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Posts Tagged ‘windows<’
Did you know that by using a well-positioned skylight you could benefit from as much as 40% more light than from conventional windows? Mr-Skill advises that this is one project best left to the experts, because you don’t want to risk fiddling around on your roof unless you really know what you are doing. The good news is that we have several pre-screened experts at your service, so you can find a roofing specialist right here on Mr-Skill.
Whether it’s a loft conversion you are considering, or just more sun and daylight you want to enjoy indoors, there are many designs for roof windows – or skylights as some call them. Let’s have a look at some of the more popular options and then you can get a roofing quote from one of our experienced members: 
Velux Roof Windows – Installing this popular product on your roof can transform an otherwise dark area, fit only for growing mushrooms, into a space flooded with natural light. You also get the benefit of better ventilation throughout your home if you open the roof window, but don’t forget to close it when the weather turns.
Flat Roof Windows – Designed for modern flat roofs, they certainly bring the day in from outside.
Cabrio Balconies – What a transformation you will experience when you use your roof window to make an instant balcony without having to re-build the entire house.
Sun Tunnels – Perfect in passageways where you want to bring in more light. If you think about it, it’s the only way you can install windows in this area.
Certification and Guarantees 
Before appointing your roofing contractor, ask to see their certification of competency, and make sure they still have current registration with the relevant association too. And as Mr-Skill always insists, any job is only as good as its guarantee – be sure to ask about this, and remember to get it in writing as well.
All Said and Done
One of our regular London roofing experts advises that, while you may consider installing roof windows yourself, keep in mind that this is one of those precise jobs that requires specialist knowledge. He goes on to say, “ think of the safety risks you are taking while you work on your roof, and how sure are you that you will seal properly to avoid wind and water leaks?”. Water has an unforgiving habit of finding its way through any weak spot, so don’t be caught short.
Tags: balcony, cabrio balcony, certification, find a roofing specialist, guarantee, home, indoor, knowledge, loft conversion, london roofing expert, natural light, roofing quote, roofwindow, skylights, sun, sun tunnel, transformation, ventilation, weather, windows
Posted in Roofing, Gutters & Drainage, Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
During the incredibly cold weather over Christmas and New Year everybody’s central heating systems and gas effect fires were maxed (and many probably still are) while the cooker worked overtime preparing roasts and curries. Unfortunately  not everybody knows what to do when a gas related problem occurs, usually after a long period of poor maintenance. If you are in any doubt at all about the safety of your equipment then you are urgently advised to find a Gas Fitter on Mr Skill.
As a homeowner or landlord you are responsible by law for the safe functioning of the gas fittings and appliances on your property, and are required to ensure that these are checked annually by a Gas Safe Registered Installer. Tenants are obliged to cooperate and to admit a Gas Repairperson whenever their services are required.
Each year people in the UK die unnecessarily from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by improperly installed or maintained domestic gas systems. You cannot see, taste or smell it, yet it could kill you after just a few hours exposure. Symptoms of poisoning include headaches, difficulty in thinking clearly, and feeling tired and sick.
 If you suspect a problem …..
o Extinguish all open fires and cigarettes
o Switch off all heating and cooking appliances
o Open all doors and windows
o Consult a doctor at once
o Find a Gas Fitter registered with Gas Safe.
The best and only way to play safe in the long run is to get Gas Fitter quotes on Mr-Skill, and ask them inspect your home every year. Never try to do the inspections yourself – gas is too dangerous to take chances. Rather concentrate on enjoying a good sleep at night with no worries.
Tags: appliance, carbon monoxide, Central Heating, cigarettes, CO, cooker, cooking, doctor, doors, equipment, find a plumber, fitter, fitting, gas, gas fitter, gas related problem, gas safe, homeowner, installer, landlord, maintenance, plumber london, plumber quote, plumbing job london, plumbing quote, problem, safety, see, smell, symptoms, system, taste, windows
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
 With no sign of an Indian Summer this year, it looks as if autumn is well and truly upon us and time to prepare the home against the ravages of winter. Mr Skill has prepared a checklist below of the most common jobs that need to be done around your property at this time of year to ensure that, when the spring arrives, your home is still in good condition and you do not have to make costly repairs.
Dealing with the 4 Seasons
The October Checklist
Draught Proofing
 One of the biggest and most expensive wastes of resources this winter will be the heat that escapes through your un-draught proofed windows and doors. As well as wasting around £25.00 per year in lost heat, once you have properly insulated your doors and windows, you will be able to turn the thermostat down a degree or two and safe another £50.00 over the winter months.
You can get free quotes from handymen in London for draught proofing your doors and windows through our Tradesmen´s Directory, or tackle the job yourself with a little help from the Mr Skill Project Advice section.
Replacement Doors and Windows
 If doors and windows themselves are in a poor state of repair, it may be time to consider replacing them. Typical tell-tale signs are when doors and windows stick or squeak when you try to open or close them, and installing new doors and windows can add to the kerb appeal of your property as well as saving you money by being more energy efficient.
We have a number of highly rated local window fitters in London listed in our Tradesmen´s Directory, or you may choose to install a replacement window yourself with assistance from Mr Skill´s Project Advice pages.
Central Heating Systems
 An inefficient central heating system will cost you money throughout the next six to none months and potentially have its life span reduced if rust deposits and air-locks hinder the flow of water and induce pump failure. Flushing your central heating system is the best way of improving your central heating system´s performance, but it may only be necessary to bleed your radiators to ensure your house remains warm throughout the coming months.
It is a busy time of year for companies providing gas fitting services in London, so it is recommended that you use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of each page to get plumbers quotes from heating engineers in London.
Trees
 If you have trees in you garden, it is the right time of year to prune them back and remove any weak branches that may fall during high winds and heavy rain. As well as the safety aspect of not having great weights of wood crashing through your car windscreen or damaging you patio furniture, pruning your trees in autumn will allow more light to enter your home, potentially saving you money on lighting. Local gardeners in London would also suggest that the dead and decaying would is not just thrown away, but used to make stumperies for your garden´s wildlife.
Walls
 You should do a regular inspection of the walls surrounding your home – garden walls and the brickwork of the property itself – to check for cracks and damaged bricks which may suffer from the freeze-thaw effect over the winter. Our “Post-a-Job” facility will enable you to get quotes from bricklayers in London should you need to replace damaged bricks or repoint your brickwork. If the weather is kind in your area over the next couple of weeks, you may also want to consider re-painting the exterior of your property – but only once you have read our blog about “What the Exterior Colour of Your Home Says About You”!
Guttering and Roofs
 It is also the time of year to clean and repair guttering on roofs, garages and conservatories. Gutters can easily be blocked at any time of year by leaves, moss, feathers, dirt and other rubbish which has blown into them and the guttering runs can age prematurely when water fails to flow away. Whilst you are up the ladder, it is also a good opportunity to check for damaged or displaced roofing tiles which will allow the rain in and potentially cause a damp problem. A good selection of local roofers in London is available in our Tradesmen´s Directory should you find that you roof could benefit from a professional´s opinion.
Tags: brickwork, Central Heating, doors and windows, energy efficiency, Find a Bricklayer in London, Find a Builder in London, Find a Gardener in London, find a handyman in London, Find a Plumber in London, Find a Roofer in London, freeze-thaw, Guttering, Guttering & Drainage, Home Improvements, Home Maintenance, Insulation, Kerb Appeal, tradesman, windows
Posted in Dealing With The Four Seasons | Comments Off
 Replacing an existing window is a fairly specialist job and best done with the assistance of a local window fitter in London. However, if you are a keen DIY-er, it may be a project that you would like to take on yourself to improve the appeal and value of your home.
As with most major home improvement projects, good preparation is the key to a successful conclusion, and we have divided our project advice on installing a replacement window into three parts to distinguish between the tasks that need to be performed before you remove your old window and the installation of the replacement window.
Part 3 Installing the Window
After measuring up and preparing the frame for your replacement window, it is time to complete the installation. The first stage for doing this is to caulk the exposed inner face of the exterior casing with a elastomeric caulk. You should also apply two continuous beads of caulk along the window sill.
Working from inside the room, place the bottom of the replacement window horizontally onto the sill and tip it upwards into the exposed casing. Fasten the window loosely in place with a few nails or screws into the side jamb and adjust the replacement window by inserting shims under the sill and behind the side jambs until it is perfectly centred and opens closes and locks smoothly.
When the window is square, secure it place by screwing through the predrilled holes made when preparing the frame – ideally with a shim behind each screw hole to avoid bowing the frame. You can screw through the shims and then cut then flush afterwards with a Stanley knife.
Starting from the outside, fill gaps around the window up to ¼ inch wide with elastomeric caulk (anything wider should first be filled with foam –allowed to dry and sanded flush) and finish up by replacing any stops you took away from the interior when removing the old window, and then prime and paint as required.
Any element of this three-part guide can be done by yourself, or you can use the services of a local window fitter in London for specific areas in which you could benefit from the experience of a professional London tradesman. You may also wish to review our Guide to Replacement Windows before you start or read how installing replacement windows can improve the appeal and value of your home.
Tags: add value to your property, caulk, doors and window, find a window fitter, Home Improvements, jamb, Kerb Appeal, paint, project advice, replacement windows, window fitter quotes, window frames, windows
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
 Replacing an existing window is a fairly specialist job and best done with the assistance of a local window fitter in London. However, if you are a keen DIY-er, it may be a project that you would like to take on yourself to improve the appeal and value of your home.
As with most major home improvement projects, good preparation is the key to a successful conclusion, and we have divided our project advice on installing a replacement window into three parts to distinguish between the tasks that need to be performed before you remove your old window and the installation of the replacement window.
Part 2 Preparing the Frame
Once you have measured up for your replacement window, the next step is to remove the old window from the window frame. In most cases this will involve prising off or unscrewing the stops and beads from your old window – unless your existing window was fitted with a sash-replacement kit, in which case there will not be any beads.
If the window frame was fitted with vinyl or aluminium jamb liners, use a crowbar to prise them free – removing any remaining stops from the window frame but leaving the interior and exterior casings intact. Scrape off any loose or blistered paint and patch any holes or dents in the frame casing with exterior-grade wood putty. Then sand the jambs smooth and prime and paint the surfaces.
If you are replacing old sash windows, now is the time to remove the old sash weights and insulate behind the window frame. First unscrew the access panels on each side jamb and remove the weights and any excess fibreglass that exists from the original installation. Then drill three equally distanced 10mm (3/8”) holes in the sill and head jamb before filling the area behind the casing with minimally expanding polyurethane foam. It is important that you use the minimally expanding type because you may damage the remaining window frame with anything stronger.
Once you have given the insulating foam time to dry (usually about 6 hours), cut off any protruding foam and sand down to a smooth finish. Now the frame is prepared, you are ready to install your replacement window.
Any element of this three-part guide can be done by yourself, or you can use the services of a local window fitter in London for specific areas in which you could benefit from the experience of a professional London tradesman. You may also wish to review our Guide to Replacement Windows before you start or once you have prepared the frame for your replacement windows jump ahead to our project advice on “How to Install a Replacement Window”.
Tags: add value to your property, caulk, doors and windows, find a window fitter, Home Improvements, jamb, Kerb Appeal, paint, project advice, replacement windows, window fitter quotes, window frames, windows
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
 Replacing an existing window is a fairly specialist job and best done with the assistance of a local window fitter in London. However, if you are a keen DIY-er, it may be a project that you would like to take on yourself to improve the appeal and value of your home.
As with most major home improvement projects, good preparation is the key to a successful conclusion, and we have divided our project advice on installing a replacement window into three parts to distinguish between the tasks that need to be performed before you remove your old window and the installation of the replacement window.
Part 1 Measuring Up
Measuring the dimensions of an old window is not quite as straightforward as it may seem. Some windows will have been in a property for more than thirty years, and in that time the frames may have warped or bowed due to the elements.
Start by measuring the inside width of the old window frame, jamb to jamb, in three places: across the top, middle, and bottom. Write down the smallest of the three measurements. Note: It is important that the smallest measurement is recorded because if you purchase a replacement window which is too wide for the frame at a certain point, it will create more work for you later when you have to adjust the frame. Next, measure the frame’s height from the top of the sill to the underside of the head jamb in three places: at the left jamb, in the middle, and at the right. Again, record the smallest measurement.
Check that the length and breadth of the frame is actually parallel by measuring the diagonals from corner to corner – the two dimensions should be the same, but if the frame is out of square by ¼ inch or so the replacement window can be shimmed to fit. Any larger discrepancies may require adjustments to the frame, or if the frame is so bowed that a square replacement would not look right and you will need a full-frame replacement.
Any element of this three-part guide can be done by yourself, or you can use the services of a local window fitter in London for specific areas in which you could benefit from the experience of a professional London tradesman. You may also wish to review our Guide to Replacement Windows before you start or once you have measured up your replacement windows jump ahead to our project advice on “How to Prepare a Frame for Replacement Windows” or “How to Install a Replacement Window”.
Tags: add value to your property, caulk, doors and windows, find a window fitter, Home Improvements, jamb, Kerb Appeal, paint, project advice, replacement windows, window fitter quotes, window frames, windows
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
Posted in Building A-Z on Sep 29
 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were introduced in October 2008 to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings and even though the Home Information Packs (HIPS) are no longer a requirement, anybody selling or renting a home or commercial premises needs to produce an EPC certificate by law. Energy Performance Certificates provide ‘A’ to ‘G’ ratings for the building, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least efficient. They are produced by independently accredited energy assessors who are usually attached to a surveyor´s office or estate agents, and are required when “a building has a roof and walls and uses energy to condition an indoor climate”. This means it has heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation. For example, a garden shed would not need an EPC if it doesn’t have any heating.
Builders in London marketing off-plan construction projects have to provide a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) to potential purchasers with a full energy performance certificate on completion and if a building is made up of separate units, each with its own heating system, each unit will need an EPC.
The only exceptions from this legal requirement are-
- Places of worship
- Temporary buildings with an expected lifespan of less than 2 years
- Buildings with appropriate permissions for demolition and re-development
- Stand alone buildings of less than 50m2 of useful floor area
- Non-residential buildings that do not use energy to condition the indoor climate – such as barns or car parks.
If you have not yet seen an Energy Performance Certificate, please click on this link – Example Energy Performance Certificate (pdf file 118Kb) – or ask your local builder in London on how you can save energy and save money at the same time.
Mr-Skill.co.uk also has a series of blogs that may be of interest to you including details on:-
Energy Efficient Windows
Draught Proofing
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Vampire Power
Tags: builder, compact fluorescent light bulb, Construction, draught proofing, energy, energy efficiency, Energy Performance Certificates, energy saving, Find a Builder in London, heating, Home Information Packs, London builder, roof, vampire power, ventilation, wall, windows
Posted in Building A-Z | Comments Off
Posted in Handyman Services on Aug 10
 London's old buildings are notorious for letting too much hot air escape! London´s notorious autumn winds can make living in an older house or flat pretty uncomfortable – and more than a little chilly. Although draughts can get into your home through doors, letter boxes, cat flaps and even key holes, windows provide the most noticeable access to the cold breeze as it whistles through gaps between the window and its frame, and your curtains sway in time with each new gust of wind.
Rather than just snuggle up underneath a blanket and turn the thermostat up, draught proofing your windows is a cost-effective way of being comfortable when the winds begin to howl. It can also save you money on heating bills, which in turn makes its own small contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. You can seek the assistance of a local handyman in London (as two pairs of hands are always better than one) or you can attempt this job yourself.
Depending on your type of window, you should find a suitable insulating tape at your local DIY store. Normally coming as a roll of self-adhesive foam rubber, strips should be placed on the frames of outward opening windows so that the window compresses the foam when it is closed and forms a seal. Care must be taken to ensure that the foam is not too thick, or the window will not close. The same principal applies to old-fashioned sash windows, although this is a much tougher job to manage alone, and it is recommended that your local London handyman gives you a “hand” with draught proofing sash windows.
Single glazed windows that do not open but somehow manage to let draughts in, can be secondary glazed by the application of window film. Although the primary function of window film is to add privacy to your home and create an attractive appearance, it can also provide a barrier to draughts. There is also secondary glazing film available in selected DIY stores, which is applied with self-adhesive tape and then shrunk to fit with a hair-dryer. Glazing film however, is incredibly easy to a) fit incorrectly and b) damage once applied, so is only suitable as a short-term fix.
If you have draughts coming through double glazing installations, it is quite possible that a seal within one of the units is broken. In this case, it would be better to consult with a local window fitter in London to obtain a replacement seal rather than installing any of the substitutes on the market which may not have been specifically designed to be effective on your type of window units.
Most window draught proofing jobs can be done from inside, but if you have a London handyman helping you out, ask him or her to check the exterior masonry (if it is accessible!). What you or they are looking for is gaps between the window frame and surrounding masonry. These gaps can allow draughts to enter the building and, if big enough, will also permit rain water to accumulate – which will eventually rot your window frames – or worse still, damage your brickwork through the freeze-thaw process.
Your London handyman will be able to offer a quote to repoint areas of your external masonry which are damaged, and you can use the Mr Skill “Post-a-Job” facility to compare their estimate of the work required against other London handymen quotes from tradesmen featured in our Tradesmen´s Directory.
Tags: CO2 emissions, draught proofing, energy efficiency, Energy Saving Trust, environment, find a handyman in London, freeze-thaw, Home Maintenance, Insulation, masonry, mortar, repointing, save money, Window & Door Fitting, window film, windows
Posted in Handyman Services | Comments Off
 Now that the summer months are here, it is an ideal opportunity to find a handyman in London and get him or her to give you a hand with some of those odd jobs that never seem to get done until it is too late. One such job is draught proofing your windows and doors, and this is an excellent time of year to do get this job done because it does not matter if you have to open your doors and windows to apply the draught proofing materials throughout August. It might be a different story come November!
Not only will getting your windows and doors draught proofed by local handymen in London make your home or flat more comfortable, but you will save money as well. The Energy Savings Trust estimates that you could save £25.00 (a pony) per year by keeping warm air in and cold air out. Furthermore, as draught proofing has made your home more comfortable, you will possibly turn down the thermostat on your central heating a degree or two – saving a further £55.00 per year.
Although draught proofing is a job that you can tackle yourself, a professional handyman in London will know what materials to use and where to use them. Even though it may cost a little money for their services, the savings you make over the next few years will more than compensate for the price of the initial installation. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may also qualify for a grant or offer towards the cost of draught proofing your home, and landlords can use part of their energy saving tax allowance for draught proofing their properties.
If you would like to find out more about how your local handymen in London can help you get rid of those draughts and save a pony each year, please use our “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page to request a handyman’s quote from the local tradesmen featured in our Tradesmen´s Directory.
Tags: Central Heating, doors and windows, draught proofing, energy efficiency, Energy Saving Trust, find a handyman in London, Grants, Handyman Services, Home Improvements, Home Maintenance, Insulation, odd job, ventilation, windows
Posted in Save Money through Home Improvement | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Aug 05
 Although mortice locks are designed to be long lasting, there are instances where you may wish to replace an existing lock with a new one. Usually when you move into a new home it is a good idea to replace old locks with new, and certainly when you have lost your keys! You may also wish to change your locks to compliment a new style you have created in a room – mortice locks are not all that expensive – or you may wish to raise the security level of an existing lock.
It is not advised to attempt to install a mortice lock from scratch. For maximum efficiency and protection, a mortice lock has to match up perfectly with the strike plate inserted into the doorframe pocket – a job which requires skill and accuracy. If you are considering the installation of a new mortice lock, please consult the locksmith services in London section of our Tradesmen´s Directory.
Stage One: Unlock the door, open it and place a piece of wood between the door and door frame, so that it does not accidently shut. Working from the inside of the door, unscrew the screws on the door handle. You only need to do this once unless you are changing the door handles for something more aesthetically pleasing.
Stage Two: Remove the handle from the door, and also the metal bar (spindle) which fits through the lock and both handles.
Stage Three: Unscrew and remove the lock from the door. You may have to manoeuvre a tight fitting lock with the aid of a screwdriver via the spindle hole.
Stage Four: Insert the new lock, ensuring that the latch is pointing in the right direction, and replace the screws securing the lock into the door.
Stage Five: Push the spindle back through the door and into the handle on the other side. Refit the handle and check that the lock functions properly and engages correctly with the strike plate on the doorframe.
If you experience any difficulty in replacing your mortice lock, or would like a local locksmith to perform the job for you, please use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page to alert local locksmiths to your requirements, and one of them will be in touch with you very soon.
Tags: British Standard, Dead Lock, doorframes, doors, five lever lock, insurance, keys, mortice lock, protection, secure your property, security, spindle, Strike Plate, three lever lock, windows
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
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