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Posts Tagged ‘access<’
Wise old Mr-Skill has often come across water-damaged ceilings, and he rightly advises that the first thing to do is to find and repair the source of the problem. It may be a leaking pipe in the loft, or perhaps a cracked tile on your roof. Once the cause of the problem’s sorted, the damaged ceiling should be allowed to dry out naturally. If it has suffered significant damage, you may need to replace that whole section entirely – simply find a roofing expert right here on Mr-Skill.
Weighing your Options
If you are going to go the route of a DIY repair, there are some important considerations. Maybe that’s all too difficult for you, in which case you can find a painter or decorator here on Mr-Skill. Ceiling and roof work in general are difficult areas to work with, and that’s why it is advisable to call in the experts.
Steps to Ceiling Recovery 
- A proper repair of the damaged area is essential, as simply leaving the moisture to evaporate will not prevent further leaks. Assuming that the source of the leak has been eliminated – this could mean getting a painting quote afterwards – you can now commence the recovery process.
- If you can access the area above the ceiling board, prepare to inspect the area from on top. Drying out the water-damaged area is important, and there is no real substitute for time and some movement of air in the affected space. Attempting to paint too soon will simply result in the water marks re-appearing through the fresh paint, no matter how many coats you apply.
- If the damaged ceiling has severe blackening or water staining, try applying bleach to the area on a sponge or cloth. If the old paint starts to peel or crack, you must scrape the entire area until you get back to raw ceiling board.
- Once the ceiling panel has dried out thoroughly, and you have removed as many of the water marks as possible, apply a liberal coat of universal undercoat. Allow this to dry properly too.
- After a day or two, you can go ahead and apply a good quality ceiling paint with a roller. Allow to dry naturally, and apply as many coats as necessary to cover the old problem zone.
Good as New
One of our regular London painters tells us that he never ceases to be amazed at what water damage can do to a ceiling and how difficult it can be to put right. After all, nobody enjoys walking into a room with a blackened ceiling!
Tags: access, ceiling, ceilings, considerations, cracked tile, DIY, find a painter decorator, leak, leaking, leaking pipe, London painter-and-decorator, moisture, movement, naturally, painter, painting decorating quote, roof work, undercoat, water marks, water-damaged
Posted in Painting & Decorating, Project Advice, Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
The last components that are fitted when assembling modern baths are the front panels themselves. These clip easily into place, and clip out easily too in order to provide access to drains and pipes. Because bath sizes are standardised these days, it follows that it is equally easy to replace an existing panel on a modern bath.
 This represents a superbly simple way to add new panache and style and colour to existing bathrooms for a fraction of the cost of refits, and you don’t necessarily require Bathroom Fitting Quotes before you start. In fact, the biggest task is often selecting the right bath panel from the range of options.
We recommend that you resist the urge to install anything that is capable of absorbing water, whether this spills over the bath-rim, or is present in the form of humidity or steam. This puts paid to romantic ideas of natural wood unfortunately. Speak to any London Bathroom Fitter and you should always receive the same consistent message – stick to fibreglass or plastic, or there is no guarantee.
Fortunately these modern materials come in all kinds of finishes and colours, and being mouldable are available in different profiles too. You will have to shop around if buying directly from the manufacturers though.  Moulds are expensive meaning that each factory offers a strictly limited range.
As you shop around you are bound to be impressed by the huge variety of designs available, especially if searching on the internet. Mr-Skill’s advice is to keep things simple unless you have a farmhouse bathroom. Light colours and less intrusive designs work best in smaller spaces.
Although is possible to replace a bath panel yourself, you may prefer to Find a Bathroom Fitter on Mr-Skill instead. That’s because you could find it difficult working on your knees in cramped spaces, and you could also end up damaging the material as well. If you choose your panel wisely though, then you should inevitably be enthralled by the stunningly refreshed effect. Isn’t it nice to know that some home improvement projects are so easy?
Tags: absorb, access, bath, bathroom, bathroom fitting quotes, clip, colour, component, cost, cramp, damage, design, drain, fibreglass, find a bathroom fitter, finish, fit, guarantee, humidity, install, intrusive, light, london bathroom fitter, material, mould, option, panel, pipe, plastic, refit, replace, simple, size, spill, steam, style, variety, water, wood
Posted in Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
Posted in Handyman Services on Dec 17
Mobility Ramps
There are many different ways that you could build a ramp to assist a disadvantaged person get around the home in a wheelchair or with a walking frame. If a permanent solution is required, the simplest method could be to build shuttering  and fill it in with concrete layer by layer. Another method is to box in a wooden frame – the possibilities are almost endless. The main thing (whether you find a handyman to do it for you or you attempt to do the job yourself) is to make sure that the access ramp is safe, and this is what this short guide is all about.
o Position the ramp at the entrance to the building that provides the most convenient access, and where, if possible there is room for conventional access too.
o The maximum gradient of the ramp should not be more than one inch of rise per foot of length.
o As a rule of thumb, Handymen London trained recommend a total run of at least four feet beyond a door that opens outward.
 o Make sure that the ramp is free from water run-off so that it does not become slippery or moldy either. Fit a non-slip surface, and side rails too where a wheelchair is in use.
o Finally, give thought to the interfaces at either end of the ramp. Transition should be smooth with no trip hazards either.
Now that you know the principles of building mobility ramps, you will be better able to assess the proposals contained in the handyman quotes you find on Mr-Skill.
Tags: access, concrete, disadvantaged, find a handyman, gradient, handyman quotes, handymen london, interface, mobility, non-slip, position, ramp, rise, side rails, slip, slope, walking frame, water, wheel chair, wheelchair, wood, zimmer frame
Posted in Handyman Services | Comments Off
Quite frequently, an older house may have a basement lying dormant. If the owner knows that it exists at all, then they often just fill it up with junk. Other basements are completely forgotten places, even though it would cost £100’s to build equivalent new space.
 o The single most important point is access. If you cannot get to the basement from the house itself, the chances are that you will not use it properly, and may waste your money. A spiral staircase is a popular space-saving solution. If mobility is an issue, consider a conventional staircase with wheelchair-assist, or a mini-lift.
o Damp is another very important consideration. If you are in doubt, find a tradesman at Mr-Skill and ask for their estimation.
o Get rid off all the junk, and clean the basement out completely. Then paint everything white, including the floors and ceiling. Suddenly everything looks brighter and larger too, and you can begin to plan. At this stage, I recommend you consult a designer to get ideas.
 o What shall you use the extra space for? A family room, a study or a pub? The possibilities are endless. Now draw up your plans, and have them approved by the local council before proceeding. Tradesmen in London will refuse to do a thing without this, because otherwise they know that they will be chasing moving targets. When you are ready to begin, do not take chances. Find a tradesman recommended by Mr Skill.
Remember to advise your insurer of the change and have your policy updated. After that, you can move your furniture in, and enjoy your bigger home.
Tags: access, approve, basement, clean, council, damp, design, designer, dormant, empty, family room, find a tradesman, insurer, junk, lift, paint, plans, policy, pub, spiral staircase, study, tradesman quotes, tradesmen london, wasted, wheelchair-assist
Posted in General Building, General Building, Handyman Services, Handyman Services, Inspirations, Painting & Decorating, Plastering & Drywall | Comments Off
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