Home Care

Mowing tips

Mowing is probably a marmite kind of job to you.  You either love it or hate it.  Either way, mowing is the single most important task we all carry out on our lawns.  Here are some basic tips and ground rules on mowing your lawn which will help most people keep their domestic lawns in good health all year round.  Of course, following a programme of essential annual lawn treatment works hand in hand with regular cutting to give you the beautiful healthy lawn you want. Get more advice here https://greenheartlawncare.co.uk/

The biggest mistake on the average Devon lawn

Cutting grass too short is a mistake we see again and again.  Cut too short too quickly early in the year and our best intentions result in a yellow lawn that has scalped areas early in the new season.  Cutting too short cuts the stem of the grass plant rather than the leaf causing it shock and dieback.  We all tend to think that lawns are incredibly hard-wearing and in some ways they are.  But if they are cut too short the grass does not have enough leaf to photosynthesise and remain healthy which means it cannot undertake the normal living processes which plants need to thrive.  The result is that the grasses become weaker and weaker and the lawn becomes more susceptible to weeds, moss, disease and bare patches. Go to Devon Lawncare for advice.

What height should I set my mower?

It depends on a few issues.  If you have very level fine grass lawn you can cut lower but most domestic lawns in the UK are grown using a blend of grass seed which tends to prefer not to be cut too short.  Vary the cutting height depending on the weather and season.  Early in the season cut higher and reduce the cutting height slowly to set your lawn up for the season.  Never suddenly cut much shorter as this will shock the grass and it will take some time to recover. We recommend cutting at 30-40 mm during normal growing conditions when you are cutting regularly.  If it’s dry raise the height to 50mm.

Most mowers have between 5-7 cutting heights – as a general rule of thumb cut most of the time on 3 or 4 (5 height mower) and 4-6 (7 height mower).  In our experience, this means most people raise the height of their mowers at least 1 and often 2 or 3 settings.

If you really want a short lawn get there gradually at the beginning of the season.   The shorter the lawn the more important the associated lawn treatments.  The biggest mistake we see on lawns is people cutting too short.  Most lawns would benefit from raising the cut.

How often should I mow my lawn?

Between March and Mid October, during the growing season, at least once per week and sometimes, if you can, more often.  During the winter grass does typically keep growing and occasional cutting is a good thing when ground conditions allow.

Should I remove the grass clippings?

Our advice is to remove clippings to avoid the build up of thatch.  Some good quality mulching mowers do chop clippings into very small pieces which then go back into the soil as organic matter but in our experience, this is dependent on very regular mowing.  Using a mulching mower with the same frequency as a normal mower probably does more damage than good to the health and looks of your lawn. It leads to the build up of unwanted thatch in the lawn.  Continuous mowing with mulching mowers can also encourage moss into your lawn.

Elevate Your Bedroom with an Adjustable Base

There are countless advantages of sleeping on an Adjustable Bed instead of a standard stationary bed. Sleeping elevated can help relieve lower back pain and lifting the foot of the bed can improve circulation in those with low blood pressure and circulatory issues. Chronic snorers can also benefit from using an adjustable bed since raising the head of the bed can help open airways and minimize snoring. Most Malouf Sleep Adjustable beds come with “Snore Detection” that will actually move you into an anti-snore position when it hears you snoring. You and your sleeping partner will get a much better quality of sleep and you can even program your favorite sleeping positions, allowing you to sleep at different angles depending on your own unique needs.  

Why Consider an Adjustable Bed? 

The Modern Back offers a wide variety of Adjustable Beds with numerous features in various sizes to choose from. A split head Adjustable Bed is a great option for a couple with varying bedtimes and sleeping schedules. All adjustable beds are available in split king, split queen, and “split head” options. Split king or queen refers to two beds that can be used separately and are divided into two sections. With a split head, only the head of the bed can be independently adjusted on either side, but both sides’ feet will rise at the same time. Our split head adjustable beds help preserve the cuddle zone by not having complete separation, just in the upper body. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key reasons why you should ditch your flat bed and consider adding an adjustable base to your bedroom.  

Reduces Snoring, Asthma, and Sleep Apnea 

Snoring, asthma, and sleep apnea are all triggered by breathing issues. In order to elevate the head and relieve pressure on the windpipe while lying down, use a mattress that is higher than usual and sleep slightly elevated. 

Improves Insomnia 

Some of the primary reasons of insomnia that keep people up all night tossing and turning are pain and anxiety. It’s possible to find the most comfortable, peaceful position with adjustable bed frames because they provide a variety of configurations that you can’t get with a basic flat bed. 

Stimulates Circulation 

While you sleep, your blood pressure naturally begins to decrease but, you can speed up the process and start unwinding quicker by repositioning the elevation of your bed. For people with circulatory problems, certain positions can improve the blood flow and increase oxygen levels. 

Decreases Leg Swelling 

It’s ideal to keep your legs elevated to reduce swelling whether you have a leg injury, are pregnant, or spend all day standing. An adjustable bed makes it simple to keep your legs up without having to worry about propping up piles of pillows. Sometimes when your legs lie flat and stationary it can cause additional pain. 

Provides Independence 

It can be challenging for those with limited mobility to get in and out of bed. You can easily rise up or lay down in bed without assistance by raising or lowering one end of the bed. 

Decreases Heartburn and Acid Reflux 

Acid reflux or heartburn can occur even if you don’t eat before bed, and laying on your back makes it easier for stomach acid to go up your esophagus. Raising your head while you sleep can aid in maintaining stomach acid, improving both your sleep and digestion. 

Alleviates Arthritis and Persistent Pain 

Traditional flat bed frames can cause unneeded strain on your joints, which can be painful for anybody, but is particularly uncomfortable for people with arthritis and chronic pain. Finding the ideal position to fall asleep, stay comfortable throughout the night, and reduce pain throughout the day is simple with an adjustable bed. 

Lowers Back Pain 

Your back may not always get the support it needs while you’re lying flat. A movable bed frame can be adjusted to conform as closely as possible to the curvature of the body, reducing pain and helping to treat disorders like sciatica. 

Improved Lifestyle 

You know how challenging it can be to position the ideal pile of pillows and keep it in place, whether you’re staying in bed to rest and recover, or you want to read before going to sleep. With the simple conversion of your bed into a chair, an adjustable bed frame increases comfort and eliminates back, neck, and shoulder problems. 

In conclusion, there are almost too many benefits of adjustable beds to list, but this is a good place to start if you’re thinking about making the switch. When the most comfortable mattress and pillows are added, an adjustable base bed is even better. When you’re ready to enhance your quality of sleep and elevate your bedroom, visit themodernback.com to explore our selection of adjustable beds. Before you know it, you’ll be sleeping eight hours straight. 

Why Is Access Control Important – What Should You Know?

Access control is important for a variety of reasons. As well as allowing you to provide authorised access to your building, it also lets you restrict who can get inside and monitor where somebody is going and when. This makes your building, assets, employees and visitors more secure. By fitting an access control system, you can improve your peace of mind considerably. Wikipedia’s definition of access control can be found here.

Key benefits of access control

Access control enables you to understand how your building or site is being used and lets you know who is in it. Knowing who is in your building is essential, especially when an emergency such as a fire occurs. Access control prevents unauthorised people from entering your site and can stop certain individuals from accessing dangerous machinery or confidential information. It can eliminate the requirement for individual keys, which can easily get lost and create a security breach.

Access control also ensures that people don’t need to carry heavy bunches of keys around with them and can even reduce costs. One reason for this is that you won’t need to worry about having to constantly replace keys and locks. Access control systems have become popular for a wide range of reasons. These include the way that they can be fully automated and are easy to maintain. There are various types of access control systems on the market to choose from.

What are standalone entry systems?

Standalone entry systems are basic, smaller access control facilities. They can be installed on doorways and can be used in conjunction with dongles, key cards, smartphone NFC facilities and keypad codes. You can add these systems to as many doors as you like. One of the key benefits of these systems is that there doesn’t need to be anybody around to provide access to certain parts of a building.

What are PC-based systems?

PC-based systems are designed to give you a single point of administration from which you can control various sites and entry points. These systems can cater for tens of thousands of users. Privileges can be configured to allow specific individuals and groups access to a particular part of a building. The vast majority of users get to grips with this software quickly, and event reports can be generated within mere moments.

Extra features can also be added to deliver even more performance. These can include CCTV camera integration.  One of the key benefits of opting for this kind of system is that many other building systems such as lifts, alarms, security facilities and fire are also linked to PCs. PC-based systems are suited to businesses of all sizes. They can be found in everything from car parks and sports clubs to government buildings.

What are audio/video door entry systems?

These systems are particularly suitable for small businesses and homes. They enable you to view visitors before you grant them access to your building. Some modern systems enable you to manage entry manually or through an app or PC.

Contact us

To find out more about our access control solutions or for expert advice on choosing a system, simply get in touch.

Make it Home Clean Home With a Water Filtration System

Water purification treatments been available in numerous sizes and shapes and weeding your method through them can be a difficult task, but it might likewise be the most important job you’ll ever before embark on. Absolutely nothing is as essential to health as having accessibility to clean, clear, cleansed water. Equipped with the proper knowledge, you will certainly have the ability to discover the treatment which can best serve your home and family.

Water is among the building blocks of life and guaranteeing that your home’s water system is devoid of hazardous chemicals can make a big difference in the health of your family. Everyone is impacted by the water they make use of in their every day life, whether it be for drinking, food preparation or showering. That’s why water filtration systems for home use are so extremely crucial.

Every little thing from blood circulation to muscle and joint movement to digestion relies upon water for correct feature, yet most municipal water treatment leaves an alarming quantity of contaminants in our water. Via day-to-day use, those chemicals can leak into our bodies via our water as well as create an incredible amount of damage. Water filtration treatments, which can vary from specific sport bottles to entire residence filters, can aid to make certain that we are obtaining the cleanest water feasible.

Water filtration systems for home use come in several kinds, making use of numerous techniques from straightforward distillation to multi-stage purification. While any kind of water filtration is far better than none, not all filters are produced equivalent. Generally, purification as well as reverse osmosis are much weak when it concerns getting rid of contaminants from water than multi-stage filtering. Utilizing a collection of filters of various sizes, multi-stage filtering is one of the most comprehensive method for eliminating toxins, leaving the most effective quality end product.

Multi-stage filters can be located both in individual water purification treatments, designed to address a solitary faucet or shower head, and whole house filters. Entire home filters are one of the most affordable of all purification systems, allowing you to cover every outlet in your home with one solution. By doing this you can be certain that every single time someone turns on a faucet or showers they are getting only tidy, healthy water.

When it involves considering water purification systems for home usage, you ought to pay attention to the supplier’s details consisted of with each system. The Efficiency Data Sheet, which information precisely the number of contaminants a solution will address, can be especially helpful. Likewise important is state certification, as that is a great indication of the high quality of any purification solution.

The most vital point to bear in mind when getting water filtration products is that everything comes down to giving you comfort. You desire a solution that you can trust to provide your family with the cleanest water feasible. You just can’t pay for to skimp when it concerns your home’s wellness.

You want your home to be as tidy as possible, as well as that includes your water. Take the additional couple of mins to locate a water purification system which will certainly best match your family’s needs as well as breathe easy understanding you have actually done right by them.