Roger continues the extension series with some Rockwool insulation roll installation to deal with sound transmission and fire protection.
Is There No Such Thing as Rising Damp?
A few months ago we posted a short video on Skill Builder’s YouTube channel showing a remedial product from Safeguard Europe which helps to stop rising damp in masonry walls. But is there no such thing as Rising Damp?
A lack of clarity
Admittedly the video didn’t discuss the many causes of damp in buildings and could have been a whole lot longer, but we felt that it targeted a specific cause of damp and gave a simple solution that is widely used and effective. What is more, it is a very easy job for a DIYer.
So far so good but the comments that followed the posting of this video took us completely by surprise. Some people were not happy. It transpired that there is a significant body of people in the U.K who sincerely believe that rising damp is a myth.
These are not scientists or people with any real knowledge of building technology, they are people who have latched onto a single simple premise and pushed it beyond its logical conclusion.
They have gained traction on social media in the same way as people who purport the earth is flat and that Elvis, Kurt Cobain, and Prince are happily residing on some heavily guarded South Sea Island.
No Such Thing as Rising Damp
The anti-rising damp brigade is lead by a couple of gurus who, in keeping with most fundamentalist, are deaf to any argument but their own. I quickly learned that it is a waste of time arguing with such people or their followers.
It seems that conspiracy theorists are not that discerning and once they believe in one conspiracy theory, they adopt anything and everything that falls under that heading. People who say that rising damp is a myth are more likely to see other scientific phenomena as myths. One such person even put forward the idea that the Moon doesn’t exist.
Pressed on this he said that it was some kind of manmade illumination but didn’t know why it was put there let alone when and by whom. Yes, they really are barking mad.
This kind of thing is now just part of the rich tapestry of modern life and we could all just laugh it off if it were not for the fact that people who really ought to know better are persuaded that there is some substance in the claim that ‘Rising Damp does not exist’.
Damp Conspiracy
The fact that all new building in the UK has to have effective damp proof courses to prevent this supposedly non-existent menace is to them all part of the conspiracy. Now I am entertained by a conspiracy theory as much as the next person but if you are going to have a conspiracy theory surely there has to be a more exciting one out there than ‘rising damp is a myth’? Imagine a weekend conference where people show each other photographs of rising damp and claim they have all been doctored in Photoshop.
When asked for evidence of the nonexistence of rising damp the devotees often cite Venice. For some strange reason, they believe that Venice does not have rising damp.
It makes me wonder if they have ever been to Venice. Not only does Venice have significant rising damp, but the University of Bologna also has a whole department dedicated to research into the problems of rising damp in ancient buildings.
It is government-funded because the Italian government knows all too well that rising damp is a real threat, not only to Venice but to many historic buildings in other parts of Italy.
Water Water Everywhere
The denial of rising damp is even more baffling when you recognise that it is everywhere and even has some beneficial properties. Damp rises through tiny capillary veins or tubes and through this process millions of gallons (or litres) of water move from the ground up through the less dense sapwood of trees and out through the leaves.
If you cut a tree open, you will not find a pump or any moving parts. The capillary pathways in masonry and mortar have the same effect. Damp evaporates out of the masonry and more is drawn up from the ground.
The whole existence of our planet depends upon the principle that damp rises either through capillary action or evaporation. The clouds in the sky are the most visible example of rising damp and if you look at the wick in an oil lamp you will see rising damp being put to good use.
With such overwhelming evidence, it is hard to work out why some people insist that there is no such thing? The answer may lie in the fact that rising damp has been over-diagnosed. People keen to sell damp treatments are, in some cases, looking at condensation or penetrating damp and calling it rising damp simply because it gives them an opportunity to sell a product.
Damp Treatment Professionals
The term Snake Oil Salesman is often used to describe these ‘damp specialist’ but to dismiss everyone in the industry as a Charlatan because of a small number of rogues is unfair.
We are told by the detractors that all a building needs is to breathe which really means that it needs air passing through it to move damp to the outside. The idea that it might be good to prevent the damp entering in the first place is, for some strange reason, ignored.
There is also a belief that damp is a modern problem that simply didn’t exist in the good old days. So there we have it, a modern problem that is caused by us.
Newly Dampened
It is true that newly built homes were once left unoccupied for six months to allow them to dry out. This was prudent because a huge amount of water is used to build and plaster out a house and that water has to go somewhere.
These days we tend to dry buildings out by heating them but without ventilation all the heating does is to cook up a fugg. Even after the initial drying out process, if it happens, water is still generated by cooking, bathing, showering and breathing.
That water needs to be moved to the outside often by mechanical extraction. This used to happen naturally in the time of open fires many rooms had a chimney, and with the fire lit, this produced as many as eight complete air changes to the room every hour.
That is the real reason why homes did not seem to suffer from damp in the way they do now. Modern draughtproofing means, we are now looking at as little as one air change per hour and sometimes not even that.
We keep the heat, but we also keep the airborne moisture and the result is condensation, which since the compulsory introduction of damp-proof courses, is now a lot more of a problem than rising damp, but that is not to say that rising damp no longer exists.
Diagnosed Damp
It is perfectly possible to have more than one cause of damp in a home and that is why it needs to be diagnosed properly before any attempt is made to reduce it.
It also needs to be acknowledged that the less well off are more likely to have damp homes. If you are struggling to pay the heating bills you may not want to open a window or even switch on an extractor fan. If you are poor you may also be living in a home with higher occupancy.
The more people living in a house, the damper it is likely to be. It may also be the case that the occupants are drying washing indoors and not heating every room which is just about the worst combination there is. Airborne moisture will move from heated rooms to unheated rooms and condense on cold surfaces which quickly produces ugly black mould.
Damp is not only a building issue it is also a political, social and health issue. The rise in asthma among children is undoubtedly due to poor air quality both inside and outside our homes. Mould is toxic and those who suffer most from such conditions are the young and the old.
Blame Game
It is common for landlords to be blamed for damp houses and there are often news items demonising uncaring landlords. Of course, such people exist, and they need to be held to account but sometimes the tenant’s lifestyle (living habits) is to blame.
A tenant may be looking at the black mould forming around the tops of skirting boards and blaming it on rising damp whereas the landlord is looking at the washing drying on the radiators and thinking it is more likely to be condensation forming on the lower part of the wall, which is always colder.
In such a climate of claim and counterclaim, it is little wonder that people take up polarised positions. As with so many problems these days our first reaction is to find somebody to blame.
Research Identifies Sustainable Infrastructure Choices for Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Arc
The Oxford University-led Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC) has developed globally unique methods for simulating future population, housing growth and demand for infrastructure services. The methods explore how the necessary infrastructure can be provided affordably, securely and sustainably.
In a significant report published today, the ITRC, led by the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, has deployed these methods to reveal a series of insights to inform the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Arc – one of the UK’s largest housing and transport projects.
The report’s executive summary can be requested directly to the media contact below.
The report provides a preliminary analysis of key questions across travel time, carbon footprint, water usage, housing developments, pollution and environmental impact.
It found that careful planning for new settlements could allow development whilst still protecting greenbelt land and other natural habitats, better management of energy and water needs, and a lower carbon footprint than with unplanned scenarios.
Findings include:
- Higher growth expansion and development of new settlements could result in up to 5.4 million and 6.1 million people respectively living in the Arc area by 2050.
- Planned road expansions and developments may initially generate some travel time savings, but are insufficient to prevent travel time increases in the longer term.
- To address travel time, additional steps must be taken to manage demand for road travel (e.g. via shifts to rail) and reduce congestion.
- The vision of a carbon neutral Arc is achievable with the greatest challenge being how to heat new and existing buildings without using fossil fuels.
- Insulation and energy efficiency solutions in existing and new homes should be implemented first, followed by the introduction of low-carbon heat technologies.
- Water use in the Arc is predicted to double by 2050, and new reservoirs and effluent reuse schemes could aid in meeting demand.
- At the eastern end of the Arc, the development of new cities scenario could result in a doubling of the annual risk of water shortages.
- To preserve the Arc’s natural environment, it will be necessary to develop a ‘Green Arc’ vision where natural capital thinking is embedded throughout.
- The development must be carefully planned to preserve and integrate existing natural capital assets, create new green corridors for people and wildlife.
Jim Hall, Director of the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium and Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks at the University of Oxford, said:
‘The Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Arc is the most far-reaching housing and transport development proposed in recent decades, akin to a British Silicon Valley. One million new homes could be created by 2050, along with a new road Expressway, a new rail link and new and innovative forms of urbanisation.
The future of the Arc is likely to be made up of a complex combination of many different development options, with differing typologies of development dependent on changes to existing urban centres or introduction of new towns or cities into the region.’
The UK’s National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) made recommendations in its 2017 report to develop the Arc as a knowledge-intensive economic cluster across the heart of England.
However, there is currently a challenge around the Arc’s implementation as local authorities and central government have lacked independent systemic analysis due to the complexities of planning for such an unprecedented complex project. The ITRC approach fills that gap and helps inform decision-making at all scales.
Pioneering tool
ITRC is independently applying its models and analytics to explore possible futures for the Arc, evaluating and quantifying the impact of local, regional and national choices on sustainable future options.
The ITRC’s Arc studies are unique in their breadth and depth, bringing together data on the whole range of infrastructure that would be required, along with population modelling and forecasts, energy, transport, water and digital communications requirements.
Professor Hall said: ‘ITRC’s modelling will help to create a clear vision for the Arc’s grey and green infrastructure, employment and housing. The tool is highly flexible and can analyse a multitude of different scenarios at varying scales.’
As well as modelling the Arc, ITRC’s analysis has been used in UK research as well as internationally with governments and organisations including UNOPS, World Bank and governments around the world.
Professor Hall said: ‘Built well, infrastructure can demonstrably and positively contribute in areas from economic prosperity and employment to health, education and the safeguarding of the planet’s natural resources.’
The principle of the “system of systems” approach pioneered by ITRC means it is uniquely placed to model a cross-sectoral approach to developments.
Professor Hall said: ‘This means investments in infrastructure can be properly costed, planned for long-term sustainability and resilience to natural hazards, and looked at from a systems perspective rather than on a project-by-project basis.’
ITRC’s National Infrastructure Systems Model (NISMOD) can also be used to identify complexities such as how failure in one network or area might impact on another – from a single power station going down to the impact of massive flooding across a city on transport, businesses and homes.
Why Does Robin Love Liquid Screed? – Capel #12
It’s time for the screed to go down on the Capel Build now and Robin couldn’t be more excited. He’s been using liquid screed from for around 10 years and in this video, you’ll find out why he thinks it’s the perfect solution, especially for screeding over underfloor heating.
Liquid Screed Links
Southern Screed
https://www.southernscreed.uk
The Underfloor Heating Company
https://www.theunderfloorheatingstore.com
Discount code for SB viewers: CLEVETTUFH
Foscam R4M WiFi Home Security Camera with AI
Now you may remember I did a review of the Foscam power over ethernet CCTV system that uses a network video recorder. We also had a look at the nest system, but now we’re looking at cameras that you put inside your house.
Foscam R4M
The R4M is only £99 and it seems to have quite a few features. It has a 2K four-megapixel resolution. It has remote control by an app. It pans 350 degrees, that’s side to side and it tilts one hundred degrees, that’s up and down, and it can zoom in as well.
It has two-way audio, push alerts so you can see when something’s happened. 26 feet of infrared night vision. All of this is controlled through your app.
This is marketed as a Wi-Fi camera, but you can connect to it with ethernet, which is what I’m going to do because I’ve got so many devices connected through Wi-Fi already and a LAN port is nearby. I just love that plugged in feeling.
You’ve got a few storage options. You’ve got a micro SD card slot on the side of the camera here, and it says that it’s limited to 128 gigabytes.
One terabyte cards (1000GB) are available, so I’m not sure why they’ve limited it to 128GB. It could be something that they fix with a firmware update in the future.
The second option is to use an NVR. I’ve been using a Foscam NVR for three years now and I have found it to be very reliable. It hasn’t skipped a beat in those 3 years where it’s been on for 24/7. Some people say, “What if someone breaks in and disconnects the NVR?”. I don’t think anyone breaking in is going to know what an NVR is or where to find it.
And I’m sure they’re not even going to find it because I’ve got it hidden away. So, I kind of like the NVR option. You’ve also got Foscam’s cloud record service which comes with a monthly or annual fee. The main benefit as far as I can see with this one is that you’re recording the footage off-site.
So, nobody’s going to be able to tamper with your footage. And even if they come in and they disconnect the camera, you’ve still got that recording. The last recording that was sent to the Foscam Cloud Service before it was interrupted. So you’ve got your evidence if you like.
Now with the Foscam Cloud Service, you get eight hours of free storage and this is triggered recording. So, something happens, that’s what gets recorded to the cloud. So, you could find those eight hours could be covering a month’s worth of activity. And for a lot of people, that’s going to be enough.
So, if you want to find out what the recording plans are and the prices, have a look in the description and we’ll link through to those. Okay. Time for an unboxing.
It’s much smaller than I thought it would be. It comes with a network cable, antenna, wall mount bracket, power supply, plugs and screws. After setup, I updated the firmware and it got stuck at 5% for a long time, but when I rebooted the camera it had the latest version on it so that worked out okay.
Scanning the QR code on the base of the camera to set it up is really handy and it only needs a little sniff of that QR code and bam, it’s in there.
You’ve got to set up a password and a username for the camera. The camera has a really wide-angle lens as you would expect. You can control the movement of the camera just by moving your finger over the screen in the app and it is quite responsive.
The two-way radio feature is handy for making people jump. When you’re away, you might want to speak to somebody at home. You just hold your finger on the button and speak like a walkie talkie.
It automatically saves those little activity snippets to the Micro SD card, but if I want to record for longer and I want to record directly onto my phone, this is possible too.
Recordings can be triggered by motion detection or sound detection. I turned the sound detection off because that’s going to go off every time it hears the doorbell or a dog bark.
As for the Foscam Cloud paid service, if I want to record a week’s worth of events, that’s going to cost £40 a year. I’m not going to use it, but if recording offsite is your thing, the prices aren’t too bad. The option to record to the 64 gigabyte SD card will be fine for my use.
I would hope that the size limit will be increased or removed because if I’m going to use this all the time, I want to put up the biggest card possible in there, and just let it record forever. You can also share your camera so that other people can access it.
It automatically detects if it’s dark enough to go into infrared night-time mode, but if you didn’t trust that, you could set a schedule here to make sure it comes on at the right times.
Amazon Echo control with Alexa isn’t always the blessing you think it’ll be. I bought an Echo Show to see if it works, but my expectations were low. The Foscam Skill wasn’t responsive, to begin with, but after a few attempts it worked and the pictures were very clear.
When you look at the Foscam Skill for the Echo, you can see that there are lots of people saying couldn’t get it working and there are lots of one-star reviews. I couldn’t get it working at the first attempt either and a bit of perseverance is needed.
After a week of use, I noticed that the alarm was going off all the time. And that’s because I missed one very important feature and that is to tell it to look out for human movement rather than any movement. So, it was picking up things like the sun going in and out.
It was picking up the dog, so sometimes it would just go off for no reason because I had the sensitivity set to very high, so make sure you’ve got it set to human detection only, then you won’t end up with an SD card full of the sun going in and out.
The image quality is pretty good. The pictures are very sharp. You will notice there’s a slight degradation in the picture when you pan and that’s because, like most CCTV cameras, it uses quite heavy video compression.
One other thing that is quite handy is that it picks up the Wi-Fi connection again quickly if you want to move it to a different room, you don’t have to do any configuration, it’ll just fire up.
I started this video by saying it’s only a hundred pounds. I’ve since found there are quite a few cameras that are cheaper than this one, but this one definitely has the most features.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and if you haven’t seen our other CCTV camera review videos, can check them out.
Key Features
• 4MP Super HD Video Streaming (1440P)
• Remote viewing and recording
• Remote Pan & Tilt – 350° Horizontal and 100° Vertical rotation
• Intelligent real-time push alerts with AI human detection
• Works with Alexa – View camera with voice control
• Supports 2.4G/5G dual-band wireless networks
• 6x Digital Zoom
• WDR 2.0 Technology
• Night Vision Range up to 10 metres (32ft)
• Easy Setup in three easy steps through the FREE Foscam App (iOS or Android)
• Two-Way Audio via the built-in microphone and speaker
• Supports one key sleep/wake up for privacy mode
• Micro SD – Supports recording to Micro SD card up to 128GB
• Other Storage – Foscam NVR, FTP, NAS, local hard drive recording and Foscam Cloud
• Free 8 hour Foscam Cloud – Stores alarm recordings activated by motion from the past 8 hours
Product Specification
• Sensor type: 1/2.6” CMOS
• Display resolution: 2K 2560 x 1440P (4.0M Pixels), H.264
• Frame rate: 20fps(1440P)/25fps(1080P) / downward adjustable
• Lens Type: f:4mm,F:2.2
• Viewing angle: Horizontal 89°, diagonal 112°
• Night surveillance: 13pcs IR-LED’s, on/off auto switch, night vision up to 10M
• Wireless: 2.4G/5G dual-band, IEEE802.11b/g/n/ac
• Ethernet: 10/100Mbps RJ45 port
• Storage: Supports max 128G Micro SD card, local and FTP storage, Foscam cloud storage
• Remote access: P2P, DDNS
• Input/output: Supports full-duplex two-way audio, built-in mic & speaker
Box Contents
1x R4M IP Camera
1x Wi-Fi Antenna
1x Power Supply (UK 3-Pin Plug)
1x Mounting Bracket
1x Mounting Screws
1x Ethernet Cable
1x Quick Start Guide
Check out our total home security feature.
Foscam Cloud for UK users: https://foscam.uk.com/cloud
How to Repressurise Your Central Heating System
Roger shows you how to get that pressure back into your central heating system, safely and quickly.
XL Joinery Factory Tour – Robin’s Quest for Doors
Robin visits the XL Joinery factory in Leeds to pick his doors for the Capel Build.
Super Rod Ferret WiFi – Cable Pulling Camera
http://www.super-rod.co.uk/products/inspection-cameras/ferret-wifi/
Super Rod Ferret WiFi – Multipurpose wireless inspection camera and cable pulling tool.
Vision of Cordless Future with Expanded Makita XGT and LXT
Makita’s new 40V Max system will stand side-by-side with the industry-leading LXT System.
Since the launch of 18V ‘LXT’ in October 2005, Makita has led the way in cordless tool innovation and technology. The Makita Corporation’s objectives for constant improvement in designing innovative products for the construction and garden machinery sectors, will soon see the launch of a new generation of high power 40V Max ‘XGT’ cordless products.
To meet market demands for greater cordless power and to recognise the needs of professional contractors, Makita is expanding the cordless portfolio with the announcement of 40V Max ‘XGT’. This new cordless tool and battery platform produces greater power for high demand applications, increased durability, and a wider range of products to offer the performance that is comparable to petrol engine or mains powered machines.
XGT will stand side-by-side with Makita’s industry-leading 18V LXT System, giving industrial users a wider choice of battery-powered tools and equipment to achieve a truly cordless job site.
Makita’s 18V ‘LXT’ range currently has over 200-products that meet demands across a wide range of applications. Makita will continue to invest heavily in the 18V LXT system, with more new products planned to ensure continued support for customers who have already invested in the 18V ‘LXT’ platform.
18V LXT utilises a single battery across hundreds of products, with the ability of added power by using two 18V batteries in series on the current range of Twin 18V (36V) LXT products. This simple concept has revolutionised how work is undertaken by contractors, however the introduction of the Makita 40V Max ‘XGT’ range in Spring 2020 will offer a new and improved solution to benefit many applications where heavy-duty performance is required.
Why has Makita XGT been developed?
When visiting countries around the world, Makita R&D engineers have been challenged to design better cordless tools that can deliver more power, improved run-time, as well as being compact in size with an optimum weight for contractors to use throughout the working day.
XGT batteries look similar in size to existing 18V LXT batteries, however 40V Max ‘XGT’ is a new stand-alone system with its own range of tools, batteries, and chargers. Offering 40V Max power, the XGT range has been engineered to meet these industry demands as the market pushes for the transition to battery power.
A range of 40V Max ‘XGT’ products has recently been launched in Japan with a plan to introduce the new product range in Europe for Spring 2020. More information will follow in the early part of 2020.
Makita’s global focus is innovation; new technology and products that satisfy the needs of customers across many industries. Supported by heavy investments for today, tomorrow and the future, the market is, and will be, changing and Makita is positioned to lead this change.
Snickers Workwear New ALLroundWork Jackets and Gilets
NEW Winter Jackets and Gilets – insulated and water-resistant
These new ALLroundWork Jackets and Gilets are just what the name suggests – delivering great all-round performance on-site with a Ripstop water-resistant outer fabric and a coated inner fabric for extra durability.
They’re wind-resistant too and all have the features and functionality that you’d expect in Snickers Workwear clothing. Designed for optimum comfort and flexibility when you’re on the move, they’re great-looking working clothes that will keep you feeling comfortable wherever you are and whatever you’re doing at work in cold and windy weather.
With smart designs and an ergonomic fit, Snickers Workwear ALLroundWork garments are packed with must-have features that focus on functionality and freedom of movement as well as using innovative fabrics that deliver long-lasting protection. There’s also a range of Base- and Mid-layer garments plus accessories like gloves, hats, face warmers and beanies to ensure that every part of you stays dry and warm.
HMT VersaDrive – High Speed Hole Cutting
Info and prices: https://holemaker-technology.com/collections/versadrive
Roger catches a demo of the HMT VersaDrive hole cutting and tapping system to speed up fixing in steel.
Drilling and tapping in metal plate or steel beams is often done with a mag drill but this range of bits is designed to work with an impact wrench. Even misaligned holes can be rectified.
High Tech Systems to Add to Your Home for Maximum Safety
Home security has never been more accessible, thanks to the app-enabled upheaval that’s been going on for over a decade now. The myriad professional monitoring systems and DIY devices can make your head spin.
It’s hard to tell which ones are worth considering. Home security providers can make comparison shopping quite difficult. However, the market is beginning to crystalise. Here are a couple of solutions that have shown to be excellent at improving home security.
Smart Lights
Burglars are always on the lookout for empty homes. If they can tell you are at work or on vacation, they’ll raid your home. So, how do people deal with it? They leave the lights on. The oldest trick in the book, right?
Simply turning your lights before you head out doesn’t work anymore. However, switching your smart lights on is a completely different story. Smart lights mimic your daily patterns. You can use them to enhance the security measures you already have in place.
August Smart Lock Pro
You can make your home safer by replacing your front door’s deadbolt knob with an internet-connected, battery-driven, Bluetooth-enabled lock controller. The device renders old-school keys useless.
August Smart allows you to track who is entering and leaving the house. You can also use it to lock and unlock doors via the designated smartphone app.
There’s also a feature that allows you to give other people digital keys with time controls. Its voice assistant can be integrated with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
SimpliSafe
If professionally installed systems seem like overkill to you, you can take matters into your own hands. At first, DIY systems were just a low-cost solution than couldn’t match higher-end systems. Now, they have evolved into something far greater and SimpliSafe is the perfect example of that.
It’s easy to use, easy to install and has a great reputation in the industry. The set includes battery-powered sensors, security cameras, and a security-code keypad. Aside from its security features, SimpliSafe provides fire and flood monitoring.
However, you can’t count on high tech security systems to take care of everything. While they can make a huge difference in case of an emergency, it’s better to make sure your fire duct system is configured properly and that there are no hazards like carbon monoxide lurking about.
SimpliSafe also offers a professional monitoring plan. App support costs a bit extra, but it allows you to pair the device with Alexa and Google Assistant. DIY security kits are mostly designed for smaller homes and flats and were first used in Oggi Townhomes.
Nest Secure
If you want to be fully integrated into Google’s smart home ecosystem, Nest Secure may be a better choice. However, even though it’s a DIY solution, it’s a bit on the pricier side.
Its tag device is it’s signature feature that makes it stand out. The separate tag device allows you to lets pets, family members, and friends pass without the system identifying them as a threat.
The basic set includes one hub, two Nest Tags, and two motion detectors that you can attach to windows or doors. You can use voice command to set the system, thanks to the built-in Google Assistant. The company offers a couple of great extra features.
For Instance, the Nest Detect allows you to snag footage of the intruders. It enables your cameras to automatically snap photos of intruders, even when they are not turned on. You can also opt for professional monitoring.
Ring Alarm
It takes less than twenty minutes to set up this device. The system itself tells you exactly what goes where! The Ring app allows you to connect your base station to your WiFi. It comes with a motion detector and contact sensor. To activate them, simply remove the tabs. Ring also comes with a keypad, range extender, and base station.
Ring Alarm is one of the most inexpensive solutions out there. Ideally, you’d want to pair it with a security camera or two. Ring’s Video Doorbell is a cool add-on that allows you to see (and hear) who’s knocking at the front door when you are not home. You can access the smart doorbell via Ring’s smartphone app.
Alfred Security App
If you’re not willing to spend a small fortune to protect your home, this is a simple and free high-tech solution. Chances are, you have an old smartphone lying around somewhere and collecting dust. If it’s an Android, you’re in luck.
The Alfred security app allows you to turn your phone into a security camera (microphone as well). The app also offers push notification and employs motion detection. You can even take snapshots and use the two-way-talk feature.
Conclusion
With high tech security becoming increasingly popular, you can improve your home’s protection without breaking the bank. Now, with a bit of research, everyone can have a smart home that keeps its occupants safe. Each of these systems promises to offer peace of mind. It’s up to you to wage the pros and cons and decide which one suits your family the best.
Construction Industry Shows Support for New Common Assessment Standard
#12 ~ Business Management Technology
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:29 — 18.9MB) | Embed
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If you’re on the tools all day every day and you have a business to run, you might need some help from some of the many digital tools available for job site coordination.
Roger talks to Gabriel Pinchev, the CEO of FieldPulse, an all-in-one trades field management software solution.
Further reading:
FieldPulse All-in-One Contractor Software to Manage Your Business
www.fieldpulse.com
FieldPulse Academy Blog
www.fieldpulse.com/academy
Run Your Business From Anywhere
FieldPulse combines CRM, estimates & invoices, scheduling & dispatching, employee timesheets, and more, to help service contractors grow their business.
4 Points to Ponder for a Clean Home and a Clearer Mind
Are you always wondering why stress worsens each time you come home to a dishevelled and grimy place? Most of us, if not all, experience this kind of stress every single day of our lives.
Well, you’re not alone. Due to a “materialistic mindset,” people tend to buy anything they want without control, unable to see that it will only end up as piles of junk. As a result, it becomes much harder to relax at home with clutter disturbing your peaceful mind.
1. Quit the habit of materialism
Most people enjoy accumulating stuff because they fall victim to sales and discounted prices. Some are even tempted to buy things they don’t need because they feel that at the moment, it’s what they want. However, the moment you bring those items back home, you’ll realize that you don’t need it.
The more useless items you bring home because of shopping urges, the more unhappy you’ll be. First and foremost, you’ll have a hard time figuring out where to put them. With too many things to organize, it’ll be harder for you to maintain a clean house.
Practising a minimalist approach can be challenging. But by avoiding a materialistic life, you rid yourself of a chaotic mindset.
How to practice minimalism?
Minimalism is a lifestyle of appreciating life more in having less material things. You can do many things to practice and get used to minimalism. Donating clothes, cooking and eating homemade food and investing in reusable and cleanable stuff instead of disposables, though simple acts, can go a long way.
If you want to enjoy a clutter-free home and a clearer mind, learn to embrace that “less is more.” Having fewer items at home doesn’t mean you can’t afford to buy things. It just goes to show that you know where your priorities lie.
When you decide to take a minimalist approach, go and tell yourself that you’re only buying what you need. Don’t allow impulse shopping to be your weakness. If you leave the store with only the things you need, give yourself a little pat on the back for sticking to your minimalist goal.
2. Learn to let go
Whether you believe it or not, cleaning is one of the top activities you can do to release all negative feelings and toxic energies. You feel contented and less tense after getting rid of dirt, dust, grease, and clutter inside your home. The euphoria that letting go of all filthy things from your home brings is also the same as the elation you feel from letting go of all heavy loads you feel deep inside you.
It’s like starting on a clean slate. Cleaning and decluttering your home are both effective mood boosters. But remember to take and do things one step at a time. Don’t force yourself to finish cleaning and decluttering all the things you find annoying all at once. This applies to both cleaning and letting go of negativity and toxicity in life.
3. Enjoy multitasking
Are you familiar with the phrase “work smarter, not harder?” This applies to cleanliness too. The biggest stumbling block that you’ll encounter in cleaning is not the volume of dirt or clutter you need to get rid of. It’s when you feel burdened managing your time and organizing your priorities.
This is unsurprising since it’s tough to find a solid motivation to spend hours or even days cleaning a home so that it could get dirty the next day. After all, it seems much better to spend time attending parties or watching movies rather than punishing yourself by spending all your energy into cleaning. But if you practice multitasking, you will save more time and get everything done.
Just like every other activity you do in life, everything flows well when you create a “masterplan”. With this, your efforts and time will not go to waste. In creating a master plan for cleaning, you need to uncover the most structured order of operations based on the level of intensity a cleaning chore has. For instance, while you do one load of laundry in the washing machine, you can wash the dishes at the same time or water some plants.
Multitasking helps you reap the benefits of your labour which is to have a longer time for yourself and for other things or activities that you want to do.
4. Find delight in small victories
For you to find satisfaction as well as relaxation from having a cleaner home, don’t forget to practice the habit of gratitude. By celebrating simple achievements like laundering soiled clothes, tidying up the sink, deodorizing the refrigerator to finally putting all our excess baggage in life into the trash can of letting go – you’ll learn to appreciate life more.
Cleaning would become a much more productive experience and not a dreaded chore when you know how to be thankful for the progress you’ve made. Your progress no matter how small is worth celebrating. Thank yourself for making a change rather than allowing clutter to build up and swallow your home.
Make cleaning a habit for a clear state of mind
A clean home and a clear mind go hand in hand. If you have a messy home, it will increase your anxiety and stress levels, as well as affect your mood and lead to poor sleep quality. By keeping your home tidy, you can ease these negative feelings and enjoy a more comfortable life.
As expounded by the four points above, the state of your home doesn’t just impact your mind but also affects you in a physical sense. A human’s body is made up of highly organized structure and processes. This is why organization and tidiness are well-rooted deep within genetic codes.
The next time you get tempted to put off cleaning, remember that mess and untidiness will have an effect on your general health. If you’re really too busy to include cleaning in your schedule, you don’t have to go through the process alone. There are plenty of cleaning professionals who can meet your schedule of chores for every room in the house so that you maintain a clean home as well as a clear mind.
This help guide for maintaining a clean home and in having a clearer and stress-free mind was brought to you by Matic Professional, a cleaning company in Dubai.
AUTHOR BIO
Mohamed Samad is the Founder & CEO of Matic Services. He started the company in 2016 after a series of small start-ups within the home services sector. Prior to that, Mohamed was Vice President at Greenstone Equity Partners, where he spent 24 months building the UAE business from 2011-2013 with its founder.
Robin’s Building Progress Update – Capel #11
Robin is getting closer to completing his own project in Capel and he gives us a tour to show us why it’s taking so long to complete.
Check out our Lindab MVHR installation video on The Capel Build.
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Delighted Retired Teacher Opens the Door on Shared Ownership
Of the 600 homes which the council is delivering in the next five years, 20% will be for shared ownership. In the first such scheme run by City of York Council, 17 homes have already been sold and 40 more applicants are in the process of buying a share.
Shared ownership is a scheme that offers an alternative pathway to homeownership for individuals who might not be able to afford a property outright. Under this scheme, buyers purchase a share of a property, typically ranging from 25% to 75%, and pay rent on the remaining share owned by a housing association or developer. This arrangement allows individuals to enter the property market with a lower deposit and mortgage, making homeownership more accessible.
As their financial situation improves, occupants have the option to gradually increase their ownership stake through a process called “staircasing,” eventually reaching full ownership. Shared ownership aims to provide affordable housing options while offering occupants the security and benefits of homeownership, such as stability and the ability to personalize their living space.
Shared Ownership – affordable security
A retired York teacher who has bought a half share in city centre flat with the council, tells us how the scheme has worked for him by halving his monthly accommodation costs.
“The day they said I could have this place, I felt like I’d won the Lottery! I was paying £750 a month for my old two-bed flat, but now I’m paying £380 a month.”
Malcolm Murphy taught generations of children over 35 years and was a teacher with City of York Council for 25 years. After taking early retirement, a breakdown in his relationship left him struggling through a difficult few years.
He rented a flat in Fulford which left him with very little spare every month, even though the 62-year-old works at Waitrose to supplement his pension.
“Shared ownership means I can stay in the city I love, near my friends. Without it, I’ve have been a dead duck with no chance of owning a place.”
“When I saw the shared ownership advert on facebook, I applied and got an answer in an hour,” he said.
The scheme is eligible to people with a household income of up to £80,000 and a 5% deposit – the full details are at www.york.gov.uk/sharedownership. After working out what mortgage is affordable and getting an offer in principle, apply through the Help to Buy website. Successful applicants can choose to buy a share of a suitable property from the open market or from City of York Council.
Earlier this year, the council was marketing four apartments on Cemetery Road for shared ownership. They caught Malcolm’s eye and he arranged a viewing.
“As soon as I saw it, I fell in love with this flat. It ticks every box. It’s small, but easy to look after, and it means I can stay near my friends while being closer to work and the city centre,” he said.
Malcolm’s bought a 55% share which has significantly lowered his monthly outgoings. His situation has not only improved immediately financially, but also he and his family will benefit from the long term security of homeownership. This is something that would of been near impossible, without the aid of this scheme to achieve that much needed “foot in the door”.
“I’d recommend the scheme because it means I can save, so that hopefully I can pay off my mortgage one day and leave something for my kids.”
To find out more about the scheme, please visit www.york.gov.uk/sharedownership.
Contact Information
Megan Rule
Senior Communications Manager
City of York Council
01904 555515
megan.rule@york.gov.uk
Our tips for first-time buyers – https://skill-builder.uk/first-time-buyers-guide-top-10-tips
Abacus M1 PVC Waterproof Bathroom Wall Panels
The Abacus M1 PVC wall panels are a fantastic waterproof PVC core showering wall panel that is completely impervious to water and ideal for a multitude of different bathroom installation requirements, creating a professional stylish showering wall space with the peace of mind of a 10-year guarantee.
The high gloss panels are available in a wide variety of designs and colours from classic marble through to shimmering diamond and contemporary slate – something for everyone! M1 is an innovative interior decorative wall panelling system that is easy to fit and simple to maintain.
Honeycomb lightweight panels are suitable for all walls in showers, bathrooms, kitchens, conservatories, extensions and utility rooms. Finish the panels with a trim set, and use the M1 series installation kit with compatible Abacus adhesive and sealant.
Trims and joints can be purchased in addition, these are optional as the panels are a tongue and groove fitting, end trims can be used to create a neat edge, or corner joints can be used to form corner shapes, see the: Abacus M1 Series Wall Panel Joints and Profiles.
Clothing Technology Protects Us From Harsh Weather
When the most recent polar vortex hit the United States, you may have noticed that many people—but not all—stopped working. There were a significant number of workers braving the brutal cold, working in -50F to keep public roads clear and de-ice airport runways. It seems incredible that someone could work efficiently in such extreme weather conditions, let alone survive. Yet, we do it all the time, thanks to the improvement in clothing technology.
Our modern society now relies on advancements in clothing technology to keep us functioning and on the move, regardless of extreme heat or cold. Which clothing technologies have had the greatest impact on our ability to endure extreme weather? Read on to find out.
Moisture-Wicking Fabrics
If you’re a millennial, it’s easy to assume that moisture-wicking clothing has been around for ages. Although natural fabrics such as wool and silk have been around for thousands of years and boast moisture-wicking capabilities, the clothing technology we use today was invented from synthetic fabric in the 1990s.
Moisture-wicking clothing made from synthetic blends has proved critical to surviving both extreme cold and heat. When our bodies sweat, the moisture must evaporate from the skin, or else our skin temperature drops. This is one reason why those working in cold conditions rely on moisture-wicking base layers to keep them warm and dry for long hours in subzero temperatures.
Premium Quality Insulation
The next breakthrough in clothing technology was our significant improvements to insulated clothing. Previously, people in extremely cold regions relied on furs to trap heat and keep them nice and warm. Unfortunately, real fur poses a few problems. Besides being a point of contention among animal lovers, it’s also incredibly bulky—a deal-breaker for those who are required to stay flexible and nimble on the job. Thanks to premium-quality insulation such as Thinsulate and moveable clothing design elements like Performance-Flex, cold-weather workers can get the protection and flexibility they need to maximize their performance as they work in cold conditions. Another selling point? Synthetic insulation is hypoallergenic and extremely durable—a must for rugged hikes and outdoor work.
Durable Water Repellent Footwear
Durable water-repellent coatings are hugely important in clothing technology. They were invented in 1969 and are now commonly added to clothing to enhance their waterproof exterior. However, some might argue that their biggest impact was on the footwear industry. In earlier times, footwear had suffered from poor construction, which left shoes susceptible to water permeation. As most people probably know, working with wet feet is incredibly unpleasant and can lead to frostbite or worse, including gangrene and toe amputation. Waterproof footwear has helped workers keep their feet warm and dry even through prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. When paired with moisture-wicking socks, your feet are fully reaping the benefits of modern clothing technology.
Enhanced Clothing Features
While the fabric itself undoubtedly plays a huge role in keeping us dry and comfortable, we’ve also managed to improve the performance of our clothing through sheer design alone. Take your pockets, for example, which can be used for more than the convenience of holding tools and valuables. In fact, many pockets are strategically designed to provide excellent ventilation to keep you cool when the mercury soars. Other pockets act as hand warmers and are reinforced with additional insulation to prevent heat from escaping.
The seams of your insulating jacket are another feature that can make or break your cold-weather gear. Seams are porous and allow heat to escape, which is why many in freezing climates choose cold weather jackets with bonded seams to seal out cold air. With each year, clothing companies find new and innovative ways to design their clothing for superior protection against the elements. From drawstrings at the bottom of coats to trap warm air inside to strategic cutouts to boost ventilation, there are now many design options that can maximize the performance of clothing.
Windproof Fabrics and Finishes
Anyone who lives in an area with strong wind gusts knows how miserable it can be without the right gear. Although the thermometer reads 15F, the temperature can feel much colder based on how fast the wind is blowing. Although insulated clothing can help keep us warm by trapping heat close to the body, wind can steal our precious heat layer by blowing it away. This is why windproof finishes and fabrics have become a common feature in outer layers. Windproof fabrics (such as those used for polyester soft shells) are made by tightly weaving fibres to prevent heat loss, effectively trapping warm air inside your insulating layers.
Smart Clothing
While smart clothing may still be relatively new, it’s on track to become mainstream. Smart clothing has numerous benefits for those enduring extreme weather conditions, one of which is their ability to adapt to the environment and the wearer’s body. Using cutting-edge technology, smart clothing can recognize when your body is too hot or cold and adjust itself to allow for more or less airflow based on the wearer’s needs.
This is huge for firefighters, police officers, outdoor workers, and athletes who need gear that performs in demanding conditions. Unfortunately, we’re still working out a few kinks with smart clothing, but, in a few years, we’ll no doubt be seeing this technology utilized in amazing ways to improve our comfort and ability to endure the most extreme weather.
Clothing technology – Final Thoughts
It’s easy to take our moisture-wicking socks and insulated jackets for granted—but make no mistake: Our clothing tech has dramatically changed the entire world. The slow evolution from deerskin shoes and bulky fur pelts to high-performance gear has played a significant role in keeping our modern society humming along by allowing us to endure brutal weather conditions. The next time you slip on your bib overalls and insulated jacket, you’ll be amazed at how your modern clothing continues to defy Mother Nature.