Archives for November 2021

Installing a roof vent is often done to help alleviate problems with moisture buildup inside the house. A roof vent should never be installed outside the house, as this will cause major problems with moisture, snow accumulation, and ice dams. This blog post will teach you the common mistakes people make when installing a roof vent so you can avoid making them yourself.

What is a roof vent?

A roof vent is an outer cover that is installed on the top of your roof. It’s designed to relieve an attic space of excess heat and moisture. Installing a roof vent is often done to help alleviate problems with moisture buildup inside the house. The vent should never be installed outside the house, as this will cause major problems with moisture, snow accumulation, and ice dams.

Can a roof vent be installed outside the house?

Installing a roof vent outside your house can cause major problems. For example, snow and ice will accumulate on the vent, and it will likely become clogged with snow and ice. This can cause ice dams and eventually leaks.

It’s also important to note that a roof vent isn’t intended to let cold air in your house during the winter. Installing a roof vent outside your house will cause your furnace to work harder to keep the home warm.

A roof vent should be installed at the peak of your roof, not outside the house. If you’re experiencing moisture buildup inside your home, installing a roof vent is a good option for you. But it should never be installed outside the house.

Choosing the right location for the vent

The first step of installing a roof vent is choosing the right location for the vent. If you choose the wrong place, you may find yourself having to remove the vent entirely.

One common mistake people make when installing a roof vent is installing the vent too close to the roof’s edge. This is a bad idea, as snow accumulation can clog the vent, leaving it unable to work correctly. Even worse, snow could fall into your house due to this mistake.

A second common mistake is putting vents on the same side of the home. This will cause ice dams to form on one side of your house. Ice dams are essentially large chunks of ice that form on your roof and effectively prevent water from flowing away from your home.

To prevent any of these mistakes from happening, it’s important to take measurements of your roof before installation. As well as consider what type of shingles are on your roof. This will help you determine the best location for your roof vent.

Using window opener and window closer

Aside from installing a roof vent, it’s also essential for you to have a window opener and a window closer so you can easily access natural and fresh air to add to better air circulation. With window openers and window closers, you can conveniently control your windows and let the air in without relying too much on roof vents.

Final Thoughts

Installing a roof vent is an easy DIY project for homeowners. However, not all homeowners know how to install a vent correctly. The wrong installation could lead to major problems in the future, like moisture buildup and ice dams. Hopefully, after reading this blog post, you feel confident in your ability to install your very own roof vent.

Hair and dirt can clog the bathtub drain. Often, they reach deep into the drain and get stuck, creating a foul odour as well. Usually, long hair wraps around the cross on the bottom of the drain body. But you need to install a strainer to catch shorter hair.

If you have a hair catcher assembly and yet cannot clear the drain all by yourself, you may have to call a plumber. In that case, try contacting several companies as you might not find someone available on the spot. Not every professional offers emergency unblocking to clear drains London on a Saturday night.

The Best Way to Clear a Bathtub Drain

You can use special tools to remove the blockage of hair that is clogging the drain. In detail, there is a metallic stick with a little brush on the end that works wonders. Just stick it down the drain to grab the hair and pull it out.

Stores sell different versions of hair clog remover tools. But you can also use a wire laundry hanger and cut it with pliers. After you bend the tip in the shape of an L, your homemade tool is ready to go down the drain and remove the blockage.

When removing hair from a blocked drain, keep a mask on to avoid smelling what is below. As any BDS drainage expert will tell you, even professional plumbers with over ten years of experience can start dry-heaving when exposed to such smells.

Other Methods to Unclog Your Bathtub Drain

The Plumbing Snake

Plumbers use a drain snake to unclog the bathtub drain. That is, a tool that you can feed deep into the piping system. Here are the instructions:

1. Turn the tap on and put a little bit of water in the bathtub to test for drainage.

2. Wear gloves and use the hair clog remover tool to clear the space underneath the drain.

3. Use a Phillips screwdriver and take the top part of the bathtub off to access the overflow.

4. Insert the drain snake inside the overflow and keep pushing and twisting it with the dial

5. Once you get in, you may have to loosen up the locking system before feeding the snake inside. Some models come with a safety lock.

6. Keep feeding the drain snake into the pipe until you feel it stop because of the blockage.

7. Lock the cable in place

8. Rotate the dial and push the snake for a minute or until you feel the blockage coming off.

9. Pull the snake back. Use a paper towel to avoid muck splatters as you remove the cable tip from the overflow.

10. Use a box cutter to cut twisted hair around the tip of the drain snake.

Chemical Drain Openers

Drain cleaners use acid to unblock or corrode the blockage. Given that these products are readily available in most stores, people tend to use them. But while they might work, they are known to cause long-term damage to your pipes. So, use them sparingly and strictly follow the instructions.

The versatility of epoxy and its chemical qualities that allow it to attach (stick) to a variety of surfaces continue to amaze us. If you’re looking for a long-lasting, hard-wearing finish like epoxy coatings, you’ll be pleased with the results of JDL surface coatings epoxy.

In spite of the fact that epoxy coatings are quite adaptable, the adhesive qualities of epoxy coatings do have a few restrictions on which surfaces may be used without fear of delamination.

Many businesses rely on epoxy, notably in the flooring and resurfacing sectors, and it is expected to stay so. Surface bonding material or commercial coatings, such as epoxy, can be used to resurface existing surfaces by placing them directly on top of the existing substrate. Using epoxy coatings for resurfacing has been demonstrated to be a reliable material due to its excellent performance as well as its long-term durability. In the foreseeable future, epoxy coatings will continue to evolve.

In this post, we’ll go through the many sorts of hard surfaces that our epoxy experts suggest for epoxy coatings, as well as the ones they don’t. As long as you know which surfaces are suitable with epoxy, you can avoid a lot of waste and reduce any worries about the application not adhering properly.

The epoxy may adhere to a variety of surfaces, but not all of them are suitable for everyone.

When it comes to spaces where there is minimal space for error without squandering time and materials, enthusiasm alone can only go you so far. Resurfacing jobs might be a challenge for some people who aren’t skilled enough to do the more demanding chores that need professional knowledge and expertise. All hard surfaces may be adhered to epoxy coatings, each with its own benefits and limitations, without a doubt.

However, not all of the following hard surfaces are suitable for all epoxy coating applications:

Recommendation #1: Concrete

When applying epoxy coatings, bare concrete surfaces are the most common and preferred option. Before applying epoxy, the concrete must be completely cured (and prepped). Make sure there are no old coatings or previous surface applications left.

Concrete preparation gear, such as concrete floor grinders, should be used for concrete flooring assuring proper surface preparation. To grind and profile concrete surfaces, concrete floor grinders use a mix of power and aggressive concrete equipment to achieve the desired results.

Recommendation #2: Granite or Marble

Whether it’s in your home or business, a marble or granite surface adds a sophisticated and luxurious feel to your surroundings. Epoxy coatings may be applied to these surfaces since they are formed of a combination of rock components, crystals, and other minerals.

Because of their high-class appeal, these beautiful surfaces are usually not covered up. Surface scratches and weathering are unavoidable, even with their imperviousness to the elements. In the long run, this will dull the sheen on your surfaces, making them less desirable. Thus, the epoxy coating can extend the overall life expectancy of the floorings.

Recommendation #3: Tile

Tile surfaces have been around for a long time, compared to many of today’s more modern flooring alternatives. It has also emerged as a new need for attractive, long-lasting, and seamless epoxy coatings as a result of the modernization of flooring materials.

Epoxy coatings can be applied to tile surfaces, although this isn’t always a good idea. The majority of tile surfaces may be coated with epoxy; however, we do not always advocate it for everyone due to the task’s difficulty. This is especially for those new to the profession who may be inexperienced.

More than that, the resurface coating itself is required in huge amounts. The contractor should have extensive experience in the field to handle the project efficiently.

Crack and grout fillers, as well as cementitious overlays, are known as micro-toppings, are among the additional supplies you’ll need. This application requires the use of fillers and engineered cement components.

In order for epoxy coatings to adhere correctly, the surface must be flat, consistent, and homogeneous. Crack and grout filler materials must be used to fill up all the gaps between each tile BEFORE the application achieves this uniformity level. When epoxy coatings are put to the surface of the existing tile, a thicker substance known as engineered cement can be used as an alternative.

Recommendation #4: Ceramic

This combination of hard, brittle, and sturdiness makes ceramic an ideal material for creating a hard surface alternative. Inorganic, non-metallic, frequently crystallized oxide, nitride, or carbide minerals are also commonly used to make ceramics.

Resurfacing materials with severe characteristics, such as those found in ceramic, can endure chemical erosion. It is also known as “porcelain” because of its ability to endure extremely high temperatures.

Epoxy coatings can be applied to ceramic surfaces after they have been cleaned using a chemical solution designed for this purpose. Using a sandpaper or angle grinder, softly sand your ceramic surfaces until they have a contoured surface that epoxy can chemically connect with, then wipe them down with a damp cloth. After that, apply the epoxy coating and wait for it to dry.

Recommendation #5: Wood

In theory, epoxy can adhere to wood, however some varieties of wood can cause the epoxy to fail to adhere effectively. It’s possible to get better results by using a specialized product like wood primer on the surface, but there are no guarantees.

When it comes to epoxy coatings, wood surfaces may be a real wildcard for individuals who are new to the field or just untrained. There must be no loose panels, gaps, or evidence of buckling on the wood surfaces in order for the epoxy to bond correctly. For the application to operate, the whole sub-surface beneath wood surfaces must be solid, non-expandable surfaces.

Summing Up!

Epoxy coating performance depends on the cleanliness and preparation of the surface and the surrounding circumstances during preparation, application, and curing.

Temporary climate control solutions are used when a regulated environment such as a factory is not accessible for the epoxy surface painting procedure. We hope that this guide has helped you make the final decision whether you should opt for epoxy coatings or not.

That’s an excellent question!

Or, to put it another way, “How often do you need to clean your house in order to keep it clean and tidy?”

Sometimes people just have this mental image in their heads that cleaning will take hours, if not all day. But, honestly, does it have to take so long?

It’s true that not everyone enjoys cleaning or maintaining their home for hours, if not all day. Not everyone is spotless and orderly. But one thing that all of them have in common is a need for a clean and orderly environment. Some individuals are naturally good at it, and they can’t bear messes; perhaps this is related to the way they were raised and trained as children. They just begin cleaning up items that are lying around or wiping and dusting objects they come across on an unconscious level. If you go professional make sure to get cleaners insurance. 

But some of us aren’t built that way. Some of us are too weary from our workdays to begin cleaning when we come home. Not to mention parents with small children who appear hell-bent on creating as much chaos as possible at all times. It’s simply not in our nature for some of us. It’s difficult to pinpoint why, but some of us just don’t have the “clean and tidy” gene.

How can we maintain our house clean and neat without spending a lot of time doing so?

Don’t fret! In this post, we share some of our tricks for keeping your house clean and neat in under an hour.

Here’s the secret: Don’t do all of my tasks at once! Break them down into small chunks and work on a few small jobs every day.

Bathrooms

So, let’s begin with the sections that will take longer to complete, such as the restrooms and toilet. Cleaning a bathroom takes between 20 and 30 minutes on average, depending on how unclean it is and how many bathrooms and toilets you have in your home. If you have multiple bathrooms in your house, you may clean one bathroom and one toilet on Monday and the other on Tuesday. It’s just an example; you may choose any weekday.

Floors

Vacuuming and mopping are next on the agenda. Most people don’t vacuum or mop every day. To keep your floor clean, it can be sufficient to quickly sweep up any small crumbs each day. It’s generally a good idea to dust (windowsills and furniture) right before you begin vacuuming. Don’t do these tasks on the same day you clean your bathroom and toilet, except on days when you have the time or just because you’re in the mood to complete them all at once.

Kitchen

What about the cooking area? Kitchens are commonly thought to be difficult to clean.

Cleaning some areas of the kitchen, particularly the rangehood, may be difficult. It does not, however, require cleaning every day or even once a week. You may simply clean it well once or twice a month. Every other day, you may just wipe the exterior of it and wipe the stovetop and bench after you’ve finished cooking, as well as the dining table after you’ve finished eating, to keep them looking clean.

The dreaded dirty dishes, especially when they pile up in the sink, may make our kitchen appear unclean at times. To avoid this, make a point of immediately washing any cooking utensils, plates, bowls, or cups that you or your children have used. Because none of the food clings to the objects you’re washing, it takes around 2-5 minutes if you do it soon after. If you really don’t want to bother, you could always put them in the dishwasher (if you have one) and leave it running while you sleep. You’ll wake up to clean dishes in the morning. But don’t forget to unload the dishwasher!

The Minor Aspects

Let’s now look at some minor things you may do to keep our space appearing neat. Let me begin with children’s toys. Yes, most children regularly remove every item from the toybox and leave them strewn around the floor. Some of you, my fellow parents, have undoubtedly stepped on a Lego piece by accident. Ouch! Yes, it’s a dreadful experience. In fact, it’s very painful!

To avoid a mess, politely ask your kids to put their toys back in the toybox after they’re through playing with them, or just put away the ones they don’t want to play with anymore. Encourage them to accomplish it by rewarding them once they’ve completed their task. I wouldn’t advocate going crazy with the goodies, but rewarding great behaviour in a balanced approach has its benefits.

Then there’s the matter of making the bed (s). Making the bed is one of the simplest yet most important jobs. It takes no more than 5 minutes and may be done as soon as you get up in the morning, with the exception of changing the sheets, which should be done once a week.

Laundry

How about the laundry? The average person does their laundry once a week. If you are a single person or a couple without children, that frequency is fairly realistic. Doing laundry once a week isn’t ideal for a single mother with two children. Don’t let your dirty clothes pile up, so it then takes you a full day to clean up. That’s precisely what you’re trying to prevent. Instead, do laundry every two or three days and put it away once it’s dry.

Something I’ve learned that is really important in keeping my home clean and tidy is to keep all major surfaces free, such as the kitchen benches, tables, floors, or any other large surface. To keep your house looking its best, always be sure to put items back where they belong after using them.

See? Keeping your house clean and neat does not take long. Because who has hours or all day? You simply need to set aside 30-40 minutes every day. 

The water is draining away slowly. You are starting to smell a bad odour coming from the drains. Often, these are signs that you have a blockage somewhere in your drainage system and you need to do something about it quickly. Otherwise, it can get worse and cost you a fortune.

The best way to resolve a problem with your system is to hire a drain unblocking service. There are many available in North London and this is going to be the best solution. But, a lot of homeowners are apprehensive to use a professional service down to cost. Here are some reasons why it is always best to choose a drain unblocking service.

Enjoy a Quick Solution

Nobody wants to have a blocked drain in their home. The side effects of this problem can be severe. We are talking about having water drain away slowly, as well as having a complete blockage. There can also be a bad odour around the home, plus gurgling sounds and strange noises. Having a blocked drain is very inconvenient and the sooner it is dealt with, the better it will be for everyone.

The good thing about using a professional drain unblocking service is that they are going to know how to solve the problem quickly. With their training and experience, the experts will know what the best approach is and be able to get on with the job. In addition, some companies that offer services in North London, such as FS Drainage, are available in emergencies to make sure you get the help you need as soon as possible. With quick response times, you can have an expert at your home in no time. Attempting to solve a blockage yourself can take a lot of time and this is especially true if you do not know what you are doing.

Find Out the Cause

If you have never had a blocked drain before, you might be curious at what has caused this to happen. You may feel like you have done nothing wrong and are puzzled about why this has occurred. After all, you do not want it to happen again and when you know the cause, you can stop it from developing in the first place.

Well, experts are going to be able to locate what the problem is and tell you more about it. For instance, one of the common reasons why drains become blocked is because homeowners are not careful. Namely, they are not cautious with what they are washing away down the sink. Food can be dropped down the drain, as well as other items that should not be going down there at all. Over time, they can build up and cause a nasty blockage that has a bad odour and that does not let any water through. Experts will be able to point out and educate homeowners on what they should avoid doing to look after their drains. Then, you can stop this from happening again in the future.

Avoid DIY Damage

A lot of homeowners want to try to save money. They have this idea in their head that professional services are going to cost a lot. So, when they discover they have a blocked drain, they attempt to try to fix the problem themselves. It cannot be that hard, right? This can include purchasing cheap unblocking products from a local store or attempting to use another method they have found online.

First of all, there is no guarantee that these methods are going to solve your problem and they can be a waste of time. But, trying DIY solutions can actually be dangerous for your home too. If you are not a professional, you can end up damaging your drainage system. For example, a lot of products contain corrosive chemicals that will damage pipes. So, you can use them believing they are going to clear the blockage and you end up causing a lot of money’s worth of damage to your drainage system.

Therefore, unless you have experience, it is best to avoid trying to solve a blockage by yourself. A lot of DIY methods are risky and if you do not know what you are doing, you can cause a lot of damage. Then, you will still have to call in the professionals for the blockage and you might have to pay for repairs to the pipes or overall drainage system. It is not worth taking this risk.