The simplest heating maintenance can be costly but safety is always key, so here is our guide to five of the easiest tasks you can do yourself! However before reading on we do advise that some tasks do need to be done by a specialist. For example, you do need to be trained to be able to do Boiler repairs or installations if you are using a House Extensions Birmingham company to have an addition added to your home.

Image Credit

1. Bleeding a radiator

Are your radiators warm at the bottom but not at the top? If so, it is likely that there is trapped air that you need to bleed from the radiator. For this, you will need a radiator key. Switch the heating system off, put a towel down to catch any water, and ensure the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) and lock valve at the bottom are open. Undo the bleed valve slightly – you should be able to hear the air hissing as it escapes. Once water starts to leak, close the valve. Check the pressure in the boiler is not below the recommended level; if necessary, re-pressurise using the manufacturer’s instructions.

Image Credit

2. Bleeding a heated towel rail

Bleeding a heated towel rail is the same as bleeding column radiators.

3. Remove a radiator without draining

Firstly, shut the valves at both ends. Open the bleed key, catch the water, and shut the bleed key again. Lay towels under each end of the radiator and undo each nut next to the valves until open, quickly and carefully lifting the radiator and folding it down to the floor. The radiator is full of water, so be careful – it will be heavy. Undo the nuts and lift the base up to completely remove the radiator. Reverse these steps to refit.

4. Fixing a radiator that won’t get hot

If you have radiators but only one won’t heat up, undo both the lockshield and the radiator TRV valve using an adjustable spanner. If this does not fix the radiator, completely remove the TRV head. Check the TRV pin – if this is stuck down, use grips to gently move it up and down to free it.

5. Adding inhibitor to a heated towel rail

Put a towel down and turn off both valves at the bottom. Use a radiator bleed key and undo the bleed valve. Leave this open, slacken off the nut at the bottom and release the same amount of water as the amount of inhibitor you wish to add. Tighten the nut again, shut the bleed valve, undo the bung, and put the inhibitor into the hole. Finally, refit the bung.

 

Horrible and disgusting are just two words used to describe cockroaches. And yes, this may be true. But you know what else? Cockroaches are incredibly unique insects. How incredible? Well….

1. Cockroaches are older than dinosaurs.

If you have ever had trouble with cockroaches, take comfort from the fact that you’re not the only one. The first humans may have had the same problem! Indeed, the cockroach has been around longer than we humans. Recent research shows that they even have been there longer than the dinosaurs, as early as 359 million years ago!

2. There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches worldwide.

There are about 4,600 species of cockroach and they can be found all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. Before you panic, though, only about 30 of these species are considered as pests. Most of them live in the forest, not in the basement. Most prefer to crawl on the forest floor or in trees, while others live in caves, fields, swamps and meadows. If they do become a nuisance for you though, contact Pest Control Essex at a site like Pest Control Essex through BPC

3. Cockroaches can eat anything organic.

As well as indulging in human food, cockroaches can eat other dead bugs, paper, cloth, wood, glue, hair and dirt. This means cockroaches will never go hungry, even though they prefer to eat starch, sweets and meat. Cockroaches can survive for many weeks with no food! It has to do with the fact that they are cold-blooded, like crocodiles and snakes, which means they can keep their metabolic rate low.

4. Cockroaches can hold their breath up to 40 minutes!

Okay, so starving cockroaches is out of the question. But how about flushing them down the toilet? Unfortunately, this might not work either. Cockroaches are brilliant at holding their breath!  Similar to other insects, cockroaches breathe in air via holes in their bodies called spiracles. A cockroach can close this hole, both to prevent the absorption of too much oxygen and to prevent the loss of water. When underwater, cockroaches are able to close their spiracles for up to forty minutes and it can give them a lot of time to crawl to safety.

5. Cockroaches can survive a nuclear explosion.

Research has shown that a cockroach can tolerate high radiation levels, far beyond the level that we humans can live with. How do the cockroaches survive? It is unclear but scientists believe it has something to do with the fact that cockroaches have a slower cell cycle, molting only once a week at most.

6. The cockroach is a fast runner.

Anyone who has ever tried to catch a cockroach knows this fact – cockroaches can race! They can go up to 3 miles per hour, which is fast considering how small they are. Their hind legs are specially built for speed, moving over 20 times per second when sprinting. Cockroaches can also travel up walls by running faster than they do on a flat surface and spines on their feet help them stick to the slippery surface.

 

If you find yourself in an awkward situation after locking yourself out of the house, then stay safe and think about the following things.

It might be worth warning the neighbours before you try this one (unless it’s 3am) – looking for an open or partially open window. Most of us would have securely locked our windows before leaving but it is something we can often overlook. On this occasion, try to lift the window and squeeze through. Be wise though and do not try this if it is a small window or you could get stuck, or worse injure yourself!

Asking for help if convenient will be high on your agenda. Does anyone else hold a key to your property? If the owner rents it, can the landlord let you in? If you live in a complex, then there may be someone you can contact in the management office.

Perhaps you keep a spare key under the doormat or hidden under a fake stone in the garden? While, this will be wonderfully helpful in a lock-out scenario, it is not recommended by security experts. You might wish to rethink your emergency back-up plan for the future.

If you cannot get anyone and you’re not sure you can get in without breaking something, then it’s always wise to call an emergency locksmith. For more information about Southend Locksmiths, visit a site like the Southend Locksmiths Brights Locksmiths

If the door is a spring bolt and not a deadbolt, you can try to use the credit card trick, as seen in the movies. Make sure you do not use your bank card at this time in case it gets damaged. Wedge the card between the door and frame. Hold the card flush against the frame at the smallest part of the lock. Push the card and bend away from the doorknob. This should open the latch and allow you access. If this works, be sure to review your security arrangements for the future as access is far too easy currently!

If you do not mind explaining the situation to the Old Bill, destroying a ground floor window is another way to enter your property in an emergency. This would mean, however, calling a glazier and waiting for it to be repaired. It also makes a horrible mess that will need cleaning up and also presents the very real possibility that you could hurt yourself.

Banksy is a well-known graffiti artist in Bristol, not for himself, but more for his outstanding graffiti artwork. Being an anonymous graffiti artist, Banksy’s identity has been speculated on many different occasions, but is still unknown; he wants members of the public to appreciate his artwork rather than him as a person. He was born in Bristol in 1974 and became involved with graffiti art in the early ’90s, he has since become one of the most well-known artists in the UK. Banksy’s work really influenced the art and graffiti scene in Bristol and is today known for its range of graffiti art on the buildings. If you live in Bristol and are keen to get involved in an artistic hobby, then why not get a garage, and a garage door fitted to your house to make a hobby room? you might want to get in touch with a Garage Doors Bristol company who can supply and fit great quality garage doors. There are many Garage Doors Bristol based companies who can provide and fit a garage door for your home. If you are a fan of street art, then you will definitely want to check out these graffiti art pieces done by a wide range of artists in Bristol.

Image Credit

Girl With A Balloon 

This artwork depicts a young girl reaching out to a heart-shaped balloon, and this is done by using stencils; this graffiti artwork was created in 2002 and is known as one of Banksy’s most popular art pieces. This artwork has many different meanings, one being the loss of hope and innocence for the young child, or can be seen as a girl that catches the balloon, which represents her hopes and dreams.

Well Hung Lover 

This can be spotted on a wall in Frogmore street in Bristol, which can be overlooked on Park Street; this art piece depicts a man hanging from a window, whilst trying to not be seen by a man looking out, and a lady dressed in underwear is stood just behind the man. Sadly the artwork has been defaced a few times, in which you can see blue paint splats from a paint gun. This is one of Bristol’s most famous graffiti pieces. 

Slave Labour 

This artwork is found at the side of a Poundland store in London; it shows a young child using a sewing machine to make a British flag. It represents those in poorer countries making mass-produced items for cheap brands and was a protest of the use of sweatshops being used to make royal merchandise for the 2012 Diamond Jubilee. Banksy cleverly makes his political points across through his graffiti artwork.

Image Credit

Spy Booth 

Spy Booth was a Banksy art piece located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire; this depicted undercover detectives using listening devices at a phone booth. This became a top Banksy piece and brought plenty of tourism to Cheltenham. Sadly the art piece was removed due to the constant vandalisation of the piece. This art piece was to protest the ‘Global Surveillance Disclosure’ back in 2013. 

Valentines Day

Valentines Day is one of Banksy’s newest pieces in Bristol; it shows a young girl with a slingshot facing it up towards a ‘red explosion’ of spray-painted ivy. This artwork mural was discovered on Valentines Day in Bristol. Sadly the art piece has already been defaced with graffiti.

Mowing the lawn is an essential job for most gardeners. To make the job an enjoyable part of your gardening routine it is important to choose the right lawn mower for your garden. Read on to find out which type of lawn mower is best for you.

Image Credit

In Britain we are proud of our lush green lawns, even to the extent of having a national ‘best lawn’ competition: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-19388651/meet-the-man-with-the-best-lawn-in-britain .

1. Electric Lawnmowers

These mowers are powered by electricity, either from a cable or a battery. They are a good option for small to medium-sized lawns because they are easy to push around any flower borders and other obstacles. Electric lawnmowers are available in a range of sizes and can be compact for storage.

Image Credit

2. Push Lawnmowers

Push lawnmowers do not rely on any external power source. This makes them a low-cost option over their lifetime. The grass is cut by blades in a cylinder which revolves when you push the mower. The cutting height can usually be adjusted. They may not be suitable for larger lawns.

3. Ride-on Lawnmowers

These powerful lawnmowers are for large areas. The person mowing the lawn sits on the lawnmower and drives it around the area to be mowed. The lawnmowers are more expensive and need a large storage space.

4. Petrol Lawnmowers

Petrol mowers can be used over a wider area than most electric lawnmowers because no cable is required. This makes them good for large gardens and for using on hard-to-access areas such as verges. The mower is powered by petrol.

5. Self-Propelled Lawnmowers

These lawnmowers can be powered by either electricity or petrol. The difference between a self-propelled lawnmower and a standard lawnmower is that the self-propelled mower only needs to be guided in the right direction – not pushed. This can be useful for those with limited physical strength.

Once you have your lawnmower it is important to keep it well maintained to get the best from it. A new blade can make all the difference to a mower’s cutting performance, and spare parts are available for most mowers, even including a new engine if required. For Briggs and Stratton parts check out sites such as https://www.briggsbits.co.uk/ .

A beautifully mown lawn will set off your garden planting and landscaping perfectly.

 

CNC punching is a process widely used in the manufacturing sector that allows for the cost-effective, mass production of identical items. What is CNC punching, and how does it work?

What is CNC punching?

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, and CNC punching is a process for punching shapes out of a material that is controlled by a computer.

This allows for a high degree of accuracy and speed, and it is far more cost-effective than a manual process. A variety of different tools can be attached to create different shapes.

In addition to reducing costs, the automation of the punching process can also improve health and safety in the workplace by reducing the incidents of repetitive strains associated with manual processes. According to the Health & Safety Executive, just under four million working days were lost in the year ending 31st March 2018, so any reduction is welcome.

How does CNC punching work?

The design of the finished product is programmed into the computer in either a two- or three-dimensional format. In addition to the product design, the programme needs to know information such as the gaps between each part. This process of laying out the design is called nesting, and it is carried out by a specialist in computer-aided design. Armed with this design, the programme is then able to control the punch machine, telling it where and when to punch.

Different tools are required depending on the desired shape, and these tools are often designed specifically for a single job. The thickness of the material being punched will also affect they type of tool required.

With the right design and tool in place, the programme sets the punch away, operating across both the X and Y axis to create the individual, identical items.

If you’re looking for new or replacement CNC punching machines for your business, companies such as http://www.cotswold-machinery-sales.co.uk/euromac/punching-machines/ can help.

There are some limitations to CNC punching, and laser cutting may be preferable in some cases. For example, laser cutting might be more suitable for materials that are thicker than three millimetres. The clearance space required is another consideration. Laser cutting can work with a much smaller clearance tolerance than CNC punching and can sometimes be a better solution to minimise waste, further reducing costs.

 

Some van models offer a plywood lining as an optional extra installed at the factory, while others can be adapted to include this feature via aftermarket installation. Whichever approach you choose, why should you consider investing in lining for your LCV?

Image Credit

The Basics

Adding a plywood lining to the cargo area of a van is an excellent way of protecting both the structural integrity of the vehicle itself, while also being able to manage heavy loads without being limited in terms of the goods and equipment that can be hauled.

The main purpose of this system is to prevent damage being done to the panels and other physical features of a van when loads shift about inside the cargo area. The metal can be surprisingly thin and lacking in durability, hence the addition of a layer of tough wood on the inside acts as a barrier and thus lowers the long term costs of ownership.

The Versatility

There are plenty of plylining options provided by companies including https://www.vehicle-accessories.net/interiors/van-lining/van-ply-lining/, giving you the ability to choose a setup that suits your requirements and budget.

This type of lining can be custom made for vans of all shapes and sizes, from compact car-derived models to high roof, long wheelbase LCVs. This is because the wood used is tough but flexible, allowing it to work in almost any space available.

The wood itself varies in thickness depending on the part of the van it is protecting. Wheel arches get the most comprehensive coverage, while the walls and doors receive a thinner layer.

The Appearance

Vans have become so popular in the UK that they are changing the levels of traffic recorded on roads nationwide. Because of this, it pays to do as much as possible to improve the public image of van users.

Lining your van with plywood is a great way to get started, as it will keep it looking good inside and out. The bumps and dents that can litter unprotected vans can be off-putting, but with plywood linings this can be averted and you can really impress clients and other road users alike.

Since the wood is capable of resisting other types of wear and tear, such as might be caused by changes in temperature or the presence of moisture, a lined van will look good for years.