With this in mind, leading home improvement and repair blog DIY Newbie has published a guide to getting your boiler ready for the winter, including tips for keeping the system running efficiently and how boiler insurance could come in handy.  

Preparing for winter
Few people’s first instinct is to switch their heating on in the summer. However, it’s important that you do this if you want to ensure your boiler’s running efficiently. Evenings or those typical British summer days when the temperature drops are good times for this – it’s better that you find out there’s a problem sooner rather than later when it’s freezing outside. Running the heating overnight is a good idea, while it’s also important to set the heating to come on if you go away on holiday, even if it’s just for an hour or two every few days.

Get an annual boiler service
Experts recommend that you get your boiler serviced annually, to ensure it’s running safely and efficiently. However, it’s important you get the right person for the job – specifically, someone on the Gas Safe Register, which ensures tradesman are fully trained and qualified to carry out the work safely. During your service, the engineer will check everything’s running safely, while also making recommendations on repairs or part changes that could improve efficiency. In some cases, it may even be recommended that you shut down and replace your boiler with a newer model.

Maintaining your boiler throughout the winter
Having a gas safety check isn’t the end of looking after your boiler. You need to keep an eye out for problems throughout the year – especially during breakdown hotspots like the first week of cold weather of the year, when gas demand soars.

One thing that can help you to cover the cost is boiler cover, which ensures you’re able to call on the expertise of a fully qualified tradesman without worrying about the cost (where there’s no excess to pay, repairs could even end up being free).

It’s a type of cover that can end up offering real peace of mind, especially to those worried they wouldn’t be able to afford to get their boiler fixed or serviced without causing themselves unnecessary financial problems or worry.

Once you’ve switched your utilities to a cheaper provider or found a credit card with a lower rate of interest, you’ll be able to work out how much cash you’ve got left over to spend on DIY. Add this to your savings and you could have enough to transform a whole room or install some new furniture and fittings.  Redecorating a spare room could be a good job to get stuck into this year, especially if your children have recently left home. The numbers of people who live in your home can go up and down over the years as children are born, grow up and eventually fly the nest. And the time might have finally come to turn your son or daughter’s old bedroom into a guest suite.

Before you start this task, however, you should carry out proper planning. For a start, you’ll need to decide which furniture you’re keeping and which will be replaced. It’s probably a good idea to consult with your departed son or daughter to make sure they’ve got no use for it at their new place – or whether they want it kept for sentimental reasons. Next you should decide what you’re going to replace the old furniture with and colour schemes for the walls.If the room is to be set up as a guest room, then going neutral is often the best bet – think whites, greys and pastel shades.

Once you’ve taken a trip to your local DIY store, it’s time to set aside a weekend and get to work. It could be fun to involve the son or daughter whose room it was previously – allowing them to give their old stomping ground the proper send-off it deserves!

Although the actual task of putting the shelf on the wall can take a matter of minutes, it will look like a poor piece of workmanship if you’ve failed to carry out adequate planning.

One of the first things you should do is choose the right material for your shelf. Certain types of wood have different properties – for example, MDF is a budget-friendly option that’s ideal for staining or painting.

Pine boards or wood effect shelves are also popular – and which you choose could depend on the overall look of the room where the shelves are going. Once you’ve chosen your shelf, you’ll next need to consider the fixings you’ll need to attach it to the wall.

If you have brick or concrete block plaster walls, you’ll need to use heavy-duty plastic wall plugs and wooden screws. If you have lightweight block with plastic finish on your walls, you should invest in universal plugs.

When working out the length of screw you’ll need, find out the thickness of your plaster and add on an extra 30mm. When you’re happy with the equipment you’re going to use, it’s time to mark the wall with the desired position of the bottom and ends of your shelf.

To get the shelf into place, hold a bracket against the wall, resting a piece of wood on top and lining up the shelf with the marks on the wall. Next drill holes in the wall for your wall plugs or fittings using a hammer drill and masonry bit.

After inserting the plugs and screwing the brackets to the wall, you can screw your shelf into the brackets to ensure there’s no danger of it tipping. Once you’ve done that, the job’s a good’un.

Regardless of whether you decide to put trophies, family photos or trinkets on your shelf, you should look at it with a feeling of satisfaction for many weeks, months and years to come.

For some, this type of furniture is a cost-effective option for kitting out the home. From beds and tables to storage solutions, there’s almost no end to the types of furniture you can take home in a box and built yourself.

However, for many DIYers, flat pack furniture can be a great source of frustration. For some people, there are few more daunting sights than a pile of wood, a few screws and an instruction booklet. However, it need not ever be this way. Learn to love building flat pack furniture and you’ll soon be putting up bookcases and drawers in no time at all.

This handy guide should give you a few pointers on how to avoid those irritating DIY disasters.

1. Plan before you buy
Getting flat pack furniture right begins before you’ve even left the house to go to your local furniture store. You should always measure the space where the furniture is going to be placed and take this information with you to help inform your purchase decision.

2. Choose the right piece of furniture
When selecting a piece of furniture, remember you’ll need to allow for space around the item – especially if it’s something like a table and chairs or cabinet with opening doors. You’ll also want to make sure that the design and finish matches the room it’s going in and the other furniture it contains.

3. Plan how you’ll complete the job
Before you even open the box, make sure you’ve got adequate space to build the furniture. Ideally, you want to make up the furniture in the space where it is going to sit to avoid needing to transport it round the house. However, this is not always possible – and it’s better to build furniture in a space where you can spread things out than a confined corner of a room.

4. Take time to read the instructions
The instructions will usually list all the various parts in the box, along with the tools you’ll need. Check the list of contents against what’s actually there – in a minority of cases, the furniture maker may have accidently omitted a key part. If you need a tool, go and get it – there’s no point cutting corners.

When it comes to starting the job, if there’s numerous steps in the instructions, read them all before starting, rather than simply reading them one by one as you go along – this way you’ll know how each step relates to the others and plan ahead.

5. Don’t rush the job
Attempting to rush a piece of flat pack furniture could be a seriously bad idea – use the wrong piece in the wrong place and you’ll only have to go back and undo your handiwork. Set aside plenty of time and factor in a few tea breaks – these are good not only for refreshment, but also reviewing what you’ve completed so far.

From quick fixes to major work, there’s numerous things you can do to batten down the hatches with Jack Frost on the way – starting with your utilities.

Many of the things you can do to prepare you home involve many things you rarely look at in your day to day life – such as boilers and pipes. But when it comes to keeping your home ticking over during the winter, your heating system will play a central role.

For this reason, it’s essential you have an annual boiler service from a Gas Safe-registered technician. Getting your equipment looked at is not only essential in terms of checking its efficiency, it could also save your life. Carbon monoxide is a killer – and failing to get a leaky old boiler look at can be fatal. If your boiler is more than 15 years old, you should be looking at buying a replacement. Although the initial outlay may seem a little steep, a modern, efficient boiler will pay for itself within a few years.

When winter-proofing your home, think of how you can run your heating more efficiently. This can include resisting the temptation to dry clothes on radiators – this forces the boiler to work harder –and using draught excluders to keep the warm in.  You could even decide to invest in some loft insulation and lagging for your pipes to improve the efficiency of your home. Once again, you will need to consider the cost of the outlay, but the benefits will continue for years to come – a well insulated home needs to be heated less frequently and at a lower temperature.

There are smaller things you can do to boost your home’s efficiency. Keeping internal doors closed is essential during the winter, while curtains can also have an effect on the warmth of your home. Open them during the day to let the sunlight naturally heat your home, but close them as soon as it goes dark to help to keep the heat in.

Before switching the heat on or moving the thermostat up, consider whether an extra layer of clothes could be a more energy efficient option and think about investing in a thicker duvet for the coldest months of you.

With a little investment and smart thinking you’ll be able to protect your home from the cold – and you finances from a hefty utility bill.

There’s a multitude of ways you can make your home more energy efficient – and caring for your boiler is a good place to start.

Having a yearly service with a Gas Safe-registered technician is essential for making sure your boiler is running as efficiently as possible. It’s also important you get your boiler looked at for safety reasons – knackered old boilers can leak carbon monoxide, which can be lethal.

If your boiler is over 15 years old, you be thinking about buying a replacement – this can cut hundreds of pounds off your annual heating bill. When shopping around, look out for highly efficient gas condensing models, as these will help you make the biggest savings. Also don’t forget to insulate and lag your pipes, as this will help to boost your boiler’s efficiency.

However, looking after your boiler doesn’t begin and end with the equipment itself. For example, leaving clothes to dry on radiators will force your boiler to work harder, potentially reducing its lifespan. The same principle applies when covering radiators with curtains or furniture. For this reason, the layout of your room is important – try to place sofas and beds away from radiators to ensure you get the maximum circulation and benefit from their heat.

The way you live in your home can also have an effect on your energy usage – the key is to do as many things as possible to reduce the temperate and how often you need to put your heating on. Draught excluders are essential, while you should consider getting a thicker duvet during the winter rather than leaving the heat on high throughout the night.

Even just the way you use your curtains can have a significant effect on your energy usage – opening them in the day will allow sunlight to naturally heat the room. However, as soon as day turns to night and the dark and cold sets in, close your curtains to keep the heat in.

By carrying out a few simple DIY jobs and making a few targeted investments, you’ll soon be cutting your carbon emissions – and feeling the financial benefit as a result.

However, out of sight should never mean out of mind when it comes to your drainage system – and in fact they may need the most attention at this time of the year. Clogged gutters can cause water to backup in the house, leading to problems with damp or even wall and ceiling damage.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to set aside some time aside one weekend as winter sets in to give your guttering a going-over to ensure you don’t encourage any drainage disasters.

Autumn and winter brings more wet and cold weather – and plenty of leaves and other debris which can block guttering. Therefore, you should get in a routine of regularly going up to check that water can drain through the pipes.

This starts with getting out a ladder and climbing up to look at the outer part of your guttering. Make sure you’re wearing thick workman’s gloves, as you’ll need to manually remove anything which could block the pipes by hand. It’s a good idea to have your garden waste bin set up next to the ladder, where you can drop in any leaves or sludge as you go along. A stiff brush and trowel will come in useful for removing excess dirt.

To ensure the guttering is as clean and debris-free as possible, finish up by giving the pipes a good spray with the hosepipe, ensuring that the nozzle is set to the highest pressure possible for the best cleaning results.

If you think there’s a blockage downpipe, you may need to invest in some DIY tools to get the job done. One option is to use a wire coat hanger, which can fed into the pipe to loosen any trapped articles.

Some could decide that installing a gutter guard is the best way forward – this is a piece of wire mesh metal that can reduce the amount of debris that collects in your guttering. It’s important to note, however, that putting this onto your gutters won’t mean you never have to clean them again – it may just reduce how often you need to carry out this job.

If you fail to carry out these simple jobs, you can be left gutted if your Christmas money ends up being spent on putting a drainage disaster right – so make sure it’s pencilled into your DIY diary this winter.

What you’ll need to put up a shelf

For this job you’ll need: a spirit level, a pencil, screwdriver, a drill, a hammer, and screws and fittings (although these will normally be provided with the shelf). For safety reasons it is also advised that you should wear safety goggles and use an AC electrical detector.

Fixing your shelf: Getting started

Firstly, safety is paramount. There is a risk of major electrical shocks from any drilling into walls. Reduce this risk by using an electrical detector – it will either make a noise or an LED will flash when passed over an electrical current. If a good electrician has been used in the wiring of the house then wires should only ever run horizontally or vertically straight from sockets and fittings but it is advisable to always check before starting the drilling.

Getting your shelves straight

One of the easiest mistakes to make is to rush the job and end up with wonky shelves. This can be solved with a small amount of preparation time at the start. Place the shelf bracket on the wall in the desired position and mark under the bottom left and right corners – then check with a spirit level that the lines are dead straight. If not play around with it until you’re there. Once correct, the positions of the screws can now be marked on the wall. Make sure you rub out any previous pencil marks to avoid confusion!

Drilling your shelves brackets to the wall

You are now ready to drill. The drill bit used should be slightly smaller in diameter than the screws which will be used. It is a good idea to wear safety goggles when performing any drilling in order to protect from any flying debris. Start drilling slowly in a straight line into the wall. This should be repeated for all screw positions. Remember that plasterboard walls will require hollow wall anchors but if drilling into solid brick then rawl plugs are more appropriate.

Fixing the shelf to the wall

The shelf can now be fixed to the wall – simply attach to the screws in place in the wall and slide the shelf onto the clippings. It’s a good idea if you’re planning to place a heavy load on the shelf to fit butterfly / spring toggles – these will require a bigger hole being drilled. But be warned, these are so strong they can’t be removed from the wall once in place.

Tighten any screws or nails one by one – leaving them all slightly loose for one final tighten at the end.

Now all that’s left to do is pick out your favourite cds, books or dvds and give them pride of place before your friends arrive!

Preparing your wall

Before any tiling can be done the walls must be prepared. This often involves the removing of any old tiles. Using a hammer and chisel, place the thin end of the chisel towards the adhesive joints and chip away. Be careful to protect the floor from any falling debris with a sheet or blanket. Many tiles will simply fall off but be warned that some may shatter leaving a sharp edge. For this reason it is important to wear safety goggles and gloves.

Once this has done the wall should be exposed, however, there will be adhesive remaining, this may peel away easily, however, if not a stripping knife can be used. Once the wall is free of any dirt or debris coarse sandpaper should be used to smooth the walls – this will help the adhesive stick. During the preparation of the walls, any cracks or small indentations can be filled used filler.

Tiling equipment

For this DIY task you will need: 3 x long battens of softwood (2” x 1”), a pencil, spirit level, serrated plastic spreader, plastic tile spacers, tile cutting jig, grout, a grout float, sponge, cloths and of course the tiles themselves! For your safety it is also recommended to wear safety goggles and gloves at all times.

Lining and spacing the tiles

One of the most common problems reported with tiling is the spacing of tiles. People often find themselves either trying to cram a tile in at the edge of the wall or left with an unsightly gap. By placing tiles along a piece of softwood and marking with a pencil where they will lie you give yourself an immediate gauge and allow you to see how the tiles will sit on the wall.

The marked wood can now be used to draw vertical and horizontal guides along the wall. Place the wood along the wall indicating lightly with a pencil where each tile will begin. It is a good idea to leave a 0.5 cm space at the bottom for the tiles to sit and for the adhesive to spread.

The batten should then be temporarily screwed in order to give a straight edge and guide for the tiles. Make sure this is done with the aid of a spirit level so that it is dead straight.

Start tiling your wall!

Now, after all that preparation, you can get tiling! Using the spreader apply the adhesive evenly to the wall. The serrated edge will let you spread horizontal ridges within the material. Placing the tile in position, press firmly down and set in the correct position. Then quite simply, continue using the spacers to ensure a correct and sufficient gap between tiles, making sure you apply the adhesive as you go. It is expected that some adhesive may escape – don’t worry about this, it will wipe away easily with a damp sponge.

Finally, people tend to panic when they meet a wall or ceiling – not enough or too much tile? The tiles will need to be measured individually and cut using the jig as per manufacturers’ instructions.

When to grout a wall

It is advised that any grouting should be left for a 24 hour period so that the adhesive can dry and the tiles set. Once this is done you can apply the grout. Using the spreader make sure you generously cover all the gaps between the tiles, and then simply wipe off the excess with a sponge.

All that’s left to do is give you tiles a quick polish, sit back and admire your latest handiwork. Good luck!

Though trendy, unused mobile phones sometimes suffer the fate of being lost in some drawer at home or, even worse, thrown in the bin and ending up in landfills causing eventual environmental damage and possible health hazards.

Nowadays, you can easily sell your old mobile phone and feel good knowing that it will end up reused rather than wasted. The benefits are too numerous to list here, although the environmentally friendly aspect is assured, helping to minimize the negative affects of manufacturing mobiles phone, which requires a number of materials, including gold, silver and lead. In the long run, mining for these materials will be reduced, thus safeguarding the environment. Indirect benefits include a lesser amount of chemicals used in mining and treating these materials, and of greenhouse gases caused by transporting said materials.

Recycling schemes have been on the up and up; phone companies are buying our unused mobiles that may be old and even broken. Materials are extracted from the older handsets, since mobile phones contain precious items such as gold and silver, which are melted to reuse in other products such as electronic boards.

A large number of websites specializing in buying and recycling old mobiles even give potential sellers the option to check the prices for their older handsets. One such website, www.love2recycle.com, sends checks for old mobile phones. While all similar in methodology, the main purpose behind all of these schemes is to help make the environment safer for us, subsequently reducing the amount of resources needed to manufacturer new mobile phones. Moreover, some extra cash just for doing the right thing by recycling never hurt anybody, and it doesnt require any effort either!

To sell your old phone, simply visit one of the many recycling websites and enter the model of the phone to be recycled. Next, pick the exact phone where a quoted price will be shown for how much that particular site will pay for the handset. Once the phone has been entered into the system, a freepost address will be provided to which you can send your old phone. Then just sit back and wait for the most cash for your mobile available online.