Whether you have been hanging the Christmas lights outside for years or this is your first attempt, the time is nearly here to get festive. Follow our easy tips to get those lights up and before you know it you will be brightening up everyone’s evening and getting into the Christmas spirit. (more…)
Most of us don’t think about the gutters in our homes unless there is a problem. Which is usually while it’s pouring with rain outside! By the time the rain storm is over, we have often forgotten about them again. It’s easy to forget, or not appreciate, just how important guttering is for our homes though until that problem grows and ends up costing us a lot of money to put right. Before the winter season truly sets in, we take a look at how guttering keeps our home safe and what quick maintenance checks we can do regularly to keep on top of any problems before they escalate. (more…)
Most people don’t think twice about their roof unless there is a problem, such as a leak. But leaving things to escalate to that point means that there would have been warning signs that, if spotted sooner, could have led to much less costly and disruptive repairs. (more…)
Enjoying the sunshine and warm weather – or should that be heatwave – this year? If you’re anything like us, you’ve loved it for a while but now you are happy that it has cooled down a little. Your roof may be feeling the effects of the hot summer too and could be hoping for a little relief. Which is why we thought we would put together a short guide on how the summer sun can affect it and what you can do to manage that this month. Read on for all the details… (more…)
Roof flashings are not something most people think about unless there is a problem and they need to be replaced. While it may not be at the forefront of your mind, flashings are a critical element of any roof. Roof flashings are designed to create a seal between your roof coverings – such as slates, tiles or flat roof materials – and the roof penetrations and abutments, i.e. chimney stacks, parapet walls and property walls. Properly installed roof flashings are designed to protect your home by providing cover, and channelling water away from potential leaky areas. While lead has been used for many years, new alternatives are now available on the market so our focus in this month’s article is on the pros and cons of both lead and synthetic alternatives to help you make an informed decision when the time comes to have your flashing repaired or replaced. (more…)
With lots of home extensions over the years and many more homeowners considering them as an alternative to buying a new property and moving home, flat roofs are being seen more and more in homes around the country. This often leads to the question from many of our clients around whether or not a new flat roof will be covered by their insurance, as there is some conflicting advice out there. To help put things into context and dispel some of those myths, this month’s article focuses on insuring a flat roof. (more…)
With winter over it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the summer. With the hottest bank holiday on record, you may have already started the summer season and forgotten all about your roof – after all, it was fine over the winter so there’s nothing to worry about. But the abrupt changes between hot and cold temperatures can play havoc with your roof joints, or the age of your roof may mean it is starting to show signs of wear and tear. We have had a lot of rain as well and let’s be honest, the UK summer does typically mean rain at times. This month we focus on those little new leaks that you may find and how to deal with them immediately to avoid them getting any worse. (more…)
It is a question we get every so often, and typically when there is a problem. It usually comes with a grimace as homeowners realise they have to fork out lots of money to fix something that if caught earlier could have been easier and cheaper to fix or they could have been more prepared. So this month we decided to take a look at the top things to look out for when it comes to roof problems so that you are not caught unaware. What are the warning signs that tell you your roof may need to be replaced? (more…)
The ‘Beast from the East’ made its presence felt for quite a few days last month, one of the worst cold spells in the UK for a number of years. It led to widespread transport problems and resulted in the closure of most schools around the country. It also had most of us out playing in the snow. But for some it may have led to roof problems which may not manifest themselves for a while to come and which could result in costly repairs. This month we take a quick look at how to avoid them and what you can do to prevent them now and in the future. (more…)
When installing a new roof you are will be faced with a choice: slate or tile? The main difference between the two materials is that slate is a natural stone which is mined, while tiles are manufactured and therefore man-made. However you can also get a fibre cement slate, otherwise known as a man-made slate, which is an alternative to a natural slate. This month we take a look at the differences between these two materials and offer some thoughts on the most suitable applications for each to help you make a decision for your own home. (more…)
With the increasing cost of electricity and the falling cost of solar panels, more and more people are considering installing them. The payback period has dropped significantly and there are still significant savings to be made in the medium to long term on electricity bills. There are a few fundamental things that you need to consider about your roof though before determining whether or not you can install solar panels, including: (more…)
Last month we looked at the differences between pitched and flat roofs and the pros and cons of each. This month we are looking in a little more detail at the most popular types of flat roofs and consider the benefits and disadvantages of the three:
When building or renovating, whether it’s your home, a garage, or an extension, you will have to make a decision fairly early on about what type of roof you want to include in your design. There are two main types of roofs: flat roofs and pitched roofs. Both have benefits and disadvantages and to help you decide we have put together an easy-to-use guide on what those are:
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It’s getting to that time of the year when you are thinking of getting the fire going for a cosy evening indoors. You have checked and cleaned the grate and flue, bought the wood and kindling, and are ready to throw those logs on and get a roaring fire started. But have you inspected your chimney from the outside as well? Before you light that fire there are a couple more things to think about and check so that your fireplace and home are safe throughout the winter.
With the cooler mornings and the days beginning to shorten noticeably, it’s inevitable that winter is around the corner. While the weather is still good and the autumn rains haven’t kicked in yet now is the time to make sure that your roof is ready for whatever this year’s winter is ready to throw at it. (more…)
While it is great to see wildlife in your garden and in local parks, when animals find their way into your home and make it their home too it can be a different story altogether. Many animals will seek out a warm home in which to build their nests, but this can cause significant damage to your house in a number of ways. (more…)
Gutters are an essential part of your home. It seems that guttering only seems to go noticed when a problem arises, but for the remainder, it remains largely unnoticed. By being unnoticed, it often means they are likely to be doing their job well, or the warm summer months are leaving no reason for concern. (more…)
In terms of home maintenance, one aspect that is often neglected is the roof. More often because if it’s out of sight, than it is out of mind. However, maintaining your roof is important as it can help to prevent costly future repairs that affect more than just the roof. (more…)
