Over the last twelve months, lots of us have felt our priorities shifting. Time spent in lockdown and isolated from friends and family has given us a new perspective and in lots of cases helped us decide what’s really important to us. For lots of us, that’s the world around us and the health, safety, and wellbeing of our nearest and dearest.  Here at Welsh Water we want to do our bit to safeguard those important things.

Our priority services register is a completely free service which is in place to provide extra support to those who might need it.  Maybe you or someone you know has had to shield at some point over the last year. Perhaps you have a baby, or small children at home and rely heavily on your water supply. Perhaps you’re concerned your elderly parent could fall victim to a bogus caller. Perhaps you’d really struggle to pop to the local shop for bottled water if your own water supply was ever interrupted. Whatever your concern, we’re here to help.

Our free priority services register offers safeguarding services like a password scheme that provides added reassurance against bogus callers, accessible bills for example in braille, large font, or audio format, and a promise that we’ll deliver free bottled water to your doorstep if your supply is ever interrupted. What’s more, it’s free of charge to sign up on behalf of yourself or a loved one.

We’re doing our bit for the environment too. It’s easier than you might think to take small steps that help protect the world around you. For instance, we’re encouraging people to think carefully about the pesticides they use in their gardens, which can find their ways into rivers and streams. Our PestSmart microsite is full of tips and information that could help you look after your green spaces while reducing your impact on your local environment.

Saving water is also key to taking care of the world around us. And everyone can do their bit. Small changes at home can add up to big water savings. Did you know that taking a shower instead of a bath can save up to 20 litres of water? And fixing leaky taps can have a huge impact too. 

Thousands of customers have already completed our ‘Get Water Fit’ survey and are saving water and energy.  You may be entitled to some free products and it only takes around 5 mins to complete. Taking some simple steps today can help protect your local environment, save water, save energy, and protect our future generations. 

Priority services register: dwrcymru.com/northwalespriority
PestSmart: www.PestSmart.Wales
Water saving tips: dwrcymru.com/waterefficiency
Get Water Fit Calculator: dwrcymru.com/GetWaterFit

7 Home Improvement & Remodelling Ideas that Increase Home Value

1. Remodelling the Kitchen

Most people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home, and because of this, updates in this room pay off.  Just don’t go overboard. A basic rule is that you should never make your kitchen fancier than the rest of the house, or the neighbourhood.

2. Bathroom Addition

If your home only has one bathroom, you can recoup a large chunk of your investment by adding another one. When it comes to finding room in your house for an extra bathroom, take a look at any extra rooms or underutilized spaces. Consider other spaces, such as closets or areas under the stairs, too. If you want a half-bath you need at least 18 square feet. If you want a full bath, including a stand-up shower, you need at least 30 square feet. If you want a bathtub, make sure you have at least 35 square feet to work with.

3. Reinventing a Room

Adding more square footage to your home with a new room can be an incredibly expensive project. Although you can recoup some of your investment, anywhere from 50%-83%, this project’s costs can quickly spin wildly out of control. Instead, reinvent the existing space in your home to save money. Finish a basement, or convert the attic to a bedroom. Many homeowners can also add small apartments in, or over, their garages – which they can then rent out as a room. But just before you start demolishing walls and rafters, try to think about the ways that you, and potential buyers, can use the space. Versatile rooms have greater appeal to potential buyers. Basements frequently work well as second living rooms, or game rooms. Many people also turn this space into a small apartment for an ageing relative or a tenant. Attic spaces often work well for craft rooms and game rooms, especially if they have high ceilings.

4. Adding Energy-Efficient Windows

These days, buyers shop for homes with energy efficiency in mind. Old, drafty single-pane windows are a major turn off.  You will also save loads of money in the long term and have a warmer home.

5. Deck Addition

Adding a deck increases the value of your home. Outdoor livings spaces are becoming increasingly more desirable. If you make your deck and your backyard more appealing, your house will be more appealing to prospective buyers when you decide to sell.

6. Energy-Efficient Insulation

If your home lacks basic insulation, and has old doors that let in plenty of hot and cold air, home inspectors working with potential buyers will include this in their reports. Homes that haven’t been modified with energy efficiency in mind cost more to live in and maintain. Updating your home to save energy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money and can make your home more appealing to potential buyers. You can add extra insulation to your attic for very little, and this small change can save you hundreds each year on your utility bill. Also, seal cracks around the house to save even more money on energy costs. Anytime you feel a draft or cold spot, you’re in an area that leaks air. A very cheap and rewarding energy efficiency thing to do is to replace all your light bulbs with, yes you guessed it, energy efficiency ones.  And if you need to replace your hot water heater, consider spending a bit extra to purchase a high-efficiency water heater. Savvy home buyers know these water heaters can really trim energy bills.

7. Basic Updates

Basic updates add the most value to your home. Keep the paint fresh, fix the roof when it leaks, replace wood that rots, and get rid of any mould that you find. These types of chores keep your home from deteriorating over time. Buyers want a healthy, solid, safe home, and they look carefully for signs of routine maintenance.

For more information on how to advertise your business within this section please email our sales team on sales@colstonmedia.co.uk