Sheffield Rendering / Liverpool Plasterers / Plasterer in Leicester / Nottingham Plasterer / Plasterers in Bristol

Here are some tips on rendering exterior walls.

• Before you start, you’ll need to ensure that you have a clean surface to work on. Scrub down the wall with a weak bleach solution to remove mould, remove any plants growing on it, and hose it down to remove any dust and dirt that could stop the render from adhering. It’s best to apply render in fine weather, as if it rains too soon after you apply it, it will just be washed away.
• Keep your equipment as close to the work as possible. You’ll now need to mix your render mortar. The first coat is known as the undercoat. If you are applying rendering to hard or non-porous materials, the mixture should be one part cement to a half part lime to four and a half parts sharp sand. For blockwork and other bricks, the mixture should be one part cement to one part lime to six parts sharp sand.
• Put half of your materials into your mixer dry, and run until they are combined. Now add water slowly. Add the rest of your materials along with the water. Blockwork will require a slightly stiffer mix than bricks. You should be aiming for a rendering mixture with a thick creamy consistency.
• Dampen the wall a little before you start. Load up a hawk (carrying board) with the rendering mortar, and apply it to the wall in a slight arc, using a trowel. Use the straight edge to level off the render. You can section the wall using battens to make it easier to apply the render. It’s traditional to scratch the surface in a diamond pattern using the point of the trowel, although some professional plasterers use an over-sized comb tool instead. The undercoat should then be left for around a week so that it can cure thoroughly.
• After a week, you will need to apply a topcoat to finish off your rendering. The topcoat mix for blockwork should be one part cement to two parts lime to nine parts sand. However, if you live in an area where your walls have high exposure to the elements, then change this mix to one part cement to one part lime to six parts sand. For strong brickwork, the mix should be one part cement to one part lime to six parts sand. Mix as with the undercoat, and apply the render to a depth of around 6mm.
• You can choose from several finishes for rendering. For a pebbledash finish, increase the topcoat to 10mm, and then dash the stones into the soft render. You can push them in firmly using a trowel. For a smooth float finish, you simply rub over the render with a wooden float.

TV Aerials Leicester / Bristol TV Aerials / Aerial Installation Birmingham

If you are installing a new aerial, make sure that all of the connections are firmly in place, including the one on the back of your television.  In the event of your aerial suddenly ceasing to function, check all of the connections and make sure nothing has changed.  If you have an outside aerial, it may have shifted slightly and pulled a wire loose, so check these connections as well.   Check all the outdoor connections for corrosion and clean them if necessary.  Greasing connections can help protect them from the elements, but only do this if you are sure you will not affect the performance of the aerial.

Aerials Manchester / Liverpool Aerials / TV Aerials in Sheffield

The outdoor aerial should always be orientated in the direction of the nearest television transmitter, so make sure it has not moved in the wind.  In particular, if you live in a high wind area, fix the aerial firmly to the chimney or side of the house using stainless steel screws which will not corrode. Indoor aerials should only be used where the signal strength from the transmitter is sufficient to be able to cope with potential interference from other domestic appliances and computers.

If your outdoor aerial has become bent or the components are worn, it may be time to buy a new aerial.  If you purchase a new aerial and it does not work, you should check that it is the correct kind of aerial. For example, have you purchased an analogue aerial when you have a digital television? Most aerials come with full installation instructions and advice.  They will be clearly labelled as to whether they are analogue or digital.  Most stores have customer advice personnel who can help, but if you are purchasing an aerial on line you may need to do some research to find out what type of aerial you need.

There will be professional aerial installers in your area if you do not want to attempt the installation yourself.  Look in the local directory for tradesmen who specialise in the repair and maintenance of aerials.  When you move home, probably one of the first things you want to do is make sure that the television is working, not least to keep the kids quiet while you get things organised. You may be lucky enough to just plug the aerial into the socket and it works straight away, but if not, further investigation will be required.

Carpet Cleaning Liverpool / Cleaners in Birmingham / Manchester Cleaners / Cleaner Edinburgh

However, the problem with carpet is that it can quickly trap dust, dirt and other debris if it’s not washed and maintained on a regular basis.  If your business works heavily with industry for example, your employees might be bringing in tar, smoke, chemicals, pollen, fungi or a whole host of other pollutants on a daily basis and these can quickly find themselves trapped in carpets.

Cleaners Nottingham / Cleaner in Bristol / Liverpool Cleaners

The reason why this can be unsanitary is that entrapped dirt which has become so saturated in carpets can increase the level of bacteria in these areas, which can lead to a higher risk of allergies, asthma, eczema and rhinitis. This can make you or your employees’ lives hell if they are particularly sensitive to any of these conditions. When anyone in your business starts complaining about these conditions becoming aggravated, especially when at work, you know it’s time to get the carpets professionally cleaned.

The benefits of professional carpet cleaning

Choosing to have your carpet cleaning done professionally is a great idea because the experts in carpet cleaning will be able to accurately determine what the underlying cause of the problem is. They will be able to assess how dirty the carpets truly are and use the right products accordingly, to maximum results.  A professional carpet cleaning company will have a wide range of carpet cleaning chemicals, machines along with equipment and accessories to ensure that your carpet is left looking brand new.

A professional carpet clean will also retain the quality of the carpet – and it shouldn’t lose any material quality or colour either. Another advantage of going to a carpet cleaning specialist is that they will have experience in using the correct products and solutions on carpets. This may sound trivial, but too much solution or adding too much water to the carpet can encourage other problems such as mildew and mould to grow. The danger is that those who decide to DIY carpet clean will use too much detergent solution or water, believing the carpet isn’t cleaning unless they see some foaming.

Many carpet cleaning experts for example, will use certain techniques – one of which is dry extraction, which is effectively a process to control moisture. This procedure cleans the carpet, whilst still leaving it dry. Cleaning professionals will use a machine with two counter-revolving brushes which can move the cleaning products through the carpet to effectively dissolve dirt, whilst reabsorbing it, leaving the carpet dry.  Some carpet cleaning companies will use a carbonated cleaning solution for deep cleaning into the carpet fibres whilst allowing for minimal wetting. After vacuum drying, the carpet will look as good as new.

Cleaners in Birmingham / Manchester Cleaners / Cleaner Glasgow

Yes, it is possible – but it is important to be aware of the required tasks involved in properly clean a property so it can be re-let. Consider the following cleaning tasks extracted from the checklist drawn up by a London-based professional cleaning company’s end of tenancy cleaning routine – bear in mind these are just some of the tasks undertaken in one room, the bathroom:

• Wall tiles degreased, cleaned and polished (mould growth, if any, removed from between grout).
• Bath, basin, taps, shower and fittings to be cleaned, de-scaled, dried and polished.
• All soap and shampoo etc to be removed.
• Mirrors to be cleaned and polished.
• Floors to be washed and sanitised. If carpet, floor to be vacuumed.

Cleaners Edinburgh / Sheffield Cleaner / Cleaner Leicester

Detail/Time Required

The above list highlights the detailed attention required in an end of tenancy clean. Also, be aware that some cleaning tasks are time consuming and potentially messy, such as cleaning an oven with grease and burnt-on food deposits. There are oven cleaning companies specialising in this one task. Even properly cleaning a stainless steel sink and drainer takes time and the appropriate cleaning materials.

Costs

The cost of using a professional cleaning company for an end of tenancy clean needs to be balanced against the cost of the materials if doing it yourself. Aswell as various cleaning supplies to deal with the array of cleaning applications – steel, wood, carpeting, porcelain, fabrics, upholstery and glass being just a selection of surfaces to clean – you may also be hiring cleaning equipment such as wet and dry vacuums and carpet cleaners. These all need to be factored into your calculations – not to mention cloths, mops, sponges, dusters, brushes and so forth.

End of tenancy cleaning rates will vary, but as a guide one Nottinghamshire-based company would undertake an end of tenancy clean on a small two-bedroom terraced property for around £200 (including a deep carpet clean).

Hiring a carpet cleaning machine from a well-known national chain DIY store for one day and buying a supply of detergent, pre-cleaner and some spot and stain remover would cost around £50.

Safety and Damage

When using cleaning materials – especially carpet cleaning chemicals – be aware of potential causes of damage. Using the wrong cleaner on surfaces, especially carpets, can result in expensive damage. Professional end of tenancy cleaners should offer insurance against this, and a satisfaction guarantee of their work.

Conclusion

Fully assess the amount of cleaning work required. Also, compare your materials cost against a professional end of tenancy clean – the difference may not be as much as you think. Finally, ask yourself if you have the time: ultimately, this may be the deciding factor.

Roof Repairs Leeds / Roofers in Manchester / Birmingham Roofers

So How To Find One?

Recommendations from Friends/Acquaintances

An obvious first step. Have any people you know had a roofing job done in the relatively recent past? What did they think of the people they used and the price for the work? If someone you know is happy to recommend a roofing contractor, then that is a positive first step.

Roofer Birmingham / Manchester Roofers / Birmingham Roofer / Roofing Manchester

Trade Recommendations

Do you know someone in a related trade who can recommend roofers? For example, if you know a builder – can he suggest a good roofing contractor or two? Perhaps you know someone who works at a builders merchant: can they provide a few names or refer you to a colleague ‘in the know?’

Roofing Trade Organisations

You can visit the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) website and search for accredited roofing contractors in your area. Roofing firms have to adhere to a code of practice, be part of the government-endorsed ‘Trustmark’ scheme to enable customers to find reputable tradesmen, and hold appropriate insurances and offer insurance-backed warranties on their work.

Their Previous Customers

Can the roofing contractor provide examples of their previous work? A reputable outfit will be glad to show you what they can do, and it’s even better if they are happy to provide testimonials.

Their Contact Details

The absence of a landline contact number and address should sound alarm bells. It is easy to obtain an untraceable pay as you go mobile phone, so a ‘mobile-only’ method of contacting a roofer is a bad sign.

Their Approach to Assessing/Pricing a Project

You should have a shortlist of roofing contractors in mind. The way they assess the task and price is important in itself. They should be keen to come and assess the work properly, and take appropriate time once they are with you to properly establish the nature of the work to be carried out.

Remember that an estimate is just that: it is not a firm quotation, and is subject to (possibly) various conditions. A proper quotation, or ‘proposed contract,’ is a full costing of the job in question including materials, time for completion and containing details of any ‘add ons’ if required and the price.

The roofing contractor’s quotation/proposal will tell you much about their professionalism. Is it well-presented? Is it easy to assimilate and understand? If you have any questions about it, make sure you ask them. The roofer should be happy to explain anything you may be not clear about.

Checklist: What to Ask

Their proposed start and completion dates

Their work hours

Will they ‘clean up’ fully during/after the job?

Insurance/safety precautions for their workforce on your premises

Warranties offered

Payment terms – deposit required?

Roofers Glasgow / Roofer Derby / Roofers in Edinburgh

There are green roofs suitable for all kinds of buildings and locations. The Canary Wharf estate in London has several stunning examples of these ‘sky gardens’. Usually, people start out by having a green roof on their shed or garage, but green roofs for houses are becoming more popular. Roofing companies are rising to the challenge and many are now able to install these systems on both commercial and domestic properties.

Roofers Birmingham / Roofer Manchester / Leeds Roofing

The latest techniques and state-of-the-art materials give a modern twist to this age-old idea which dates back to the dawn of history. A specially prepared soil is spread over layers of man-made membranes. These membranes are designed to let water drain away at exactly the right speed, reducing the risk of floods in a heavy downpour. They also prevent roots penetrating into the roof cavity and keep the building well-insulated. Green roofs weigh a lot more than ordinary roofing, especially when wet. If you are thinking of having one, you need to take this into account and take the necessary precautions. An experienced roofing contractor will be able to advise you about this.

Extensive green roofs tend to be the most popular with homeowners, largely because they are the most affordable and require minimum upkeep. Extensive systems are comparatively lighter, too. When it rains heavily or persistently, the water will soak into the soil and drain away slowly. Gutters and pipes have more time to divert the overflow, reducing the likelihood of damage. However, extensive systems can reach saturation point in a short time, so it is important to install an effective guttering and drainage system. The ideal plants for an extensive system are self-reliant, ground-covering plants such as sedum, which are planted in a thin layer of soil, around 20mm deep.

Semi-intensive green roofs can be planted with grasses and flowering perennials, particularly if you want butterflies, bees and other insects to visit regularly. The soil depth must be over 150mm. Semi-extensive systems need more time and effort spent on them than extensive systems, as perennial plants need regular watering in order to thrive.

Intensive green roofs need to be accessible for regular maintenance. Like a conventional garden, these ‘sky gardens’ can be planted with shrubs, herbaceous borders and trees in a layer of soil between 300mm to 450mm. The weight of an intensive system needs considerable support, which is why intensive systems are more usually seen on commercial properties.

Beautiful to behold, highly effective at insulating buildings and therefore cutting down on fuel consumption and carbon emissions, encouraging and nurturing wildlife …green roofs offer many benefits and definitely don’t cost the earth.

First of all, start with the areas of the house that guests are most likely to be in. The kitchen and the living room are most often used for entertaining visitors and so you should start here. Get rid of anything that you don’t use or haven’t used in the last 3 months. Throw away old magazines and catalogues, get round to taking the recycling to a recycling plant and just generally have a good tidy up. If you have items sat on the work surfaces or in cupboards that you rarely use, seriously consider throwing it out, selling it on eBay or giving to charity to make more space and de-clutter.

Once you’ve done this, it may be worth your while to employ the services of domestic cleaners to give the entertaining rooms a deep clean so that you remember why you have done your de-cluttering. Take photos of the rooms when they are clutter-free and have been professionally cleaned so that you can look at them in the future to keep you focused.

Next, you should move onto the bathroom. Get rid of all those empty shampoo bottles, razors and empty toilet rolls. The bathroom or separate toilet will also be seen by visitors so they need to be kept spotless. If need be, why not find a modern pedal bin so that you can throw items away as needed rather than putting them on shelves. Again, a good cleaning session once you’ve finished can really help to make the rooms look smart, tidy and looked after. Not to mention the lovely smell that will come from the room when you’re done!

Next, move onto the bedrooms. Now the bedroom is often one of the worst places for clutter. You’ve probably got lots of clothing that you don’t use or need, which could be put to good use by donating them to charity. Pull everything out from under the bed and have a sort out – anything that you’ve not used or forgot you had needs to go. It’s just sat gathering dust anyway. While you’ve got all your possessions out, get down to cleaning under the bed too as this doesn’t get done very often.

In your office, sort through all your paperwork. Most bank statements and bills can be viewed online these days so there really is no need to keep stacks of paper in your home. Don’t forget the garage too, as there are often a lot of possessions in there that can be disposed of.

Now that you home is clutter-free, you can keep on top of the cleaning easily! If you’d prefer you can always contact a local cleaning firm to do regular cleaning work at your home!

Carpet cleaning is a lot simpler than many people think. Firstly, the single most important thing you can do is to vacuum regularly, at least once a week, preferably more. The number of people living in your house, whether you have pets and/or children and the volume of foot traffic would dictate the frequency of vacuuming. Regular vacuuming removes dry, abrasive particles that can damage carpet fibres, causing the pile to appear worn and threadbare. If you are allergic to dust mites, pet dander, mould or pollens, frequent vacuuming is necessary to reduce the incidence of these environmental allergens in your home.

Carpet cleaning using wet and dry methods is also very effective in removing common environmental allergens. There are products designed to remove allergens which are available to purchase by the general public. But for a really good result, it’s best to contact a professional carpet cleaning company. Many specialise in the effective removal of dust mites, pet dander, mould and pollens.

On the spot treatment of spillages and staining will go a long way to preserving your carpet’s appearance. Choose from a variety of sprays on the market to treat spillages and spotting instantly, which can then be rinsed out or blotted with paper towels. For larger areas, you can purchase domestic carpet cleaners which use different types of cleaning compounds, including dry foam shampoos. Dry carpet cleaning methods like these – which actually do use water, but in small amounts – are suitable if you want your carpet dry and usable again quickly. If you want to save yourself time and effort, why not make carpet cleaning really easy and contact a professional company? Many offer a range of carpet cleaning services with excellent results guaranteed.

However, if your carpet is more heavily soiled, you might want to consider steam cleaning. Steam cleaning, also called hot water extraction, is a deep cleaning treatment usually undertaken by professional carpet cleaning companies. Before steam cleaning, your carpet will be examined to determine whether the fibres are colour-fast. It will then be vacuumed thoroughly to lift off any loose particles of grit that might damage the fibres during the steam cleaning process. The carpet may be treated with a pre-spray, concentrating on grimy or stained areas. Then, a hot water extraction machine rinses the fibres, drawing out accumulated dirt from deep within the pile.

Steam cleaning restores the beauty, colour and freshness of your carpet. If done every few years, it also protects against wear and tear. But whichever carpet cleaning method you choose – steam cleaning or dry cleaning – do it regularly. Your carpet will thank you for it!

Plumbers Bristol | Plumbers Edinburgh | Boiler Repairs Bristol

Just as we register with a Doctor as a matter of course, it’s extremely prudent to search-out a good plumber before you need them and to have their number stored in both your phone and also displayed in a prominent position by your boiler etc.

Plumbers Manchester | Plumbers Birmingham

A plumber will generally be able to do anything from replacing a washer to installing a new central heating system. Some plumbing firms will specialise in larger/smaller works or repair/maintenance as opposed to new installations, but – as with any tradesman – it’s important to employ someone with the correct professional qualifications.

Plumbers should be members of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), which is the UK’s leading Trade Association for plumbers, and any person working with gas should also be CORGI-Registered (Council Of Registered Gas Installers). In addition to that, the plumber should have Insurance and be able to produce Certificates if required. If in doubt, do consult your local Authority – who will have a list of all approved plumbers in your area.

Recommendation is always helpful (particularly for a large job), and many plumbers will now have websites containing testimonials, but if you’re about to undertake a major project then it’s always recommended that you get at least three written quotes (not estimates), for the work involved and to compare styles/prices of materials at local DIY stores to ensure you’ve got a reasonable idea of what you require, as bathroom suites – for example – range enormously in quality and price.

For your part as a customer; it’s also important to be as clear in your own mind as possible as to your requirements, and to fully discuss them with the plumber so that the quote you receive will be realistic. A common reason why disputes occur is that a customer will change their requirements once works are underway and then be surprised to find the final bill to coming-in at more than they anticipated. Good communication is key.

As for emergencies: a large part of the cost is down to the ‘call-out’ fee – which is another reason to do your research and to at least have the number of a good, local plumber handy so that they’ll have less distance to travel and can hopefully get to you more quickly in the event of an emergency.

Prevention is better than cure, and you can go a long way to reducing the risk of problems occurring by ensuring your boiler; central heating and all gas appliances are regularly serviced. It’s worth getting these tasks completed in the autumn, as the moment there’s a cold snap a plumber will be inundated with work and be a lot more difficult to get hold of.

Cleaners Nottingham - Cleaners Sheffield - Cleaners in Huddersfield

In some cases, if the property is of a size that requires daily cleaning, the domestic cleaner may also live in the house, usually within their own separate living quarters away from the client. Many larger, grander houses require this service and often look for a couple to help out domestically, usually with the female to help clean and/or cook, while the man would take care of gardening or possibly butler duties.

Cleaners in Bristol - Cleaners Leicester

The idea of having live-in servants to look after the domestic side of family life in large houses was commonplace in the Victorian era and further back, but it has been on the wane in modern times. Nevertheless, there is still a call for this service in the large, privately-owned manor houses across the country, as evidenced by several websites that act as agents to find live-in domestic staff.

Today, many domestic cleaners are either older ladies or mothers that work part-time, going from house to house, and working hours that suit their own lifestyles. It is not a particularly well paid position, but many find that they become an integral part of the household due to the intimate nature of working so closely in the client’s home. Gone are the days when domestic staff were treated as servants to their wealthier bosses. Today they are more likely to be viewed as friends of the family!