Timer repairs – Extending the life of your washing machine timer

When it comes to household appliances that have to be built sturdily, and built to last, it simply cannot be denied that washing machines are, for the most part at least, some of the most durable and hardwearing machines in the entire world, which is why washing machine timer repairs are so essential.

When you stop and think about just how much use a washing machine gets, it really is pretty amazing that they last as long as they do. Each day your washing machine will be used, possibly even multiple times, and so to say it can take a bit of a beating, would be a vast understatement. When it comes to using your washing machine however, ensuring that the timer works correctly is absolutely essential, for so many reasons. Some people for example, will set the timer for their washing machines so that they switch themselves on during the night, when energy and electricity tariffs are much cheaper. Timer-Repairs Boiler UK

A faulty timer can also interfere with various washing cycles, so again, timer repairs are absolutely essential. If your washing machine time is indeed faulty, or ready to throw in the towel, you should always hire the professionals to take care of the timer repairs for you. If you are desperate and capable however, there are things you can do to extend the life of your washing machine timer. Take a look at this handy step by step guide, and see what you think.

Begin by removing the control knob – To begin with, the first thing you are going to have to do is to remove the control knob. Simply push the knob in like you would when switching the device off, and then turn it counter clock-wise until it begins to unscrew. Behind it there should be a circular indicator plate, which you should also remove.

Gain access to the timer – Next up, behind the control panel you should find the timer. In order to gain access, there should be some form of plastic covering, which will have been designed to be removed by hand. Grasp the end caps and give it a firm pull forwards. One each side of the control panel, you should find two separate screws, which will need to be removed via a screwdriver. Once all screws have been carefully removed, put them somewhere safe, and then disconnect the wiring harness from the device. You should now be able to remove the timer.

Dismantle it and look inside – Now that you have the timer, it’s time, pardon the pun, to dismantle it and take a look inside to see what’s going on. Most timers will simply be plastic wheels with cams on them, along with a motor, and a brass comb complete with numerous contact arms. All of the aforementioned components will be mounted upon a metal frame made from sheet metal. It should all be held together with three metal bent tabs, which will need to carefully be straightened out so that they can easily slide through the slots found below them.

Inspect the brass comb contact points – More often than not, in the case of a faulty timer, it is usually the brass comb contact points that are at fault. You can usually help to identify the problem by noting how your washer behaves. For example, if all of the cycles apart from the spin cycle are working, this could be a fault with the contact point relevant for the spin cycle. If you notice that all contact points apart from one, look fine, the one that does not look right I.E damaged, burnt, etc, will almost certainly represent the spin cycle.

Repairing the contact point – Now, this is where things get tricky, which is why, when it does come to timer repairs, you should leave things to the experts. By getting this far you’ve already saved money because it’s less work for the repair man to do, so you may wish to hand it over to them. If however, you feel confident, you could tackle the repair yourself. You could try using a soldering iron and building the contact point up ever so slightly, using just one drop or two of solder, to help repair the contact.

Reassembling – Now that you have identified the problem, depending on whether or not you chose to try to perform the repair yourself, you may wish to reassemble your timer. Put everything back together, and try your washing machine once again. If it was the spin cycle that wasn’t working, try using it on that cycle and see whether or not your repair worked. Remember however, this is only a temporary fix, and you should still leave the timer repairs to an expert, but if you are confident in your abilities, your repair may buy you a few extra days until an expert can get out to take a look at what is going on.

Which Estate Agent? How to find a good Estate Agent?

If you are marketing your property, it is essential to have the help of an estate agent, but of course, it is more important to find a reliable estate agent. Having the right agent can really make a big difference in the whole process; not just when it comes to the price, but also when it comes with the entire experience.

Advantages of a Good Agent

A good estate agent who truly understands the property market is an asset when selling properties. For an ordinary citizen who wants to sell his home, the process may seem easy; advertise the sale and then get buyers, but that only happens is you are very lucky. Luck has nothing to do with finding the right buyer that will pay the price that you really want. This is where estate agents come in. These professionals know how to find buyers and handle the deal effectively. They are in existence for the very simple reason that buying and selling properties are complicated processes.find a good Estate Agent

The list of the things that can easily go wrong is long; offers can be easily withdrawn, contracts can be delayed, and valuations may fail. For a smoother ride, there should be a third party involved, the agent. If you can find a reliable agent, you can be assured that your property will attract more potential buyers and the sale can be steered smoothly along. Agents are good at what they do. They always have the right words to say and have clever marketing strategies.

Unfortunately though, there are agents that are considered unscrupulous. It is essential to avoid doing business with such people. But how are you to know if the estate agent you are currently considering is someone you can trust or not?

Finding a good Estate Agent

If you are to read the recent surveys about estate agents, chances are you are not going to trust anyone of them. The problem is that no matter what your opinion is of them, you are still going to need their services if you want your property out of your hands in a flash.

Some people simple have no faith in estate agents. There are those who think that their estate agents are ripping them off. Others have their mind set that the fees they have to pay for the agents are very high. Such complaints are actually understandable as there are indeed agents who are not reliable. But, if there are bad apples, there are also good ones. The trick here is filtering the bad apples so that only the good ones remain.

So what do you need to do? Research. Do your homework. Go online and search for trusted agents. Visit their websites and look for testimonials. Call the agents and do a thorough telephone interview.

Alternatively a good way of finding a good estate agent is by recommendation/word of mouth. So if you have family and friends who have recently sold properties, you should ask them what agent they used, and if they were satisfied with their agents.

Fridge installation tips to make your fridge more efficient

When it comes to household appliances, it simply cannot be denied that kitchen appliances and electrical items in general, are amongst some of the most crucial items in your entire home, and what’s more, in order to save yourself a great deal of time, effort, and money in the future, you need to ensure that you purchase the best quality products you can afford on your budget.

As far as vital kitchen appliances go, your fridge/freezer is arguably the most important appliance you’ll ever need, and rightfully so. A fridge/freezer is essential as it will store your foods and drinks for prolonged periods of time, keeping them safe and fresh.

This isn’t just important in terms of taste, it is also important in terms of health and safety, as there are many strains of bacteria that can thrive on foods at room temperature, which, when ingested, could potentially be fatal in some cases. As far as fridge installation goes, once your fridge is installed, in order to make it more efficient and to help keep it functioning at its highest potential, there are a number of different things we can do. Fridge installation tips

Here’s a look at a few helpful fridge installation and maintenance tips that will ensure your fridge functions to the best of its abilities.

Regularly check the seals on the doors – When it comes to fridge maintenance, one of the easiest things you can do when it comes to making sure your fridge is functioning as it should be, is to regularly examine and check the seals on the doors. If a fridge isn’t staying as cool as it should be, or if the temperature keep fluctuating on a regular basis, this could be down to the fact that the seals on the fridge won’t be airtight, which in turn, will mean that cold air is escaping, and warm air is creeping in. Again, this can be dangerous because if the internal temperature of the fridge becomes too high, bacteria can breed on the food contained inside it. Not only that, but your food will spoil and go rotten much quicker, meaning that it goes to waste, and none of us want to waste any money, now do we?

Always have it installed by a professional – Fridge installation is not to be taken lightly, and it isn’t just something that anybody can do. Most of the time, people will purchase fridges and freezers, and will attempt to save money by installing them themselves. What generally happens here is that, if they’re lucky, the fridge just looks out of place and makes the kitchen look untidy, but more often than not, incorrect fridge installation can lead to internal issues with the fridge, which again, could be a health hazard. Rather than trying to do it yourself, always leave the installation to professionals who know what they’re doing.

Make sure you set the temperature correctly – Another very common mistake that people make with fridge/freezers, is trying to set the temperature too cold, as they think that will make the food fresher. In actual fact, is the temperature is too cold, the food can spoil and may suffer freezer burn, even if it is stored in the fridge. Just for reference, your freezer temp should be at 0 F, whereas your internal fridge temperature should be set between 37 and 40 F. The best way of monitoring the temperature of your fridge, is to invest in a food probe or thermometer, and to place it inside the fridge for 10 minutes or so, until it gives an accurate reading.

Make sure it is well stocked – As if we needed an excuse to fill our fridges full of food, it turns out that, in actual fact, well stocked fridges function far more efficiently than fridges that are under-stocked. The reason for this is that fridges require what is known as “thermal mass” which actually helps the temperature to stay cool. You see, the more cool items there are in the fridge, the lower the temperature becomes, and the more stable it becomes. If the fridge is empty, cold air circulates far easier, and the fridge can, ironically, overheat and stop working efficiently. Not only that, but every time you open the door, the more cool items there are in the fridge, the more items there are that are able to absorb this warm air and get the temperature down much quicker.

Don’t open the door unnecessarily – Although you may think that leaving the fridge door open is no big deal, in reality, every second the door is open, the more warm air there is that will flood inside. It can take hours to drop just one degree, yet it can take seconds to increase by two, and as you know, warm air and fridges just do not mix. If you need to grab something, grab it quickly, and close the door again, never just leave it open as you do something else. Not only that, check to make sure the door has been closed securely.

Should New Landlords Use A Letting Agent?

Letting agents can be helpful for the Landlords. If you are a new Landlord, the chances are you have been advised to use a letting agent. You have the choice to go for it, but you also can get yourself educated with the whole process of finding Tenants on your own. Marketing your rental property can be an easy task if you know what to do. Once you have gained enough knowledge in the process, you may not have the need to use a letting agent’s service.

Finding Tenants and managing your property can mean a lot of hassles. That is the common reason why Landlords opt to have letting agents do the job, but consideration should be given that you may have to pay a sizeable amount of money for the services.

Letting Agents’ Job

Basically, a letting agent’s job includes finding, interviewing and vetting TenanLandlords use a Letting Agentts. They also do the paperwork, and they take care of the deposit and the rent for the first month. They do these tasks for the payment of 10% of the agreed rent. This kind of letting agent is one that offers the let-only service.

Some agents offer full management services, and this usually means paying then 15% of the rent (or in some cases more). In this service, the agent will be responsible for running the management of the property and the collection of rent. This is the ideal scheme for Landlords whose properties are far from their own residences, or those who are managing too many properties.

New Landlord’s Best Option

For a new Landlord, using a letting agent can be ideal if they want to avoid the hassle of finding and interviewing Tenants. However, if you want to really test the waters, it would be best to just do those tasks on your own.

By doing everything – from advertising the property, to interviewing and accepting the Tenants, to collecting rent and to managing the property – you will get to understand the whole process. The additional benefit is that you get to keep all the incoming payments.

The important thing that a new Landlord should bear in mind is that struggles and problems are always going to be significant parts of the whole rental process. Therefore, you should be ready to deal with all potential dilemmas.

It is recommended that new Landlords do their homework vigilantly if they do not want to fail. Failure is always a possibility. Even seasoned Landlords can fail – whether they are using letting agents or not.

The rental industry is not a very secure sector. No one can ever predict if the Tenants are going to be easygoing. The same thing can be said with the letting agents. Although some can be trusted, you can never expect everyone of them to be reliable.

In conclusion, trust your gut instinct and educate yourself. If you have a good feeling that you know enough, take the plunge and try to do what you think is best.

The benefits of a professional cleaning service for your office

Working in an office can be difficult at the best of times, even if your office is only relatively small compared to others. If however, you find yourself working in a large office complex, or should we say, managing a team of workers and a business operating from a large office complex, keeping everything in check can be a real nightmare at times. You see, running a business is hard enough, but on top of those responsibilities, you are then tasked with managing all your employees and members of staff in the process. Because of this, time will be sparse, and as the saying goes ‘time is money’. One part of the job that many people don’t really think about, is keeping the offices clean and tidy. Everyday your office will become dirty and unhygienic, especially with the more people you have working there.

More often than not, business owners attempt to save money and cut costs, by tackling the cleaning themselves, or paying certain members of staff extra to come in earlier, or finish later, to get everything in order. Rather than doing this however, more and more business owners are instead opting to hire professional cleaning services for their offices, and are benefitting hugely in the process. Here’s a look at some of the main benefits associated with hiring a professional cleaning service for your office.professional cleaning service

Better value for money – When you pay members of staff to stay late, or start early, you may think that you’re saving money on cleaning costs, when in reality, whilst it may appear cheaper at first glance, the service that you are getting certainly isn’t giving you the best value for money. You see, when you pay members of staff to tackle the cleaning, or even if you try to do it yourself, you and they are not professional cleaners, and whilst you may know your way around a vacuum cleaner and a mop, you certainly won’t have the tools or the expertise to do the type of job that professional cleaners would be able to do. If you have staff members put in extra hours, you are still paying them extra, and you aren’t benefitting from the best value for money, either.

Appear more professional – Let’s face it, in business, perception is reality, so if potential clients, customers, and suppliers perceive you to be professional, in their eyes your business will be more attractive and they will find themselves drawn to it. Think about it from your own point of view: If you walk into an office building with litter all over the floor, stained windows, dust everywhere, and toilets that are smelly, unsanitary, and unhygienic, are you going to think that that business is professional? No, you’re going to think that they’re the exact opposite. On the flipside, if your office is clean, tidy, and pristine, people are going to find you attractive and will be far more likely to use your services.

Enhanced productivity – You’ve heard the expression ‘tidy room, tidy mind’ and for the most part, that saying is absolutely correct. If your office and its surroundings are full of clutter, you and your staff members will obviously struggle and productivity will take a hit. Finding various documents and items will take much longer than it should and because of this, you may find yourself falling behind on deadlines and getting snowed under with work. With professional cleaners however, everything will be neat, tidy, and organized so not only will you be able to find things easier, but employees will also have clearer minds and will be able to focus more efficiently.

Professional services – Obviously, one of the biggest benefits associated with hiring a professional cleaning service to clean your office complexes, is the fact that you get professional, top quality service. These professional cleaners have years of experience under their belts, they’ve been in the business for many years, they’re fantastic at their jobs, and above all else, they have access to the best possible materials, tools, and equipment for the task at hand. They have industrial machines, cleaning solutions, and pieces of equipment that allow them to provide the best quality services for the best possible prices.

Less work for you and your employees – Finally, the last benefit associated with hiring professional cleaning services is the fact that, as they take care of all of the cleaning for you, you and your employees can carry on with your own work, without having to worry about taking care of the day to day cleaning. Put simply, they focus on their jobs when you aren’t there, and you can focus on your jobs during the working hours, so it’s a win-win for everybody involved.