There are many homeowners that have never considered upgrading their household's switchboard. It is because of a simple reason that they are not aware about the need to upgrade the switchboard. If you are considering switchboard upgrades, you don’t have to worry as we present to you an overview of switchboard up-gradation.

Switchboard upgrades are required because with the increase in technologically advanced equipment and appliances in and around the house, the switchboards installed in the houses may not be capable of taking the load and provide the needed electrical or voltage supply.

Every other building that has electricity requires a switchboard because it is the main circuit board that directs electric power throughout the residence or property. Its primary function is to deliver electric charge from the main power source to various regions your home and property.

Switchboard Upgrades

Need for switchboard upgrades

Switchboard is just the hub of your electric power

Switchboard is considered the main control room of the electrical grid, monitoring everything including all your kitchen appliances to water heaters, air conditioning units, etc. If the switchboard breaks down suddenly or abruptly, it will have a severe impact on the electrical supply to all your electronic systems.

High voltage safety standards have been adjusted

Electric power or high voltage safety standards, cabling requirements, and working conditions have developed over time. What was already considered standard procedure has now been regarded as risky and reckless. Switchboard upgrades ensure that your house is safe and follows all the required safety protocols.

Our facility requires much more power in present days

The electronic power system operation requirements are considerably higher than they'd been a few years ago. Nowadays, an average household has far more gadgets, which implies more power is being consumed by every household on day-to-day basis. An old capacitor will struggle to keep up with the growing demands that would lead to excessive heating as well as the risk of fire incidents or electrical fatalities.

There are no safety alternates

What is the point of having a safety mechanism if you can't prevent your loved ones from serious electrical injuries? So, to protect your loved ones from electrical accidents, each property is required to opt for switchboard upgrades. If the household does not have one, then you are at risk of exposing your family members to life-threatening fatal injuries.

Asbestos is commonly used during circuit breakers board supporting frames

Asbestos has been widely incorporated as a construction material, and its utilization did not entirely phase out until 2003. Throughout this time, asbestos-containing supporting frames were frequently used for switchboards. These frames cause significant harm to people's health if they are compromised, which would expose the inhabitants to hazardous airborne contaminants.

Since the switchboard is such an essential part of keeping the electrical current flow, it must operate effectively during all times. Major problems with the switchboard could perhaps cause long-term complications, such as increased fire hazards or power failures etc. Switchboard upgrades are essential to fire protection in a facility.

The bottom line

It is indeed worth mentioning that many homeowners postpone switchboard upgrades because they believe it will be too costly or it is not needed. However, when it comes to the safety of your family, you should not neglect taking necessary steps and consider it as an investment instead of considering it as a bad expense.

You may also consult a professional technician to get the job done. In addition, whenever a technician for undertaking your switchboard upgradation procedure, you must let them inspect the overall condition of the insulation.

Many people struggle a lot with choosing the right roof for their homes. After all, there are so many to choose from, and we can never be sure if we got the right ones. And this is how many people end up with roofs, which are just not so suitable for their properties, and won’t endure the specific weather conditions of the place.

Choosing the right roof for your home is a very responsible decision, and you shouldn’t underestimate it. The right kind can protect your home from a variety of potential issues, so you should try your best to find the most suitable option for you. The first step to choosing the right roof for your home is to know all the general designs and styles.

So to make things easier, we’ve created this extensive list of the most popular and sought-after roof designs.

Hipped roof

The hipped roof is a very common roof design, which is quite popular in Australia nowadays. It has a very specific shape, which can be recognized from kilometres away. They are perfect for all kinds of climates, and especially where extreme weather conditions are a regular thing. Their construction is very specific, and they can provide so much needed shade during the long summer days.

But they are also very strong and durable, and they can protect your home from strong winds and all kinds of extreme situations. Thanks to its unique and simple structure, the periodical gutter cleaning is practically a piece of cake. You’ll just have to remove all the debris and rinse everything with water, to make sure the downpipes are not clogged.

Gabled roof

This is also a very popular type of roof design, which is commonly seen in suburban houses. The more popular name you might have heard of is “pitched roof”. They provide a very classical outlook to every property, thanks to the triangular form of the entire structure. This also helps the rainwater to find its way down, and if the gutters are being maintained properly, you won’t have any issues with your roofing system for years.

The biggest perk of having a pitched roof is that they provide lots of space for an attic. And as most of you know, everybody needs an attic for their unused stuff.

Flat roof

The flat roof is not very practical in Australia, but there are still many people who choose them as an option. They actually have lots of perks, but they are just not suitable for climates with high humidity and lots of rain. The shape of this roof is practically triangular, but it’s very low-pitched, and it creates great conditions for creating an upstairs living area or a nice roof garden (if you live in a place where there’s no other option for a garden). Cleaning the gutters when you have a flat roof is quite difficult because the slope of the roof plays a great role in removing the water from it.

Skillion roof

The skillion roof is very similar to the flat roof, but the pitch of the roof style is steeper, which helps a lot with the water drainage. Its more popular name is “shed roof”. There are many designs and styles of this roof you can choose from. They became quite popular in the last few years, mainly because of the large variety of options the customers have. This type of roof can be installed on practically every type of house, no matter of the shape and size of the property.

Clerestory roof

This is a quite new and modern type of roofs, which haven’t become so popular around here yet. But the whole roof design and the structure are very practical and allow lots of interpretation when it comes to the design of the whole property. The biggest perk of this kind of roofs is, that they let lots of natural light inside, and they provide privacy all at the same time. They also allow passive heating and cooling, if they are designed correctly.

Mansard roof

The mansard roofs are not a common choice nowadays, but they used to be not long ago. People quite often refer to it as a “French roof”. When you look at the general structure of this roof design, you will notice that it's very similar to hipped roofs. This is because the mansard roofs are actually a historic variation of the well known nowadays hipped roofs.

This type of roofs is quite unusual because its forms are not symmetrical and the maintenance of the gutters is very complicated, but it still has its good sides. For instance, it can offer lots of interior space for an attic, which is the dream of many families.

Arched roof

I'm sure that you've seen many examples of arched roofs around Sydney and Melbourne. They are practically the perfect choice for such cities because they offer excellent strength, structurally speaking, and the roof design is quite catchy and unusual. And with the advance of the technology of production, nowadays this type of roofs is being made from curved steel, which makes it almost indestructible.

So, if you want style and comfort, this is the roof design for you. Also, thanks to the natural curve of this roof, the rainwater can safely be transported down from it and away from the property. And, also thanks to the amazing design, the deep cleaning of the gutters of this roof should be a piece of cake.

Domed roof

This is a type of roof you might see on a church, for example. The circular roofs can come in many shapes and styles – some of them are flat, some – pitched, and the third type, which is quite popular in our country, are domed roofs. Even though these roofs are quite strong and durable, they are still unusual. Because of their forms, they are quite expensive and very complicated to construct. This is why I would not recommend them for a regular house.

Sawtooth roof

Sawtooth roofs have a very interesting design, which includes a nice window implemented in the roof. They are traditionally used on industrial and warehouse types of buildings. But lately, they are gaining more and more popularity among households because they offer great exposure to daylight, which is healthy and perfect for growing children. The construction is a little odd, but presuming the construction of the gutters is right, you shouldn't have any trouble maintaining it.

Curved roof

Having a curved roof can be quite the challenge sometimes, but if you like the specifics of this design then it's worth the trouble. This type of roofs is also very stable and will provide the needed protection for your home. Nowadays they make these roofs out of steel, so you won't have to worry about serious issues for a long time. The curved roof design can provide a much softer and rounder look to your home, which completely changes the entire atmosphere.

Creative hobbies and crafting have certainly flourished during this past year. If you’re a person who indulges in anything from crafting to sewing, you’ll need a slew of indispensable and versatile tools to make your art. These tools are essential, and can unlock possibilities beyond your wildest dreams.

Leading the charge of necessary creative tools is the craft knife. It’s a slender cutting tool with a small blade and perfect for crafting. It usually sports a pen-like body that makes it easy to hold for an extended period of time without experiencing discomfort. While the craft knife is a must-have (and mentioned below), there are other tools that deserve a spot in your arsenal.

Let’s take a look at five tools that are a must-have for creatives.

Craft Knife

Craft knife

Craft knives are great for scrapbooking, woodworking, bookbinding, cake art, sewing, metal art, leather applique, and so much more. If you’re considering adding it to your toolkit, you should think about prominent features like the ones in this craft knife.

Firstly, look into buying a craft knife with a blade that’s composed of zirconium oxide. Zirconium oxide is an advanced ceramic that’s harder than steel. It holds an effective edge longer than standard metal. Because of its inherent properties, it’s also safer to touch. That being said, “safer to touch” doesn’t translate to “dull.” Zirconium oxide blades have the advantage of being effective and safe.

You’ll also want to purchase one with a textured grip that ensures your safety and gives you absolute control over your tool. Additionally, invest in a craft knife with a safety cap to prevent accidents.

Precision cutter

Precision cutters also sport a pen-like handle with a micro blade. They’re perfect for cutting intricate shapes and creating tiny, delicate details that would otherwise be more difficult to create with a longer/thicker blade.

If you’re gunning for accuracy and precision, then you can’t go wrong with a precision cutter. You can use precision cutters for cutting, forming, and stripping of plastic, cloth, paper, and film.

Now, it’s prudent to consider a precision cutter with a clip that exposes and retracts your blade. The retraction feature will help prevent accidental cuts and lacerations while you work.

In addition, think about buying a precision cutter with a sturdy nylon handle. Nylon is comfortable to hold, which not only benefits the overall quality of your art, but it keeps repetitive strain injuries at bay.

Ceramic scalpel

A ceramic scalpel combines the best of both worlds with the craft knife and a run-of-the-mill scalpel. It’s great for paper cutting, leathercrafting, modeling, scrapbooking, and much more.

While looking at crafting scalpels, think about purchasing one with a slim, flat handle. This makes it easier to get those tough-to-reach places and tight spaces. You’ll get the most precise and intricate cuts yet with a ceramic scalpel.

Not only that, but a lightweight handle ensures that you have balance and stability while you work. Also, consider investing in a ceramic scalpel that doesn’t require a tool to change blades. Utilizing an extra tool to switch blades can lead to unnecessary injuries.

Deburring tool

Deburring tools remove burrs or raised edges and smooth parting lines, protuberances, and jagged edges. Having these tools significantly improves the quality of metal and wood pieces.

Now, deburring tools are ideal for deburring sheet metal edges, injection-molded plastics, and 3D-printed prototypes. While it’s most common to see these in an industrial setting, those who partake in at-home 3D printing and modeling will find them useful.

Think about buying a deburring tool with a thicker blade. Thicker blades are perfect for effectively deburring sheet metal, among other things. In addition, a deburring tool with a chemically inert blade ensures your protection as well as the blade.

Seam ripper

Seam rippers are designed to slide in between stitches and gently cut the thread without tearing the fabric surrounding it. Obviously, this tool is a necessity for seamstresses, tailors, and avid sewing enthusiasts. You can cut, hook, and remove a thread from the seam.

Consider purchasing a seam ripper with an auto-retractable function. The blade is exposed and retracted when the user enacts the spring-loaded mechanism via slider. This gives you total control over when the blade is put to use. You won’t need to worry about inadvertently cutting yourself or passersby.

Additionally, think about investing in a seam ripper that’s compatible with multiple blade types. While most associate seam rippers with a curved or pointed-tip blade, you may also need to employ the use of a rounded-tip blade.

Five tools, countless uses

There are a plethora of handy tools that creatives should be familiar with, but the above five are crucial. Craft knives, precision cutters, ceramic scalpels, deburring tools, and seam rippers will help you complete your go-to tasks with quality. And once you have them, that will make it even more enjoyable to find more reasons to use these tools.

Hopping into the modern housing market takes some faith and some hard work, but the sellers’ market in most zones of the United States is likely to reward that work in a big way in 2021. By choosing to do some strategic updates, you can make your home ready for the scrutiny of buyers who begin their process looking mostly at online listings, while still wowing them when they eventually pop in for an in-person showing. The market is likely to do well as the vaccine roll-out makes in-person showings easier and safer, so now is the time to consider where you can make small modifications to your home in order to get big returns in the form of interested buyers.

Use the collective wisdom of Home Light’s surveyed top real estate agents to make these key upgrades.

Energy bill savings and sustainability upgrades

In some markets, particularly in the Pacific, energy efficiency upgrades and anything that links to sustainability are going to be valuable listing notes to share with your potential buyers. However, a year of high energy bills from being home a lot has clued many people into the practical and sustainability-focused benefits of adding energy-efficient appliances, which you can do if you needed to replace a water heater or refrigerator anyway.

Remove carpet from bathrooms

One of the top signs that real estate agents don't like to see in an online listing is carpet in the bathrooms. It's a trend that went out of style a while ago, so still having it just doesn't make the listing look updated or modern. By removing the carpet and either reviving or replacing the flooring underneath, you give people the look they are expecting in the bathrooms these days and avoid a small red flag for potential buyers.

Change those popcorn ceilings

Popcorn ceilings have also lost their appeal, and most real estate agents will counsel you to remove them before taking your listing photos in order to make the best possible first impression. While they may seem like a background element, every look counts in a market that relies so much on virtual showings, where potential buyers pore over the pictures and videos to see if this is the home for them.

Give windows the star treatment

Another affordable update is to note all the window treatments in your home: are they gathering dust and in styles that aren't really the look of a modern home? For much less than most updates, you can get simple, timeless window treatments that help to brighten a room, make it seem more modern, and harmonize across the whole house, if you previously had a few different styles. Ask your real estate agent if it makes sense to add or change window treatments to make your home look its very best.