Whether you work from home or stream Netflix, you will be more than aware of the value of a fast and reliable internet connection.
But you may be surprised to learn that the ground beneath your feet is one of the many things that can interfere with your signal.
Here are 10 surprising household items that could be slowing down your favorite live stream.
Oddly, concrete is said to interfere with your network’s service – metal is a tough material making it difficult to penetrate
Specific
Oddly enough, concrete is said to interfere with your network’s service – metal is a tough material making it difficult to penetrate.
So if you’ve opted for concrete walls in your premises, you may experience signal lag – very frustrating when it happens in the middle of an episode.
Metal
A similarly dense material that can affect your internet speed is metal – so think twice before flooding your home with durable metal walls.
But if this isn’t realistic, move your router as far away from the offending material as possible.
Another solution is to purchase a WiFi extender.
Another metal offender is metal blinds that you can find outside your house – but this shouldn’t pose any problems unless you’re trying to access the internet in your yard.
Plaster and drywall don’t cause as bad a signal loss as metal and concrete, experts say
Plastic and drywall
Among the many building materials that contribute to your poor Wi-Fi strength are plaster and drywall – although signal loss isn’t as bad as with the harder materials above.
Ceramic tiles
Like most Brits, you probably have ceramic tiles in your home, but whether it’s on your kitchen or bathroom floor, you risk interfering with your Wi-Fi.
Marla Milano of tech website High-Speed Options explained that ceramics are often combined with other materials that can reduce your internet speed.
“Since tiles are often combined with plaster or drywall, the materials are likely to increase Wi-Fi interference,” she explains.
She added, “This is why it’s considered best practice to place your router in a high, central location in your home.”
If you have a certain type of window, you’re more likely to be plagued by a slow connection
Windows
If there’s one thing on this list that you definitely have, it’s this: every household has windows, and if you have a certain type, you’re more likely to be plagued by a slow connection.
Milano continued: This is especially the case with Low-E (low-emissivity) windows, which contain a type of metal film to reduce energy consumption.
The addition of the metallic film makes it even easier to absorb or interfere with Wi-Fi signals.’
Mirrors
Similarly, mirrors also contain a thin layer of metal behind their glass.
The tech expert said, “Combining these two elements can lead to a fair amount of electromagnetic interference.”
“However, the extent to which the mirror interferes with your Wi-Fi signal depends on its size.”
The extent to which the mirror interferes with your WiFi signal depends on its size
Water
Perhaps the most surprising addition to the list is water.
Aquariums “and even human bodies can weaken Wi-Fi signals because they impede the passage of signals through water,” Milano said.
“This can drastically affect the signal strength and ability of your devices to effectively connect to Wi-Fi.”
Furniture
And if you have squat furniture in your home, you may notice a less stable internet connection.
“The more furniture you have, and the bigger and thicker it is, the more your signal will be disturbed.”
“If your router is currently hiding behind furniture or too close to furniture, move it to a more open, less obstructed area,” the High-Speed Options writer added.
white goods
Placing your router far from these everyday objects may save you from a weak Wi-Fi connection
White goods can also be a cause for concern as appliances such as microwave ovens and dishwashers emit their own radio waves.
But placing your router far from these everyday objects may save you from a weak Wi-Fi connection.
It’s important to know that it’s not the end of the world if you’re facing these issues in your home – with a few simple tweaks you may find yourself with a better connection.
Has your Wi-Fi ever been disrupted by these harmless objects? Let us know in the comments below.