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Roofing top tips – What you need to know before you get a new roof

Roger Bisby
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Roofing top tips – What you need to know before you get a new roof

Georgina Bisby, Editor of skill-builder.uk, shares some top tips home owners should consider when having a new roof installed.

Roofing shortcuts can lead to future problems such as leaking roofs, roof tiles falling off and poor insulation so it’s worth being armed with enough information to check your roofer is doing the job right.

Also, not all roofers keep up with the latest roofing standards so check your roofer is up-to-date and adhering to professional standards. Roofers who are members of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) for example are subject to a strict code of practice and vetting procedure, including site inspections and adhering to Government endorsed standards.

Warning Signs for Construction as Output Drops

Roger Bisby
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0
Warning Signs for Construction as Output Drops

Snowy weather, rising costs and uncertainty relating to Brexit are to blame for the sharp drop in construction output, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the latest PMI data.

The March 2018 PMI data revealed a fall from 51.4 in February to 47.0 in March, against the neutral reading of 50.0. March 2018’s figure was weaker than the average 52.3 of 2017.

Commenting on the results, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The latest PMI data shows the fastest drop in construction activity since July 2016.

The unusually cold and snowy weather experienced across the UK last month is partly to blame for this set-back. The cold snap impacted on a broad array of construction projects, including house building, domestic refurbishment and large civil engineering projects.

Many small builders across the country were forced to close sites for more than a week and some employers reported that it was too cold to lay bricks.”

Berry continued: “Alongside the snow, the cost of doing business is rising for the UK’s construction firms. Wages and salaries are all rocketing because of the ever-worsening skills shortages in construction.

What’s more, material prices have been rising steadily since the depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum. Increased prices for metals and insulation, in particular, were noted in March.

We expect material prices to continue to cause a headache for the construction industry with recent research from the FMB showing that 87% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months.”

Berry concluded: “More broadly, the future is still looking incredibly uncertain for the UK construction sector.

We still don’t know what the post-Brexit immigration system will look like and given that businesses need to plan ahead, this could also be putting a brake on growth in the construction sector.

This is especially the case for construction – our sector is heavily reliant on EU tradespeople with more than 8% of construction workers hailing from the EU.

In London, this rises to one third. The Government must take stock of today’s results and redouble its efforts to provide post-Brexit clarity to businesses.

We need to know what we can expect from the new immigration system – we need to know what will replace free movement of people.”

How to render exterior walls – rendering tips for beginners

Roger Bisby
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How to render exterior walls – rendering tips for beginners

Roger revisits a topic that Skill Builder covered many years ago.

Skill Builder’s original how to render video has been one of the channel’s most popular videos but some professionals responded to say that they prefer alternative techniques.

Roger Bisby considers some of the points raised in response to the first video and shares some details about how to render that will help anyone taking on rendering for the first time with Roger’s apprentice Jago proving that rendering is a skill that can be picked up easily with the right advice.

Roger discusses that scracth coat, how to check whether the render is flat and the ingredients and ratio for the best rendering mix.

 

 

Capel Build Part 5 – Robin’s cladding vlog update

Roger Bisby
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Capel Build Part 5 – Robin’s cladding vlog update

In this fifth video from the Capel Build series Robin Clevett gives us a solo update vlog while Roger is away on holiday and we take a look at his approach to cladding.

Robin is currently doing the exterior cladding for the summer house. Robin explains the importance of ventilation and airspace when assembling your tongue and groove cladding. Lots of people neglect to include an airspace because they believe the cladding is already breathable enough but Robin says it’s good practice to include one.

Robin also shares a technique for pinning tongue and groove board.

The Extension Part 7: Setting out the roof wall plates

Roger Bisby
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The Extension Part 7: Setting out the roof wall plates

The Extension project is now up to plate level so it’s time for Pythagoras’ theorem.

“Plate level is the timber plate which is going to hold the roof structure including the roof joists, hips and roof rafters.

“When you put this on you need to spend a lot of time getting this right because carpenters curse bricklayers like mad if they’ve bedded the plate on and it’s wrong and some carpenters even prefer to put the plate on themselves.

“Luckily Mark, our bricklayer, is very diligent and he bedded it the old fashioned way. It comes off the existing plate of the house and we used a laser level to ensure that it is level all the way round and we’ve also checked that the whole thing is square which is also really important.”

3-4-5- method

“You can do that using a folding square but an alternative way to check the plates are square which can be useful on larger roofs is to use the 3-4-5 method.

“Take any 3 measurement such as 30 inches from the corner down one side, then measure 40 inches down the other side and the distance between the two points will be 50 inches if the corner is 90 degrees.”

Testing Cheap Tools – Are Poundland Tools a Bargain?

Dylan Garton
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Testing Cheap Tools – Are Poundland Tools a Bargain?

Ahead of the biggest DIY weekend of the year – the great Easter break – Skill Builder Editor, Georgina Bisby has been trying out some Poundland tools to see what you can get for your money.

Georgina tries out a spirit level, hammer, screwdriver set, junior hacksaw and some tape measures to see which ones are a steal and which ones are best left in the bargain bin.

Small builders are key to solving housing crisis and Government must act, says group of cross-party MPs

Roger Bisby
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Small builders are key to solving housing crisis and Government must act, says group of cross-party MPs

A cross-party group of MPs has urged the Government to introduce a new ‘Dedicated Strategy for Small Housebuilders’ to reverse the decline in the number of new homes built by small builders, which has plummeted to just 2,500 today from 12,000 in 1998.

Describing the new proposals, the MPs leading the report said: ‘We have many legitimate disagreements with each other on many aspects of housing policy, but on this we are agreed: we cannot solve the housing shortage without smaller builders.’

‘An Inquiry into Support for Small Housebuilders’, supported by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), calls for a ‘Dedicated Strategy for Small Housebuilders’ which must address the key challenges holding housebuilders back, including:

  1. Limited access to finance: MPs are calling for a Government backed guarantee on loans to small housebuilders, who are more reliant on financing than bigger builders with large reserves of cash.
  2. Action against businesses that pay their suppliers late: The report asks for a strengthened prompt payment code with a new “three strikes and you’re out” rule targeting big businesses who repeatedly pay late.
  3. More help to increase apprenticeships in the building trade: Large businesses paying the new apprentice levy must prioritise transferring their levy to small, rather than large, businesses, helping to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the building trade.
  4. Remove barriers to building on small sites: Government must use the revised NPPF to streamline the planning process for smaller firms.

Robert Courts MP, Chair of the APPG, said: “Government action has started to address some of the needs of small builders but we must leave no stone unturned to truly unlock the housing market.

“A new, dedicated strategy for small housebuilders would be an important step in achieving this. This needs to centre on a positive package of measures that removes some the biggest barriers for small builders including the inability to access finance and reducing the cost of developer contributions like the Community Infrastructure Levy.”

Catherine West MP, Vice Chair of the Inquiry, said: “The current state of the UK housing market leaves no doubt that there is huge potential for small builders to make a vital contribution to building the homes we need.

“Our report sets out a series of proposals that will enable small builders to scale up, grow and build more which will help relieve the housing shortage.

“The simple truth is that the UK cannot expect to build the homes we so desperately need unless smaller builders are backed. Giving small builders the keys they need could result in tens of thousands of urgently needed homes being built up and down the UK.

“This will help create jobs, stimulate economic growth and provide the homes the UK need.”

FSB acts as the secretariat for the APPG and supported them on the inquiry.

Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Small housebuilders will welcome the cross-party effort to shine a light on the very real challenges that are holding them back from playing their part in building the homes the UK needs.

“It is vital that the Government does not turn a blind eye to the findings of this report and commits to creating a dedicated strategy aimed at giving small homebuilders the finance, skills and support they need to help fix the broken housing market.”

How to install a rainwater harvesting system

Dylan Garton
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0
How to install a rainwater harvesting system

Paul Gormley talks through the process of installing a rainwater harvesting system.

A rainwater harvesting system collects water from a house’s roof to be used in the garden or for some domestic appliances. A rainwater harvesting system can be installed to save water, or planners may ask for a system to be installed to help with potential local flooding issues.

Key considerations for installing a rainwater harvesting system:
Presuming the system has been sized correctly, there are a few key elements to consider when installing a rainwater harvesting system:

Drainage
It is important to bring together all downpipes into one pipe, for entry into the tank. They should only carry roof water; surface water should bypass the rainwater system as it can contain dirt and oil. It is important to ensure that pipework is kept as shallow as possible. If it’s too deep (beyond a metre), the tank will have to be installed deep in the ground which will have an impact on the ability to clean the filter.

Installing the tank

  • In most cases a flat, shallow tank is preferable. This avoids deep excavations and makes future maintenance easier.
  • The tank will have an inflow and an overflow. The overflow needs to go to a soakaway or surface water drain. It is important not to go too close to the foundations of the property. If you are tight for space, then a good rule of thumb is the tank needs to be at least twice the distance away from the building as it is deep in the ground.
  • Backfilling around a tank should be done with concrete or a compactable gravel, depending on the tank. We only supply tanks that are strong enough for gravel backfill but there are some cheap tanks that require concrete.

Installing the pump
A pump needs to be installed in the tank to send the water back to the property. It is important that the pump is not carried or lowered by its cable – this is a common problem which can cause problems with water getting into the electrics. Lower the pump with a rope to prevent any damage. The pump pipe connected to the pump must be green and black MDPE pipe (similar to standard water pipe). It is vitally important that fittings are sealed and completely watertight; the use of PTFE tape is recommended for the fitting that goes directly on the pump.

Internal plumbing
The internal pipework must be a dedicated feed to the toilets and washing machine. There can be no physical connection between the mains water supply and the rainwater supply, so your plumber must be aware of this while he is working on the installation. Pipe marking tape must also be used to identify the internal plumbing. Many suppliers do not supply this as part of the kit, therefore you should check when ordering. It is also important that you label the water main to identify that there is a rainwater recovery system installed in the property. You also need to label outside taps and appliances to ensure the water supply is not misidentified. Again, ensure you have labels included with the kit upon ordering.

Other things to consider:

Filtration
Leaf filters are mostly built into the tanks and filters are also installed on the pump to stop particles coming through. If necessary, you can also buy fine particle filters which can be installed within the property to ensure there is no risk of any small particles blocking toilet valves. Our systems include a very fine particle filter with the kit to ensure you get no problems when the system is being used.

Mains back up system
To ensure there is an uninterrupted water supply to the building, a mains water top up is used to feed a small amount of mains water back to the tank in the event that there is no rain and the tank is almost empty. This is normally a magnetic valve and sensor. The valve opens when the sensor in the tank registers there no water.

The sensor should be set very slightly higher than the inlet of the pump.

The mains back up kit, which is sometimes a box unit, needs to be installed in the house. This is normally done in a utility room or under a sink. It is important that the water can flow back to the tank through a dedicated 110mm pipe, or via the drainage from the roof.

There must also be an air gap between your mains water and the pipe that it feeding the tank. This prevents the possibility of cross contamination between mains water and rainwater.

The quality of the mains back up kit will depend of the system you have purchased. Some use heavy duty brass magnetic valves and probe sensors, other cheaper systems use lower quality valves and cheap float switches. With this, it doesn’t pay to scrimp on quality.

Sign off from the water authority
The water authority will want to make sure you have adhered to the regulations; therefore you must be able to prove the following:

  • Identifying labels are installed at the appropriate locations
  • The pipe from the pump is regulation green and black pipe
  • The mains water top up has an air gap to prevent cross contamination
  • Your internal pipework has identifying taps

It is worth taking photos of the internal pipework to prove that identifying tape has been used, since it can often be covered up following installation.

Summary: 5 key tips
Keep tank as shallow as possible

This is not only good for you as it requires less digging and less excavated earth, it is better for the homeowner as the filter is then easy to access.

Test pump when complete system is installed

Once the system has been installed and all the plumbing has been done, test the pump by flushing a toilet. The pump should turn on to feed the toilet and off again when the cistern is full. The pump should then stay off. If it turns back on again then you have a small leak in the pipework

Always use a particle filter

Whilst standard rainwater filters are good, installing a fine particle filter will ensure it is not possible for any fine particles to get into the toilet valves creating a leak. Leaks will cause the pump to turn on and off so this “belt and braces” measure is highly recommended

Add a pressure vessel

A pressure vessel (or expansion vessel) like on a heating system, helps to maintain the pressure in the pipework. This is very advantageous with a rainwater harvesting system as it can stop a pump from turning on in the even that someone leaves an outside tap dripping. This will can prolong the life of and protect the pump.

Keep things clean

We’ve seen many builders have to return to properties to unblock toilet valves because too much debris has entered the tank during the installation. Try to keep the tank clean and make sure that everyone on site knows there is a rainwater harvester connected to the drainage. Furthermore, once the roof has been constructed, you may get a small amount of grit entering the tank, this should be caught by the filter but we would highly suggest checking the filter and giving it a clean prior to handover to the client.

This guide was written by Paul Gormley, technical sales manager at rainwater harvesting specialists Owls Hall Environmental.

www.owlshall.co.uk

Keyless van theft increases in 2017 with Ford Transit still most stolen

Dylan Garton
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0
Keyless van theft increases in 2017 with Ford Transit still most stolen

According to recovery figures from TRACKER, 82% of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) were stolen without the owner’s keys in 2017 –  up by nearly 100% compared to 2016 (44%). 

The Ford Transit was again the most popular van stolen last year and are said to have accounted for over half of the LCV recoveries made by TRACKER.

“Keyless entry technology has now been widely adopted in the LCV market, and this is evident in the fact that last year there was a two-fold increase in LCVs being stolen without the owner’s keys,” confirms Andy Barrs, Head of Police Liaison at TRACKER. “The relatively new trend in vehicle theft termed ‘relay attack’, that allows criminals to harness more sophisticated theft techniques to overcome existing vehicle security technology, such as immobilisers and keyless entry systems, has played a significant part in this increase.”

The impact of van theft goes beyond just having the inconvenience of being without a vehicle. As well as the hassle of dealing with insurers to get a vehicle replaced, owners need to consider the financial impact – increase in insurance premiums, cost of replacing tools, not to mention the administration cost of dealing with everything. Brand reputation can be at risk too if a business cannot serve its customers.

Barrs concludes, “It is worth remembering it’s not just about protecting your van from being stolen but safeguarding your business too. Technology is just one part of vehicle security and more vigilance needs to be taken across the board; this includes van owners, manufacturers, dealers, insurers and the police. Whilst a tracking device won’t stop a van being stolen, it can significantly increase the chances of the police locating and returning it to its rightful owner.”

Additional costs of having your van stolen:

1. Tool replacement – if your van is driven off with all your tools on board you will face a major bill. The average collection of manual and power tools in a trades vehicle can be worth thousands. Even if they’re insured, it can take weeks to source and order replacements.

2. Rising insurance premiums – if your van is stolen, your insurance premiums rise – making it more expensive to run your van or fleet.

3. Administration costs – dealing with the fallout of having your van stolen. Sourcing replacement tools, hiring temporary vehicles, reporting theft to the police, organising road tax refunds, taxing and insuring a replacement vehicle.

4. Loss of business – when a van is stolen, it hits your productivity hard. If your business is a small one, you may even find yourself unable to serve customers — and that can damage your reputation and impact future business.

 www.tracker.co.uk

Builders Merchant worker loses finger when glove gets entangled in table saw

Roger Bisby
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Builders Merchant worker loses finger when glove gets entangled in table saw

Llanharan Concrete Co. Limited has been fined after a worker was injured when his glove got entangled with the moving blade of a table saw.

Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard how the employee of the company was cutting wood with a table saw when his glove got entangled, pulling his finger into contact with it. The injured worker was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery to amputate the top of his left index finger to the first knuckle.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was a lack of supervision, no risk assessment or safe system of work was in place for using the table saw, and no training was given to the worker before using the saw. This was despite the company having previously been advised by a HSE inspector, and their own health and safety consultants, to implement safe systems of work for their machinery.

Llanharan Concrete Co. Limited of Llanharry Road, Llanharan, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 and has been fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,889.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Lee Jones said, “This injury could have easily been prevented had the risk been identified.

“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.”

Ford Transit security: The problems & some solutions

Roger Bisby
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Ford Transit security: The problems & some solutions

As tool thefts from vans soar across the nation and there is increasing unrest among tradespeople whose livelihoods depend on their tools, Skill Builder returns to Sussex Installations to find out more about the specific issues associated with Ford Transits and find out what can be done about them.

The problems associated with Ford Transits are well known with the vans thought to be the most broken in to and the most stolen vans in the UK. It’s a sorry state of affairs and so far the van manufacturers are seriously failing their customers when it comes to van security.

We would like to see van manufacturers prioritise van security and we would like to see the police take these crimes more seriously. We are hopeful that tools may become easier to trace and more difficult to steal thanks to smart technology and we are hopeful that inventions like Smart Water might make a difference.

However in the mean time tradespeople need to work and sleep at night so we went in search of someone who could help us upgrade our security and Sussex Installation seemed to have the most comprehensive security upgrade offering in our area.

Take a look at these upgrades with the knowledgable Jeff Scott and feel free to share your own tips and recommendations for companies who can help in your area.

www.sussexinstallations.co.uk

Women Need More Shoes – Footwear on International Women’s Day

Dylan Garton
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Women Need More Shoes – Footwear on International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day Georgina Bisby shares her findings after trying out some safety boots from Dr Martens new women’s range and discusses the problems women face finding good fitting PPE.

It’s International Women’s Day 2018 and as I’ve been trying out some new women’s safety footwear from Dr Martens over the past few months, today seemed like the perfect day to share my findings.

I’ve worked as a journalist writing about industrial technology including safety products for over ten years and it’s clear that women have been grossly underserved when it comes to PPE with safety footwear perhaps being the worst offender.

Research undertaken by the TUC in 2016 and a report published in 2017 suggested fewer than one in three women are given protective clothing specifically designed for women.

Despite a legal duty on bosses to provide the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to their staff free of charge, only 3 in 10 women (29%) told a survey that the PPE they wear to keep them safe at work is specifically designed for women with many women being given men’s PPE in smaller sizes.

Women responding to the survey worked in a range of jobs, including in the emergency services, retail and manufacturing, engineering and scientific research.

Many reported that ill-fitting PPE which isn’t designed to protect women workers gets in the way of them doing their job safely. For example, the wrong shoes or overalls can increase the chances of tripping, and safety harnesses, belts and body armour can rub against the skin if they do not accommodate breasts or hips.

That’s why we were really excited to hear about the iconic Dr Martens brand launching a women’s industrial collection, offering female workers a choice of boots that shouldn’t compromise on safety.

To help encourage and support females in industry, Dr. Martens says its new Women’s Collection ensures women are given a choice of protection, style and colour for their footwear, and no longer have to compromise. The collection includes:

  • Maple- A classic 8-eyelet lace up steel-toe work boot, the Maple is designed with soft leather and heat-sealed uppers. The padded tongue ensures comfort, as well as the SoftWair™ sock liner delivering extra cushioning at the hee
  • Arbor- This classic Chelsea work boot has a steel toe cap with soft leather uppers that are heat-sealed with a PVC outsole that is durable. The SoftWair™ sock liner also delivers extra cushioning at the heel and forefoot, while the raised grid pattern promotes underfoot airflow to keep feet dry and comfortable

The Women’s Collection is available in UK sizes 3-9 online at: www.drmartens.com/uk/c/industrial-womens

We’d love to hear your experiences of finding PPE and Safety Footwear for women – is it a frustration of have you found brands you love? Let us know.
*The model I’ve been trying is the Maple in a size 5 – I often take a size 5.5 – they don’t come in half sizes but I found that the 5 was a really good fit.

See more on women’s clothing from Skill Builder.

How to fix one cold radiator – Plumbing Tips

Roger Bisby
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How to fix one cold radiator – Plumbing Tips

Do you have one cold radiator that needs fixing? Would you like to try fixing it yourself? Roger Bisby troubleshoots that problem radiator.

“If you have a radiator that isn’t getting hot there are a few things potentially happening.

“Your central heating might be on and your other radiators are warm but you have one cold radiator.

“If you feel the radiator and you find that there are cold spots but that it’s getting warm at the top then the problem is sludge which is basically the system corroding away which is building up a layer of sludge which is oxide in the bottom of the radiator which means the water isn’t able to find its way through. If the problem isn’t too severe you can inject a little bit of sludge remover or system cleanser into the radiator and let that run round the system for a few weeks and then drain the system. If you can’t do that, the next step is to take the radio down and take it outside to be flushed through with a hose. If that isn’t effective the next option is a power flush.

“Another common problem is air collecting along the top of the radiator which means that the bottom is hot and the top is cold. In that situation you need a radiator key, my preference is a brass one and then you need to find the bleed screw on the end of the radiator and turn it using the key. You only need to turn it a tiny amount until you hear it hissing and see some water come out which means that the air has gobe and the water is in the top. If you find you have to do this regularly it means that you have air coming into the system in which case you need to have the system looked at. If you are having to bleed them every few months it means you might have corrosion which might lead to leaks in your radiators and even your boiler.

“Another common problem is with the pipe leading into the radiator getting hot but no further. Very often radiators have thermostatic radiator valves and sometimes they jam. Once you take the actuator top off you will see a pin at the top of the valve which you can move it up and down and it should start to function.”

Balancing radiators is another common issue and balancing your central heating system will be covered in another video.

5 Warning Signs of Asbestos Poisoning

Dylan Garton
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1
5 Warning Signs of Asbestos Poisoning

To help diagnose asbestos poisoning, the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSCHR), has compiled a list of five signs to watch out for that may indicate that you’re suffering from an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos was officially banned in the UK in 1999, but it still remains a serious risk to our health. As a building material used for insulation, flooring and roofing, asbestos is often present in older buildings and warehouses. If asbestos is exposed and small fibres are inhaled, they can remain in your lungs for a long period of time and can cause scarring and inflammation. This can lead to directly related medical conditions, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

It is often difficult to identify whether a business or place of work is at risk of asbestos as symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses often do not manifest for several years, or even decades.

Here are five warning signs that you may be showing signs of asbestos poisoning or an asbestos-related disease:

1 Shortness of Breath
If you have inhaled asbestos fibres, they can cause scar tissue to form in your lungs which is known as asbestosis. This scar tissue can make it difficult to breathe and shortness of breath can be one of the first signs of an asbestos-related illness.

2 Swollen Fingertips
A tell-tale sign of asbestosis is swollen fingertips, in around half of cases. Also known as clubbing, swelling in the tips of the fingers, when the fingertips appear broader and rounder, is a common symptom of this type of asbestos-related condition.

3 Fatigue
Extreme tiredness can be a sign of an asbestos-related condition and when combined with other common symptoms, such as shortness of breath and swollen fingertips, can be an indication of an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

4 Wheezing
Wheezing is caused when there is inflammation present in the lungs and often causes a whistling sound, especially when taking a deep breath. In asbestos-related conditions, for those who don’t smoke, wheezing can be a cause for concern and may indicate that you have been exposed to asbestos.

5 Persistent Dry Cough
As the effects of asbestos can remain undetectable for many years after exposure, a persistent cough can be an indication of a possible asbestos-related condition. Even 40 years after initial contact, patients can develop a persistent cough due to scar tissue forming in the lungs over time.

Asbestos Poisoning

In the UK, the workers most at risk are those in shipyards, those working with aircraft and automobiles, miners, building construction companies, electricians and railroad workers; however, asbestos can also be present in office buildings and warehouses, or any public or residential building that was constructed before the 1980s.

More on Asbestos Poisoning & other hazards

Asbestosis – The serious lung condition caused by long-term exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma vs. Asbestosis

Protect our children and teachers from asbestos exposure at school

Everything You Need To Know About Low VOC And Zero VOC Paints

All articles on asbestos on Skill Builder

To find an OSHCR registered consultant who specialises in asbestos, visit: www.oshcr.org

Building an extension Part 6 – Installing joists and steels

Roger Bisby
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Building an extension Part 6 – Installing joists and steels

In Part 6 of The Extension series, which follows the build of a side and rear extension, we see the joists and steels slotted into position in preparation for the removal of a load bearing wall at the back of the house.

The wall is being knocked out to extend the existing kitchen and create a kitchen/diner on the ground floor and an additional bedroom on the first floor.

This episode includes:

  • Cutting joists to fit the steel beam
  • Spacing the joists out with noggings and the challenges associated installing joists and steels.
  • Using Strongboys to support the outer and inner skin at the same time
  • Trimming the existing floor joists so they can sit in the web of the steel beam
  • Cutting out the brickwork
  • Lining up the holes of the two steel beams
  • Bolting timber on to the steel beam for the jiffy hangers
  • Expansion joints
  • Insulation
  • Using jiffy haners/joist hangers

This episode features products from: Evolution; Snickers Workwear; Milwaukee; Fein; Bosch; Arbotech; Stabila; Ecotherm; Teco and Rhino Scaffolding.

 

WIN a Snickers workwear bundle worth over £300: Competition closed

Roger Bisby
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0
WIN a Snickers workwear bundle worth over £300: Competition closed

This competition is now closed.

Skill Builder has teamed up with Snickers Workwear to give away a set of premium workwear from the company’s brand new high vis range as modelled by Roger in this video.

The prize package which is worth over £300 includes:

  • Allroundwork Insulated high vis jacket
  • RuffWork Heater Hat
  • Flexi Work  Wool ½ zip top
  • Litework 37.5 LS Shirt
  • LiteWork  37.5 Long Johns

To be in with a chance of winning you just need to tell us how many topwear layers Roger is wearing in the video and enter via the form below*.

Staying warm in the cold

Staying warm in the cold is crucial for safety and wellbeing at work. When you’re cold your ability to react is hampered, you become less effective and risk making bad decisions. Human bodies can adapt to tropical conditions, but it can’t acclimatise to cold weather.

“To dress warm when it’s cold is easy on the face of it”, says David Clark managing Director of the Hultafors Group UK which owns Snickers Workwear. “But to dress right requires more attention. Because when you’re working hard you start sweating. But later, when your workrate slows, the moisture your body has cooled and you start to shiver”.

“What you need in that situation are garments with advanced ventilation features with the ability to control and regulate the heat from your body.”

37.5® Fabric Technology

37.5® is a ground-breaking new fabric technology adopted by Snickers Workwear – largely used in high-performance sportswear – which is said to have unmatched efficiency when it comes to ventilation and moisture transport. Instead of being applied to the surface of the fabric, 37.5® fibres are woven into the fabric. This means they never get washed out so you get the full benefit wear after wear.

5 facts About 37.5® Technology

  • The active particles used in 37.5® technology are derived from natural sources such as coconut shells and volcanic minerals
  • Fabrics with 37.5® technology dry up to five times faster than performance fabrics without
  • The hotter a user gets the stronger the drive force removing moisture becomes
  • 37.5® works to the level of 37.5 degrees, both when it comes to humidity percentage and temperature
  • 37.5® active particles are permanently embedded into the yarn and will never wash out or degrade

www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

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Construction sites grind to a halt in snowy weather

Dylan Garton
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0
Construction sites grind to a halt in snowy weather

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says work on many construction sites has ground to a halt as heavy snow continues to fall in parts of the country.

Sarah McMonagle, Director of External Affairs at the FMB, said: “Heavy snow showers have led to many construction sites across the UK grinding to a halt.

“Some construction bosses have told their staff to take the rest of the week off and not return to work until Monday.

“But it’s not just the snow that’s playing havoc with construction projects – some firms are reporting that the freezing temperatures mean it’s too cold to lay bricks.

“The overall impact of bad weather on construction growth remains to be seen but this situation is concerning given that the FMB’s latest research shows that growth among construction SMEs slowed in the final three months of 2017.

“We hope that the cold weather we have seen this week is just a blip and that all workers will be able to get back on site in coming days.”

www.fmb.org.uk

 

 

Prop Pal invention offers builders some support

Roger Bisby
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Prop Pal invention offers builders some support

Bricklayer and general builder Stephen Cheshire is, like many builders, often faced with the prospect of trying to hide a steel beam in the ceiling. The problem, as you will no doubt know, is not hiding the beam but how to safely  prop the wall above the upstairs floor level so you leave the ceiling void clear to place the beam in. I have seen this done in many different ways over the years. The obvious way is to use Acrow props on both sides and needles through behind the skirtings but this means creating a trap in the floorboards and making a hole in the ceilings.

Stephen’s idea was to fabricate some thinner steel frames that could be fed through the wall from the inside, again at skirting level and propped with Acrows on the outside. On the inside he incorporated jacking screws  that could be placed on plywood or scaffold planks laid across the floor joists so the frames could be adjusted to pick up the wall evenly and accurately. The floor still needs to be supported from the underside.

One advantage of the Prop Pal is that it is a purpose made system with proven strength and that helps when you are assessing risks and preparing method statements. Making up your own needles and packing them up has too many variables and unproven components to be deemed a safe method. The Prop Pal has been tested to a SWL of 1500kg.

Another thing I like is that the props are locked into the frame so they can’t come crashing down if they are knocked. The jacking screws also have fixing holes to secure them to the boards so the whole frame is locked in place. This to me is immensely valuable when you are trying to jack steel beams in. Many a time I have taken the load off the props by jacking the steel up and they have toppled.

There is no doubt that Prop Pals speed up the job of supporting walls above beam or lintel openings so they should find a good market in the same way that Strongboys have.

Some builders will want to purchase some Prop Pals outright while others will prefer to hire, in fact Stephen has been approached by local builders who want to hire them.

Stephen is currently looking for a manufacturer and distributor to take up his invention. He is also interested in hearing from hire outlets who may wish to list his product.

www.proppal.co.uk/

How to Join Copper and Plastic Pipe – Plumbing Tips

Roger Bisby
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0
How to Join Copper and Plastic Pipe – Plumbing Tips

Roger visits his favourite local plumber’s merchant and shows you how to join copper and plastic pipe.

There are two videos in this How to join pipes series – this, the first video, looks at how to join supply pipes – the second video will look at how to join waste pipes.

For supply pipes and central heating pipes you have a choice between good old-fashioned tried and tested copper or plastic. Plastic pipes have come a long way in the past few years and come in rolls and straight lengths and different types of plastic including PB (Polybutylene) and PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene). Plastic offers advantages in terms of flexibility and corrosion resistance but I prefer not to use it on surface mounted pipe work, I prefer copper because it’s a lot more rigid.

Compression fittings on plastic pipe

Interestingly you can join copper and plastic with a lot of the same fittings; a lot of people don’t realise you can join a bit of plastic pipe with a compression fitting. A compression fitting works in the same way on a plastic pipe as it does on a copper pipe except that you need to put in a liner, which is there to keep the end of the pipe perfectly round. It is also there to protect the end of the pipe – when you put a push-fit fitting in there’s an O ring in there and if you don’t have the liner on, the square edge on the end of the plastic can damage the O ring and cause a leak. You might not know about it straight away but six months or even six years down the line it might develop a leak and if this causes any damage and an inspection shows  the plumber neglected to put in a liner the plumber could be liable.

Once you’ve inserted the liner the nut goes over the end of the pipe followed by the copper olive and then the fitting itself. Hand tighten this and then tighten with a spanner until it’s crimped on so that the olive compresses onto the pipe. That makes a secure fitting but just for belt and braces you can take the fitting off and wrap PTFE tape around the olive – using this approach I have never had a problem.

Push-fit fittings – demountable and non-demountable

There are two types of push-fit fittings – demountable and non-demountable. JG Speedfit’s patented demountable fittings don’t require any tools to release the fittings and are truly demountable without damage to pipe or fitting.

There are many different push-fit fittings on the market but JG are, in my opinion, the best​.

Floorlayers work trousers

Dylan Garton
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0
Floorlayers work trousers

Available this spring, Snickers’ new Floorlayers Work Trousers and the patented Knee Guard System are designed to combine to deliver the ultimate solution for working safely and in comfort on your knees.

These new and innovative trousers are said to take the best features, fabrics and functionality from Snickers’ new FLEXIWork range and combine them with the best of the classic Floorlayer trouser.

With an advanced body-mapping design, they’re made from the highly durable Ripstop fabric with a ‘mechanical stretch’, providing great flexibility, comfort and advanced functionality. What’s more, the kneepad pockets are made of a full-stretch Armortex fabric with DuPont Kevlar aramid fibres, keeping the kneepads in the optimum, durable working position as you move around.

Smart, practical and hardwearing, these trousers are ergonomically designed to anticipate your natural working movements. They come with an integrated belt for superior waist fit, with easy-to-access holster pockets with zipped compartment, leg pockets including knife fastener, mobile phone compartment and detachable hidden ID-badge holder.

www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

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