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Posts Tagged ‘roof<’
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
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In its simplest form a tiled roof is a dead-simple thing. You just need to make sure the ridge is intact, and the barge boards are in position. Problems can set in when architects add valleys, hips and chimneys. The situation’s even more complex when there’s a party wall involved. The intelligent homeowner will find a roofer to assess the situation every year.
Generally speaking this assessment process includes:
- Ridges – The ridge tiles cemented on top of the peak and side ridges work loose as the roof timbers settle under the weight. They perform the essential dual role of securing runs of tiles and waterproofing primary roof joints. Every London roofer knows there’s only one way to fix the problem properly, and that’s to lift off and re-cement the entire run.
- Valleys – These are sealed off to avoid problems for the life-cycle of a roof, and should remain trouble-free although the tiles along them may move out of alignment and require re-positioning. When up on a roof it’s always a good idea to apply a fresh coat of waterproofing to the lining.
- Chimney – If you have the slightest doubt that the flashing’s come away it’s essential to get a roofing quote and have it replaced right away. That’s because rainwater builds up against the upper side of the chimney, and if it finds a way through it will drip through the ceiling.
- Tiles – While these should last a lifetime too, they are brittle
 and snap easily underfoot (another excellent reason why not to trust your roof to an amateur). Ask your roofer to cast an eye around when they’re up there and advise you accordingly with a recommendation
Although Barge Boards should be firmly attached to roof timbers, they have been known to work loose during windstorms, and can endanger life and limb should they come crashing down. This is why Mr-Skill recommends an annual roof inspection, so you can sleep peacefully underneath and have absolutely no concerns. And that’s exactly what should happen when you find a tradesperson through us.
Tags: annual, barge, brittle, ceiling, cement, chimney, complex, drip, fascia, find a roofer, flashing, hip, inspect, joint, leak, line, london roofer, party wall, peak, ridge, roof, roofing quote, side, snap, tile, valley, waterproof
Posted in Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
Posted in Handyman Services on Oct 23
I was looking around my yard the other day and just couldn’t believe the number of odd-jobs waiting to be done. It’s not the lack of wanting that’s holding me back, it’s the lack of time. I think I’m going to take my own advice and get a London Handyman estimate. And then I think I’ll accept it and then get on with things.
•  Clear out the gutters on the house. They’re full of leaves again! I’m fortunate to have a bungalow but just don’t feel like climbing up a ladder. Besides, how much can this cost?
• Clean the outside window frames. These looked so crisp when I had them put in a few years ago. They’re UPVC. They’ll just need a good wash with detergent.
• Tidy up the back porch. Five years of muddy boots have taken their toll and the spiders have done the rest. That’s one Handyman Quote I’m definitely going to accept!
• Tidy up the path around the back and sides. Paths under the eaves provide a valuable service by handling rainwater run-off. My house is hardly new, and I think it’s time to sort out the cracks before the weeds take hold. Don’t you too?
•  Sort out the garage. While I’m at it, I think I’m going to Find a Handyman to give the garage roof and door a make-over. I’m planning a new car next year, and I’m sure it will appreciate a near-new place to sleep at night.
That’s enough for now. I’m really looking forward to getting in a Rated Handyman from Mr-Skill to catch up on my backlog. The twin advantages are that I’ll be getting a better price, and will be able to review feedback from other previous customers too.
Come on all you Handymen. I can’t wait to see my garage door looking half as smart as this again!
Tags: backlog, block, car, clean, detergent, door, estimate, find a handyman, frame, garage, gutter, handyman quote, handyperson, house, job, ladder, leaves, london handyman estimate, mud, odd job, oddjob, path, porch, price, quote, review, roof, spider, tidy, time, want, wash, water, window, yard
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Roofers lay tiles loosely over each other in an overlapping pattern, and hold them in place with edging fascias, and special tiles cemented in place along the ridges. If these ridges fail, then there is a possibility of a strong wind lifting sheets of roof tiles with disastrous results. This fairly common problem usually begins as roofs settle after the first few years, and  the rendering beneath the ridges separates.
This is not a job for an amateur with a bad head for heights. In fact, we strongly recommend that you Find a Roofer to do the following work for you instead.
• Identify which ridge tiles have worked loose. This could be just one, a few, or the entire ridge, and the solution varies accordingly. If you can remove the loose tiles without disturbing the adjacent ones then this could save you time and money, although it is unwise to take chances and end up with a patch job.
• Obtain a supply of replacement ridge tiles. Remove offending ridges, set them aside and carefully chisel the loose rendering off the roof tiles beneath. You can leave a small residue of old rendering behind, provided that this is firmly attached.
• Soak the replacement ridge tiles and the supporting roof tiles with clean water until they have taken up a slightly darker hue. This ensures that they do not suck the moisture out of the new rendering, and weaken it.
•  Loose fit a new ridge tile, make a chalk mark on either side of it, and set it aside again. Lay two generous lines of suitable tinted rendering within the chalk lines. Press the ridge tile gently into place and remove any surplus rendering with trowel and damp cloth. Repeat the process as necessary along the entire ridge, remembering to close in the ends of the last ridge tiles if you replaced these too.
• A competent London Roofer will always check carefully that there are no cracks or holes showing anywhere on the ridge. This is because a strong gust of wind can blow rainwater through a tiny hole into the roof space below with surprising force, and form damaging pools on ceilings.
Should you decide to get a Roofing Quote on Mr-Skill, then we would be delighted to put you in touch with several rated tradesmen working in your area. We know you will be satisfied with the price and quality of the bids that you receive, and we wish you well with your roofing project too.
Tags: chalk, check, chisel, competent, crack, disturb, fascia, find a roofer, gust, hole, lift, london roofer, loose, loose fit, mark, moisture, overlap, press, rain, remove, rendering, repeat, replacement, roof, roofing quote, separate, settle, soak, tile, water, wind
Posted in Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
Posted in General Building on Aug 01
In times past flat garage roofs were often covered with a layer of waterproofed felt that was protected in turn by a layer of gravel. The general idea was that these roofs would last for years, provided that they were not interfered with. Over-and-above the obvious hazards of small children  enjoying squishing on sharp stones, nothing lasts forever, leaks develop and drip onto whatever you use your garage for, and its time to Find a Builder fairly urgently, to effect repairs.
We have all kinds of rated general builders listed on Mr-Skill. You can Find Recommended London Builders here, as well as trusted building firms in the Home Counties, and as far afield as Wales and Scotland too. When you do, these are the procedures that they should follow after you accept their Building Quote, give or take the peculiarities of your particular flat roof.
o On a clear day with no sign of rain the next day either, clear the gravel off the roof. Sweep the area clean, and blow all the dust away with one of those clever gadgets gardeners use instead of rakes these days.
o Inspect the roof felting very carefully for any signs of damage. Don’t be shy to prod and probe as  dentists like to do – if there is a problem it must be found. Mark a circle around any dodgy points with bright paint.
o Obtain some asphalt plastic cement, and work this well into all the dodgy points you noted. Take your time here, as this could make or break the job. And do wear rubber gloves too. This stuff sticks to skin like you know what. As you go along, work pieces of roof patching fabric into the cement, remembering to cover it fully and to “feather” the edges.
When the patches are nice and dry inspect them carefully, adding a generous dollop of asphalt plastic cement if in any doubt at all. When you are completely satisfied that this cement is dry too, you can gently sweep the old gravel back over the roof again. Or spoil your roof with some brand new gravel, so you can enjoy looking down on your garage roof again from upstairs even more.
Tags: asphalt, asphalt plastic cement, blow, child, clear, damage, dodgy, drip, dust, feather, felting, find a builder, find recommended london builders, flat, garage, general builder quotes, glove, gravel, inspect, interfere, leak, mark, peculiarities, probe, procedure, prod, remove, repair, roof, roof patch, sweep, waterproof
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In the good-old, bad-old days, as the older generation of London Roofers still likes to say, roofs were simple, easy going things with single pitches and only chimneys to seal around.  These days things are noticeably different – every hip, and every pitch and every valley represents a challenge for heavy rain, not to mention the mini-bali inset gables that are all the rage at present.
Waterproofing is intended to create a barrier to prevent rainwater from entering a roof and damaging the ceilings and furniture beneath. When it falls directly from above, the design of tiles and cappings is often sufficient to make sure it runs away. Problems arise though when the a gale is driving the water into every crevice, and this can get a lot worse after a cowboy roofer stomps all over your roof while cracking tiles.
It is a wise idea to Find a Roofer on Mr-Skill from time to time, and to ask them to check that everything is still in place, and that nothing needs repairing. This is especially valid in the case of tiled roofs, because tiles are heavy, timbers do settle, and cement under ridges does crack loose over time.
 If you are buying a house, and the one that you are considering has a flat roof, then my advice is to avoid regular Roofing Quotes and to buy something else with a simple pitched roof instead. This is because water inevitably collects on flat surfaces in pools, and will eventually find a way through. The only technique I know of avoiding this is to re-seal a flat roof long before the covering starts to deteriorate. In the greater order of things, flat roofs are cheaper to build, but cost more to maintain. Beware the buyer.
The most important thing of all is to be careful about who you allow to go up on your roof. Urban legend is full of stories of unscrupulous roofers who create work for themselves up where a homeowner never goes. This is where Mr-Skill comes in. Our reputation depends on the honesty and integrity of our roofers, and we intend to keep our good name intact by screening them carefully.
Tags: barrier, break, cap, capping, ceiling, check, chimney, covering, crack, crevice, direct, find a roofer, flat, gable, gale, gutter, hip, inspect, leak, london roofer, maintain, pitch, proof, quotes from roofers, rain, ridge, roof, roofer in London, roofer quotes london, roofers London, roofing quotes london, sag, seal, settle, storm, tile, valley, water, waterproof, wind
Posted in Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
Posted in General Building on Jun 14
Summer is a great time to get out in the garden, light the barbeque and prune the roses. Perhaps one could also hop into the car and brave the traffic all the way down to Brighton?  But summer is also the right time to Find a Builder to catch up on the outdoor jobs while it’s not raining.
o Start with the roof and any chimneys first. Are the tiles or sheets still in good position and held tightly down? Check the flashing too, and double check for any signs of leaks by looking up at upstairs ceilings. And the gutters? Are they nice and clear too?
o Check the openings into buildings next – by this I mean the windows and the doors. Are they closing tightly and are all the locks and other fastenings working correctly too. This is not just about weatherproofing either. It’s about keeping burglars out as well.
o Go all the way around the house checking that the rainwater is still draining away nicely. Look for cracks in rendering and signs of damp rising up the walls. Go inside too,  moving furniture away from internal walls. Any signs of damp? You need to get a Building Quote before things get worse.
o A Builder in London I got chatting too the other day while waiting for a train back home remarked that gates and fences are like our teeth. By that he meant that some of us neglect them both until they start to give us trouble, at which point they cost a lot of money to repair.
I reckon that chap standing with me on a railway platform had exactly the right idea. We need to keep a hand on homes and fix the little things before they become expensive. Summer is the best time to do this while it’s still nice and warm. Unless, that is, you feel like stopping gaps while the winter rains fall down on you. I just thought I’d mention it, to keep you nice and warm and dry.
Tags: builder, builder london, Building, building quotes, burglar, ceiling, check, chimney, correct, damp, door, drain, expensive, fastening, find a builder, fix, flashing, Garden, hand, home, inside, inspect, job, leak, lock, opening, outdoor, position, rain, rainwater, render, roof, sheet, summer, tight, tile, wall, weather, work
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Posted in General Building on May 12
 Unfortunately cowboy builders keep on popping up under the guise of pretending to be handymen and women. The difficulty comes when they start fiddling with basics like roofs, windows, doors and even foundations. Newspaper reports across the UK every week attest to the foolishness of hiring the services of an unqualified, incompetent builder. Mr-Skill exists to help you Find a Builder you should be able to rely on.
My old friend Bill Sykes who is a venerable Builder in London with decades of experience just laughs when he reads these stories. “What fools they are”, he chortles. “Haven’t they heard about the NHBC?” In case you have not heard of it either,  The National House Building Council is the leading warranty, insurance and standard-setting provider in the UK building industry. They have been protecting the nation’s homeowners for over 75 years so something must be working well.
Their warranties (which naturally apply only to work done by builders in good standing with them) cover around 80% of new houses being built today, and all-in-all 1.7 million British homes are under current protection. This provides assurances against only major defects though, not cosmetic issues like plaster cracks.
After you receive your Building Quotes from Mr-Skill remember to ask “are you NHBC registered?” and to request to see a current paid-up certificate too. If you receive an excuse instead then we recommend you pass that builder over in favour of another. When the job is done, but before you pay them finally, please remember to insist that you receive your written NHBC Warranty.
Tags: assurance, builder, builder london, builder quote, building job london, building quotes, certificate, cowboy, crack, defect, difficulty, door, find a builder, find a tradesman, foundation, guarantee, incompetent, national house building council, nhbc, plaster, problem, protect, register, rely, roof, tradesman london, tradesman quote, trouble, trust, unqualified, unregistered, warranty, window
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Take Care of Your Roof
A roof is almost like a second skin. It protects us from the rain, the heat, the snow and sleet. When it fails though, we have just our own skin left, and that can be a miserable business on a cold, wet rainy night. The moral of my story is that you need to look after your roof.  The easiest way is to get a few Roofers Quotes from a convenient place like Mr-Skill and choose the roof specialists that appeal to you. When they arrive, remember to discuss the following ponts in detail.
o Is the roof covering intact and well attached? Tiles, sheets, thatch and all other roofing materials need firm fixing. If not, you will have leaks, and worse still a gust of wind might even carry a section of roof away.
o Are the ridges still in good condition? Roofs settle over time and ridges sag. They are not just decorative either – lose a ridge and your roof opens up to the sky.
o What about the fascias at gable ends? These are not simply decorative. They also protect the timbers at the roof ends from wind and rain.
o  My old friend who still does the occasional Roofing Job in London reckons that hips and valleys are the areas to watch out for most. Hips are secondary ridges. Valleys carry double water and need thorough flashing too.
o Points where chimneys and vent pipes penetrate a roof can be problematic as well, especially on the upper side if flashing fails. Remember, water going through a roof is moistening timbers and will eventually pass through your ceiling down into your home.
Do not wait until your roof starts leaking unexpectedly on a cold, wet winter’s night. Get Roofing Quotes from Mr-Skill. Get peace of mind too. Sleep well at night. A well-built roof is like a faithful spouse or partner. Look after both, as well as you possibly can.
Tags: attach, chimney, covering, fascia, find a roofer, flashing, gable, heat, hop, intact, leak, loose, ridge, roof, roofer(s) quote(s), roofers London, roofing job london, roofing quote(s), sag, sheet, skin.rain, sky, sleet, snow, speciaslist, thatch, tile, timber, valley, vent, wind
Posted in Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
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