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Your roof is the protector of your home, keeping you and your loved ones sheltered from the outside world and protecting your from the elements 24/7 365 days a year.

Given how much your roof absorbs, it is no surprise that it will become a bit tired and worn over time, and eventually you will need to take action to prolong its lifespan.

It is important that you do this at the right time, as a damaged roof is a serious concern that can compromise the integrity of your home and put your possessions and safety under threat.

Roof repair Glasgow is an essential service that should be carried out on all older roofs and those which have taken damage as a result of storms, bird activity, freak accidents, or for any other reason.

Why is your roof so important?

Your roof is your first, and only defence against rain, snow, sleet, wind, and anything else that the notorious Scottish weather can throw at it. It also plays a critical role in the energy efficiency of your property and helps you to keep your home at the perfect temperature for less all your long. You should arrange for roof inspections to be carried out on your roof by expert Glasgow roofers on a regular basis, and ensure that any issues that are detected are dealt with promptly.

This will help you to avoid far more costly repairs further down the line, and even complete roof replacement that is inevitable if the issues are allowed to escalate.

5 benefits of roof repairs

Having your roof repaired as soon as issues are detected will save you a whole world of pain further down the line.

5 of the biggest benefits of fast roof repairs include:

Protecting your home

Roof leaks put the possessions and people inside your home at serious risk. Water can destroy your belongings in an instant, not to mention seeping into structural supports and potentially compromising the very foundations of the property. A damp environment is also prime real estate for mould and mildew growth that can be very harmful to nearby humans, especially those with existing allergies or medical conditions.

Extend your roof’s lifespan

You might think that roof repairs seem a bit expensive, especially if they are identified before any leaks have occurred, but the alternative is waiting for the roof to degrade even further, at which point, replacement will likely be the only option.

Trust us, it is a lot more cost-effective to repair your roof now and extend its lifespan by many years, than it is to replace it due to a lack of care.

Improves home value

The condition of the roof is an important factor to property buyers and keeping yours in great condition will maximise the amount that you are able to get for your home if you wish to sell in the future. This doesn’t mean you have to be considering moving out immediately, but a sturdy and visually attractive roof that increases curb appeal will put you in a great position if things every change.

Improve energy efficiency

A damaged roof is a serious flaw in your home’s energy efficiency, letting heat seep away and costing you a fortune during the winter in increased heating bills. Installing insulation is widely recognised as one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency in a property but this will have little impact if the roof is damaged. Leaks don’t only have to let water in, they also let air in and out and repairing them will make it a whole lot easier and cheaper to keep your home at the perfect temperature all year round.

Keep your home looking great

We all want our homes to look their best at all times and your roof plays a major part in determining the aesthetic of the property from the outside. Repairing your roof when required, and having it cleaned on a regular basis will keep your home looking in tip-top condition at all times, impressive visitors, neighbours, and passers-by and creating a pleasant environment to come home to after a tough day in the office.

Is DIY roof repair a good idea?

No, working at height can be dangerous and any significant repair work should always be carried out by a highly trained experienced professional.

These experts carry out roof repairs on a regular basis and have all the experience, tools, and equipment required to prolong the lifespan of your roof. Make sure to do your research and find a reliable local roofer in your area, however, as the standard of repair work that is done will determine how effective the new roof will be and how long it will take for the issues to reappear.

Are infrared saunas finally knocking traditional Finnish saunas off their perch as the ultimate heat treatment tool?

The benefits of using a sauna for recovery, relaxation, and socialisation are well known. The traditional style sauna, heated using wood, hot stones, or more recently electric heaters, have been used across the globe for centuries now, first appearing in Finland well over 2000 years ago.

Ever since, it has been used to ease muscle soreness, destress after a tough day, and an opportunity to get together with friends.

The concept behind the sauna itself, hasn’t changed too much either over that time. A small room, heated to a high temperature by a heating source, sometimes filled with steam by pouring water over hot stones.

However, times may be changing. The Infrared sauna is the latest piece of heat treatment technology to have hit the market, and it really has taken the wellness sector by storm.

Infrared saunas offer all the health and lifestyle benefits of a traditional Finnish sauna in a far more energy efficient way, focussing deep penetrating heat on the user, rather than heating only the room itself.

But is this just a fad? Traditional saunas have passed the test of time with flying colours and look set to thrive for many centuries yet. So, are Infrared saunas Glasgow here to stay? Or are they simply a passing trend?

That is exactly what this article will examine, looking at exactly how infrared saunas work, why their supporters are so adamant that they are a better option than traditional sauna, and finally at some of the biggest health benefits to infrared sauna use.

What are infrared saunas?

Infrared saunas, in contrast to traditional saunas, don’t heat the air around the sauna user, but rather their body directly.

When you use an infrared sauna, infrared lamps attached to the walls or ceiling will send electromagnetic radiation waves into your body. Infrared waves are not visible to the human eye, but they are also completely harmless and will have no negative impact on the human body. In fact, hospitals often use infrared to treat new-born babies.

Infrared waves are much more efficient at penetrating deep within the human tissue than conventional heat meaning that when you use an infrared sauna you will begin to feel the benefits far quicker, and they are likely to be more significant.

As a result of this targeted heat, infrared saunas operate at a much lower ambient room temperature than traditional saunas, normally somewhere in the region of 40-60 degrees Celsius rather than 70-90 degrees Celsius.

There are several different benefits to this with the main two being that those who do not enjoy extreme heat may find an infrared sauna more enjoyable, and that infrared saunas can safely be used for longer periods of time without risking overheating.

It is estimated that only 20% of all the heat that is generated by an infrared sauna goes to heating the air inside the room itself, with 80% heating the body directly.

Why would use choose an infrared sauna over a traditional sauna?

Energy Efficiency

If you are thinking about having your very own home sauna installed, an infrared sauna Glasgow is by far the most cost effective option.

They use significantly less energy to operate than a traditional sauna, due in part to the fact that the room does not need to be pre-heated before use. Energy bills are high enough as it is just now without choosing to increase them further unnecessarily when there is a cheaper option available that doesn’t involve a drop in either quality or effectiveness of results.

Deeper heat

The penetrating heat of an infrared sauna Glasgow amplifies many of the biggest health benefits of regular sauna use.

It sends blood surging round all parts of the body, opening blood vessels, and healing minor injuries at a faster rate. It removes lactic acid from muscles, allowing you to train harder and recover quicker than ever before. It even improves your skin’s appearance by producing an intense sweat that washes away much of the debris and toxins that have gathered in and around your skin’s pores over time.

Simply put, almost all the wonderful advantages of traditional saunas for your health that have been celebrated for all these past years exist with an infrared sauna, many to a greater extent.

Customisation options

Infrared saunas come with all the customisation options that you would expect from a technology that is at the forefront of innovation within the heat treatment industry. With a huge selections of colours, designs, shapes, and sizes to choose from, you will have no problem in finding a home infrared saunas that perfectly matches the aesthetic of your home.

If you have discovered a pest problem involving rodents, birds, insects, or any other species in your home or business, you need to take action straight away.

A trip to your local supermarket will reveal a myriad of ‘DIY’ pest control products claiming to offer effective solutions to almost any pest problem you can think of at a lower price than calling in the professionals.

But is it really worth it? Should your DIY attempts fail, you may well be left with a much worse problem than you had before as pest species often breed at a rapid rate meaning any delay can be extremely costly.

Furthermore, there are very strict regulations over the use of pesticides and if you end up harming a non-target species, even accidentally, you could face serious legal repercussions.

That isn’t to say that there is no benefit to home pest control, however. Putting preventative measures in place to prevent pest infestations forming in the first place is a highly effective step that should be taken by every homeowner, for example.

This article will run you through some of the more common pests found in the UK, looking at whether DIY pest control is a good idea and how to tell when it’s time to call one of the best pest controllers Preston.

Bed Bugs

There are some pest species where it can be worth attempting DIY control before calling in the professionals and you could save a bit of money if you are successful.

Bed bugs are NOT one of them. It simply isn’t worth the risk of letting an infestation grow and the chances of achieving complete eradication without professional grade heat and fumigation equipment is extremely slim.

Bed bug removal can often take a few visits to complete as these insects are pretty hardy, but with the help of a professional you will get there, and the nightly battle will be over once and for all.

Infestations of bed bugs are some of the most upsetting and difficult to manage of all pest problems and all that matters is that you are able to take back control of your home as soon as possible.

If you run a hotel, hostel or similar shared accommodation business, the risk of bed bugs is higher than in a domestic home due to the high turnover of different guests so consult with. Professional pest control expert for tips on the best way to protect your reputation and guard against these biting nuisances.

Rodents

Mice and rat traps are some of the most commonly bought DIY pest products anywhere in the world.

Snap traps and bait boxes can be effective in killing rodents and you may well find that you do end up achieving limited success simply by placing them in areas where you have seen rodent activity.

Unfortunately, killing one or two rodents isn’t going to touch the sides when it comes to removing an extensive infestation and to do that you will almost certainly need to use a professional.

Professional pest controllers deal with rodents daily and will use a proven combination of rodenticides, trapping, and habitat modification over a series of treatment visits to achieve complete control.

The sooner you act the better as rodents not only breed quickly but also have a tendency to gnaw their way through almost anything, including electrical wiring, and thousands of property fires across the UK start in this manner every year.

Birds

Pest Birds such as gulls and feral pigeons have never been a bigger threat to human health in the cities and towns of the UK, roosting and nesting on houses and commercial buildings due to the close proximity of food sources.

There are a variety of bird scarers that can be purchased and installed in your garden such as model owls and other decoy birds of prey.

Unfortunately, whilst these may initially be effective, over time, birds will realise that the decoys pose no real threat and simply return to the property.

For effective and permanent relief from your bird pest control problems, the best thing to do is to have netting or spikes installed by a professional pest controller. They not only have the equipment and expertise to install these specialist deterrents, but are also aware of all the legislation regarding the treatment of pest bird species.

Birds of all kinds are strictly protected under animal welfare law and it is illegal to disturb birds nesting or remove eggs without the required licenses. The penalties for doing so can be pretty severe so it is never worth taking the risk.

For more information on the benefits of professional pest control services, get in touch with us now and speak to one of our highly trained BPCA accredited pest control experts.

New double glazed Edinburgh windows and doors are a great investment in the future of your home and having them installed is an exciting time. You have lower energy bills, less noise, and great views to look forward to, but first you need to go through the installation process itself.

You have chosen your window design, agreed a quote, and are ready to go, but first you want to make sure that you and your home are fully prepared for the work to be carried out. Our expert installers are happy to help you prepare you home by moving furniture etc., will minimise disruption and will clean up meticulously after they have installed your windows.

However, there are a few simply ways for you to make the process as smooth as possible for you, and allow the professional fitter to carry out installation as effectively as possible.

These include:

Arranging installation around your schedule

Most double glazing Edinburgh windows and doors installers will be quite flexible over when they install your windows and are always happy to be flexible should there be any unexpected incidents that mean you need to reschedule.

Try to ensure that your installation date is a day where you will be able to keep any children or pets away from the area, during the working day when you are off work for example.

If possible, choose a date where you could be available the day after if required, just in case there is an unforeseen delay or problem with installation. If you don’t intend on being at home at all during installation that’s fine, but make sure to arrange for your installer to be able to able to gain access to the property.

Keep the driveway clear

If you have a driveway outside your property make sure to keep it clear on the day of installation. This will make it a bit easier for your installers to bring your new double glazed windows as close as possible and make the whole process a lot simpler. If this is not possible, don’t worry, but anything that you can do to make accessing the property that little bit easier will be much appreciated by your installers on the day and ensure you have your new windows in place as soon as possible.

Move fragile items

Professional double glazing installers will do all they can to keep any mess to a minimum inside your home and will lay down dust sheets to protect your carpets, rugs, and soft furnishings.

You should try to move any decorations or ornaments that are particularly fragile out of the way whilst installation is carried out just in case they accidentally get knocked.

This not only avoids your double glazing installation costing you far more than it needs to but also gives the installer more room to operate, allowing them to finish installation as quickly as possible.

 Move furniture

Our double glazing installers are happy to move heavy furniture for you when they come to your property to install your new double glazing.

This is a lot easier for us to do, however, if the surrounding area is free of smaller items such as plants, kids/pet toys etc. Try to clear the floor of the rooms in which your windows will be installed in advance, allowing for a smooth process on the day itself. We will be very grateful.

How long does it take to have new double glazed windows installed?

The exact time that it will take to have double glazed windows installed depends on a number of factors including the weather, the location of your property, and the size of the property.

If windows are located in hard to access areas or are uniquely shaped, the process may take a little longer but better this than the installers try to rush the job and make a fatal error that will come back to haunt you in the years to come.

Double glazed window installation should only ever be conducted by a highly trained and skilled professional and quality should always be prioritised over speed. An experienced installer will usually have all your windows replaced in under a day, but this is not always possible.

A good installation firm will communicate clearly with you if there may be a delay and explain exactly why this has occurred. We always try our best to complete our installations in a timely fashion and will never leave you with gaping holes in your property especially during the winter months.

You also need to factor in time to clean up any debris or trim the edges of a new double glazed window installation.

Boiler servicing is conducted by Gas Safe engineers and involved a thorough inspection of your gas boiler.

Annual boiler servicing from CHS Glasgow will help to keep your boiler in top condition, maximising energy efficiency, prolonging the lifespan of the boiler, and reducing the risk of breakdowns or dangerous leaks.

If you are a landlord, boiler servicing is a legal requirement and you must have a certificate verifying that checks have been conducted. For homeowners, they will help to keep your home safe and ensure that you do not accidentally invalidate your boiler warranty or insurance policy.

But what exactly is involved in a boiler service, how much do they cost, and how do you find the right engineer to carry out this vital task?

This article will answer all these questions and more, giving you all the information that you could possibly need on boiler servicing in the UK.

What happens during a boiler service?

Basic Checks

When conducting an annual boiler service, a Gas Safe engineer will carefully inspect and clean your boiler to ensure it is in top condition.

Once complete, they will provide you with a report detailing their findings, any work done, and any work that is required in the near future.

They will begin the service with a visual inspection looking for any of the more obvious indications of boiler problems, faults, or issues.

These may include leaks of either gas or water, damage to electrical components, any combustible materials nearby, signs of overheating, and much more.

Efficiency checks

Once these basic checks have been complete, they will move on a an efficiency check where your boiler will be turned on in order to identify operational faults.

The engineer will check each and every component that could affect the efficiency of the boiler from the burner to the spark sensor probe.

They will also check the gas rate to determine if the unit is operating as it should according to the manufacturer’s guide. Finally, they will remove any dirt or debris that has built up that will impact negatively on the amount of heat energy that the boiler produces.

Safety checks

Ensuring your boiler is working efficiency is essential, but the safety of the unit is by far the most important aspect of a boiler service.

A Gas Safe engineer will conduct a detailed examination of the boiler’s stability as well as checking the seal and combustion components for any signs of damage or deterioration.

They will also make sure that the boiler is operating at a safe pressure level and test for any carbon monoxide leaks.

When is the best time to have your boiler serviced?

As boilers are used most during the winter months many people understandably decide to have their boiler serviced at this time of year. However, it actually makes a lot more sense to arrange a boiler service for the summer months for a number of different reasons.

Firstly, engineers and boiler companies tend to be a lot less busy during the summer, meaning that you have a lot more flexibility over when the service is carried out. Many will also offer discounts to those who book services at this time in order to fill their schedules.

Furthermore, it is much better for issues to be identified in the summer when your boiler is not required as often than in the winter when any time spent waiting for an engineer to be available will be spent in the freezing cold.

How much is a boiler service?

Depending on the time of year you book your boiler service and the Gas Safe engineer in question, a boiler service tends to cost somewhere in the region of £70-£100. You, like many others, may consider skipping a boiler service in order to save yourself some money but this really isn’t a good idea and will only lead to paying more in the long run.

For a start, failing to arrange a service will lead to your boiler’s energy efficiency gradually dropping over the years costing you more in energy bills each winter.

It will also lead to a higher chance of expensive repairs being required and shorten the lifespan of the unit itself. Having to replace your boiler with a brand new one years before a replacement would otherwise have been required simply because you didn’t have it serviced is not a smart financial decision and could end up costing you thousands.

Get in touch

If you are looking for annual boiler servicing and want to ensure that you are getting the best possible deal, get in touch with our expert team of Gas Safe engineers today and we will be delighted to help.