Home Design and Improvement

Archive for August 31st, 2010

With the old familiar variety of garden hoses as well as black Poly irrigation systems, there are two major problems that occur along the length of the hose or pipe, one is cracking and/or splitting of the hose/pipe and the second problem is the familiar kinking of the hose/pipe. So what can you do about it besides going out and buying a new hose or roll of poly’ pipe? Well there is at least one repair method that should help with either problem. Without the cost and problems of putting expensive joiners into your watering system.

Split Hoses/Pipes

What do you do once your garden hose or irrigation pipe has developed a crack or split after your son has mowed over it or you’ve managed to drive over it once too often?

With either type of system, you could cut out the section of the damaged hose or pipe and put in a joiner, but sometimes this is impractical or impossible. Then why not look at repairing it instead of replacing it. Use the same method as you would for a kinked hose. Which is listed below.

Kinking Hoses/Pipes

Once a garden hose or irrigation pipe has jack-knifed back on itself at a particular spot, it will continue to do so for the life of the hose/pipe. This is because it has become weakened at that point. Again you have the option to cut out the weakened area and join the remaining parts of the hose. Or you will have to look at repairing the weakened area to stop it kinking in future, you can do this by bracing the weakened area/s by the following method . . .

What you will need to repair split/kinked hoses or irrigation pipes

An excess section of garden hose or irrigation pipe A Sharp knife or blade Container of hot water Measure and cut off a small section of hose/pipe, approximately three inches long, or as long as is needed to cover over the weakened or broken area. Cut this section down its length on one side only.

Soften the hose or pipe section in hot water. Open it up and wrap this like a bandage around the weakened section of hose/pipe.

This acts like a splint over the weak area, strengthening it so that at that point it will not kink or fountain out water anymore.

If you are repairing a split area of the hose you may have to look at sealing the hose with something like a silicon sealant. But you will find that simply putting the hose splint will greatly reduce and/or stop the leak.

The hose or pipe splint will not move off of the weakened or split area because it rehardens fairly quickly as it cools, this tightens its grip over the weak part of your hose/pipe.

Repeat this procedure for other areas that are split or are prone to kink of the garden hose or irrigation pipe that you are using.

So if that garden hose or irrigation system of yours is split in one or more places or is kinking all the time, and it is frustrating you no end, then do something other than throwing it out. Either repair it or at least keep the old hose or pipe to repair your future watering systems.

Is shortage of finances hindering you from giving your home a face lift this spring?

There are many UK homeowners for whom home renovation is on top of the priority list. However, many of them do not have sufficient monetary reserve to take up the home improvement job.

Your abode is not only the place where you take shelter but also where you find solace, warmth and pleasure. It is not possible for everyone to purchase their dream home. The home you purchase may need some enhancements/modifications so that it is ‘made’ into your dream home. Also, your home needs improvement over a period of time either due to wear and tear or to meet some need of yours (for example, adding a new bedroom when your kids grow up).

Home improvement loans are designed especially to enable people finance their home renovation projects. Usually, home improvement loans are devised with terms and conditions that are quite favourable to the borrower (homeowner). Home improvements enhance the home equity appreciably. This is beneficial for both the homeowners and the lenders. The homeowners can utilise the increased home equity for getting financial assistance in future (if required). The lenders, when approving a home improvement loan, are aware that the loan money will be used to ‘improve’ the home that will definitely appreciate the value of the ‘guarantee’ (the collateral).

Home improvement loans may be secured or unsecured depending upon the presence or absence of collateral. Most of these loans are secured, i. e. , the loan money is backed by the home to be renovated that is put forth as the collateral. Secured home improvement loans are appropriate when you are planning a large-scale home renovation that requires a substantial sum of money.

For small-scale home improvements, you may opt for unsecured home improvement loans that are offered without the need to pledge your home as security.

So, redesign your home this spring as per your dream and see your ‘dream home’ in full ‘bloom’!