close

January 2019

Property

The New Wave of Smart Technology in Domestic Properties

As technology has advanced in recent years, the potential for technology to enhance the way a domestic property functions has developed into previously unimaginable ways. From home security features to the way you use your home on a daily basis in terms of light, heat, and socialising, smart technology is here to stay. Here, we take a look at the new wave of smart technology in domestic properties and how it has had an impact on different areas of a home for the better.

Smart Home Alarms

As technology has advanced the home security industry has had to keep pace. One of the areas in which there have been the greatest noticeable gains is in smart technology. One prime example of this is when you compare traditional home alarm systems with modern, smart, cloud-based home alarm systems. The traditional systems were large, difficult to install, costly and noisy, with large central units to control the systems and a level of inflexibility. With smart home alarm systems you can monitor multiple locations from one account in some instances. So a cloud based system can provide you with access to your home and business for example. The systems are easy to install and manage from a central hub via your smartphone and all data is protected and stored in the cloud. System updates also ensure that your system is protected at all times.

Smart Home Video Doorbells

This technology would have been unthinkable a couple of decades ago but with a smart video doorbell you can see who is at your front door wherever you happen to be. A video doorbell is usually slim and easy to install. It allows for dual voice functionality, allowing you to have a conversation with someone stood at your front door in the same way as an intercom system works, except you are viewing HD live video of them via your smartphone. With easy DIY installation and weatherproof products available, you can ensure your home is safe whether you are looking at the live stream from your bedroom, workplace or holiday destination.

Smart Heating and Lighting

It isn’t just home security products that have become part of the new wave of domestic smart technology. There are smart products available that allow you to connect your heating and lighting at home to your smart phone via an app. This allows you to keep an eye on your expenditure and to ensure your usage is cost effective and environmentally responsible, as well as providing that level of flexibility and functionality by controlling when and how your heating and lighting is switched on and off, even when you are not at home.

Virtual Assistants

The most widely known and popular instances of domestic smart technology are with the virtual assistants that can be connected to anything and everything in your home. These products are known to connect to your home televisions sets, offer you answers to questions you have about the daily weather, trivia quiz questions, and the latest number one, as well as controlling the lighting, temperature and home alarm systems.

The new wave of smart technology is here to stay for domestic properties. You can choose to have greater control and connectivity between different appliances within your home, from lighting and heating to all aspects of home security systems.

read more
Home Decor

Know When You Should Leave Plumbing to an Expert

It is always a major annoyance to have plumbing problems. One day you wake up and your tap is leaking, you have slow drains, or something caused the sewage system to malfunction and all of this clog toilet up too. Dealing with these problems can be an experience trip through the hardware store, but beware, doing it yourself isn’t the best idea. It can do more damage than good. However, calling a plumber has its own disadvantages – more expensive, time consuming and can halt your schedule. Hence, it is important to know which jobs can be fixed by you and which cannot.

If you are new to this, read on to learn more:

Unclogging Drains – DIY

Clogged drains are easy to fix and can be done by you all by yourself. All you need is a plunger and some sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Start by pouring some hot water down the drain to emulsify some of the greasy gunk. Then follow up with the plunger. If this does not work, then you can pour the sodium bicarbonate down the drain and rinse it away after a few minutes. Keep in mind that using a drain cleaner is possible, but the harsh chemicals inside it will damage the pipe and are also terrible for the environment.

Replacing Pipes – Call an Expert

It may seem like an easy task to replace a pipe or two all by yourself, but it is best to leave it to the experts. Taking out an old pipe is really difficult and placing a new one in its place is even harder. This makes an easy recipe for disaster in the form of a flooded room.  You should only try this yourself if you are absolutely sure about what you’re supposed to do, otherwise messing up here can make an impact on your wallet.

Replacing a Showerhead – DIY

Replacing a showerhead is as easy as changing a light bulb is. You’ll just need to examine the showerhead for the model number, go to the store to get one and replace it by twisting out and back in. Any minor leaks can be fixed with flex seal or flex tape.

Fixing Geyser – Call an Expert

If you’re having problems with your geyser, don’t try fixing it yourself. Not only is it extremely difficult as a DIY task but is also very dangerous. An expert would know how to identify the problem and fix it or you.

read more
Home Decor

Get Excellent Deals on All of Your Essential Pool Supplies

If you want your pool to be clean, safe, and functional, you will have to invest in various supplies to make this happen. When you are looking in the right place, you can find affordable prices for all of the most essential pool supplies, and in doing so, you can keep maintenance costs low and enjoy a high quality swimming experience.

Essential Pool Supplies

Some pool supplies are more essential than others, and these will directly affect the cleanliness and functionality of your pool.

These are your chemicals, filters, pumps, and maintenance products that help keep your water clear. At some point, you might also need various pipes and fittings to keep your pool in excellent condition. Regardless of your needs, you can find a wide variety of discounted pool supplies that allow you to maintain your pool without worrying about the cost.

For certain supplies, you might also find deals and special offers that make it even easier to own pool supplies and cleaning equipment.

Toys, Safety Equipment, and Accessories

Other pool supplies are less essential, but excellent to have, and these are things such as pool toys, inflatable products, and games. You can also find underwater lighting equipment and finishes that make swimming underwater a bit more interesting.

When you are shopping with a swimming pool specialist, you will find everything that you need to be successful, including construction, installation, and maintenance services. Most importantly, all of this will be available at reasonable or discounted prices that you can afford.

read more