Making Your Home Asbestos Free

Asbestos is a silicate material that is being used since the Greek times. In the late 1800s, people discovered the various benefits of Asbestos like tensile strength, sound absorption, heat resistant and resistance to chemicals and electricity. However, it was only after 1980s that people understood the various damages that can be caused by having asbestos in your home. It is possible that your home may have hidden asbestos in many places and especially if your home was built before the 1980s, you must get it checked by a professional company to get asbestos repair done immediately.

Testing the asbestos

You cannot remove the asbestos by yourself since it can be poisonous. By breathing the fibres of the material, you can unknowingly cause damage to your lungs. A professional company will have a right gear to wear and get a sample that can be sent to an asbestos lab for testing. If the test is positive and you do have asbestos in your home, you can either choose to repair it or remove it completely.

Repair vs. Removal

Asbestos repair is cheaper than removal since it involves treating with a sealant or keeping it wrapped up in a protective cover so that it does not release its dangerous fibres. Total removal of asbestos can be expensive but if you own the house and you want complete peace of mind, you can opt for this option too. For rental homes, repair is a good option since it ensures your family is safe at home. You can also get a damp proofing done to keep away any other kind of moisture that may be present in the home.

Asbestos is a scary thing to have in your beloved abode. It is strongly recommended to get your home checked by a professional company and repair the asbestos before it causes any fatal health issues.

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Choosing the Right Company for Waterproofing of Your Home

Waterproofing is one of the most important aspects to consider when building your home. Water can create a lot of problems in your structure if not attended carefully. The structure can even deteriorate over time, making it an unsuitable place for habitation. Before you settle in a new home, ensure that you choose the right company for waterproofing and damp proofing your home.

Experience matters – It is important to pick a company in your locality that has tremendous experience in waterproofing. This will add to the trust value of the work and give you the satisfaction that nothing will go wrong with your beloved home.

Quality is crucial – By using high quality materials, you can extend the life of your home and the overall appearance as well. Choose a company that does not compromise in quality. The roof, basement, sidewalks and bathrooms are areas that will need to be water proofed since they are exposed to water. It is important to use proper concrete and masonry while fixing these areas.

Analyse the costing – It is no point choosing the cheapest company to do your waterproofing and damp proofing. When you consider the long-term benefits, a company that does the job in less money will tend to use cheaper materials and it may cause erosion faster than expected. When dealing with your home requirements, it is important to select a company that assures quality above everything else.

A leading company in the business will apply all the products and coatings effectively in your home to create a strong barrier between moisture and your precious home. With a reputed firm, you might incur an extra cost in the beginning, but it will surely be cost-effective in the long run.

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Tips to Properly Maintain Your Home’s Roofing

There are certain parts of your home that are more exposed to harsh weather conditions than the others. Your roof is one such aspect that has to bear the intensity of various seasons and still maintain its structure. It is important to take good care of your roof and invest in quality materials while building it otherwise you will have to spend extravagant amounts to get it repaired. Here are a few tips to maintain the well-being of your home’s roof.

Don’t take your roof for granted – Many home owners presume that once they set up the roof, they don’t need to look at it at all. On the contrary, it is crucial to constantly check your roof and get the necessary repairs done at the right time to avoid major problems in the future.

Get an expert to examine your roof – if you live in an area where rainfall or snow are high, you must get your roof checked as the season changes. Roof waterproofing is important to ensure that the water leakage does not damage your home.

Cleaning is mandatory – It is important to keep your roof thoroughly clean to prevent moss, lichen, debris and other foreign elements from growing on it. Timely cleaning of your roof will assure safety and prevent unwanted illnesses.

Be aware – it is important to know about the common roof problems and get them resolved with immediate attention. Waterproofing is something that most home owners tend to delay and it can cause a major harm to your home in the long run.

Replace areas with rust or leaks – Sometimes, small problems in the roof tend to go unnoticed until they become big issues. Replace all areas with leaks immediately to keep your home safe.

By taking good care of your roof, you will enjoy all seasons of the year without any panic and your home will surely become a happy home!

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Tips To Take Care of Your Home during the Monsoons

If you are residing in a part of the world where there is a distinct rainy season, you will definitely know the mixed feelings associated with monsoons. On one hand, there is the wonderful greenery and lively atmosphere all around while on the other, they are myriad complications that come along with rainfall. These problems have the ability to have a long-term effect on your home if they are left unnoticed. Read on the following tips to take good care of your home during the monsoons and enjoy the rainy season to the fullest.

Waterproofing your roof   

Roofs must be scrutinized carefully before the beginning of the rainy season. You can call in an expert company for roof waterproofing to thoroughly check your home and ensure its safety. Even one small crack in the roof can cause a leak in your home and destroy valuable items and furniture. Also, check all gutters and drains for blockage and clear them immediately. A water-proof roof is an assured way to enjoy the rainy season!

Varnish Doors and Windows

Moisture swells up your wooden doors and windows to a great extent in the rainy season. Damp proofing is important in walls as well as wooden elements of your home to stay away from the health hazards of living in damp conditions.

Let there be air

Ventilation is crucial in the rainy season and it is important to let your home breathe fresh air to avoid any illnesses. Moisture can cause termites as well as electrical problems and therefore, fresh air is a must in your home.

Storage

Store all your expensive carpets, rugs and clothes in a clean and waterproof place to ensure they stay pretty and dry through the season.

If you want to ensure a smooth and enjoyable rainy season, waterproofing your home is a must!

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What do you do if you have a leaking roof problem?

If you are a business owner, it can be a nightmare to see a leaking roof above your head. Apart from the aesthetic part of it there is an impending risk of further structural damage to the building and your plant and equimrnt, machinery etc.which may prove to be a costly affair if not handled early.

Locating the Leak:

There are many types of water leaks that may occur in a commercial building structure. Visible leaks can be those that occur in plumbing lines. Basic checks such as a visual survey under washbasins can locate simple leaks. But for leaks that may occur in roofs and walls and even basements, professional assistance will be required.

Not all water leaks are apparent, when pipes break down or crack they result in pinhole leakages that are virtually impossible to trace. So the next time you see a wet spot on your roof or wall or patches on your floor, make sure you get the assistance of a professional water leak detection service to take a look at it.

Detecting the Leak Source:

Leak Detection techniques in today’s modern world has evolved to contact free leak detection techniques. State of the art technology, which is simple yet intelligent, has enabled much easier and more efficient leak detection.  A leak under a slab can be detected without the need for digging to find out the source. New methods such as membrane thickness testing, infrared thermography, moisture path analysis etc. can help in detecting potential threats which can damage property in the future.

The Role of Leak Detection:

It’s better to replace a section of the roof than the whole roof after extensive damage. Many business owners prefer to test for leak detection as a precautionary measure in regular maintenance. Besides it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Advantages of Electronic Leak Detection over Traditional Testing Methods

Water leaks through the roof and building structure is a problem in many commercial establishments. It is estimated that almost 50% of newly built buildings in the UK encounter water leakage within the first year of building them. Over the years there have been many ways of detecting leaks in building structures, but one of the more effective methods of finding a leak has been through electronic testing rather than traditional methods.

Here is a look at why electronic leak detection testing is better than traditional methods of finding leaks.

Efficiency:

Electronic leak detection has the ability to detect the exact source of where the leak originates by taking advantage of the natural property of water to conduct electricity. Physically finding leaks and using flood detection cannot pinpoint the source effectively all the time, especially in large roof sections of a commercial establishment.

Time saving:

Traditional leak detection may take hours or even days to detect the leak (Involves draining and drying test area), but the electronic method does it in a few minutes. In the case of high-voltage testing, repairs can be completed immediately.

No issue of slopes:

Sloped decks in the building structure won’t be an easy place to test while conducting a flood test.

Less risk:

When a roof is renovated and test is conducted for water leak there is no risk of interior damage to the building structure or the drainage systems if the drains are unplugged. A far less amount of water is required in the electrical method.

For expert roofing consultants in UK get in touch with Thornton Consulting.

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Why expert leak detection service is necessary for a Fitness Centre

With respect to water leak detection, fitness centres require frequent maintenance, due to the nature of equipment’s and the frequency in the use of the wet rooms. The showers, steam area and swimming pools are used much regularly than when compared to other commercial establishments.

In the case of water leak in a gym, extra care must be exercised to get the leak fixed as room as possible to prevent any further damage to the building structure.

Here are some of the best techniques used waterproofing testing to effectively determine leaks:

Water analysis:

This technique involves testing water samples for bacterial counts. By this test it can be determined if the water is fresh or contaminated. This helps in detecting any leaks from the drainage pipes into the main line.

Electrical testing:

Otherwise known as earth leak detection, it is based on the fact that water can conduct electricity and the structural membranes such as roofs and walls don’t conduct electricity. The electrical testing can be used to even find microscopic leaks. A sensitive meter records the pulsed electric fields of the leak portion. This testing method is generally used in cases where the leak originates from a weaker section above the roofing structure.

Tit Bit: Thornton Consulting was the first UK consultancy to offer electrical testing in the UK starting in early 1987.

Differential Pressure Testing:

The test is done by drawing air through a surfactant applied over laps, and this determines if there are any leaks in the structure.

Pin-Hole testing:

Previously only used to test bridge deck membranes, but now it’s used as mostly a certification tool.

Contact Thornton Consulting for expert commercial water leak detection services in the UK. Visit http://www.thorntonconsulting.co.uk/ for more details.

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