Kährs patented multi-layer technology and consists of three separate layers, with a total thickness of 15 mm. The surface layer is 3.5 mm thick, enabling Kährs Original floors to be sanded up to four times, thus ensuring that it lasts for several generations.

Kährs Linnea is a classy, lightweight 7 mm thick wood veneer floor designed primarily for home applications. It was the world’s first hardwood floor that was introduced with a glue-free mechanical joint system. Durable, easy to install and maintain Kährs Linnea is also ideal for areas where thicker floors are difficult to lay. The Linnea range is attractive yet practical and affordable.

Delivering environment-friendly wood flooring excellence

Kährs’ century-long tradition of wood floor production is an experience in eco-friendly excellence, right from its manufacture to its maintenance. All Kährs flooring solutions are produced from sustainable forests. Kährs’ floors incorporate the revolutionary Woodloc® joint system, which allows boards to be mechanically locked together, without the need for glue. In addition to promoting flawless installation and eliminating gaps, the Woodloc® joint system also makes wood floor fitting quick and simple. The glue-free installation allows you to move the floorboards anywhere, anytime you want, and are suitable for use with under-floor heating systems. Additionally, the perfect gap-free fit enhances durability and prevents the accumulation of dirt on the floors.

All Kährs flooring are manufactured with environment-friendly stains and lacquers, and use a solvent-free surface treatment production process, which makes the surface easy to clean and maintain without the need for strong chemical floor cleaners.

Moreover, as an additional bonus all Kährs flooring solutions are backed by an extensive 30-year guarantee.

Houdini began to experiment with handcuffs and discovered (as his locksmith skills improved) that he could open any pair with a key or a piece of metal. He began to use this as part of his act and offered $100 to anyone who could provide handcuffs from which he could not escape. He even managed to open the handcuffs provided by the police. It is believed that he never paid out any money. This earned him the title of The Handcuff King. His tricks became more elaborate, including escaping from prison cells and a strait jacket while suspended upside down. In the Chinese Water Torture act Houdini was attached to stocks, chained and placed in a cabinet of water. Contrary to popular belief, Houdini did not die while carrying out one of his tricks. One story tells that Houdini died from blows to his abdomen. A university student had asked him if he could withstand any blow to his abdomen. Houdini’s reply was that he could as long as he was prepared. Unfortunately the student hit him before he could brace himself. In reality he was already suffering from appendicitis and the blows may or may not have exacerbated this. Despite his appendix being removed Houdini died from peritonitis.

Two of the most important lock inventors are Chubb and Yale. Jeremiah Chubb was an Englishman who alongside his brother Charles invented and patented the detector lock in 1818. They developed a four lever lock which, if attempted to be opened without the correct key would jam. It could then only be opened by the original key or by a special key used to reset the mechanism. The brothers would later develop a six lever lock which would not require a special key to rest. It was only in 1851 at the Great Exhibition that the lock was final picked, by Alfred Hobbs, himself the inventor of the protector lock. Chubb expanded the business to the United States in the 1870s and developed the time lock used on safes and vaults. As expected these could only be opened at a specific time regardless of having the key or combination. Chubb continues to manufacture security systems today alongside being well known as providers of fire protection products.

In America Linus Yale Jr. was following in his father’s footsteps. Yale Sr. had already developed one of the first modern locks using a pin-tumbler design. Following his father’s death, Yale Jr. took over the family business. Using the basic concept of locks and locksmithing developed by the Egyptians some 4000 years earlier, Yale developed the cylinder pin tumbler lock. The barrel had pins which when pushed into position by the key enabled the lock to be open and locked. This type is still widely used today and is sold by locksmiths across the country.

Yale’s biggest invention was probably the ‘Yale Magic Infallible Bank Lock’. This was a combination lock where the keyhole was concealed by a steel plate. This eliminated sabotage by explosives or being picked (even professional locksmiths find it hard to get in to this lock sometimes). The use of permutations meant that combinations could be changed. Yale went on to develop more locks including the double lock, two locks with one case where the same or two different combinations could be used – again, these locks or variations of them can be purchased from your local locksmiths.

If you need to replace locks or get new locks for uPVC doors, locksmiths Nottingham can assist with varying types of lock in your home to keep it safe.

Brabantia are one of the leading manufacturers of kitchen bins and other waste bins, and they offer an absolutely huge range of waste bins so that you can choose one to suit your taste and for the right purpose. There is a wide range of choices available, including touch bins, pedal bins, waste paper bins, and even built in bins for a more streamlined kitchen. But what is different about Brabantia bins is that they come with a 10 year Brabantia guarantee. You can also buy replacement parts for your waste bin, so you don’t have to fork out for an entire new waste bin if any part of it does happen to need replacing.

When you look at the way that Brabantia waste bins are made, you’ll be surprised at the amount of work that goes into each one. They are made using durable and high quality materials, and some of the designs are unique such as the sliding waste bin.

There really is a waste bin solution for every room in the home with Brabantia. For homes where space saving is a must, there are wall mounted and table top waste bins, as well as built in bins that can be hidden away in a cupboard. You can also choose from slimline bins if you want to squeeze you bin into a small gap. But there are also larger size waste bins – up to 50 litres – so there’s more space for your waste.

Another reason why these waste bins last for so long is that they are made from highly durable materials and are corrosion resistant. So even in the unlikely event that you get a leakage in the bin, your waste bin won’t get damaged by it, no matter what it is. All the bins in the range are finished with hard wearing coatings.

But durability isn’t the only important thing when choosing waste bins. Brabantia bins are popular because they are also elegant and stylish, rather than ugly, smelly sights. And all of the products in the range come with bin liners that offer a snug fit, so there are no unsightly overhanging bin liners, and for easy emptying, the bin liners have smart tie handles so you won’t get messy trying to tie the ends up. Whatever the type of bin you need to suit your needs in the home, Brabantia are sure to have the solution for you.

Another option that many people do not think of is adding in partition walls. If you have a large room in your home, you can turn this into two smaller rooms by adding in a partition wall. You can even divide up a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom with a partition wall at half height to add an interesting feature to a room. Adding a stud wall is a job for a platerer, and if you live in Scotland you may want to try this Edinburgh plasterers.

Partition walls are additional walls that can be made from glass, fibre cement sheets, wood or brick, and in offices partitions are sometimes made of sheet metal to keep the price down. Partition walls are also often used in modern homes for open plan living, so that there are no doors, rather just openings a bit like a maze. This can make for a very interesting home, and partition walls can also mean that you can add in small en-suites too which add value.

The benefits of partition walls are that they allow you to utilise your living space better by avoiding large unused spaces, but they also provide privacy so for example if you are working at the computer, a partition wall can stop you from being distracted by seeing what others are doing around you and can block out some of the sound. You can even having moving partition walls that slide across on rails, so that if you want temporary privacy for a meeting or work, you can simply slide it over and slide it back when you want the large open space again.

Having partition walls installed in your home has the added benefit of increasing the value of your home too, as anything that utilises the space in the property better means that the home is more functional and thus more appealing to potential buyers. Partition walls can even be added outside too! You may be able to put up wooden screens or half walls in order to separate dining areas from play areas and so on.

If you do decide to have partition walls erected, you’ll need to hire a builder or other professional with experience in internal walling to have the walls installed. Sliding partition walls need attaching to the walls and ceiling too, and erecting any walls incorrectly could mean that you’re putting yourself and other people in the property in danger. It also means that you are likely to remain insured, as DIY work that goes wrong and damages your home may not be covered. You will need to employ the services of a professional plasterer to provide you with walls that have nice smooth finishes on them that can be decorated over as you wish.

Simply put, a digital sound projector is a 3-in-1 or 5-in-1 speaker system, which comprises of a single box rather than several separate components. They work by projecting sound around the room to replicate the sound of speakers being placed around the room as per a traditional home cinema system, and there are other advantages to digital sound projectors too such as the fact that you don’t need to trail wires around the room.

Digital sound projectors use a number of small speaker and woofer drivers all inside one compact box and have various digital and analogue inputs. Some units need separate subwoofers, while others come with subwoofers as part of a single unit. The system works by changing sound waves so that they appear to be coming from several speakers. It works on the principle of ‘perceived sound’.

Speakers are basically units that turn electrical impulses into the sounds that we hear from them. The diaphragm is the part of the speaker that does this by moving forwards and backwards. When it moves forwards it compresses causing high pressure, and when it moves backwards it creates low pressure. When the low and high pressure air push and pull away from each other it creates what is known as longitudinal waves. These waves travel through the air and when they come into contact with the human ear, the ear perceives it as sound. This is what is meant by the term ‘perceived sound’.

But the way that we pinpoint where a sound is coming from is all to do with how the sounds are analysed in the brain. One of the ways that your bran analyses sounds is the differences between sounds interpreted by your left and right ears. So if a sound wave hits one ear before the other, your brain processes this information and works out which direction the sound came from. So the speakers in a digital sound projector work by directing sounds to different locations in a room so that you ears hear different sounds at different times, and this makes it appear that there are speakers in different locations in the room.

Digital sound projectors also use other techniques to make it seem as though sound is coming from different areas of the room. They can ‘bounce’ sounds off the walls in the room too to create the illusion of sound coming from behind you, because the sound waves will have been directed at a wall situated behind you, reflected off the wall and back to your ears. For this technology to work, you may have to set up the system and input the dimensions of the room.