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Posts Tagged ‘leaks<’
Posted in General Building on Aug 27
Even the roof of a well-constructed metal shed may eventually submit to the elements, leaving you with a problem to resolve. Noted for their structural stability, metal roofed sheds can be a useful asset on your property, provided you keep things well maintained. Sam, one of our London general builders, has the following sage advice to offer: “minor rust patches and small holes in your metal roofed shed can cause water intrusion in the form of unwanted leaks. You must attend to these leaks as soon as possible if you want to keep the appearance and structural integrity.” Wise advice indeed – thank you Sam! 
What You’ll Need
- Metal roof mesh
- Metal cutters
- Wire brush
- Broom and ladder
- Trowel
- Roof cement (urethane)
Off you go!
Begin by wire-brushing the damaged section of the shed roof, in order to remove all loose and flaky material. Use the broom to brush away the dirt and debris, and make sure that everything is dry before proceeding. If building repairs are not your forte, you can find a general builder right here on Mr-Skill. That way, you know that you’ll be getting the best prices from any one of our many rated members.
Ready to Roll 
Using the roofing mesh, cut two identical square patches with the metal cutters, ensuring that they are over-sized to cover the holes or rusted area – the rule of thumb is to overlap by at least two inches. Now, using the trowel, work the urethane roof cement around to cover the area under repair – as always, read and follow the instructions on the pot.
It is time to press the first patch into the wet roof cement. Spread a further even layer of the urethane coating over that mesh using your trowel. Add the second square of mesh, and apply a final even layer of the urethane over the top. You may have to work the wet roof cement in – this is to ensure a complete and even spread. Finally, always be guided by the instructions and allow sufficient drying time.
If this all proves too hard…
Many people simply don’t have the patience or the necessary know-how to repair things for themselves around their homes. If this describes you, get your general builder quote right here on Mr-Skill, then just put your feet up and relax! A soothing cuppa will always assist!
Tags: asset, clean, debris, dirt, find a general builder, general builder, get a general building quote, leaks, London building expert, mesh, metal, metal cutters, metal roof, repairs, roof, rust, structural integrity, trowel, urethane roof cement, water, wire brush
Posted in General Building | Comments Off
Central Heating Blockages
Now is a good time to check your central heating system, with a view to professional maintenance before the arrival of the cooler weather. It is far better to inspect for smooth running now, than wait for a problem to present itself when you least need it. Besides, there are some good offers around, so make a call and find your plumbing, heating and gas expert now. Mr-Skill has a number of qualified specialists able to assist you in next to no time. 
The purpose of our central heating system is to provide warmth throughout the home, thus keeping the ambient temperature even and pleasant. It all works off a series of pipes carrying hot water, which is pumped to the radiators around the home before being returned to the boiler for re-heating. Sometimes, dirt or internal rust can lead to a build-up of debris, which can cause a blockage and restrict or even stop the flow.
The quality of the water in some areas varies greatly, and if you live in a particularly hard water area – such as the South Downs for example – softening the water before you pipe it around your central heating system could be a good move. Otherwise, your pipes and radiators can fur up very quickly, and then you could be looking at major costs to replace your system.
Checking for Blockages
Manually switch on the boiler to ensure that it is operating normally throughout your home. Set the thermostat to warm, to make the testing process easier. It will take a while the water to circulate through the system. As you walk through each room, it should not be difficult to spot the pipes and radiators that are not responding. This indicates a blockage or possibly even a leak.
Mr-Skill recommends that once you have identified the problem area, you ought not to attempt any further DIY intervention. Get your plumbing, heating and gas quote right away instead. Then sit back and leave it to the experts. 
Our leading London plumbing, heating and gas expert advises that cleaning and bleeding a central heating system – and chasing down leaks or blockages – is a job for a properly trained technician. He goes on to warn, “This is definitely an area where a little knowledge is potentially dangerous.” Don’t take chances, call in the professionals right now – Mr-Skill has a number of them waiting to sort your central heating system out for you right away.
Tags: blockages, boiler, DIY, expert, find a plumbing-heating-and-gas specialist, gas, hard awter, heating, inspection, leaks, london plumbing-heating-and-gas expert, maintenance, pipes, piping, Plumbing, plumbing-heating-and-gas quote, professionals, qualified, radiator, water softener
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
Apart from the annoying noise a constantly dripping tape makes, just knowing that you are wasting water is incentive enough to fix the problem. The longer you leave it, the worse the problem becomes because each time you close the offending tap that bit tighter, you are actually stressing the washer further. To some, even changing a tap washer is not something they feel comfortable with. If that describes you then it’s time to find a plumber here on Mr-Skill. 
Replacing the Washer
Provided you follow a few simple checks, replacing washers is one of the easier jobs around the home. First, make sure you have the correct size replacement – taps come in standard sizes so having a handy pack of assorted washers makes good sense. You will also need some screwdrivers and a wrench. Here’s what you do:
- Isolate the water supply to the dripping tap, and then open the tap to drain it.
- Carefully prise off the plastic cover on the tap handle. Now use the correct screwdriver to loosen the screw at the tap head.
- Remove the tap head using a wrench, having covered the chrome parts with protective masking tape.
- This should reveal the damaged or worn washer, which you must remove and renew with a similar product.
- Refit the tap head and holding screw, not forgetting the plastic tap cover.
- Time to switch on the water supply.
- Fully open the tap you’ve just worked on and quickly close it again. Repeat a couple of times so as to let the new washer bed in correctly.
- Check for leaks, but there should be no further dripping.
Advisory: If your tap shows any sign of leaks it could indicate that you have old plumbing needing replacing. Mr-Skill has a number of member plumbers who would be happy to provide you with a plumbing quote.
Last Word
Sidney has been a plumber for ever, and changing a tap washer is something he could do in his sleep with both hands tied behind his back. Sid, one of our regular London plumbers, says it isn’t that easy if you encounter older plumbing with stubborn taps that don’t seem to want to let you change the washer that they’re covering. One false move and you could damage the bath or basin, not to mention the surrounding tiles. Where on earth will you find that replacement tile to match the one you’ve just chipped or cracked? Mission impossible springs to mind!
Tags: assorted washers, basin, bath, close, drip, dripping tap, find a plumber, isolate mains, leaking tap, leaks, london plumber, masking tape, open, plumbing quote, screw drivers, standard size, tap washer, tile, water, wrench
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
Plastic, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gutters remain popular for removing rain water from the roof, and channelling it well away from building foundations. It’s a hard-wearing and easy-to-work-with product that makes for simpler maintenance and repairs too.
Unfortunately, as plastic ages through harsh weather extremes, leaks and cracks do develop. These are not uncommon around seams where gutters overlap or meet downpipes – fortunately, replacement plastic gaskets are easy to obtain and install. Don’t forget that cracks can be mended as well.
Cautionary:
Before attempting any such repairs on your own, think safety first, and that’s not just for double-storey homes. Falling off ladders is quite a common occurrence, even among some professional tradesfolk!
Better still, why not find a gutter expert here on Mr-Skill and leave the repair to them.
Assessing the Damage
Check the extent of the damage by using a properly secured ladder, preferably with someone else on hand to stabilise it before you start climbing the rungs. Clear out all debris from the area around the leak or crack, using a hand brush and wet cloth to assist.
Likely as not, you can use roof cement, silicone or acrylic sealant to close off the damaged area. Apply the sealer on the inside of the gutter, and spread it around the leak area to ensure a watertight repair. You could also get a gutter replacement quote, if you feel the repair is too much to do yourself. 
For larger holes and cracks, apply patches of duct tape inside the gutter around the leaking area, and then cover liberally with cement or sealant. If the repair area is extensive, you could also cut out the damaged area, and then make a vinyl patch to fit – making sure that you follow the gutter profile. Position the patch and seal it well.
More Serious Damage
Longer sections of gutter pipes should be replaced as required. Measure the run to be replaced from the gutter-end to the first join, and then trim your replacement section to fit. PVC guttering comes in 6-foot sections. Use a new gasket on joins if possible, unless you are happy with the seal from the old one.
One of our regular London gutter repairmen says that when it comes to downpipe leaks or cracks, it is probably best to replace the section completely. You can use vinyl even if the remaining gutters are metal-based. PVC pipes are available in the same diameters and profiles as these are.
Tags: accrylic sealant, downpipes, duct tape, find a roofing-gutters-and-drainage expert, gutters, joins, ladder, leaks, london roofing-gutters-and-drainage expert, plastic gutters, pvc gutters, rain, roof cement, roofing-gutters-and-drainage quote, safety, silicon
Posted in Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
Posted in Handyman Services on May 07
Sometimes the bricks outside our homes take on a white powder-like appearance which does not look very nice. Technically known as “efflorescence”, it’s basically lime seeping out of the damp brick and giving it that unwanted chalky look. Of course, external bricks can also suffer staining due to airborne pollution, while everybody dreads the “artwork” of the graffiti experts.
 While lime-staining readily brushes off, the other two forms of pollution are somewhat more difficult to deal with. In this two-part article, we first explain how to remove unwanted graffiti and the effects of pollution, and then deal with lime-based staining in part two.
Removing Efflorescence Staining
Although this is a moderately easy job, you may prefer to seek professional assistance – find a handyman service right here on Mr-Skill and they will quickly resolve your brick-staining problem.
Assuming the lime powder is reasonably easy to reach using a properly secured ladder, begin by using a dry, stiff scrubbing brush. Resist the urge to wash down the brickwork after scrubbing, because wetting the wall will quickly see the staining problem return.
The next stage is to use a soft paint brush to remove the chalky deposits. You may find streaking caused by leaking downpipes or poorly positioned flashing. First repair the leak to eliminate the problem. If your water-heater tank is overflowing, it too may cause unsightly staining on the surrounding bricks. A simple adjustment to the float controlling the water level in the heater tank is probably all that is required.
Call in the Professionals
If you feel challenged by the thought of venturing up a ladder to clean your brickwork, why not get a handyman service quote instead? Then you can sit back and watch your unsightly wall being transformed to its original splendour.
Kevin, he’s one of our London handymen services, advises that efflorescence can manifest itself in brickwork long after the wall was built. It’s a combination of insufficient curing, and the elements going to work in the form of damp drawing out the remaining lime. He goes on to say that streaking on walls may be the result of something more serious by way of leaking pipes or drains. In this case, you would do well to bring in the experts rather than have a go yourself. Sometimes a little knowledge can be dangerous!
Tags: cleaning, damp, efflorescence, find a handyman service, flashing, graffiti, handymen services quote, hydrochloric acid, leaks, lime, london handymen services, pipes, pollution, powder, pressure hose, protective clothing, stains, streaks, water, weather
Posted in Handyman Services | Comments Off
Having removed an old toilet completely, here is how you go about installing a new one too. If this is the only toilet in your house, perhaps you should rather call for plumber quotes at Mr-Skill. You could be in trouble with the family if they have nowhere to go tonight…
 o Clean the drain pipe carefully, including removing the old wax gasket and any plumber’s putty so that the finished job will look clean, and bright and new too.
o Check that the flange on the floor is level, and make adjustments where necessary. Loosely position the toilet bowl on the flange, to double check that it will be level after you screw it down.
o Remove the bowl, and place it upside down on an old towel or blanket. Apply the wax seal to the base. Remove the damp cloth you put down the drainpipe to prevent odors. Put the toilet bowl in position on the flange, and carefully screw it down. Avoid over tightening the screws or you could crack the bowl. After re-checking your levels, fill any gaps with plumber’s putty and clean up nicely. Fill the bowl with water and – hey presto, the smells are gone.
o Carefully position the water tank on the bowl remembering to place the gasket first. Attach it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, making sure that it remains level as you screw it down. Finally, reconnect the water supply, turn on the mains and test for leaks.
If in doubt, do not attempt this job. Being without a toilet in a house is problematic and your family could confiscate your tools. Plumbers in London are not even that expensive. Maybe you should rather find a plumber on Mr-Skill to do this job. As least, you now know enough now to check their work.
Tags: clean, drain, find a plumber, flange, gasket, install a toilet, leaks, level, pipe, plumber, Plumber Quotes, plumbers london, position, putty, remove a toilet, replace a toilet, reposition, screw, screw down, toilet, Toilet Bowl, water main, water tank, wax, wax seal
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
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