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Posts Tagged ‘electric<’
Posted in Handyman Services on Feb 20
It’s surprising how many enquiries we receive about attaching things to walls. While this is the perfect job for a Handyman, it’s quite simple to do yourself. That’s provided you have the right equipment and safety gear. Should you decide to have a go, then these are the seven main things to watch out for.
Safety Tip
 A London Handyman will always have a strong ladder, an assistant and a modern electric drill to help him do his work. If you don’t have the same, please don’t even try to do the job.
- Always use a sharp masonry drill bit that’s slightly undersized for the wall plug you’re installing. You can always make it larger afterwards, but you cannot make it smaller.
- Before you drill, consider what might lurk inside the wall. Never drill directly opposite an electric box, or in line with a water pipe. Remember to check outside the house too.
- Re-check your measurements carefully before you drill. If the item you are fitting has more than one attaching point, fit a single one initially. Then you can level it and mark the other points.
- Make sure the drill is at right angles to the wall before you press the switch. Are you wearing safety goggles? Drill bits occasionally do snap.
 Have a friend hold a vacuum cleaner extension pipe in position to suck the dust up before it covers everything.
- Drill through the plaster on the standard setting before you switch to impact. Never force an electric tool. Use it in ten second bursts and do not let it overheat.
- When you are finished, lay the drill down somewhere safe, and unplug it from the wall.
Do you think that you could do the job yourself and avoid the cost of Handyman Quotes? Many people do.
Many others prefer to Find a Handyman on Mr-Skill instead, and get on with other more important things in their lives.
Tags: accessory, assistant, attach, bit, brick, careful, check, drill, dust, electric, equipment, find a handyman, glasses, goggle, handyman quotes, impact, ladder, level, london handyman, masonry, pipe, plaster, plug, right angle, safety, shelf, switch, television, vacuum, wall
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Posted in Electrical Work on Jan 23
The last thing you need in any circuit is a dry joint, by which I mean two wires twisted round each other or even worse. In a home, this can cause the power to keep on tripping, while in the low voltage world the result is a random electronic fault.
 From time-to-time it’s necessary to get a soldering-iron out. Before you rush around looking for an Electrician Quote it might just be possible to do the job yourself.
• Preparation Clean both parts that you are planning to solder into a joint. Hardened, damaged wire is a recipe for disaster so make sure everything is shiny new by stripping off a fresh end. While at it, remove any vestiges of solder if you’re repairing an existing joint. That’s because solder does not stick to itself at all well when not fresh.
• Tinning Heat each surface in turn until it just melts a bead of solder. Work this back and forth until you see a little amber liquid appear. That’s the tinning that’s the meat in a good joint. It will be HOT. Allow the material  to cool down naturally before you touch it with your hands.
• Soldering Mount the larger of the pieces to be joined securely in a vice. Heat up its surface until solder melts instantly on it. Place the other tinned piece in the pool of solder, remove the soldering iron, and wait until the surface of the melted solder goes slightly dull. Allow the joint, which will be HOT to cool naturally.
If you have a soldering iron that’s in good order and you have the time, you don’t really need to Find an Electrician, do you? But beware one thing, and that’s a bad joint. A London Electrician I know tests his apprentices’ work by seeing whether he can pull it apart.
Tags: bead, circuit, clean, cool, dry, electric, electrician quote, electronic, find an electrician, flux, fresh, heat, hot, joint, london electrician, melt, preparation, remove, solder, solder iron, strip, tin, tinned, vice, wire
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Posted in Electrical Work on Oct 25
Although they may appear complex, electric stoves are actually very basic apparatuses concealed in fancy metal cabinetry. Suppliers build them to last a lifetime safely – if they give problems, the cause is almost inevitably a switch or element that has failed. A householder may legally replace components like these, provided the stove is wired via a safety breaker to the switchboard.
 If your stove does not have a breaker switch on the kitchen wall do not follow these instructions. Find an Electrician instead.
• Obtain the correct replacement switch from an authorised dealer. Do not be tempted to buy a pirate part.
• Turn off the breaker switch and make sure that the stove is isolated. Tape over the switch so that it cannot be inadvertently turned on again.
• Electric switches on modern stoves are mounted on a panel below the cooking surface. Lever off the control knob and remove this panel which is held in place with screws.
• Remove the screws attaching the offending switch to the panel on the inside, and draw it away. Make a drawing of how the different coloured wires are connected.
•  Transfer these wires one by one from the old switch to the new one. Electricians in London like to call this monkey see – monkey do. When done, compare the result with the drawing to make double sure.
• Attach the new switch inside the control panel. Replace the panel after making sure that everything behind it is perfectly connected, and that no wire is in contact with the metal casing. Refit the control knob.
• Make sure all the stove switches are turned off. Turn on the breaker switch on the kitchen wall. Test all the other stove circuits first, and then the switch that you replaced. Everything should be perfect. If not, then there is another problem. You urgently need to get a Professional Electrical Quote.
If at any time you notice anything untoward inside your stove, stop immediately and Find an Electrician on Mr-Skill. Do not take chances with electricity! Electricity has the power to kill.
Tags: attach, breaker, check, colour, cooker, drawing, electric, electrical quote, element, find an electrician, isolate, kitchen, knob, london electricians, panel, pirate, problem, remove, replacement, safe, screw, stove, switch, test, wall, wire
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Posted in Kitchen Fitting on Jul 25
Despite what the world’s philosophers say, the future is often the same as the past, and that’s because humankind simply can’t think laterally. We keep on polluting the air, fighting pointless wars and eating unhealthily too.  The same failing applies to many remodelled kitchens that I have seen as well.
I wish I could have a free pint down at the local pub (naturally taken over a responsible period of time) for every brand new kitchen that I’ve seen festooned with double adaptors and ugly cables, when just a little planning could have avoided all of that. Most London Kitchen Fitters that I’ve dealt with over many years have a simple take on this. If there’s a work surface, they say, that’s not too close to water, then fit an electric outlet socket in the wall right next to it.
After you have sorted all these and similar things out in your mind, decided on the layout for your kitchen and got your Kitchen Fitter Quotes from Mr-Skill, the next thing to do is to appoint a kitchen fitting firm, and to iron all the nitty-gritty out with them before they start.
 And here I’d like to make a special plea on behalf of all the world’s tradespeople. You can Find a Kitchen Fitter who looks perfect, but, if you don’t allow the poor fellow the space he needs to do the job and put up with a modicum of mess, then your chances are reasonably good that you could end up with an unenthusiastic job.
So please let them park their van outside the front door and wander in and out with dusty feet. Give them space to leave their tools overnight somewhere safe and dry, and don’t forget that friendly cup of tea every time they take their breaks. That way, chances are that you could get a happy kitchen, and that, I think, is where all happy families belong.
Good luck with your new kitchen project from Mr-Skill.
Tags: adaptor, appoint, cable, detail, dirt, dry, dust, electric, enthusiastic, find a kitchen fitter, firm, fit, front door, future, happy, kitchen, kitchen fitter quotes, layout, london kitchen fitter, mess, outlet, park, past, plan, remodel, repeat, safe, socket, store, tools, van, water
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Posted in Carpentry & Joinery on Jul 03
All of us start off in life with the simplest of workshops, especially when we move away from parents to our first own homes, and need to make a quick adjustment.  If we are lucky enough we have a garage to store our tools. Otherwise we have to keep the few tools we have in bedroom cupboards, use the kitchen table as a workbench, and generally risk criticism from you-know-who. If you have passed this point in time and are ready to upgrade, here are a few tips to get you salivating.
I agree with you that it sounds like Taking Coals to Newcastle to Find a Carpenter to help you set things up. On the other hand, if you are busy and lack the heavy tools you need to do the job, this could just make a great deal of sense. Mr-Skill makes it really easy to get a couple of Carpentry Quotes, and you don’t have to accept any if they turn out over budget.
You need to have a proper plan before you start. By this I mean of scheme of things where you have sufficient working and storage space that’s properly separated for safety. If you are planning to afford a lathe next Spring, by all means plan it in. Who knows, you may influence somebody’s Christmas Gift list.
This time you really should do something about decent extraction. Modern power tools create a deal of dust and most of this is bad for us because of the chemicals present. I know a Carpenter in London who  specializes in creating home workshops for the rich and famous. He refuses any job, no matter how grand it may seem to be, if extraction is not part of the basic plan.
Lighting and electricity are an essential part of any workshop, and here there should be no skimping for safety’s sake. You need comprehensive lighting without shadows, and a ring of counter-top-height plug sockets all the way around the room. Do remember to ask Mr-Skill to send an Electrician around to do this bit for you. Some power tools are still are not properly earthed back to ground.
Keeping the floor clean is another thing to think about. A screed over an under-floor heating grid is the best dream that I could think of, and if you bolt everything to the walls there’s even a chance that the floor could get swept from time to time. Besides, how else will you ever find the springs and screws that mysteriously go to ground?
Tags: adjust, bedroom, bolt, budget, carpenter london, carpenter quote, chemical, clean, cupboard, dust, electric, extraction, find, find a carpenter, floor, garage, heat, help, home, kitchen, light, plan, scheme, screed, separate, shadow, simple, socket, storage, store, sweep, table, tip, tool, upgrade, wall, work, workshop
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Posted in Electrical Work on Jun 26
At Mr-Skill, electrical safety is paramount to all of us, and this is why we recommend that you Find an Electrician on our Pages if in any doubt at all. We use this wonderful source of instant energy so many times a day that we too easily forget that it could also be dangerous too. Avoid risks by having your home installation checked once a year (or sooner if in any doubt at all).  You can ask for competitive Electrician Quotes any time of the day or night here, and we’ll reply soon.
Electrical safety is especially important in the bathroom. Stick to the following safety hints when you are there. Enjoy greater peace of mind. Remember that water is a conductor that can take electricity to ground through you, and that wet skin reduces your resistance.
o With the exception of professionally installed and grounded shaver sockets no electricity outlets are allowed in bathrooms. This includes connections to light fittings, plugs inside illuminated cabinets, and extension cables brought in through windows and doors.
o Shaver sockets must be positioned a safe distance from water sources. You ought not to be able to reach across with hands outstretched. My Brother, who is a well-known Electrician in London refuses to  install these fittings at all. Bathrooms are small, he says. Besides, what’s the point of it, in these days of rechargeable razors.
o Only, ever install ceiling light fittings in any bathroom, and make sure that these are fully enclosed. If you must install a light switch inside the room, the only ones permitted are insulated pull-cord types.
o Under no circumstances install electric heaters in the bathroom of your home. A power shower must be connected directly to the mains distribution board, well grounded, and without any joints in the cable.
We’re in a more serious mood today. People get hurt, maimed or even killed by electricity in the UK every week. If what we wrote this time makes you more cautious then maybe that is good. Remember, it costs you nothing to get Electrical Quotes from Mr-Skill. Please be careful with electricity.
Tags: bathroom, cable, care, careful, cautious, conductor, cord, danger, dangerous, electric, electrician london, electrician quotes, enclose, energy, extension, find an electrician, fitting, ground, heater, hurt, joint, kill, light, maim, outlet, plug, power, safe, safety, shaver, shower, skin, socket, water, wet
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Posted in Electrical Work on Jun 21
 An electric barbeque? What a strange idea. Or is it? These innovations are becoming increasingly popular as people discover how safe, flexible and portable they are. You do, however need to Find an Electrician to make the outside connections for you still, because rainwater and mains voltages do not mix.
Electric grills are especially useful where open fires are not permitted or may cause fire risks in enclosed spaces. They can also be turned off instantly if there is a problem, unlike wood or charcoal fires. They come in all kinds of different sizes, from folding portable ones to larger models that could even be built into sheltered garden patio walls.
Many models feature teflon-coated surfaces for easy cleaning, and removable grilling racks that pop into dishwashers.  They are quick, sociable and smoke-free too. No wonder they have become so popular with busy families. Are you getting interested? Why not Ask Mr-Skill for Electrical Quotes, and go shopping soon.
With convenience of latest modern technology and design, there is a style and cost to suit everybody keen to move into the easier style of outdoor living that electric barbeques allow. Especially in bigger cities like London whole resorts are banning the use of open fires completely.
Now at last you can take your own hygienic cooking platform with you, everywhere you go.
Tags: barbeque, charcoal, clean, connection, design, electric, electrical quote, electrician london, find an eletrician, fire, flexible, fold, grill, hygiene, innovation, outdoor, popular, portable, risk, safe, safety, size, smoke, technology, teflon, wood
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Posted in Handyman Services on Jun 13
A handyman is a great ally in an emergency. This is because they are often available at immediate notice and should charge less that a qualified person.  By all means Find a Handyman and use them for replacing taps and changing fuses. Never use them for highly skilled work where a licensed person is required though, because this might lead to trouble in several ways.
o You are breaking the law if you allow a non-registered technician to alter the electrical layout in your home or lay a new drain. There are practical reasons for this, including compatibility with council services. Stick to the rules and stay out of trouble.
o You could be compromising your health and safety and that is a foolish thing to do to save a few pounds. A badly sloping drain can cause germs to accumulate that cause sickness. What’s worse reversed polarity on a switch could kill. Play it safe. Remain legal.
o  An illegal piece of work that triggers an insurable event can lead to a refusal by the insurer to compensate, and this is happening daily. Imagine how you would feel if your house burned down because of an illegal connection and they refused to pay. Penny wise, pound foolish is the motto of many Handymen in London. Better you believe this.
It is far wiser to determine whether you need a skilled and registered tradesperson to do a job of work first, before considering a Handyman Quote. Besides, at Mr-Skill our tradespeople often come in at a third below prevailing prices, which may well make up the difference.
Tags: burn, council, drain, electric, emergency, find a handyman, fuse, germ, handyman, handyman london, handyman quote, health, illegal, insurance, insure, kill, law, license, polarity, qualified, reason, refuse, register, rule, safety, service, sickness, skilled, tap, technician, trouble, wire
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Posted in Electrical Work on Jun 06
 Now that the United Kingdom is in the full flight of glorious Summer and May Flies are here, it is time to be out in the garden after supper to enjoy the stars. Be careful though in case it is dark and you could trip. If this possibility exists, why not ask several providers on Mr-Skill to put in Electrician Quotes with suggestions on how to improve your outdoor illumination for you.
o The first decision to make is how you are going to power up your system. Solar-powered lighting has many advantages, including a tiny-eco-footprint and simplicity of installation. On the down-side batteries radically restrict output, and there are those that argue that these are major pollutants in their own right.
 Mains-wired illumination has fewer of these disadvantages and is virtually unlimited in its flexibility. It is however also more expensive to install. You also ought to Find an Electrician to do this for you, both for safety reasons and to remain within the law.
o The second decision that every gardener needs to make is far more subtle and may bring out the artist in every one of us. An Electrician London-Based whom I know well reckons that what is really needed is gentle brush-strokes and not flood lights, and I think that he is right there.
After all, if there are straight lines in Nature then I have yet to find them. Everything is a combination of curves and blending tones. After you have achieved this magic in your own garden, why not send a picture of it to Mr-Skill so that we could enjoy your creativity too.
Tags: battery, cheap, curves, electric, electrician london, electrician quote, expensive, find an electrician, flows, Garden, hues, illuminate, inexpensive, install, law, light, limit, magic, mains, nature, pollutant, power, restrict, safety, solar, stars, summer, system
Posted in Electrical Work | Comments Off
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