The words roof repairs send shivers down the spine of many a homeowner, but they don’t have to be as daunting and expensive as you might think.

As a leading provider of roofing services Glasgow we listen to the concerns and worries of homeowners requiring roof repairs on a daily basis and have grown used to debunking myths and easing fears.

In this article we will look through some expert advice from expert roofers, sharing some of their tricks of the trade for fixing roofs the right way and giving you the confidence to approach roofing issues without fear.

Safety

Before we go any further into how to look after your roof, the first thing we need to talk about is safety. We often cringe listening to stories from clients who have gone up on their own roof with nothing more than a ladder and a prayer to try and find the source of a leak. They might have got away with it, but they were the lucky ones. Thousands of accidents happen on rooftops every single years as a result of untrained individuals attempting DIY roof repairs or inspections without suitable safety equipment. If you are going up a ladder, ensure that you are wearing non-slip shoes and have someone else with you to hold it secure. Even better, don’t.

Only highly trained experts should conduct roof repairs, both because they have the tools and knowledge to do the best possible job, and because they have undergone extensive training on how to do so safely.

Avoid cheap fixes

It can be tempting to go for the cheapest possible option when repairing a problem with your roof but this is rarely a good idea. A quick fix might stop your roof leaking for a time, but before you know it the problem will reappear worse than ever. The time and money you spend on multiple temporary fixes could easily be avoided simply by spending a little more on a proper fix in the first place. The worse a problem gets, after all, the more it will cost you to fix and if you leave it too long complete roof replacement will be required. Trust us, if this happens you will be wishing you went for a more sturdy repair job in the first place.

Don’t forget about your gutters

Gutters play a very important role in keeping your roof in good condition, draining it of water and protecting the structure from having to bear too much weight.

If your gutters get clogged up, this role is compromised, causing water to overflow, leaks to occur, and increasing the risk of structural damage significantly. Make sure to inspect and clean your gutters out on a regular basis or hire one of the local gutter clearance companies in your local area to do so. You should have your roof cleaned to remove moss and other debris on a regular basis anyway so make sure to ask to have your gutters cleared out at the same time.

If you notice that your gutters are coming away from the side of the property, are damaged in anyway, or have cracked, hire a local roofer to resolve the issues. If you are cleaning your gutters and find that you have a grit like substance in them, this could be granules from the shingles on your roof and indicate that further repairs are needed elsewhere on the roof.

Do your research when hiring a roofer

If you have identified that you need roofing repairs, it is essential that you find the right contractor to carry them out. Complex roofing issues such as extensive storm damage or leaks with no obvious source require experts with extensive knowledge and experience, and all the tools that you could possibly ask for. As we mentioned above, DIY repair is not a good idea, but a rookie or cowboy roofer can be just as bad so make sure to pick the right one. If you are looking for a roofer in your local area, ask some close friends and neighbours if there is anyone that they would recommend or search online and read through reviews on an independent review site. Once you have narrowed down your options, get a quote from at least 2 or 3 companies to ensure that you are not being ripped off, but remember that price is not everything when it comes to roofing.

Roof repairs appear complex and difficult to resolve, but they don’t have to be. Follow the tips and advice in this guide and you will have all your roofing issues resolved once again in no time at all. Remember, the sooner you act, the better and the more money you will save in the long run.

A home steam room is the height of luxury and doesn’t have to cost the world either. Relax in the steamy surrounds of a steam shower or steam sauna, happy in the knowledge that the heat treatment is working wonders healing and revitalising your body without ever having to leave the convenience of your own home.

There are countless reasons why homeowners in the UK might wish to install their very own home steam room, far too many to fit into this single article. But, we’ll give it a go anyway. We have carefully narrowed down the health, lifestyle, and wellbeing advantages of a steam room to create this guide to the 9 things that everyone should know before they proceed with home steam room installation.

9 things you need to know about home steam rooms

1)     You can try one out in your local gym or spa

The benefits of steam rooms for the human body are well known and extensive and no luxury spa or gym worth their salt would be without one.

There is a good chance that it was in one of these fine establishments that you first has the pleasure of experiencing a steam room and are now considering installing one in your own home, but if not go and try it out first. You’re sure to love it.

2)     Steam rooms are cheaper than you might think

Home steam rooms are luxury additions to any property but they don’t need to cost the world. In order to save themselves money, some people decide to build their own steam rooms or showers but this can end up going disastrously wrong. Instead look for a local installer in your area who is renowned for their quality and affordable products. Steam showers start from just £1,500, but steam rooms can cost well over £5,000 if you opt for a high end product.

3)     Steam rooms are cheaper to run than saunas

Generally, steam rooms tend to be cheaper to run on a regular basis than saunas, due in the main to the fact that they are heated to a lower temperature. As the atmosphere inside a steam room is hot and humid, it feels far warmer than it actually is, whilst saunas, with their low humidity dry heat, are required to operate at a much higher temperature.

4)    You can use a steam room for longer than a sauna

As steam rooms work at a lower temperature to saunas, you can safely use them for longer periods of time without having to worry about overheating or dehydration. Still, you should always make sure that you drink plenty of water after leaving a steam room to replenish any lost fluids and check with your doctor if you are concerned about your health.

5)    Steam helps with colds

Ever wondered why a hot shower feels so good when you’ve got a cold? Steam can help to reduce congestion, loosen mucus, soothe sore throats and generally make feeling unwell a lot more bearable.

6)    Steam rooms reduce the risk of being ill

Steam rooms not only help when you are ill, but reduce the risk of you becoming so again in the future. Steam rooms boost production of white blood cells as your body thinks the sudden rise in body temperature is the result of a fever. With no virus to fight, these cells remain in the body, fighting off bacteria and reducing the risk of future illness.

7)    You can add special features

There are a raft of different customisation options available when you choose a home steam room, you don’t need to build your own to stamp your personality on it. From Bluetooth speakers and LED lighting to custom tile designs and aromatherapy there is something for everyone when it come to home sauna installation.

8)    Installation is surprisingly quick

Installing a home steam room may sound disruptive but an expert, experienced installation firm will have your new addition up and running in no time at all. Most home steam rooms can be fully installed within a day, although naturally this will vary depending on if you are having an entire new room built to fit the steam room or simply replacing a shower with a steam shower.

9)    Warranties are vital

As long as you buy from a respected manufacturer and use a respected installer the chances of a steam room malfunction are slim. Even so, you should make sure that you choose a unit with a long manufacturer’s warranty so that any leaks that need fixing, or parts that need to be replaced are done at no additional cost to you as the homeowner. New steam rooms can be cost-effective but a major repair bill can soon change this.

Boilers are an invaluable part of our home lives, but we often take them for granted until disaster strikes.

Boiler repairs and breakdowns are unexpected costs that you just don’t need at a time where costs are rising universally and if you are experiencing boiler problems you might be wondering just how much it will cost to fix the issues.

Unfortunately, no-one except a professional gas safe engineer from a company such as CHS Glasgow who has examined your boiler and identified the issue will be able to give you an exact quote for individual repairs, but this article will hopefully give you a better idea of what to expect.

How much are boiler repairs on average?

Well, as you might have guessed, this will depend on what it is that you need to be fixed, but in general boiler repairs cost anywhere from around £80 to a few hundred pounds.

In the UK the average cost of a boiler repair service is £210.

Any higher than that and you might start to think about boiler replacement rather than repair, especially for problems that your Gas Safe engineer advises you may reoccur in the future.

Bear in mind, however, that whilst these figures may be a bit of a shock, there is a good chance that your boiler may still be under warranty and the installation company that first put it in place will cover the repairs free of charge.

In order for this to be the case, your boiler will need to be relatively new, most warranties are somewhere in the region of 5-10 years in length, and you will probably be required to have a boiler service carried out on an annual basis.

If you are unsure of the exact terms of your warranty, get in touch with your boiler installation company as soon as possible. The last thing you need is to accidentally fail to meet a requirement of your warranty and end up having to pay hundreds of pounds as a result.

What impacts the cost of a boiler repair?

You might think that a complete boiler breakdown will be more expensive to repair than a boiler with a tiny leak, but this is not always the case. Often, however, this isn’t actually the case, and it will all depend on the cost of the boiler part responsible.

Other factors that can influence the cost of a boiler repair include: the type of the boiler that you have, the larger the boiler the more expensive it will be to repair; how old it is, older parts are hard to find; which boiler repair company you hire to carry out the work; where your home is in the country, some companies will charge larger call out fees for rural and remote locations.

Different types of boiler repair

When seeking a company to carry out a boiler repair on your behalf, only relevant for those whose boilers are not still under warranty, you will see that there are two different types of prices offered.

Boiler repair companies will tend to offer both fixed-price, and time related repair prices. Whenever possible, take the fixed price option. It will give you a much more accurate idea of whether or not you want to have the boiler repaired or simply replaced.

Why do I need to have my boiler repaired?

If your boiler hasn’t broken down, and is simply showing signs of repair being required, such as a drop in energy efficiency or a minor water leak, you might be tempted to simply ignore the issue in an attempt to save yourself some money.

This is not a good long-term strategy. Minor repairs can be relatively cheap, under £100 in many cases. On the other hand, the cost of an emergency gas safe engineer call-out in the middle of winter when that minor issue develops into a complete breakdown can be astronomical.

By far the most sensible option is to arrange for a boiler service to be carried out on an annual basis, even if you don’t have a warranty.

This will allow for even the smallest of issues to be identified at the earliest possible stage and for boiler repairs to be carried out.

Sure, you might end up having to pay a little more in the short term to arrange the service and subsequent repair, but it will certainly be a lot cheaper than if you have to have the whole boiler replaced. Even the most expensive of boiler repair tends to cost a few hundred pounds at most, not cheap, but a lot less than the many thousands of pounds that it costs to install a new combi boiler in your property.

New double glazed or even triple glazed windows can make your home a far more comfortable place, reducing your energy bills, keeping your home warm during the colder months, and letting natural light flood into your home like never before.

Replacing your existing windows before their time, however, might not be the smartest financial decision and you should be confident that the savings you will make will outweigh the cost of installation as soon as possible.

Sometimes it is obvious that an upgrade is required, in properties with single glazing still installed, for example, but when the existing windows are of good quality and simply reaching the end of their lifespan it can be slightly more difficult to pick the perfect moment.

To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the biggest signs that the time has come to look up “double glazing near me” and replace your windows with new double or triple glazing:

Age

Double glazed windows are expected to last around 20-25 years if well maintained and of a good quality. This lifespan is dependent on a number of factors besides material quality including the location of the property and exposure to weather conditions over the years but if you think your windows are reaching around this age, it is probably time to start looking for some replacements.

Even if there is nothing noticeably wrong with your windows, modern double glazing is far more energy efficient, and you might unknowingly be paying far more than is necessary for your energy as a result.

Rotting or warping frames

The frame of your window is almost as important as the glass itself when it comes to preventing heat loss and if your frames have begun to warp or rot, their weatherproofing is likely to have been compromised.

Once rot has started it is difficult to reverse and you may well see leaking and severe draughts as a result. If water seeps into the walls, the cost of repair can quickly soar, not the mention an increased risk of mould growing nearby.

The best option when you see a warped or rotten frame is simply to have the window replaced. To avoid a similar situation in the future, choose a uPVC or aluminium frame rather than a timber one next time. uPVC comes in very realistic wood effect finishes and provides far more efficient and durable results.

Hard to open or close

One sign that you window frames may have warped slightly without you noticing is increased stiffness when you try to open or close the window itself. If your window is stiff, or completely jammed it may compromise safety in the property, especially if the window is a designated emergency exit.

Your home is draughty

A cool draft of air in the summer months may be welcome, but when temperatures fall they are a worrying indication that your windows are not being successful in preventing cold air from getting inside.

If they can’t keep cold air out, they can’t keep warm air in either, and this can lead to much larger heating bills than should be required for a property of your size.

There could be a wide variety of different reasons for draughts, with the main one being poorly fitted or warped frames but windows that cannot close fully are also an issue.

Either way, there is a good chance that the only real way to remediate the issues will be to replace your existing units with brand new double or triple glazing.

You still have single glazing

If you still have single glazed windows in your property, it is essential that you upgrade to double glazing as soon as possible. This is usually only the case in older properties, but double glazing is no longer a luxury it is absolutely essential in order to reduce emissions and prevent your energy bills from soaring out of control.

You can hear a bit more from outside than you would like

If you live in the countryside a bit of ambient bird song seeping through the window might not be an issue, but for those in urban areas, or who live close to a main road or airport, sound proofing is an important part of their windows and doors.

If you have found that recently you have been able to hear a bit more outside activity than has previously been the case, it might be that your double glazing has begun to weaken and its ability to prevent sound transfer has started to fail. Replacing your windows with new double or, even better, triple glazed windows will make your home a sanctuary from the outside world, limiting sound entering your home from the outside world to an absolute minimum.

Pest infestations are a restaurant owner’s worst nightmare. They can halt operations, leading to fines and forced closure, and have a devastating effect on your reputation and your future success.

Unfortunately, large quantities of food and drink, and warmth are not only attractive to your guests, but also exactly what many of the most common pest species in the UK are looking for in a nesting site and without the appropriate pest prevention in place, you could soon yourself with a major problem.

It is easy to put the nightmare idea of pests scuttling about your restaurant to the back of your mind and hope that you won’t be the one unlucky enough the be targeted, but this is a recipe for disaster. Instead, take heed of these 6 top tips for the best way to prevent pests from accessing your restaurant in the first place.

Why is restaurant pest control so important?

Before we look at how you can prevent pests from targeting your restaurant, it is essential that you first understand the threat they pose.

Food safety should be the main priority of any restaurant owner worth the name and a failure to control pests will compromise yours massively.

Pest infestations have the potential to:

• Cause your restaurant to be closed temporarily or permanently by the local authority
• Put the health of staff and customers at risk
• Contaminate food and spread a variety of nasty diseases
• Tarnish your reputation within the local community should news spread across social media or in the local press
• Pose a fire risk if rodents choose to gnaw through your restaurant’s electrical wiring
• Cost you thousands of pounds in property repair or replacing lost/contaminated foodstuffs

6 tips to avoid pest infestations in restaurants

Store food correctly

Easy access to food is the main attraction of restaurants to most pests and storing yours correctly will help the reduce the likelihood of being targeted.

All food should be stored in airtight containers and food waste disposed of in sealed bags placed into self-closing external bins that are cleared as regularly as possible.

Clean up spills

Pests are a lot less picky when it comes to food than your customers and will happily feed on spilled food and drink.

Makes sure that any spillages are cleared away promptly and used dishes are cleaned immediately after use to prevent the build-up of residue attracting unwanted guests.

Arrange regular pest controller visits

A local pest control firm such as Harvey Environmental Services shouldn’t be an emergency only contact, they should be someone you work with on an ongoing basis to create an effective pest prevention plan.

Having a pest professional visit your restaurant on a regular basis will help you identify the earliest possible signs of pest activity and take precautions to guard against a repeat incident.

These highly trained individuals will know all the places to look for potential pests as well as having an in-depth knowledge of pest control legislation that they can use to help you meet all of your pest related obligations.

Install fly screens on windows and doors

In the summer months, flies and wasps are a constant battle that must be won by restaurants looking to maintain a hygienic environment without boiling to death.

Electric fly killers are one option, but these still require flies to enter your premises first, buzzing around and annoying customers before meeting their end. Fly screens on the other hand are a simple way to guard against flying insect pests whilst still allowing you to open your windows and doors and keep your restaurant at a comfortable temperature during the summer months.

Seal any obvious gaps

It is common knowledge that pests will exploit even the smallest of gaps in their search for food and shelter.

Pests are crafty enough, without rolling out the red carpet for them so conduct an extensive examination of your entire property looking for and sealing as many gaps as possible.

Make sure that all your doors fit perfectly in their frame and that door sweeps are fitted to the bottom to prevent pests from crawling underneath.

Check your pipework and guttering for any cracks and have them repaired before insects can exploit them.

Train your staff

It is not enough for you as the restaurant owner to be aware of best practice regarding pest activity, your staff needs to be just as committed to the pest prevention plan you have in place for it to be effective.

Make pest control a key topic of staff training and ensure that each and every member of your team is fully aware of the responsibilities that they have and why they are so important.