Moving House - Be Prepared!
People often say that moving house is one of the most stressful things that you can do, they are not wrong. It’s not just the moving of heavier furniture, lumping the bed and chest of drawers down the stairs whilst arguing over the correct way to carry (knees bent, back straight) them, there is also the changing over of address, packing away clothing and household items and making sure everything is done on time. On top of all this there is also the need to make sure that your new home is ready to move in to.
Being prepared for the move well in advance is definitely recommended, making a checklist can help to organise to coordinate the move more easily.
A checklist should start from around two months before the move and see you through until the move is complete. Two months may seem like a long time but with all of the things to include you will find as much time as possible beneficial.
Two months
The two month stage of the checklist should be all about making a list of main possessions, what will be coming to your new home and if they will be suited. Unwanted items can begin to be sorted and given away to charity or sold on at a car boot sale.
Six weeks
At the six weeks mark you should be starting to empty cupboards and chest of drawers and placing everything into usable piles. Whilst doing this you should take a full inventory of what you own. If you are considering a removal company to help with the move then this should be the time to phone around and gain some quotes.
One month
You should look to have the move date finalised at this stage of the list, especially if you are using a removal company as you will need to make a firm booking and organise insurance and storage check should you require it. You should be also well on the way with packing items such as DVD’s, CD’s and photographs.
One week
Make sure that all jewellery, passports, driving licenses and other important items are stored in a sturdy and safe box. If you are on any medication you should make arrangements to make sure you have enough to cover the move.
One day before move
The day before the move will be about checking nothing is left unpacked, taking meter readings and making sure that you have the keys to your new home.
Day of move
The day of the move should involve checking nothing is left in the house and that all of the windows and doors are secure and turning off electricity supplies.
With the checklist in place all that is left to say is, GOOD LUCK!
How to Install Engineered Wood Flooring on Plywood Sub Floor
Preparation
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Check every piece of planking for any flaws in manufacturing
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Make certain the underlay plywood sub floor is smooth and even (nothing more than a 3mm per meter variance
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Confirm the sub floor is closed and is self supporting in all areas
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Clean and vacuum the entire sub floor
Decide How the Floor Will Be Laid Out
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It is advised to install the planks parallel to the sunlight entering the room
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Measure the width of the room and then divide it by the width of the engineered wood flooring plank to conclude the number of rows required and the width of the final row as well. If the final row is less than 60mm wide, it can be adjusted by cutting the first row along the length
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Plan for the expansion gaps around the perimeter of the room. The engineered wood flooring is constructed of organic material and will indeed shrink and expand due to changes in temperature. It is imperative that a 10mm gap be left all around the edge of the room for instance on the walls, doorframes etc.
Installation Procedure
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Beginning at the left hand corner of the room
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With the tongue sides of the planks facing the wall, place a space between the plank and the wall to allow for the 10mm expansion gap
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Offset the end of the planks so as not to be uniform and so it will appear to have a laid hardwood effect
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Connect the second plank to the first by indirectly tapping a small piece of block wood to join the two. This small block will keep from damaging the plank by hammering it directly.
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At the end of the row, measure and cut the final piece of that row to make the ends flush with one another
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Begin the second row with the cut piece from the final piece of the first row
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Never cut a piece less than 500mm. It is prudent to measure when laying out the first row to make certain of this
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Connect the second row to the first by putting the interlocking tongue of the new panel at an angle to the first row and lower it into place so it is level with the first row
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Using the block of wood, tap it into place
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Start the remainder of the rows with the cut piece from the previous row