Insulation

To help save money, power and gas, making sure your insulation is up to scratch is vital. There are many different types of insulation available so here's a breakdown of which variant to use and where to do so.

• Aerosol Insulators are sprayed into crevasses and expand to fill the space. It is very easy to apply and especially handy in your roof because it fills all those hard to reach spots.
• Prefabricated panels and blankets provide excellent insulation and are particularly good in walls as the slabs are easy to fit into place and provide a very high thermal rating.
• Loose fill insulation combines the properties of the previous two insulators. It can be sprayed into hard to reach gaps and provides a great thermal rating. Examples include vermiculite, cork and mineral wool or rock wool.

Plumbing tips

Always make sure before you start work on any taps, pipes, showers, radiators or any water fitting in your house that the main water supply is turned off. Also, though it may seem obvious, always make sure to use the correct tool for an appropriate job. Damaged bolts and screws could lead to more hassle in the future.

Painting

Selecting the right colour paint for the inside or outside of your house is vital as it will make space, take away space, create illusions or simply reflect a bad decision, so it's worth taking some time when selecting colours. Here is a simple guide to follow.

• Minimalist - cool light colours
• Homely cosy feel - harder more bold colours
• Kitchen - Use enamel paints for more durability

If you think you'll be doing a lot of work in and around your home it's worth adding accidental damage cover to your policy. You can choose accidental damage for contents and or buildings. Contents accidental damage covers you if for example, you spill paint on a carpet or damage an ornament when moving it. There is also accidental buildings damage cover if you accidentally damage a permanent fixture in your home, for example a wall, worktop or door.