All posts by Jannaire Faulkner

Identifying & Fixing Broken Pipes

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Detecting problems with your pipes can save you from further costly damage and repairs. Knowing how to correctly identify if you have a broken pipe will help you establish when there is a problem that needs to be resolved by a professional engineer.

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How to Identify a Broken Pipe

There are a few tell-tale signs that may indicate you have a broken pipe, including:

  • A higher water bill – if you have found that your water bill is abnormally higher than usual, this may indicate a broken pipe.
  • No water – If you notice that no water is coming from your washing machine or dishwasher when it is turned on, or you have noticed improper water pressure, this could mean that your pipes may be frozen, or there may be a broken pipe underground.
  • Poor water quality – If you have noticed that your water suddenly changes in colour or begins to smell, this is a clear indicator that your pipes have started to deteriorate or corrode. In this situation it is better to have your pipes replaced to prevent burst pipes.
  • Different sounds – Specific noises can often indicate problems with your pipes. For instance, whistling noises can generally indicate an increased water pressure due to the pipes not being able to contain the volume of water; this can be from a dent in the pipe. Bubbling noises may be heard when the sink is used, this can indicate that there is air that cannot escape the sewer lines. Those that suspect they have a broken pipe should also listen for banging or clanking noises, this can mean that the pipes are too loose and could potentially result in a burst pipe.
  • Unpleasant odours – If your drain, sink or any other area of your home emits an unpleasant odour (especially on the ground floor of your home), this can potentially be a sign that sewage is not being efficiently transported from your pipes to the municipal sewer lines.

How to Confirm an Underground Water Leak

Checking your water meter is a good way of confirming any suspicions that water may be leaking underground. To check your meter, firstly you will need to turn off any of the appliances or fixtures that use water (but do not turn off the shut-off valve). Then, simply open the meter’s cover so that you can see the gauge, making a mark of where the needle is pointing. After around 30 minutes (with all appliances still off), identify if the needle has in fact moved on the water meter dial. If it has, this is a sure way of confirming that you have a broken pipe or fitting problem underground.

Fixing Underground Pipework      Untitled-2

There are many different solutions to fixing underground pipework, depending largely on the location of the broken pipe. A simple solution that is popular in areas of limited access is the use of a polyester resin. This resin can be used from one small access point, saving potentially costly construction work.

How does it all work?

Firstly, a CCTV camera is used to inspect the pipework and measure the space so that the appropriate amount of resin is used. After this, the resin is then fed into a felt liner. The liner is then compressed into an inversion unit and fed into one end of the pipe to be relined; the balloon like calibration tube is also fed into the pipe after being compressed into the inversion unit. The inversion unit then fills the Calibration tube with compressed air, forcing the resin into place in the pipe. Both the pressure of the inflated tube and the heat of the air inside it, harden the resin into place. Finally, the tube is then deflated and removed. It is worth noting that another CCTV inspection is necessary after this, in order to ensure the pipe has been relined successfully without any problems.

 

 

3 Reasons to Invest in Modern Glazing

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Have you noticed that your windows are starting to show signs of condensation in the colder months? Or are you thinking about upgrading to double glazing? We have included 3 helpful reasons to invest in modern glazing.

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1. Better heat retention – One of the main reasons many people decide to upgrade to double glazing is due to the level of heat retention; you may find with double glazing that you don’t have to turn the heating on as much during the colder months. It was found that approximately 60% of heat loss in a domestic property occurs through single glazed windows. Therefore, by choosing modern secondary glazing, heating bills could drop substantially. In terms of U-values, single glazing has a u-value of 5, in comparison to modern double glazing having a u-value of just 1.6.

2. Improved home security – Home security is another important aspect that is improved greatly from secondary glazing. This is because one of the main entry points for a burglar is often through a window, making single glazed panels considerably easier to break into. In addition to this, single glazed windows do not have their own locking system.

3. No condensation – By upgrading to double glazed units, or even replacing existing ones, you will find that your windows will no longer have condensation as we approach the colder season. Condensation is often caused when double glazed units are installed inadequately, or from the seal no longer serving its purpose. Condensation on your windows is a good sign that they need to be replaced, as it can cause a number of damage, including:

  • Pools of water on window seals
  • Damage to paint work, curtains and wallpaper
  • Damp and mould growth

Always be sure to use a reputable glazing company with professional, fully qualified glaziers.

Types of Fire Safe Glass

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Glass is an amazingly versatile material, not only because it can be used for many different applications, but also in terms of how it can be treated in different ways in order to adapt it for a specific purpose; making it fire safe for instance.

Builders, architects and manufacturers are continuously working to stay up to date with fire safety guidelines to ensure they meet regulatory needs. There are many components to consider in terms of fire safety, from flammable wall treatments, to the melting temperature of structural elements in a building. One element of housing manufacture in particular which is making great developments in its ability to be fire resistant is glass.

Types of Fire Safe Glass

Georgian Wire Cast – A typical fire safe solution in the UK, is the use of Georgian Wire glass. Georgian Wire is a flat glass, stippled on one side and cast with steel mesh within the width of the glass. The steel mesh helps contain broken pieces of glass should it break during a fire.

georgian-wire-obscure-glass

Georgian Wire obscure glass (above)

Georgian Wire Polished Glass – Georgian Wire Polished Glass is clear with an inset of steel mesh, known as a safety glass due to it adhering to the British Standard 6206 Safety Glass criteria.  It is strengthened by a thicker type of wire and due to its manufacturing process, it is also able to withstand up to 30 minutes of fire exposure before it loses its integrity. As with the Georgian Wire Cast, if the glass breaks then the mesh will help it to stay in place. It can also be used in a variety of buildings, from schools to offices.

Tempered or Toughened Glass – Tempered or toughened glass are the same type of temperature treated safety glass, but the manufacturing process is slightly different. Standard toughened or tempered glass can resist temperatures of up to 500° F, which is double the amount that float glass can withstand, but is still minimal in comparison to 1600° F temperature that fire-rated glass can survive.

Broken tempered glass

Broken tempered glass (above)

Fire-Rated Glass Ceramic – Fire rated ceramic glass, comes in a clear non-wired variety in order to allow a greater number of applications. This product is both flexible and versatile yet has a higher melting point than traditional Georgian wire glass. This type of glass does reduce the risk of glass damage in a fire, however it does not insulate against the heat of the fire. Fire glass ceramic is also available as an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU). This type of unit can be used with all kinds of glass fittings, including:

  • Float glass
  • K-Glass
  • Low-e glass
  • Mirrored glass

The IGU is made up of two layers of glass with an air space between the layers. Both the layers and air space allow for a greater protection against heat, in the case of a fire.

Always be sure to use a reputable and professional glazing company for all types of glass and glazing work. If you are based in the South East of England, we recommend Glaziers Essex. 

Councils Cut Pest Control as Independent Companies are on the Rise

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wasp control

In 2013, The BPCA (British Pest Control Association) National Survey reported that 35% of councils do not currently have an in house pest control service, with only 7% of those that do offering free pest control treatments.

According to the IBIS World market research, it was found that the pest control sector in the UK alone is worth more than £367 million, with the United States pest control sector being worth more than a tremendous $11 billion (translating to £7 billion). This shows that the pest control sector is booming, with wasp infestations being a constant problem for some in the summer months, equally matched with rodents inhabiting homes in the winter.

Many local councils have cut some of their pest control services across the UK, some entirely. This is because local authorities are not legally obliged to provide the service, meaning it can be cut easily in a bid to reduce costs. It is generally more cost effective to have pests treated by your local council, although, there is now an extensive waiting list and the money saved comes at the price of having to wait substantially longer for your pest problem to be resolved. This has caused independent pest control companies to grow, with many offering emergency response times and in many cases, eradicating a pest problem in just a few hours.

Has your local council recently cut its pest control services? What are your thoughts on independent pest control companies?

Remember, it is always important to use a professional and reputable pest control engineer that is licensed to use pesticides and fumigation when treating any form of pest.

Asbestos: The Dangers in the Home

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Asbestos is a building material made from fibrous silicate minerals, used by manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century for its qualities in insulation, heat resistance and sound absorption. We take a look at the different types of asbestos, and the dangers of asbestos in the home.

Types of Asbestos

There are three main types:

  • Blue (Crocidolite) varies in colour from a dull slate grey to a vibrant dark blue, and is best known for having a stronger heat resistance than other types of asbestos. Mostly mined in Bolivia, South Africa and Western Australia; Crocidolite is seen as the most dangerous type of asbestos, due to the fibres being so thin.
  • Brown (Amosite) referred to as brown asbestos, because of its colour, which is produced by the iron and magnesium qualities found. Amosite consists of long, thin, brittle fibres in which break off very easily, proving to be a dangerous substance when disturbed due to its ability to become inhaled easily.
  • White (Chrysotile) is the most commonly used type of asbestos, and can still be found today in a variety of materials including roofs, walls and ceilings, to name a few. Chrysotile asbestos was primarily used for thousands of commercial products, including household appliances, floor coverings and insulating materials.

Identifying Asbestos

Asbestos can be identified only by those who know what they are looking for, due to the fibres being smaller than a human hair and very difficult to spot with the human eye, making it a hidden killer. Any items found to contain asbestos should be labelled with a correct warning notice. In many instances, suspected substances will have to be sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Asbestos in the Home

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  1. Sprayed coating
  2. Textured coating, e.g. artex
  3. Asbestos cement sheets and moulded products
  4. Electrical fuse boards and panels
  5. Insulations and lagging to plant and pipe work
  6. Floor coverings and floor tiles
  7. Asbestos insulating board and wall (AIB)
  8. Gas and electrical heater
  9. Textiles and Gaskets
  10. Other materials

Asbestos can be found in many different materials encompassing the home. The diagram above illustrates the various uses asbestos has; from insulations and lagging, to plant and pipe work, textured coating and electrical fuse boards and panels. Generally, these types of ACM’s are located throughout the perimeter of the household, each providing a level of insulation, sound absorption and heat resistance.

Dangers of Asbestos

Previous investigations into the use of asbestos revealed it’s toxicity to be a highly dangerous substance. This is because when asbestos-filled items are disturbed, fibres are released into the air. This causes health hazards, as the fibres are inhaled and can become lodged and scar the lungs. Other serious long term health hazards can include lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the abdomen and the chest), although reports suggest that symptoms may not materialise until at least 5 years after the initial exposure to the asbestos fibres. It is especially dangerous to young people, with smokers additionally more likely to suffer a higher health risk.

Who is most at risk?

Any exposure to asbestos can be extremely dangerous, approximately 4000 individuals die in the UK each year from asbestos related illnesses. Those believed to be most at risk however, include: electricians, glaziers, plumbers, gas engineers, maintenance workers, joiners, computer engineers and cleaners.

How does asbestos cause health risks?

From this, it can be seen that by swallowing these toxic fibres, cancer can develop, with asbestos fibres building in the stomach and intestines as a result. Scar tissue can form in the pleural membrane, causing the tissue to lose the ability of expanding and contracting. As a result, breathing can become painful or even impossible. Heart problems can also occur, as the blood flow to the lungs can become seriously impaired, in turn risking the heart to enlarge or fail.

Decline of Asbestos Use

After considering the vast amount of materials that contain asbestos and the poisonous health hazards from this, legislators recognised that it was necessary to take action in order to control and attempt to ban the use of asbestos as a toxic material in the 1970’s. Prohibition laws were introduced in the UK in the mid-1980’s, banning the use of amosite and crocidolite (brown and blue) asbestos, with chrysotile (white asbestos) eventually becoming banned in 1999. Despite the use of asbestos reaching decline significantly worldwide, although there are still many ACM’s manufactured, imported, distributed and widely used in the United States.

Testing for Asbestos

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Asbestos should only be tested if work is going to be carried out on the property, if no existing work is planned and there is no damage. Asbestos Containing Materials should be left alone. If work is going to be carried out, expert help is required and safety precautions should be followed correctly. A key component to consider is that testing should never be carried out yourself; the correct training and equipment is required to complete appropriate testing successfully.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos is safe unless it is disturbed and dust particles get into the air. Although, as work on asbestos is no longer carried out in the UK, the only form of asbestos work that is now undertaken is asbestos removal. However, this can only be completed by a licensed asbestos professional. If ACM’s are intact and in a good condition, without damage and unlikely to be disturbed, they are best left untouched; disturbing ACM’s in any way is not advised.

Asbestos should never be:

  • Damaged
  • Broken
  • Hammered
  • Disturbed
  • Sawed
  • Cut
  • Drilled

What can I do if I suspect asbestos may be present?

If you suspect that there may be asbestos materials present in your home and they are damaged or broken, it is strongly advised that you seek a professional asbestos removal engineer. You should not under any circumstances inadvertently disturb asbestos, as the results could be fatal. Maximum exposure limits to asbestos have been set by Asbestos-at-work regulations, with the requirement that all materials should be identified and managed correctly.

What can I expect from a trained engineer?

Only a trained engineer can carry out the removal of asbestos materials, as it is only identifiable by those who know exactly what they are looking for. If there is a health and safety representative they should first be consulted, with prior arrangements made for the safe disposal of these materials. After determining if the ACM’s are in fact present, a trained non-licensed engineer can carry out the following work:

  • Replace light fittings attached to AIB
  • Replace asbestos containing floor tiles
  • Drill holes in asbestos insulating board (AIB)

Any work beyond this requires specialist help due to the threats the toxic material holds.

Summary of Asbestos

  • It is highly dangerous and should not be worked on.
  • There are three different forms of with variable levels of uses and risks.
  • If inhaled, it can cause mesothelioma, an asbestos related disease (as well as other serious health hazards).
  • All types of asbestos should only be removed by a trained, fully licensed asbestos engineer.
  • It can be found in any building built before 1999.
  • It is not a contagious disease and can be perfectly safe unless it is disturbed.

If you are concerned about the dangers of asbestos and believe you are suffering from an asbestos related problem, always be sure to consult a fully qualified professional.

5 Signs You May Be Suffering from Bed Bugs

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Bed bugs are one of the most common pests in the UK, but any signs of infestation are often either ignored or simply unknown. We thought it would be useful to know the 5 main signs that could indicate a bed bug infestation, and how they can be treated effectively.

bed bugs

  1. Bites – Are you regularly finding yourself covered with small, red marks? If they swell or itch when scratched, and resemble a small row (as opposed to bites in numerous places), it is likely you have a bed bug infestation, as bed bugs feed on sedentary humans.
  1. Checking your mattress and headboard  – It is important to check your mattress thoroughly for signs of both the small, black bugs and their eggs. Bed bugs often leave behind very small, black traces in which can be seen on both your headboard and bed frame in addition to the sides of your mattress.
  1. Sweet odours. When there is a colony of bed bugs, they will tend to emit a sickly sweet almond smell, chemicals which help the bed bugs to communicate. It is important to note however, that not everyone will be able to notice the smell.
  1. Eggs and exoskeletons. Bed bugs have an outer shell that they shed and leave behind. If you see shell-like remains on the mattress or underneath cushions for example, this is a sure sign you may have bed bugs. There can also be eggs in which female bed bugs lay in small crevices. These can appear to be white and oval shaped, and can be difficult to spot considering bed bugs measure at approximately 5-7 millimetres.
  1. Black marks around your home. If you have noticed the appearance of black marks and dirt on skirting boards, flooring, walls, and around the seams of mattresses and headboards, this is a strong sign that you may have a bed bug infestation that needs to be treated by a pest control engineer.

How can bed bugs be treated?

It is advised that bed bugs are to be treated by a qualified pest controller from using a water-based insecticide spray. This is because vacuuming alone will not remove the pests. Ideally, a bed bug infestation should be treated in the morning. This is because it is more likely that the insecticide will settle, as well as minimising risk of inhalation of the spray. Consequently, it is important that the treated premises is vacated for at least four hours after the treatment. Bed bugs can contaminate an entire property so it is very important that as much of the area as possible is treated.

However, it should be noted that:

  • The room(s) will need to be cleared of any clutter, this includes furniture.
  • Soft furnishings should be removed and washed at the highest possible temperature, to ensure that there is no longer an infestation present.
  • Pregnant women, babies or young children or those with breathing difficulties such as asthma, will be at a greater risk from the treatment (the pest controller will advise these customers on how long they should vacate the premises for).

If you believe you may be suffering from a bed bug infestation, always be sure to use a reputable pest controller to be rid of your pest problem in no time.