Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Skill Builder  takes a closer look at two products from Youngman; their GPR steps and the Stair-scaffold. Youngman is arguably the most famous name in ladders and their range seems to be growing particlularly as it includes Boss towers. The latest product we have been sent to evaluate is their GRP steps. If you see a pair of GRP steps …

Toyota has introduced its new Hilux at this year’s Geneva Motor show. Available in Single, Extra and Double Cab body styles, the eighth generation Hilux offers a new and stronger ladder chassis, reinforced deck structure, enhanced 4×4 capabilities and  an improved towing capacity. New 2.4-litre D-4D engine The introduction of a 2.4-litre D-4D Global Diesel (GD) engine featuring Stop/Start combines …

Exeter plumber prosecuted for leaving a customer's gas meter and gas pipe in a dangerous state after he had undertaken unregistered gas work.

Kee Safety, the fall protection equipment expert, has launched the KeeGuard Ladder Kit, a permanently fixed guardrail system that can be used in conjunction with safety ladders and self-closing gates. KeeGuard Ladder Kit has been designed to provide a working at height safety solution that complies with EN 14122-4. This standard recommends that ‘to prevent falling through the access opening …

Marley Plumbing & Drainage has strengthened its commercial soil product offering by expanding its solvent soil range with new 160mm fittings and pipe. This latest offering strengthens Marley’s existing commercial portfolio which includes its kitemarked HDPE (high-density polyethylene system) and dBlue acoustic soil systems, which have been manufactured to withstand the high daily usage commercial properties entail and for easier …

Noisy construction work will not be allowed on the weekend in Kensington and Chelsea after the Council’s Cabinet agreed a new Code of Construction Practice on Thursday 11th February. Residents have long complained about noise from construction work and what they believed to be its unrelenting nature. In response the Council produced a draft Code of Construction Practice which was …

Geberit, the sanitary products expert, has extended the sponsorship of darts champion Adrian Lewis for a further three years. Ranked number three in the world, Adrian ‘Jackpot‘ Lewis will wear the Twyford logo on the front of his shirt for all matches played in the UK, with the Geberit logo on his shirt for matches played outside of the UK. …

Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding Limited has been fined after a worker suffered life-changing injuries when he fell from the roof of a barn.

After engaging constructively with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Checkatrade and Trustatrader have agreed to improve their practices. These improvements address concerns that were raised following a call for information by the CMA on online reviews and endorsements. The CMA’s call for information highlighted a number of general concerns about the review sector, including the potential for some review …

Skill builder takes one small step for man as we try out a new footwear product from Base. It seems to me that every time I try out a new pair of work boots or shoes they blow my socks off. I am talking metaphorically of course but the innovation that now goes into protective footwear means that we are …

Saint-Gobain Weber‘s fibre-modified floor levelling compound is designed to offer fast and efficient renovation of existing floors, and floating floor construction, in domestic and commercial applications. weber.floor 4310 fibre flow is a pump-applied screed formulated from special cements, aggregates, binders and chemical admixtures that can be applied at depths between 5 – 50mm. It is supplied as a casein-free pre-blended …

Deciding between a green roof and photovoltaics (PV) has been a question faced by many over recent years when designing a flat roof; however these two technologies are no longer mutually exclusive with the introduction of Bauder BioSOLAR, which will be officially launched at this year’s Ecobuild. A biosolar roof is the successful combination of biodiverse and extensive green roofs …

In response to an industry-wide skills shortage, Ecobuild, the UK show dedicated to construction and energy, has launched a partnership with The Job Show, the nationwide recruitment and careers event, to create a construction-focused job show which will run alongside Ecobuild on the last day of the show, 10th March at ExCeL London. The Construction Job Show has been designed …

Snickers promises a hard wearing garment that’s easy on the pocket with the new Snickers Core Range but does it live up to its billing? Skill Builder takes a closer look. If you are someone who has looked at Snickers trousers and decided that they are a bit beyond your budget you might just be stopped in your tracks by …

A non-foam based, pocketed safety kneepad which maintains its maximum cushioning effect throughout consecutive or prolonged use, can help prevent up to six months down time through knee injury according to the product’s manufacturer. The claim comes from Cliff Lockyer, CEO of Redbacks Cushioning, the Daventry, Northamptonshire based manufacturers of the UK designed, ‘Redbacks’ cushioning kneepad which won SATRA’s ‘Best …

Roger Bisby takes a first look at the 240 V Paddle Mixer from  Sparky. Sparky is a  power tool manufacturer from Bulgaria that also rebadges many of its products for other power tool companies. So if you see something very similar to this paddle mixer this could be because it is a Sparky tool in another colour and probably at …

Some years ago I was working at a house and I discovered that a boiler flue that passed through a floor void had become detached and was leaking into the floor void. I told the householder and she said that both her daughters had once used that bedroom and had become ill. They went to the doctor and he started …

The Franke Laser LSX651 has a super slim low-profile edge that beds down onto the worktop to produce a sink that is virtually flush. This will keep the customers happy, but what’s in it for the installer? Franke claims that their clipless sink, which has a patented spring clamp in the sides, is 10 times faster to fit. Despite being …