Mix the sand and cement dry in a 5:1 ratio to begin with, before adding water slowly until you achieve a stodgy consistency.  Then add mortar plasticiser to improve the mix’s workability.

Remove debris from the hole and wet it with a brush, and then help the bonding improve further by mixing a small amount of PVA adhesive with water in a 1:5 ratio.

Transfer the cement to a hawk and use a plastering float to press it into the hole or area of blown render.  Hold the hawk just below the filled area to catch excess cement as it falls away.

Next, smooth the surface of the wet render to make it flush with the surrounding area and allow it to dry slightly.  You can polish the surface using a wetted float several times, if necessary.

If there is any subsequent bulging of the patch as cement forces itself out from the inside while it dries, it usually means the hole is too deep for a single filling.  If this is the case, take the patch back to below wall level and allow the remnant to dry thoroughly before applying a second layer of cement to the render mix.

First, head outside and check the chimneystack.  If you do not have one, there is nothing to worry about, unless you had one before.  If the chimneystack is leaning over to one side, check it out from a few angles to determine which direction it is leaning.  Also, check for damaged or leaning chimney pots, and plant growth around the general chimney area.

Next, check for subsidence around the house.  Look inside and outside the house for cracks in the walls to see if the walls have moved in any way.  If they are leaning in a direction towards or away from you, it is vital that you get professional help as soon as possible.  You can also speak to your insurance company to prevent further damage to your own house and the houses on your street.

Check the consistency of the mortar as well as the flood membrane on the outside of your house.  If either one shows significant signs of damage, it may be worth it to get certain bricks repaired and the flood membrane patched up.

Check inside for staircase damage also; wobbly banisters are dangerous and could break, causing railing damage.  Next, check for damage under manhole covers.  All of the blockages found should be fixed as soon as possible.

Secondly, check the door handles.  Modern five-lever mortise deadlock handles require quite a lot of pressure to shift the levers into place.  These often loosen over time, but can usually be tightened with a 3mm Allen head key.  This is a simple job that takes less than a minute, but can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Thirdly, check all of the airbricks in the house to make sure they are clear.  If they are not clear, clean them out with compressed air or a vacuum.  It is also important to make sure the ground level has not risen or fallen around the house.  If you notice any cracks in the wall or ground movement, this can be a sign of subsidence.

Lastly, television, telephone and internet cabling, as well as satellite dishes on the house should be checked regularly also.  These are easy to check, but doing so will save a lot of time.  A satellite dish should not move around or look unbalanced, and cables should not be in the position where they can rub against other objects and get caught.

All of these checks can help you avoid costly repairs.

Dormer: An extension of the roof that gives more internal head room on a loft conversion. If you have limited space, a dormer conversion could suit your needs.

Loft conversion: Transforming the top-most level of a home into useable space. If you are thinking about adding to your home’s living space, a loft conversion is an affordable option.

Mansard conversion: A specific type of loft conversion in which the roof is renovated to include two pitches on each side.

RSJ: The abbreviation for rolled steel joist, essentially an “I”-shaped beam crafted from rolled steel. These are typically used in loft conversions to help support the weight of the floor and the ridge of the roof.

Shell conversion: A type of loft conversion in which a professional builder will handle all the most difficult work such as installing stairs, steel work, and structural elements. Lesser jobs like hanging doors, installing skirting boards, painting, and decorating are left to the homeowner. Shell conversions can significantly lower the total loft conversion cost.

Velux: A name brand of double glazed roof windows, generally considered to be the top of the line. The company offers a wide range of styles and sizes to choose from.

The average back garden can benefit enormously if it’s focused around a small, wrought-iron arbour incorporating a few seats or a bench. Alternatively, you might want to consider the luxury of a bespoke wooden gazebo, constructed from traditional timber, as a permanent fixture in your garden. A wood gazebo blends in organically with the trees and shrubs and makes an attractive alternative to a garden hut, a space to hang out during the mild weather.

But for many people maybe strapped for cash in the current economic climate, a simple canopy gazebo is more than enough to provide focus, shelter and a great setting for social events. People prefer some form of covered space rather than an open garden when it comes to socialising, and a canopy gazebo provides just that. It can be easily set up before the event and packed safely away afterwards.

A patio gazebo is a good choice for those wishing to add another space onto the back of the house that can be used during mild spells, and makes an economical alternative to an extension.

Red Cedar is expensive but maintenance costs are low because red cedar naturally resists damage and decay because of weather and insects. Grade One Western red cedar is preferred above all others.

Southern Yellow Pine is the next choice in gazebo materials. This pine creates a wooden gazebo of superior strength and resistance to environmental changes. This wood is pressure treated and kiln dried twice to avoid cracks and shrinkage of the garden gazebo. The cost of Southern Yellow Pine is about 10 percent less than the Western Red Cedar.

For people on a budget, vinyl is a very good choice of material. It is designed to mimic the wood appearance of the more expensive gazebos. Because it is made in the factory, there is no painting, staining or sealing that needs to be done. A vinyl gazebo can withstand severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow or the beating of a hot sun. The vinyl garden gazebo is durable and still looks beautiful.

The roofing materials chosen for an outdoor gazebo is one of the most important elements to consider.  Most gazebos have a layered Japanese or slate shingled roof. The most economical is the asphalt shingles because they are easy to manufacture, readily available and prepared in a rainbow of colours, but thatched gazebo roofs are also popular due to their ease of construction and waterproof properties. Most hardware stores carry asphalt shingles so repairs are easily made. For a classy looking outdoor gazebo, you can use the cedar shingles at a higher cost or use copper for the roofing. Copper is an expensive option but it can make you the talk of the town.

Online property websites such as findaproperty.com and rightmove.co.uk list all of the local estate agents listings, giving you even more choice. These website also provide detailed descriptions and pictures of the properties, as well as maps so you can see where it is situated.

Buying a house or renting a flat needn’t be hard, take a look at online property websites, they can give you all the advice you will ever need: happy house hunting?

We know that gardens have been a central factor for wealthy members of society for thousands of years.  In modern day Iran, The Persians designed gardens filled with lush plants of striking colours at odds with the hot dry environs of the landscape, the most famous being the Hanging Gardens of Babylon renowned as one of The Seven Wonders of the World.  They were able to achieve these marvels because of qanats, an underground engineering system of aqueducts that brought melted snow from the mountains down onto the plains.  Water was a major feature of a Persian garden with pools and fountains inserted into the geometrical design.  A wealthy Persian would escape from the heat and make his way to a gazebo situated in his own bit of paradise.

Gardens were built to be viewed aesthetically and to raise the spirits, but Persians did not only relax under their gazebos; gardens were also areas where politics and business took place, treaties were signed, diplomats greeted and were central to Persian life.

Persian gazebos were influenced by Islamic architecture and were called kiosks that could range from a tent with mats scattered inside to buildings made from marble with cupolas.  Some gazebos were constructed with running water underneath the floors to maintain a cooler temperature.  Occasionally, gazebos were used as tombs.

Structures that are included in the umbrella-term gazebo are alambras, belvederes, follies, kiosks, pagodas, pavillions, pergolas and rotundas.  Archaeological evidence shows that gazebos have been in use for thousands of years in the ancient societies of Persia, Egypt and China.  They were used as a means of shade, for spiritual meditation, for worship and for concluding business deals.

The origin of the word is unknown and it has no cognate in any European language.   Several theories have been put forward that it may have its origins in Islam, Latin Hispano-Arabic or French.  It first entered the English language in the middle of the 18th century when an architectural writer, William Halfpenny, published a book on Chinese architecture.

Gazebos were common in Western Europe during the Middle Ages but did not gain in popularity in the United States until the middle of the 18th century when a new wealthier middle class began to emerge.

A gazebo sited in a spot, out of sight of the house and with a beautiful aspect is the perfect place to escape the stresses of modern living.  Hidden from prying eyes, you can sit in the fresh air and admire your garden and watch as plants flower in different seasons bringing an array of colours and perfumes to you.  Or maybe you can curl up with a favourite book and read for hours undisturbed far away from the impatient ring of the telephone.

A gazebo is indeed a retreat from modern life.

Gazebos come in an enormous range of designs.  Once you have decided on your personal style be sure to pick the best spot in your garden to site it.  Make sure that you have the best views of your garden or surrounding landscape and that it also is provided with some shade.  Although gazebos do have solid roofs, the open walls will allow direct sunlight through that may cause irritation if it is strong and blinding in your eyes.

A gazebo can be focus of the garden design, a central structure that flowers, trees, a walkway, a bench or a pond can be added to create a little bit of paradise in your garden.