Category Archives: Home Improvement

Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

You cannot imagine how terrible your house can be during the summer when your air conditioner is not functioning correctly or has failed altogether. Most of the time, the system will have sent you some signs that all is not ok, but you keep ignoring them. Most likely, if you acted at the earliest opportunity, you would not have to pay so much and undergo the stress of major repairs or replacement after suffering under sweltering conditions. You can check out for a needed aircon repair to avoid such inconvenience and high costs.

Here are some signs your air conditioner system needs repair:

You Realize Uncommon Noises

air conditionerTypically, most of the air conditioners produce low-level noise as they start up and soon go quiet. However, if you realize there are loud abrupt noises or unusual sounds, that could indicate some significant system issues. If your aircon has some loose parts, you could hear some rattling or buzzing noises. On the other hand, whistling and grinding sounds are indicators of more serious issues. The problems will not disappear on their own, and it would be best to have professionals look at it and recommend the best solution to ensure you and your family continue enjoying a cool environment.

You Feel Warm Air from the Vents

your realize warm air from ventsYou could feel that instead of the usual cool air, warm air is blowing from your house’s vents. It would help if you first checked the thermostat and confirm it is switched to the cooling mode. After that, set the aircon to a temperature lower than your current house temperature. If you still get warm air from the vents, that is a sign there could be a compressor issue or restricted air flow, and the best thing would be to call experts to check it and advise you accordingly. Although you could be a DIY fan, it would not be a good idea to work on the AC yourself since the systems are quite complex and need a cautious approach.

You Realize the AC Has Frequent Cycles

The aircon is designed to have regular cooling cycles regardless of the weather. Although you could anticipate that the system turns on after shorter periods during the summer’s hottest days, it should not have constant on and off cycles. In case you notice frequent cycles, that could be a sign of some issues with the cooling system, and you need to call the experts. The technicians can sort the issues out with quick tune-ups. But the problems may also be bigger and may require you to get a new aircon.

carpenter with wood

How to Choose Skirting Boards

Skirting boards are usually used for both functional and aesthetic reasons. Functionally, they help to hide the unsightly expansion gaps for wooden floors and uneven plaster finishes. Some of them can also be used as conduits for cables. Aesthetically, they contribute quite a lot to the interior design of the room. To get the best of both aesthetics and functionality, you need to consider various factors when choosing. Below are some of the top considerations to make.

Material Used

Skirting boards can be made from a variety of materials. The different types of materials used come with their pros and cons, usually with a significant price difference. MDF skirting boards, for example, are cheaper compared to others. However, they are more susceptible to warping, cracks, and chips. Higher quality materials, such as solid oak skirting boards, usually provide better aesthetics and last much longer, though they are a bit more expensive. Your budget might be a limiting factor, but a good recommendation is to avoid going too cheap.

Scale and Proportion

You also need to consider room’s size to determine the right size of the skirting board you should choose for it. For high ceilings, taller skirting boards are usually more appropriate. For rooms with low ceilings, taller skirting boards will create an illusion of horizontal lines, which will make the room appear much shorter. Generally, you can use the skirting boards to adjust the perceived proportions of any room. A general guide to help you make the right choice is the skirting boards should be approximately 1/18 of the room’s height.

Design

The skirting boards’ design will affect the aesthetic effect that the boards will have on the room. Given that skirting boards’ design is mostly a decorative element, your choice will primarily be determined by your taste and preferences. You only need to ensure that your choice will match the interior design of the room. The architecture of the house and design and size of doors might also influence your decision.skirting wood

Color

The color of the skirting board is another obvious consideration to make. Your choice should factor in the color of the wall and floor and the colors of the room’s furniture and curtains. Ensure that all the colors compliment each other for the best overall visual appearance of the room. The skirting boards’ color might not be so much of an important consideration if you intend to paint them after installation.