Professional Builder July-August 19

FRE E TO THE TRA DE

Professional BUILDING ■ FLOORING ■ PLUMBING ■ ROOFING ■ CARPENTRY ■ PAINTING AND DECORATING ■ THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

JULY/AUGUST 2019

NEW & SELF BUILD HAPPY ‘LANDINGS’!

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS MORE PROFITS ON TAP! ROLLING OUT THE GOOD TIMES WITH ISOVER’S METAC GLASS MINERAL WOOL INSULATION

contents

Total Average Net Distribution 119,884 1 January 2018 – 31 June 2018

JULY/AUGUST 2019 VOL. 41 NO.7 @PB_mag

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Professional Builder, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF.

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REGULARS 7 9 13 14 38 86 93 94

Editor’s Viewpoint News Letters Fighting Tool Theft Free for All Honest John’s Van Advice Digital Digest The Doctor’s Advice

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95 Win with Vauxhall 95 Wise Howell 97 Makita Mindbenders

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HEALTH & SAFETY 33 Marley Eternit: Protecting Your Eyes From the Sun

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see page 38

23 SPECIAL REPORTS 17 What is the Lighthouse Club Charity Doing to Help Those in Need?

20 For Old Times’ Sake: Roman Cement 23 Bulmer Brick & Tile: Traditional Handmade Bricks 26 Made Great in Britain: TuffX 30 Septic Tanks: How Changes in the Law Could Affect Your Customers

28 WIN Some Bosch Professional Power Tools

45 NEW & SELF BUILD 41 Imperial Brick: Choosing the Right Brick 45 Brett Martin’s Cascade Range 51 XL Joinery’s Internal Doors 55 Isover Insulation in Action 59 Ecorend: Step-by-Step 63 NEW PRODUCTS

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS 67 FMB Awards: Kitchen Renovations 68 Roger Bisby’s Kitchens and Bathrooms Round-Up 71 Geberit: Wall-Hung Toilets 75 Monarch Water: The Pros of Water Softeners 77 Introducing the Mira Honesty 79 NEW PRODUCTS

PRODUCTS & BUILDING MATERIALS 80 General Building Products 88 BMI Roofing: Hip End Failure 90 In the Boardroom with Norbord 91 Safeguard: Typical Replastering Problems and How to Avoid Them 92 Quickslide: Installing Garden Doors

92 TOOLS, EQUIPMENT & WORKWEAR

81 Royd’s Latest Accessories & Fixings 82 Embrace Summer with Snickers 87 Festool: Preventing HAVS

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 1

viewpoint

MANAGING EDITOR TERRY SMITH EMAIL: tsmith@hamerville.co.uk DEPUTY EDITOR LEE JONES EMAIL: ljones@hamerville.co.uk PRODUCTS EDITOR ROGER BISBY EMAIL: roger@skill-builder.co.uk ASSISTANT EDITOR KIERAN NEE EMAIL: pb@hamerville.co.uk GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER CRAIG JOWSEY TEL: 07900 248102 EMAIL: craig@hamerville.co.uk NORTHERN ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER IAN DUFF MOBILE: 07810 353525 EMAIL: ian@hamerville.co.uk REGIONAL ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER SAM SHANNON TINSLEY MOBILE: 07554 013302 EMAIL: stinsley@hamerville.co.uk GRAPHIC DESIGNER DONNA BOOTH

still ‘bob’ing along nicely!

Here’s something to make those passing years seem even more of a blur, and those aching limbs creak just a little bit more loudly as you load up the van ahead of another day’s hard toil. Quite remarkably our longstanding pal, Bob the Builder, resident of Spring City, is about to celebrate his twenty first year on the BBC. Not the actual character himself, of course, in real life he must be all of forty five with a discernible paunch, receding hairline and the all-too-obvious brow lines that running your own building company for two decades brings on. No, we are talking about the small CGI creation, originally voiced by Neil Morrissey, which was first aired in 1998 and is now broadcast in over 250 countries around the world. One of the great construction icons of the twenty first century, a man who has probably done more to change the perception of the building industry for a generation of tradespeople than two decades of careers advisors.

At the launch, we recall being treated to Mr Morrissey talking about why this little

GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER CAROL PADGETT

builder was so much fun, why his friends, like

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT CLAIRE SWENDELL

his adventures and why Bob’s catchphase

DIGITAL MANAGER LUCY DIXON DIGITAL ASSISTANT JASMINE SMITH DISTRIBUTION MANAGER KARL CLARK PUBLISHER BRYAN SHANNON PRINTED BY WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH

the ever faithful scoop, were perfect foils in “Can we fix it? Yes we can!”, was so full of positive meaning for kids. We lapped it all up of course, although some failed to see beyond yet another cynical BBC franchise opportunity. When we put him on the front cover, even the magazine’s designer thought we had lost the plot!

“Over twenty years on, the infectious charm of TV’s cartoon character Bob the Builder provides a timely reminder to us all of the vital role the construction industry plays and will continue to play in our society.”

But we know a good thing when we see it. At that time the building industry was in dire need of a boost. Although New Labour had recently come into power, and the

PUBLISHED BY HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Email: pb@hamerville.co.uk

economy was picking up, the construction trade had yet to see the boom which would come a few years later. Instead, faced with a skills shortage we were wondering where the next generation of builders were coming from (sound familiar?) For this magazine, Bob was, and still is, the greatest careers officer for the construction industry at large. He’s popular. The job is fun. Bob the Builder is great PR for today’s professional tradespeople.

He’s even got his own apprentice, Leo who will surely go on to bigger and better things as the years unfold. It would certainly be interesting to see how many of today’s budding

Professional Builder is a business magazine for firms and individuals involved in all aspects of the building industry. It is available nationally – free to the trade through leading builders’ merchant outlets. © 2019 To be removed from this magazine’s circulation, please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk.

Subscriptions to Professional Builder are available at the following rates: UK: 1 year (11 issues) – £30.00 post paid Europe & Overseas: 1 year (11 issues) – £50.00 post paid Airmail: 1 year (11 issues) – £65.00 post paid

construction industry entrepreneurs grew up on a daily dose of Bob and friends?

These last twenty one years seem to have passed by in a flash. Today, the industry is again faced with many seemingly insurmountable challenges. The political landscape is shambolic and unpredictable, the economy’s on a knife edge and some builders are having a tough time coping with bad debtors and red tape. But not Bob. His business is strong, he always makes the right decisions and he is what is known in showbiz circles as a ‘survivor’.

Two decades ago Professional Builder saw the potential in Bob and... wow has he delivered – all the way to the BBC bank – and should be around for many more years to come. Of course, our industry will be very different then, but as Bob has shown, the appeal of the friendly, smiling courteous builder will never die and there is hope for us all.

Forget the Robots, it’s more Roberts we need!

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 7

News Professional Builder

email your news to us at pb@hamerville.co.uk Tel 01923 237799

Licence to build The construction industry has come together to develop a mandatory licensing scheme for all UK construction companies to transform the sector into a high quality and professional industry, announces the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). © seanlockephotography/Adobe Stock

A new Construction Licensing Task Force, supported by a range of leading industry bodies, will lead the development of the licensing scheme.The Task Force will be chaired by Liz Peace CBE, former CEO of the British Property Federation. “Mandatory licensing has the potential to transform our industry into a world-leading sector,” declares Liz. “Licensing will help drive up standards and address the issue of quality and professionalism which, in some areas, is falling short. At the heart of what we’re trying to do is increase protection for the ordinary person who engages with the construction sector. Indeed, according to research by the FMB, one third of homeowners are so worried about having a bad experience with their builder, they are putting off commissioning construction work altogether. This could be costing the economy as much as £10 billion per year. Enough is enough and the industry itself recognises that. Licensing has support in principle from more than 30 construction organisations and consumer groups.”

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The vast majority of builders and homeowners want to see the construction industry professionalised. It’s unacceptable that more than half of consumers have had a negative experience with their builder. However, we shouldn’t be surprised by this given that in the UK, it is perfectly legal for anyone to set up a building firm and start selling their services without any prior experience or qualifications. This cannot be right given the nature of the work and the potential health and safety risks when something goes wrong. In countries like Australia and Germany, building firms require a licence and we want to develop a scheme that regulates our industry in a similar manner.” www.rdr.link/BG079

An inspector calls Firms across Great Britain are to be targeted in a new series of HSE inspections focusing on dust control Over the next few weeks, HSE will be concentrating on industries, including construction, where occupational lung diseases – and occupational cancers – are more common.

Inspectors will be visiting businesses across the country this summer to see what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica, and wood dust. They will be

looking for evidence of businesses and their workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls. Where necessary, HSE will use enforcement to make sure people are protected.

For more information on the inspections and to download a free #DustBuster selfie cards visit www.rdr.link/BG001

Residence permit Are the new permitted development rules a help or a hindrance?

Under new permitted development rules, homeowners in terraced and semidetached homes will be able to put single storey extensions of up to 6 metres at the rear of their properties without needing to obtain planning permission.

Those in detached homes will be able to extend by up to 8 metres. The housing minister, Kit Malthouse claimed the measures, “will help families extend their properties without battling through time-consuming red tape.”

Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning policy for the House Builders Association, said: “This permitted development reform will give planners more time to grant permissions for the right homes in the right places and encourage them to focus on allocating more small sites within existing communities.”

Want to have your say? Send us an email at pb@hamerville.co.uk

smart move!

This summer, timber panel manufacturer Medite Smartply is embarking on a road trip around the UK. The tour will see the company’s brandnew liveried van visit distributors and key customer locations, giving construction professionals the chance to meet with product experts and build their technical knowledge base.

Anyone working in the construction industry is welcome to visit at any location, from general building contractors, timber frame erectors, joiners and specifiers. With free bacon rolls, tea and coffee attendees can also take part in games and competitions for chances to win prizes.

The tour commenced in June and will travel across the UK towards Scotland ending in October.

See the full list of locations and plan your visit here: mdfosb.com/on-tour and follow the progress on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. Find all the information, including on all of MEDITE SMARTPLY’s latest, newly launched products, here: www.rdr.link/BG080

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 9

Professional Builder

News TAKE VAT! Anti-fraud crackdown could hit construction firms’ cashflows.

Construction companies face financial disruption when new anti-fraud VAT legislation comes into force in October. The new legislation seeks to tackle the issue of VAT not being paid to HMRC. Under the new rules, the VAT may have to be paid to HMRC directly by the customer, rather than the supplier.

Zoe Stollard, partner at law firm Clarke Willmott, said: “Some businesses will be forced to adapt their accounting systems to process this reverse charge, which could well create cash flow issues, especially as they can no longer use the VAT collected from customers as working capital.”

Meanwhile, the FMB is calling for the Government to cut the VAT on home improvement work. Brian Berry, FMB: “A cut in VAT would help stimulate demand from homeowners resulting in more work for thousands of small to medium-sized construction companies."

More on Clarke Willmott: www.rdr.link/BG081 More on FMB: www.rdr.link/BG082

HAND to HAND Vibration health issues seen as ‘part of the job'.

Nearly 2 million people in the UK are at risk of developing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome from excessive vibration exposure caused by the equipment they use at work. However, under-reporting of injuries and ill health is common, with many workers expressing the view that developing health issues, such as HAVS, are an ‘inevitable’ part of their role.

Alan Plom, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, said: “HAVS is the cause of significant illhealth, including painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves and joints.”

To find out more visit www.rdr.link/BG084

BREAK point Tradespeople reveal their biggest bugbears – with a third of Brits not even offering them a hot drink.

Across the UK tradespeople are going thirsty, according to Airtasker, with a third of homeowners admitting to not offering them drinks in their own home. However, out of those that do offer hot drinks; findings show that 35 per cent of tradespeople find it irritating when they’re only offered tea, and denied the option of having a coffee.

Tell us what your biggest bugbears are on twitter at @PB_Mag

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risky business A large number of the UK’s self-employed tradespeople could be personally exposed to unnecessary risks according to self-employment tax specialist, Qdos.

The insight suggests that nearly one in three (29 per cent) self-employed workers surveyed do not hold insurance at all, with over half of this group stating they do not believe they need it.

Of the 71 per cent of individuals who hold at least one form of insurance, the most common policy is public liability insurance (64 per cent).

Seb Maley, CEO of Qdos, a selfemployment insurance provider, commented: “When running a small business, there’s no escaping the fact that you might have an accident and not be able to work, make a mistake for which you’re liable or even be investigated by the taxman. Sole traders do not have the luxury of being protected by their limited company either.

This means that if an incident does happen, they will be personally liable should they not hold insurance.”

For further information on Qdos visit www.rdr.link/BG083

potted history Chimney specialists celebrate a century of success.

Clayware manufacturer Red Bank, part of Forterra, is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century of producing clayware using traditional techniques. The site is a rare example of centuriesold craft in action, with products frequently used in restoration projects and for historic listed and royal buildings across the UK. Red Bank’s General Manager Paul Barson says: “We are confident that Red Bank will continue to produce distinctive, expertlymade clay products for diverse and historically significant buildings across the country for many years to come.”

To find out more visit www.rdr.link/BG085

In the Pipeline Paris beckons for one lucky winner.

Polypipe is looking for thrill-seekers to take part in its MissionMax competition – with the grand prize of a three-night trip to Paris for two. Last year’s ‘Live life to the Max’ PolyMax prize winner was Joseph Barker – a plumber from Sheffield who took his wife and three children to New Zealand: “We had an excellent time – it was a really good couple of weeks. We wouldn’t have been able to travel all the way around the world without winning this prize.

Text 60777 with the code ‘MISSIONMAX’ for the chance to win a ‘MissionMax’ experience.

To find out more visit www.rdr.link/BG086

Cementing its place in history!

A blast from Professional Builder’s past is looking for a new home.

Long-time readers with a good memory might recall our search for Britain’s oldest cement mixer back in 2001.

Well, Martin Stables from Cumbria, whose Little J Benford Mixer won Gold for longevity at a whopping 55 years, has recently been in touch to let us know that the stalwart mixer is still rolling! Martin is looking to hang up his gloves after a fruitful career but is reluctant to do so until he finds a new home for this masterpiece of engineering.

If you have an interest in old plant, a need for a mixer or just want to save a great piece of equipment from the scrap heap, drop us an email at pb@hamerville.co.uk and we’ll do the rest!

putting in the hours

building trust

Majority of construction professionals prioritise hard work over a social life.

Trustmark to improve communication between tradespeople and consumers.

TrustMark has announced the launch of a new Business and Consumer Portal, providing a secure, free and convenient platform for businesses and their customers to communicate and be transparent with each other. The portals, which are available on the TrustMark website, are part of the scheme’s commitment to make it as easy as possible for consumers to find reputable tradespeople.

To find out more visit www.rdr.link/BG087

...from 2001

on your bike!

Meet the Bristol builders peddling an eco-friendly alternative to the van.

Builders on a Bristol development will be adding a green tick to their environmental credentials thanks to a partnership with Brompton Bike Hire. A solar-powered dock has been installed to give workers access to a fleet of folding hire bikes in a first-of-itskind campaign.

To find out more visit www.rdr.link/BG088

New research from CV-Library reveals that the majority of construction professionals (69.6 per cent) feel work is the most important thing in their life right now, with only 8.8 per cent prioritising their social life and 10.8 per cent their love life.

Lee Biggins, CV-Library, said: “It’s concerning to think that so many construction professionals are missing out on time with their loved ones to put in more hours at work.”

To find out more visit www.rdr.link/BG089

‘Paint’ that Something?

Decorating brand celebrates 170 years in the industry.

Celebrating 170 years of activity, Zinsser was originally created in 1849, when William Zinsser set up the United States’ first shellac beaching plant on Manhattan’s West Side and introduced shellac paint products to the US market.

Zinsser now manufactures its range of UK products in County Durham.

To find out more visit www.rdr.link/BG090

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Professional Builder, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF. Through our extensive manufacturer network, Professional Builder has access to some of the best technical brains in the industry. If we don’t know the answer to a building-related problem ourselves, we almost certainly know someone who does.

If something is troubling you, or if you have any other comments on the world of building, let’s hear it.

HIGH AND MITRE Dear Professional Builder I was looking at buying a 10in. mitre saw and then I saw the cordless one from Milwaukee, and I fancied it, but I don’t know if it will have the power.

What do you think? ● Kevin Priestly, Castle Donnington, Leicestershire PB: Most cordless saws rely on a thin kerf blade to give the battery a longer run time, and to make sure the blade can run fast enough.

There is nothing wrong with the Milwaukee saw if you need cordless. If you can plug in then you have to ask if it is worth the extra. It may be as good as a corded saw, but it is no better, and the real advantage is to go mains free and unplugged. There is no doubt that cordless is the future, but it isn’t for everyone. If possible, catch Milwaukee’at one of our Toolfair shows this autumn.

PROMISED LAND Dear Professional Builder I would like to buy a house. I am a brickie, and I have built hundreds for other people, but I don’t know if I will ever be able to buy one for myself.

If I had a bit of land I could do it no problem but the land is being held by big companies who make billions. Why does anyone allow this? ● Richard Lyth, Harpenden, Herts PB: There is no doubt that the scarcity of land is keeping house prices high. The problem is that if they are lowered by a sudden and massive release of land house prices will tumble and many people will find themselves in negative equity.

‘SILL’ STANDING Dear Professional Builder Here is a picture of a cracked sill. I have been called in to repair it, but I told them it was better to cast a new one in some shuttering. The problem is the rebar has rusted. I don’t know why people think rebar is a good idea in window sills. It always causes trouble in the end. ● Rhodri McCoy, Berwick-upon-Tweed

SAME OLD STORY Dear Professional Builder I have been called in to take over a job. I would not normally want this kind of work but the old people who wanted an extension have parted with their life savings, and this is what they ended up with. Just look at the state of this blockwork. ● Paul Priestley, Luton, Beds PB: That is truly shocking and such a shame. It is a great pity for the elderly people who have probably worked hard all their lives only to have someone take their money. The great shame is that it isn’t even a criminal act – and we bet they paid cash.

HOUSE WARMING Dear Professional Builder I have just been called in by an old customer who has bought a house with this very thin pipe on the heating.

They are a bit concerned and they are asking me to give them a price for pulling it all out and putting in some proper 15mm. Before I get my plumber to quote I thought I would ask your opinion. ● Justin Hardacre, Northampton PB: The thin pipe is a microbore system, and it was all the rage in the 1970/80s There is nothing wrong with it if you keep it clear of sludge, and the way to do that is flush it all out and add an inhibitor. Before you do that, check to see if it is working. If it is, I would leave it. It looks a bit ugly, but that is easily fixed with some white or chrome pipe covers. You can buy them in packs from the merchants.

SIGN OF THE TIMES Dear Professional Builder I am the man who can – and it says so on my van in big bold writing. The trouble is that it has been a bit of a magnet for thieves, and they have stolen my tools twice. I am going to have it removed. I am just saying this because, if anyone fancies a nice sign writing job, get some good locks. ● Liam Galbraith, Wandsworth, SW11

PB: Most van thieves seem to have a nose for tools and plenty of tradesmen with plain vans have been robbed.

We did have one reader who had florist sign writing put PB: There are so many good binders and fibre reinforcements around on his van and he reckons it has not be robbed. Another these days that the bit of rebar in that sill would not be needed. It forms a idea might be an undertaker – nice black shiny van with a natural cracking point and does nothing to stop the concrete falling away. coffin for your tools.

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Professional

Cam paign FIGHTING

TOOL THEF T

TOGETHER

Sponsored by...

The Armorgard

guide to preventing tool theft from vans

For your free copy visit www.armorgard.co.uk/guides @PB_mag

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rom deadlocks and CCTV to deliberately parking badly and dirty vehicles, this specialist advice could help deter thefts and catch those responsible when a crime is committed.

1. Intruder alarms Many Brits nowadays find standard vehicle alarms annoying and will be tempted to ignore them, so it’s worth considering installing a separate intruder alarm to discourage possible thieves. Guard valuable goods by fitting a coded device that will trigger when your van is accessed by someone who doesn’t have permission.

Some alarms available online can be controlled remotely, synced with your mobile phone and even include a tracker.

Van experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have revealed eight security measures tradespeople can take against criminals in their work vehicles, if forced to leave tools or equipment in vans while working or overnight. independently to a vehicle’s standard, factory fitted locks, which allows the driver to control when each door is unlocked individually.

4. CCTV

2. Tool vault boxes

To give valuable tools and equipment an added layer of security, purchase a secure storage box to store them in.

Requiring a key or combination to open, the range of high security options work in a similar way to a personal home safe, but often with tailored compartments for specific tools too.

3. Deadlocks Deadlocks can give vans enhanced defences against thieves by adding an extra and usually stronger locking point to cab and rear doors. They are operated

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Most businesses will protect their premises with CCTV cameras that can help both deter and capture potential criminals, so why not their commercial vehicles too?

Small, high quality devices can now be bought relatively cheaply online and one should be installed on both the inside and outside of vans, either permanently or temporarily while parked. Remember to display a clear warning sign too – this could make a thief turn away before the cameras are even called in to action.

5. Permanent tool marking Invisible anti-theft marking on your tools and equipment that requires ultra-violet light make them much easier to trace and their ownership indisputable, should they be stolen. Tradespeople could also choose to use clear and obvious tool markings, such as carving or laser-burning a name or logo into handles, to put off thieves before items are taken.

14 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

6. Dyes Dye tags, like those used in clothing retail, are the best way to catch thieves literally red handed, as a burst of ink triggered by opening or moving a tool box without permission leaves little doubt who the criminal is and could deter them from trying to make off with your goods.

Concealed packs of dye, used by many banks within stacks of notes, could also be hidden within expensive equipment.

They’re armed by magnets and triggered by radio waves on a timer.

7. Inaccessible parking When there are tools and equipment in your commercial vehicle, reverse it into a parking space where the rear doors are practically touching a wall or other obstacle.

If a potential thief can’t easily access your van and its content, they’re more likely to be discouraged and move along.

8. Simple dissuasion A basic sticker on the outside of a van declaring that no tools are stored in the vehicle may be enough to convince a criminal to try elsewhere. Even if it’s not true, it’s cheap, quick and worth a go.

Keeping the outside of your commercial vehicle in an unusually dirty condition when equipment must be stored inside could also put off thieves, by making the van seem to the outside world like it’s less valuable and unlikely to contain important items.

For further information on LeaseVan.co.uk online visit www.rdr.link/BG002

SPECIAL REPORT

Lighting the way Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to the Lighthouse Club’s Bill Hill about the latest support available from the charity.

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ur ambition is to ensure that no construction professional has to face a crisis alone,” declares the Lighthouse Club’s CEO, Bill Hill, “and what’s more, we’re putting the tools in place to make sure that’s the case.” The construction industry charity might have a distinguished 60-year pedigree of supporting tradespeople and their families at the time of most need, but the world in that time has changed radically, and the Lighthouse Club is changing with it.

“Today we recognise that the mental health of our workforce is one of the most serious issues we face, and it’s something that the industry is putting significant resources into tackling,” continues Bill.

“Not only that but the means of communication is evolving rapidly, and that’s why we introduced our Construction Industry Helpline App. Its development has been thanks to the generosity of construction software suppliers, COINS, and we’ve had over 10,000 downloads on Android since its launch.”

The app is designed to provide that first crucial step in the journey towards addressing an issue, especially for those who are not yet ready to engage in direct interaction with a counsellor, friend or support worker. It provides a wealth of resources and points of contact, and the

ambition is to extend its scope still further.

“With the continued help of COINS, we intend to move the concept forward, by including other health issues,” Bill explains, “whilst there are plans to allow access to the microsites of larger infrastructure projects or companies. We are presently piloting just that kind of microsite with Heathrow, for instance, where workers at that site can find details of anything from mental health first aiders, gym access and social events – all from one portal.”

It is clear even from the anecdotal evidence of the Lighthouse Club’s own helpline that workers in the built environment are becoming more confident and comfortable in verbalising

their problems, even those that relate to their mental health, and with on average at least one industry professional committing suicide every two days – a higher figure than in any other sector – the need is indeed pressing. Bill Hill tells us just how vital the Lighthouse Club’s work really has become: “We’ve seen an 80 per cent increase in individuals contacting our helpline and we’re now dealing with 200 new cases every month.

What we’re trying to promote is a more holistic approach, because many of the problems that are presented to our helpline staff are connected with other underlying issues. Anxiety or stress could be the result of financial difficulties, for instance, and it’s important that we send out the message that these issues need to be confronted before they inevitably escalate.”

An app and helpline offers the technological routes, but there’s equally a significant effort afoot to get boots on the ground in the battle to improve mental health in construction. That’s why CITB is allocating significant resources to ensuring that staff have access to a mental health first aider at their company, and it is The Lighthouse Club that provides the training. “This is one of the best projects that CITB has undertaken in recent years, and so far we have trained

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© Adobe Stock/Arpad Nagy-Bagoly

INDUSTRY CHARITY

SPECIAL REPORT INDUSTRY CHARITY

up to 84 instructors. It is these individuals who deliver the two-day mental health first aid course, and these have now certified 1,200 people as mental health first aiders as a consequence. The courses we’ve been running have all been full, so there is clearly an appetite for promoting this kind of intervention, and there are plans to deliver a further 134 instructors in the months ahead.”

Of course, success will always bring its own challenges and for a charity, a significant engagement means extra resources are required – and that means money. At present, 95 per cent of the Lighthouse Club’s funding comes from relatively unpredictable sources, like events or individual and company donations, but Bill Hill is looking to complement that income with a slightly different approach. “Last year we inaugurated our company supporter programme, with the aim to provide us with the kind of predictable income

© Adobe Stock/lersan

stream we will require if we are to properly plan for the future. Whether it’s a manufacturer, contractor or plant hirer, an organisation can pledge an annual amount that they can afford. The aim is to raise something in the region of £1 million of vital funds for our work via the scheme and so far we’ve had pledges of annual donations from £250 all the way up to

£50,000.

“There are so many different ways to communicate these days that we have to be covering so many more bases,” concludes Bill. “Whether it’s through our app, helpline or a network of mental health first aiders, our aim is to provide anyone who asks for it the support they need.”

For futher information on the Lighthouse Club visit www.rdr.link/BG003

SPECIAL REPORT

NEWS FOR TODAY

VOL.1 NO.2

NEW SERIES

WHEN IN ROMAN

IT IS A TALE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY SURVIVOR, AND MASTER PLASTERER PHIL BAILEY, AND THE TEAM AT TRISKELE CONSERVATION ARE WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE RESURRECTION OF A SOUTH LONDON HOME. PROFESSIONAL BUILDER’S LEE JONES INVESTIGATES. What did the Romans ever do for us? Well, when it comes to Roman Cement not a lot, as it happens, because the moniker is actually somewhat misleading. The material was, however, a ubiquitous feature of London facades from its development by one Joseph Parker in the late eighteenth century, until it was overtaken by the emergence of Portland cement in the middle of the nineteenth. Phil Bailey is one of its modern masters, and Professional Builder caught up with the expert building conservationist at a property that, just like Roman Cement itself, has been brought back to life.

Before successive waves of gentrification would break across our capital many of its boroughs were rather less salubrious than today, but few individual properties could have declined quite so dramatically as a once imposing 1850s address in Stockwell. Its elegant, Corinthian-style façade scarred with graffiti, and the interior behind a home to drug dealers and local gangs, a devastating arson attack in the mid-1990s would then leave it little more than a shell, with no floors and little roof remaining. That was before the intervention of Jessie Mills and her then husband, when they acquired what had been reduced to a sorry relic of a much grander age at auction.

“The accommodation is arranged over three floors but when we bought it you could stand at the lowest level and look up

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Expert conservation plasterer, Phil Bailey

to see nothing but sky, and charred timbers,” she recalls. “That was in 1996 and it would take us three years to make it habitable. Our intention throughout the project has always been to remain true to the original building

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techniques. That’s why we’ve used lime plaster throughout, for instance, and rebuilt authentic wooden shutters for the windows.”

Not only that but externally, Jessie would remove much of the sand and cement

pointing herself, and replace it with a lime mortar, but the decorative detail in the architraves would require more skilled hands.

“Roman Cement was only given that name because the Victorians thought it resembled the monumental architecture of the ancient world,” explains Triskele Conservation’s Conor Meehan. “In reality it is actually a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, which is found in combination in naturally occurring septaria stone. The Holy Grail in the building boom of the industrial revolution was a material that would set under water, and that’s just what Roman Cement provided, and it would first find its place in lighthouse construction as a consequence. Back then it was mined at locations around our shores, but eventually they were using so much of it that it was damaging the British coastline. That and the introduction of Portland cement would lead to its demise.”

Rather than simply remove what was left on the façade, Jessie was determined to retain as much of the original as she could, and she found a kindred spirit in Phil Bailey, who has painstakingly repaired and replicated the work of his nineteenth forebears. “The material we use is sourced from a French company called Vicat, and I have my own mixes that I have found work for us. Just like lime, it has exceptional vapour permeable characteristics, which allows the building beneath to breath, and won’t trap moisture against bricks or the timbers. It is far more flexible and elastic than any modern equivalent, and is a lovely material to work with, but very fast setting, so managing it is the real skill.”

It is a testament to the durability of Roman Cement itself that it has survived treatment that would be more reminiscent of a war zone than a residential London street, but survive some of it did, and that has provided Phil and his team with a template

The Stockwell property in the 1990s

that they can replicate. He first makes rough moulds in plywood from what is already in situ, with zinc plates then fixed to them to reproduce the finer detail. Once the newly mixed Roman Cement is applied, the moulds are run along the length of the architraves and, with the zinc cutting through the material, it leaves an authentic companion to the original in its wake.

“We certainly don’t want to be removing anything that can be saved and, at the same time, we don’t want to try and hide the fact that it’s been repaired,” continues Phil. “Piecing in the new with the existing can cause

problems, because there are always areas you didn’t legislate for, but we see it as the right approach. Where some people would produce the architraves for a project like this one off-site and then fix them to the building, I can be confident that our on-site approach doesn’t differ fundamentally from practices that are centuries old.”

The Stockwell property demonstrates a very typical use of Roman cement and, whilst many tradespeople of today might be unaware of its use, it can be found across the capital. Adds Phil: “The type of mouldings on this property follow a pattern that you’ll find all around London. There are rectangular blocks known as dentils, for instance, and whilst they might be decorative they would serve a practical purpose in drainage and water transportation from the facade. With this property we were fortunate enough that some of the more intricate lion’s heads and rosettes were found just lying around the garden. We can pour silicone over these to create a mould, and with that you can cast as many of that shape as you like. Because it goes off so rapidly, you can then take it out of that mould in minutes.”

“It’s all about using the right material for that project,” concludes Phil. “On a building of this age, with single skin brickwork and lime mortar, you can only ever use a lime or Roman Cement on the exterior. If you do that, then what we added will last for just as long as what was already in place.”

For further information on Triskele Conservation visit www.rdr.link/BG091 For further information on Vicat visit www.rdr.link/BG004

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 21

SPECIAL REPORT BRICKMAKING

A handmade tale Bulmer Brick and Tile are maintaining the traditional brickmaker’s craft skills.

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones investigates.

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he humble brick is so ubiquitous that we might be in danger of taking it for granted, but there is an art in the making of this most traditional of clay building materials, and its most skilled exponents can be found in a quiet corner of Suffolk. It is here, since as far back as the 1930s, that the now 86 year old Peter Minter, and his father before him, have been producing the highest quality masonry under the Bulmer Brick & Tile brand, and today they are recognised as a leading name in the conservation and restoration sector.

There has been a clay quarry and brickmakers’ yard at this eponymous Suffolk location since as far back as the 15th century, and many of the techniques used then are still maintained. The company operates two down draught kilns, where coal is fed into fire boxes around the circular, brick built structure.

Heat then radiates upwards and is sucked down through a central flue to the stacked bricks below. The two Bulmer Brick and Tile examples can each accommodate up to 12,000 bricks at a time.

“It takes three days to load the kiln and, given that how the pieces are stacked can have a significant impact on the final colour, it is a process that requires considerable experience to get right,” explains Peter. “It then takes a further three days to fire the kiln, with up to 4 ½ tonnes of coal used for each firing, taking great care to maintain the optimum temperature throughout. That’s followed by another three for it to cool down, and a final three to unload.”

Even before then, however, the hand thrown clay bricks are stacked for drying which, depending on the weather, can take anywhere between 3 – 6 weeks,

Bulmer Brick & Tile’s Peter Minter

which means a single brick will have experienced a journey in time of two months or more before it reaches the builder. Bricks shrink as they lose moisture so the drying time also has to be carefully regulated to prevent cracking, with humidifier equipped indoor areas utilised in the winter months, and damp hessian sheets made use of in the heat of the summer. Like any industry, the

brickmaker’s craft has its own ancient vocabulary, and the pattern of stacking for drying is known as skinking. These initially yellow pieces, when subjected to the 1,000ºC heat of the kiln, will then see their iron content oxidise, turning the beautiful red that is characteristic of a Bulmer brick.

Before mass production overtook local manufacturing, almost every village and

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 23

SPECIAL REPORT BRICKMAKING

town would have had its own brickworks, and Bulmer is a survivor of that bygone age. Some of these yards would have been producing bespoke pieces that have never been made before or since, whilst brick sizes would vary enormously depending on the period, but Peter and his team are on hand to reproduce whatever a client requires.

Continues Peter: “Because of the varied dimensions of the pieces in the kiln every firing is different. Most of the time we make to order, and if a customer supplies us with an example, or a drawing, we can make it. In fact, we produce far more shapes and sizes than anyone else, and can supply a single brick if required.

To achieve those shapes, clay is thrown into wooden moulds of our own making, and we have over 8,000 moulds in stock, with more fabricated in our workshops every single day.”

Bulmer Brick and Tile is also one of the few companies that still supply red rubbers – oversized bricks that can be cut down to the dimensions suited for decorative chimneys or gauged arches.

The seam of clay around the village of Bulmer is amongst the finest in the country, which is why its brickmakers are not required to add anything other than water, whilst it is also milled in order to crush the iron pyrites that might blow the brick in firing. In order to produce a very pure brick that can be more easily cut, however, red rubbers are washed and sieved to remove the small impurities that might be present. “Everything about a red rubber is labour intensive, and, because

many tradespeople will not have the means to cut them on site, we can also shape the finished brick to the required size,” Peter declares proudly.

“The raw material is mixed with water until it is the consistency of a liquid, and then strained. The water is then squeezed back out of the clay, and it is left to settle before being hand thrown into the moulds.

Because the clay is a denser and finer material than you would find in conventional handmade pieces, it has to be dried slowly in a carefully temperature controlled indoor environment. The main sizes we produce are 9 and 10½in., but we can supply a red rubber to whatever dimensions a customer specifies. We also use only the one type of clay we quarry on our own site, and that makes our product unique. We supplied all of the red rubbers for the arches in St Pancras station, for instance, and our pieces are used on the most prestigious projects in the country.”

Indeed, the high quality materials that Bulmer Brick and Tile produces lay seamlessly in some of our most precious

heritage buildings. At the time of our visit, orders were being completed for Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, and Westminster Abbey, for example, but where there is a period property or listed building that requires a brick conservation solution then Bulmer can find the answer.

For further information on Bulmer Brick and Tile online visit www.rdr.link/BG005

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24 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

Made Great in TUFF LOVE! Professional Builder goes through the looking glass and visits a company which has a clear vision on helping contractors through the ‘pane’ barrier of choosing the right glazing option.

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s the second most bombed city outside of the capital, by the end of World War II large areas of Liverpool had been reduced to ruinous piles of rubble and broken glass. However, for one enterprising young entrepreneur, James Price it quite literally represented a window of opportunity as he quickly established a small glazing business to restore some much needed light back into the lives of his fellow Liverpudlians.

Fast forward more than eighty years and that small corner shop bearing the TuffX name is still very much a ‘glass’ act with third generation grandson, Graham now heading up operations from an impressive manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Knowsley, north Merseyside.

“My grandad would obviously be really impressed at just how far the company has come in terms of financial growth and expansion, with more than 180 employees,” explains Graham, “but probably even more amazed at the myriad ways in which the glass itself has evolved. In his day it was more about having something simple and convenient to fill a gap, and let a bit of light in, but the range of glass products available to builders and architects today is mind blowing, from selfcleaning, fire rated, sound deadening, thermally insulating – even heated. And there are many more exciting developments to come over the next few years,” he predicts.

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our own terms, and reap the rewards of a dedicated and heavily funded in house R&D department. Many of those smaller glass companies have fallen by the wayside in recent years, because they haven’t been able to respond to changes in legislation and the market as quickly as us.”

Keeping up One of the most significant breakthroughs for TuffX came in the late nineties, when new legislation made safety glass mandatory for all replacement and new projects. With familiar foresight the company had already anticipated the changes, and responded to the new demands, by investing heavily in the latest manufacturing equipment to produce a range of its own toughened safety glazing products.

Recalls Graham: “We are positioned right here in the heart of glazing country, with manufacturing dating back hundreds of years, and have always been closely associated with the Pilkingtons of this world, taking a keen interest in what direction the market is moving in relation to glass products across the world. What sets us apart is the ability to manufacture products on

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One of those changes has been a fundamental shift from the typical polycarbonate roofing used on the early conservatories to something not only more aesthetically pleasing, but with intrinsic advantages for both the installer and the homeowner.

Elaborates Graham: “The traditional lean-to type conservatory had its heyday in the early 2000s as the home improvement market exploded, but polycarbonate was never really the ideal roofing solution, given its propensity to make noise when it rains, its low thermal efficiency and a tendency to degrade in sunlight, thereby reducing light. We were able to exploit a gap in the market for a viable glass alternative, which offered much larger bespoke panels with improved styling and U-values. We were also able to take the pioneering work of Pilkington in respect of selfcleaning glass, which was struggling

Britain “The days of seeing glass as a purely conventional product for doors and windows is changing, and we aim to be at the forefront of that evolution”

commercially, and apply it to a more practical use in naturally sloping domestic conservatory roofs. Today, we calculate that glass from our extensive Ambiance range has been supplied to one in three UK conservatory roofs and, as the market evolves into increasingly more sophisticated structures, the offering now extends to all sizes up to 19mm thickness, with special tints, screen printing, lamination and curved products to suit every customer preference.”

At the beginning of 2019, the company introduced its own range of flat roof lights and walk-on toughened laminate glass roof lights to transform dark basements or roof terrace areas.

Available in three standard sizes, double or triple glazed, the products will complement the existing residential offering, which extends to stair glass panels and glass balustrade panels.

Orders can be turned around in just four or five working days.

As Paul Higgins, Commercial and Procurement Manager explains, “the big prestigious commercial projects we have

worked on over the years, like the Shard and Buckingham Palace tend to capture the imagination, but the real potential for us as a company going forward is with the general builder and developer.

Everyone wants something a bit different these days and glass can certainly deliver that wow factor in the home.

Stand-out Feature “I think the public has always been fascinated by glass, and appreciated its impact around the property, but specifiers and architects often had to resort to more traditional products because the glass option similarly wasn’t there. Hopefully, we are helping to change this perception, and glass will be seen more and more as a feature item in the home. That’s especially true of our walk on, which is finding its way into the housebuilding sector, where an attractive glass walkway can also double as a means of escape. Highly engineered products like these can now match the aspirations of both the builder, who is becoming more

comfortable carrying out the installation, and the homeowner who has the envy of their neighbours. The days of seeing glass as a purely conventional product for doors and windows is changing, and we aim to be at the forefront of that evolution,” states Paul.

Recent expansion to a new 70,000 sq ft. manufacturing space is part of the company’s objective to keep one step ahead of the competition. The company hope to launch a heated glass product by the end of the year, which has enormous potential in the conservatory market as both an alternative heat source and reducing the effects of condensation.

As Graham concludes: “Supplying the residential sector now represents around 60 per cent of our daily business, and the signs are that, with the new products we are bringing to the market, this will increase significantly over the next five years. The factory is working around the clock to keep up with current demand and builders will certainly be seeing much more of the TuffX brand in the coming months.

Glass may have been taken at face value for years, but it definitely has the TuffX factor now!

For more information on TuffX online, go to www.rdr.link/BG006

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 27

COMPETITION

If you’ve been thinking of starting or expanding a collection of Bosch Professional 18V cordless power tools, now is the time. The manufacturer has assembled its largest ever range of Twin Packs and Combo Kits, making its equipment more affordable and convenient.

18 ‘til I DIE The ‘18V Kit Revolution’ gives professional builders easier access to the Bosch Flexible Power System, which covers a huge catalogue of fully compatible 18V products. You can use the same batteries and chargers for all the manufacturer’s 18V Professional tools, including any older models dating from 2008 onward. That saves the complication, effort and expense of having to pack different items for each tool.

QUALITY AND CHOICE Each 18V product is robustly constructed, engineered for high capability on site, and ergonomically designed with a compact shape, low weight and comfortable grip. Within the line-up you’ll find models suited to your particular building jobs and Bosch has divided these into the Lightseries, Dynamicseries and Robustseries to help you select.

Along with the extensive choice of drills and drivers, there’s a wide variety of rotary hammers, angle grinders, saws, versatile multi-cutters and more, whilst the 18V compatibility also extends to other aids for the cordless jobsite, like worklights and measuring devices.

EASY TRANSPORT Bosch Twin Packs contain two power tools, as well as batteries and a charger, neatly stowed in the company’s L-BOXX. This durable but lightweight case, with a strong handle, attaches to other L-BOXXes – through a simple one-click connect and disconnect mechanism – for easy carriage and storage.

The Combo Kits offer four, six or eight items, contained in an LBAG+. Designed for durability and convenience, the large bag features a wide top opening, an easy-access zip, multiple pockets for tools and accessories, high-strength handles and a reinforced shoulder strap.

WIN A BOSCH TWIN PACK There are three Bosch Dynamicseries Twin Packs to be won in our easy-to-enter competition. A good combi drill and impact driver are essential to every professional builder’s tool set – and this kit is much more than just good.

Both the GSB 18V-60 C Professional Combi and the GDX 18V-200 C Impact Driver/Wrench have brushless EC motors for increased performance, battery runtime and tool lifespan. They are also ‘connected ready’, so with the insertion of a Bosch Bluetooth connectivity module you can gain all the benefits of remote adjustment and data transmission.

The Combi’s advanced Bosch systems include Electronic Precision Control for sensitive work with delicate materials, Electronic Motor Protection to prevent overload damage, and KickBack Control to help avoid jamming-related accidents. The impact driver/wrench is a truly universal tool, thanks to its unique Bosch GDX combined hex and square bit holder.

It can handle anything from screwdriving and drilling in wood or metal to wrenching stubborn nuts and bolts.

The pack is completed by two 18V 5.0 Ah Professional Batteries, a GAL 1880 CV Charger and an L-BOXX.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! To be in with a chance of winning this prize, simply enter the link below in your browser to go straight to Professional Builder’s website, answer the simple multiple choice question below, fill in your details and you’re in the hat!

To enter online visit www.rdr.link/BG007 and answer the question below.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF BOSCH’S EASY CARRIAGE AND STORAGE CASES? Closing date for entries is 31st August 2019

For further information on the 18V range online go to www.rdr.link/BG008

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28 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

SPECIAL REPORT SEPTIC TANKS

Septic tanks – not a topic of daily conversation, but anyone with a septic tank, or any type of off mains drainage, will need to brush up on the dramatic changes to environmental law effective from January 2020.

Mark Grantham of Lincolnshire Drainage Solutions explains all.

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ost builders will have clients with off mains drainage, rural properties, businesses such as pubs, golf courses – the list is endless. All will be affected by the new rules and need the help of builders to get compliant.

The key objective of the law change is to prevent untreated sewage effluent entering our watercourses. Currently it is illegal to discharge effluent from a septic tank to a watercourse, and has been since the current law came into force in 2015. This issue has been hugely under published and the date of January 2020, when everyone is expected to have made the required changes to become compliant, is barely six months away.

People currently selling a property with off mains drainage are discovering these changes as conveyancing solicitors are insisting on compliance with the “General Binding Rules” now.

Without compliance the property sale cannot proceed, and this is coming as a massive shock to most vendors. (See Government guidelines: www.gov.uk/guidance/general-bindingRules-small-sewage-discharge-to-asurface-water) Unfortunately, most existing systems fail to meet the requirements in some way.

Many clients presented with this issue are going to pick up the phone to their regular builder, or a contractor, locally known for this type of work for assistance.

This is potentially a huge source of work for builders and groundworkers across the country. The scale of the amount of work needed for all off mains drainage systems to comply with new

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VOTE OF TANKS! regulations is massive and hardly anyone has yet become compliant unless selling a house, or are perhaps aware of the changes for environmental reasons, such as rural estates and farms anxious not to breach their own environmental rules.

Builders’ merchants across the country have a huge range of products available in order to provide a compliant solution.

The leaders in manufacturing these products are UK based and, through the local merchant networks, builders can access technical support to ensure they

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advise clients correctly. Most of the leading suppliers offer on site support and have hugely knowledgeable staff out on site advising builders.

Each individual situation will present different challenges to achieve compliance, a typical scenario of a rural property with an existing septic tank discharging its output/effluent to a watercourse could possibly be solved and compliance achieved in several ways, subject to the circumstances and conditions on site.

If there is sufficient space on site it could be as simple as constructing an appropriately designed and installed “infiltration field” (often referred to as a soakaway but completely different in construction).

That is assuming permeability is acceptable, and a formal permeability test needs to be done. Then, if acceptable, a infiltration field can be designed accordingly. Permeability test requirements and infiltration field design and sizing criteria are all readily available online) Most merchants stock all the required materials and can advise accordingly. If the ground conditions fail the permeability test it will probably be advisable to consider replacing the septic tank with an appropriately sized package treatment plant, and discharge the clean water output to the adjacent watercourse as before.

As this is not a ‘new’ installation

planning permission will probably not be required, but it’s always advisable to contact the local council planning department to check. In all instances Building Regulations approval must be sought. It is vital to follow the guidelines provided in the “General Binding Rules” to ensure your clients are left with a fully compliant installation.

All the leading manufacturers of treatment plants can help, and supply installation guidance notes – basic building and groundwork skills are all that’s then needed for these works. Small

plant, such as a 3 tonne mini excavator, and a small dumper, are usually all the plant needed to facilitate a typical installation.

Most builders and ground workers insurance covers excavation to max 3m deep. Most modern small scale sewage treatment plants are available in a “shallow”, version usually requiring a excavation of less than 2m deep, making them simple and safe to install with compact plant. Always ask the homeowner for details of incoming service positions, such as water, gas, telecomms, and electrics. Utilise a cable detection device and hand dig to ascertain the position of incoming services, and if unsure you can then position possible tank excavations and associated trench works to avoid these.

There is endless information on line including on the various GOV.UK websites.

For futher information online visit www.rdr.link/BG011

HEALTH & SAFETY EYE PROTECTION

TECHNICAL TEAM TIPS – NO 6

the eyes have it Howard Buckley, company EHS Manager from Marley explains why all site workers should be taking steps to protect their eyes this summer.

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hile you’re probably aware of the risks to your skin from prolonged exposure to the sun, you might not realise the harm it could be doing to your eyes. In fact, people who work outside for long periods of time are at the greatest risk of eye damage from UV radiation. Over many years, this can lead to premature ageing, cataracts, skin cancer on the eyelids and even vision loss.

UV rays can come from many directions, they radiate from the sun but are also reflected from the ground, glass and bright surfaces and, despite popular opinion, most clouds don’t offer protection. The effect of UV radiation is cumulative over a lifetime, so it is this prolonged exposure over many years that places construction workers at such high risk. Skin cancer can affect skin on any part of the body, so it is critical that you use suncream and cover up when working on site in the summer.

After the skin, the organ most susceptible to damage from sunlight is the eye and yet, while the consequences of exposing skin to UV radiation are well known, research shows that only 3 per cent of people associate UV rays with eye problems.

While some site workers do wear safety sunglasses or UV goggles, this isn’t consistent across the industry. When it comes to eyes, the top priority on site is impact and dust protection because of the high risk of splinters, chips, nails and wind-blown particles. This means that optical radiation is an easily overlooked hazard, yet the effects on site workers can range from short-term injuries to permanent vision loss.

As well as ageing the skin around the eyes, long-term exposure to the sun’s invisible ultraviolet light is a leading cause

of cataracts, skin cancer around the eyes and blindness. It also causes more immediate problems, such as headaches, eye fatigue, redness, dryness, and irritation.

Gary Walpole, safety, health and environment officer at the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), says: “UV light is one of the many hazards that can damage your eyesight, so it is important that you wear protection. A roofer, or other construction worker, wearing safety sunglasses will not only protect their eyes from harmful UV rays, they will also feel more comfortable when working in bright conditions, as the glasses will reduce disruptive reflections (glass, light coloured roofing membranes etc). Safety sunglasses with UV 400 protection and the relevant British Standards kitemark or CE mark, can help vision be significantly safer and more pleasant in sunny and bright conditions.”

Marley’s tips to help site workers keep their eyes safe in the sun ● Don’t ever be tempted to wear

sunglasses when working on site.

While they’re fine for the journey to work, leave them in the van as they won’t give your eyes the necessary protection from hazards.

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HEALTH & SAFETY EYE PROTECTION

● In the summer, wear a pair of safety

sunglasses with UV protection. Look for a UV 400 rating and check they are certified in line with EN 166 (personal eye protection) and EN 172 (sunglare filters for industrial use). ● As safety sunglasses will only cover part of your face, to prevent skin cancer and ageing, make sure you also apply suncream. ● Get regular eye examinations and be vigilant – if you have patches of dry or sore skin on eyelids that don’t go away, or any trouble with your vision, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Also make sure you follow the usual sun safety precautions on site: ● Keep a shirt or jacket on and opt for

tightly woven fabrics, which help to form a barrier to the sun’s harmful rays. ● Don’t leave exposed skin unprotected.

Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25 and remember to re-apply regularly.

Make sure you also use an SPF lip balm.

To mark this year’s Safe in the Sun campaign, Marley is giving away 100 free mini bottles of suncream to PB readers.

For your chance to get one, follow the link and enter your details on the Professional Builder website www.rdr.link/BG075 ● Wear a hard hat at all times, preferably

with a brim and flap that will cover the ears and the back of the neck. ● Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

● Check your skin regularly for unusual

spots and moles, or changes to spots and moles.

For further information on Marley online visit www.rdr.link/BG012

Professional

BUILDER’S

We give our verdict on new products in our unique site tests, but now we want to give you the chance to try them – AND KEEP THEM – for yourself! All you have to do to enter the free draws is simply just type in www.rdr.link followed by the unique code.

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L L A R O F E FRE 1

GLASS POCKET DOOR

ECLISSE ECLISSE PLAIN SATIN GLASS POCKET DOOR Our Eclisse 8mm Glass Pocket Doors are a perfect way to maximise natural light, save space and make a stylish addition to any home. Finish interiors off with a high quality, elegant glass pocket door including everything you need for a professional finish. Easy and quick to install, space saving and practical, they are the perfect solution.

This 8mm glass pocket door is available in two sizes (762mm x 1,981mm or 826mm x 2,040mm) with Chrome Flush Pull Handle included.

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG013

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PAIRS OF WORK SHORTS

ENGEL WORKWEAR ENGEL GALAXY SHORTS Whether it’s raining or the sun is shining, temperatures during our ‘summer’ are generally warmer than winter, so to keep cool and still have all the tools you need to hand, a pair of Engel Workwear’s Galaxy shorts with hanging tool pockets makes perfect sense. Designed for maximum comfort, the 290g/m2 shorts, which are made from a 65 per cent polyester/35 per cent cotton mix have an inner seam crotch panel and many practical features including two spacious slanted pockets and two front hanging tool pockets.

We’re sure you won’t be short of work this summer, so make sure you keep cool with Professional Builder – simply visit the URL below to be in with a shout.

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG015

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SETS OF HAMMERS

HULTAFORS HULTAFORS HAMMER SET Whatever type of hammering jobs you have to do, the Hultafors Tools range of Hammers delivers all the power and precision you’ll need. This set of three hammers from Hultafors includes a Bricklayer’s Hammer, a Carpenter’s Hammer and a T-Block Hammer. They’re tools that can handle the toughest work, delivering the best possible levels of precision, performance and safety. They’re all ergonomically designed for ease of use and come with a special grip technology – perfectly crafted for your needs.

Our competitions have really hit the nail on the head this month we think – if you agree, you can enter as many as you like online right now!

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG014

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BOXES OF PLASTERBOARD BEADS

JBS PRODUCTS HOOK-ON PLASTERBOARD BEADS This time saving plasterboard bead from JBS Products can be attached by simply being pushed or tapped against the board. Not only can you use them like a traditional bead but these Hook-on Plasterboard Beads have a unique added feature – the product is a traditional drywall angle bead that incorporates small hooks every 40mm which hold the bead firmly in place.

We’ve hooked up with JBS Products to offer 10 boxes of these Hook-on Plasterboard Beads absolutely free. Simply go to the URL below for your chance to win.

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG016

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 37

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TOOLBOXES

YALE YALE TOOLBOX PACKED FULL OF ESSENTIALS Robust, tough and durable, this 19in. toolbox from Yale stores all your kit safely and conveniently. Lightweight and easy to carry, it features two fold-out trays, a handy screwdriver-bit compartment, built-in removable twin organiser sections and a comfortable grip handle. It’s a great toolbox for on the job, or home improvement projects. Yale is giving you the chance to win a toolbox filled with Yale trade essentials as part of its ‘Anything But Standard’ campaign, intended to highlight their commitment to creating products that consistently exceed standards and educate the industry on the importance of upgrading security with the highest quality products.

To get your hands on this tool box simply visit the URL below.

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG017

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CORDLESS MULTI-TOOLS

DRAPER DRAPER D20 20V OSCILLATING MULTI TOOL This oscillating multi-tool is one of the latest additions to the Draper D20 series. With its 35 degree oscillating angle, the tool provides precision on any job great or small. It has a no load speed of 500-15,000rpm making it the ideal tool for any building professional. The multi-tool presents various functions including the quick-change blade function supplying rapid shifting between blades and an adjustable speed function for precision in your work. The multi-tool is equipped with a scraper attachment, a hook and loop backing pad, a saw blade and three sanding sheets. The lightweight tool is also supplied with one 2Ah battery and charger all inside a handy case ready to tackle the next project.

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CARTRIDGES OF SEALANT

DOWSIL DOWSIL 785N SEALANT The new Dowsil 785N is a breeze to use, even in confined spaces, with the launch of a new acetic acid-free version of the 785. Now the new lowodour, neutral cure version offers all the old performance, appearance and gunability without the smell. So, even in the tightest en-suite, or cramped shower cubicle, Dowsil 785N is a pleasure to use.

For your chance to seal the deal go to the URL below and enter your details.

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG018

5

BUNDLES OF AEROSOL PRODUCTS

PLASTIKOTE PLASTIKOTE TRADE RANGE PlastiKote’s new Trade range is for the professional builder and decorator with an assorted collection of easy-to-use, quick-drying, fit-for-purpose aerosols. There are 34 trade products available including paints and primers along with more functional and technical products such as adhesives, damp seal and stain block. Every can carries clear and practical usage instructions with the cap indicating finish and colour. All the paints are quick drying acrylic, can be used indoors and out, and are well priced.

Enter this month’s giveaway and you could try a selection from the new range – Degreaser, Leak Detector, Stain Block, Quick Dry Primer White and Quick Dry Satinwood White.

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG020 Entering our competitions has never been easier, simply type in the URL below in your web browser and be taken directly to the page you need.

Win online, go to www.rdr.link/BG019

OUGH THERE’S R-ALL’ WAS NOT EN FO ERE ‘F S R’ DE IL BU TIONS ON IF PROFESSIONAL AYS AND COMPETI AW VE GI E IV US CL ST OF EX ALSO A WHOLE HO O.UK FOR YOUR ROBUILDERMAG.C .P W W W T OU K EC YWHERE OUR WEBSITE – CH ON’T FIND THEM AN W U YO R BE EM M AND RE CHANCE TO WIN – WEBSITE. ELSE BUT ON OUR

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38 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

new & self build

50 shades of clay

Jason Hughes, Managing Director of Imperial Bricks, advises on choosing the right brick for new and self-build projects.

A

t around 6 per cent of the material cost of a house build, bricks are far from being the most expensive component. But I’d argue that they’re one of the most important components of any build, in terms of structure and stability but also character and saleability.

However, they can be overlooked by selfbuilders and homebuyers in favour of traditional ‘big ticket’ items such as windows, kitchens and bathrooms. These can be changed fairly easily (and, of course, are often the first parts of a house to be replaced by new buyers), but it’s much more difficult to alter the façade – and the choice of bricks can make or break a design, or sale. And there’s a huge variety available to choose from!

Being able to expertly choose the right brick for the area, history and character of the property (as well as the budget for build) is a skill that pays dividends. There are several variables to consider.

realise that ‘kiln-fresh’ handmade bricks are a practical alternative to reclaims, and are acceptable to planning and conservation officers. Reclaimed bricks are expensive, increasingly difficult to source, easily damaged and labour intensive, as old mortar has to be chipped away. Age or transportation also take their toll – there’s no standardised testing so builders typically report 20 per cent wastage. Modern handmade bricks have none of these problems; if sourced from a reputable company these will be CE marked, F2 frost resistant and available on reliable lead times.

Engineering brick of the north. Subtle variations have a major impact on the finished look of the building, so it’s good to use local knowledge and experience to explain the choices available. At Imperial we have a choice of more than 50 shades, and if a customer still doesn’t see what they want, they can have a bespoke blend created, or a stock colour aged or weathered to suit. For expert tips and advice on brick matching, ask the manufacturer directly or your local trade merchant for help – via email, telephone, apps or even site visits with sample boards. It’s a great service for builders to offer.

Reclaimed bricks vs new Developers/self-builders looking to match existing brickwork for extension/renovation or in a listed building/conservation area may not

Colour & size Colour has perhaps the biggest impact.

Each region has its own palette, whether that’s London Yellow Stock or a Blue

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 41

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Using different colours of mortar can also affect the final look considerably and can be regionally matched. Greys, creams and beige shades work particularly well with most handmade bricks – only hydraulic lime mortar should be used as this is more flexible, breathable and allows for natural movement.

Size is important too. If you’re extending an existing home, or slotting into a gap in an urban setting, it’s likely the original building will have used imperial-sized bricks – pretty much anything built with bricks before 1965.

Ideally, it’s best to match existing or nearby brickwork – in fact this can be stipulated by planners for conservation areas or listed buildings. But for a completely new, stand-alone development it’s usually more convenient to use metric-sized bricks as the measurements work better with modern blocks and lintels.

Jack’s House A recent Imperial Bricks project, Jack’s House, saw self-builders Joe and Becky Jaques choosing 68mm Reclamation Soft Red blend bricks. Searching for a family home, Joe chanced on a site with planning permission for a single dwelling.

Although the proposed chalet bungalow wasn’t what he and his wife were looking for, they bought the land and applied for permission to build Jack’s House, a detached 5-bedroom home, instead. They wanted a house true to the Georgian style they love, so the choice of brick was crucially important. Joe employed his brother David’s company, Jaques Construction, who used 40,000 bricks laid in a Flemish bond. Several sample boards had been made up to check which bricks complemented the stone and slate options already selected. Each of the bricks went through a special ageing process resulting in a soft texture with slight creasing or ‘smiles’ on the face – giving them the authentic character of original reclaimed bricks.

Although Jaques Construction does use reclaimed bricks, in practice it’s not often possible. David Jacques, explains: “If the bricks are good quality and remain in one piece with the mortar cleaning off easily, we would always try to recycle materials. However, this is very much the exception rather than the rule. In our opinion there is no substitute for using a high-quality handmade brick. Clients aren’t usually happy to pay the cost incurred by the process of cleaning bricks, and reclaimed bricks rarely work well when cutting to form arches as they are so brittle.”

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42 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

Lockwood Homes Whether it’s a self-build or a small development, the same arguments apply.

Lockwood Homes built three new homes using our Metric Reclamation Handmade bricks, in an aged and weathered reclamation finish. Basic construction was an energy-efficient and quick-to-build timber frame but the overall look was very traditional. Paul Lockwood, company owner, says: “We chose these bricks because they offer the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary style.

Although it wasn’t a conservation area, the development was close to existing cottages so the houses had to sit comfortably with the neighbouring properties. And using handmade also helps distinguish us from the mainstream developments in the area.”

Handmade bricks are a historic building material that works equally well in traditional and contemporary housing projects and can be used with modern methods of construction too. They can be regionally matched, or weathered to create an instantly aged effect, tinted onsite to match existing brickwork exactly – or they can be custom-made for a truly unique look.

For more information on Imperial Bricks online visit www.rdr.link/BG021

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new & self build

Stellar Cast Paul Wadsworth, Specification Manager at Brett Martin discusses the benefits of innovative Cascade rainwater solutions, and provides a guide for builders to install these efficient alternatives to traditional cast-iron designs.

F

or over 150 years, cast-iron rainwater systems have been a core component of a building’s fabric. However, as building design and efficiency has radically transformed over time – rendering cast-iron expensive and time-consuming to work with – contractors and their clients are seeking alternatives.

At a fraction of the price to buy, install and maintain, modern plastic materials are an alternative to aluminium or cast iron rainwater specification to deliver projects under budget and ahead of schedule. It’s why the Cascade rainwater and soil system from Brett Martin Plumbing and Drainage fits the bill perfectly.

Ease of installation With significant additional weight, cast iron drainage systems can be heavy and difficult to install. Contractors must also be extra vigilant regarding health and safety and will require more time to lift and fix the system – leading to increased costs and potential delays in the installation process.

Almost every job will require both gutter and pipe lengths to be cut onsite using specialist tools. To ensure long-lasting durability, they need to be fully finished on site using a primer, undercoat and topcoat, to ward off corrosion. Even if the system used is delivered pre-painted, any cut lengths, or site damage to the finished

surface, must be protected to the same level by the installer. It should be noted that, in some cases, if the level of protection applied on site is deemed insufficient, any guarantee offered may be, quite rightly, invalidated, leaving the installer liable.

Because the plastic ranges are so much lighter than cast iron, installation at height is less hazardous, being effortless to lift, easy to manoeuvre, simple to cut and quick to fit. The systems also benefit from external fixing lugs, enabling easy power tool access, which further speeds up installation. All gutter fitting joints have integral seals and flexible retaining clips, allowing the gutter lengths to simply click into place. No extra-cost fixing kits or nuts and bolts are required to make gutter joints, as with most traditional systems.

Benefits There is an extensive choice of options and gutter profiles available for domestic new builds to suit most requirements. From the domestic style of gutter to high capacity systems for larger scale commercial projects, plastic rainwater systems have been carefully designed to emulate original features, dimensions and detailing.

Once installed, the system is low maintenance as, unlike cast iron, it is not vulnerable to rusting or corrosion and does not require regular sanding, priming or repainting to protect it from the elements.

Step 1 – Planning and preparation Plan carefully. Ensure you have the right tools for the job and relevant personal protection.

Step 2 – Fitting running outlets Fix running outlets above the drains or gullies where the water will drain into using 25mm x 5mm corrosion resistant screws.

Step 3 – Calculating fall Guttering should be installed with a downward fall towards the rainwater outlet – 1mm for every 600mm. The running outlet should be at the lowest point on the gutter run.

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 45

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Step 6 – Fitting the gutter Lubricate the seals using silicone spray. Each length of gutter should be placed into position with the back edge under each fitting.

Rotate down and then click front edge into place over the top edge of the gutter.

Step 4 – Fitting fascia brackets Fix the first fascia bracket furthest from the outlet at a position on the fascia to allow for the required fall.

No more than 100mm from the end of the fascia board. Stretch a line taut between the fixed outlet and fascia bracket to establish a straight gutter line. Fascia brackets should be fitted to the fascia board at equal intervals. A union bracket should be used where two gutter lengths are joined. Gutter supports should be spaced at intervals of no more than 900mm and less than 600mm in areas of heavy snow.

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Step 5 – Cutting gutter to size Cut to length using a saw and a file to remove any burrs from sawn ends, making allowances in length to fit the expansion lines marked in the fittings.

46 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

Step 7 – Fitting downpipe If required, fit an offset between the running outlet and the downpipe. Fit the downpipe to the offset. Ensure each connection is retracted at least 5mm from the receiving socket before fixing to the wall. Use a spirit level to check vertical alignment. Mark the walls using the holes in the lugs of the socketed downpipes as guides. Then drill, plug and fix the downpipe using fixings. Water test the system to ensure no adjustments to the fall are necessary and all connections to the fall are fitted correctly.

For further information on Brett Martin online visit www.rdr.link/BG022

Professional Readerey Surv

BUILDING ■ FLOORING ■ PLUMBING ■ ROOFING ■ CARPENTRY ■ PAINTING AND DECORATING ■ Welcome to the 2019 Professional Builder reader survey. This is your chance to have your say on the content and future direction of the magazine. We appreciate all feedback, and want to make sure we are providing you with the best possible subject matter to read and engage with.

All you have to do is fill in your answers, pull out this section and send it back to ‘F Freepost HAMERVILLE’, No stamp required!

Alternatively, you can fill it out online at www.rdr.link/023.

Every completed form, we get back will be entered into a free prize draw for a Makita DAB Site Radio.

FREE TO TH E TRAD E

Professional FING G ■ PLUMBING ■ ROO BUILDING ■ FLO ORIN TING ■ TING AND DEC ORA FEBRUARY 2019 ■ CAR PEN TRY ■ PAIN TRY

ING INDUS ZINE FOR THE BUILD THE BUSINESS MAGA

VEHICLES & PL ANT ‘Right’ van man!

NEW & SELF BUILD

House rules!

windows ive range of PVCu Quickslide’s extens Sash the cash with

How old are you?

■ 16-25 ■ 26-35 ■ 36-45 ■ 46-55 ■ 56+

What is your main trade?

■ Builder ■ Bricklayer ■ Plumber/Installer ■ Electrician ■ Carpenter/Joiner ■ Garden Landscaper ■ Painter/Decorator ■ Plasterer ■ Tiler ■ Roofer ■ Scaffolder ■ Window Installer

What type of work are you involved in?

■ Residential repair, maintenance and improvement ■ Domestic new build ■ Commercial ■ Industrial

Which best describes your job function?

■ Business Owner ■ Site Foreman ■ Sub-Contractor ■ Other .................................................................................

How many builders’ merchants do you regularly trade with?

■1 ■ 2-5 ■ 6-9 ■ 10+

How many people are employed in your company?

■ 1-3 ■ 4-9 ■ 10-20 ■ 21+

Are you responsible for product/material purchasing decisions?

■ Yes ■ No

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER JULY/AUGUST 2016 47

If you are responsible for product/material purchasing decisions, what factors most influence those decisions?

(Tick as many as you like) ■ Professional Builder ■ Product/brand awareness ■ Word of mouth ■ Other trade magazines ■ Radio ■ Price/availability ■ Customer influence ■ Merchant advice/promotions

Professional BUILDING ■ FLOORING ■ PLUMBING ■ ROOFING ■ CARPENTRY ■ PAINTING AND DECORATING ■

Have you ever recommended or purchased a product from a merchant after seeing/reading about it in Professional Builder?

■ Yes ■ No Do you notice and stop at the adverts while reading Professional Builder?

■ Yes ■ No If yes, do they encourage you to want to find out more about the suppliers and products?

■ Yes ■ No How often do you visit a merchant?

■ Every day ■ 4-5 times a week ■ 2-3 times a week ■ Once a week ■ Once a fortnight What merchants do you trade with?

■ Nationals ■ Independents ■ Both When you visit a merchant, do you pick up a monthly free copy of Professional Builder magazine?

■ Always ■ Sometimes ■ Never

If you do, do you read it every month?

■ Yes ■ No On average how many times will you read/look at your monthly copy of Professional Builder?

■ Once ■ 2-4 Times ■ 5+ On average, how many other people read your copy of Professional Builder magazine?

■ 1 ■ 2-5

■ 6-10 ■ 11+ How long do you keep your issues of Professional Builder for?

■ 1 Month ■ 2 Months ■ 3 Months ■ 4+ Months

Which of the following do you find most useful for information on industry news, supplier information and new products?

■ Professional Builder magazine ■ Other trade magazines ■ Local/national radio ■ Manufacturer’s literature/websites ■ Internet How would you find out more information about a product or supplier you have read about in Professional Builder?

■ Internet search ■ Contact the manufacturer ■ Ask the merchant Do you use the internet for business purposes?

■ Yes ■ No

If yes, what’s the main purpose?

■ Product information ■ Technical information ■ Industry news ■ Quoting/banking ■ Purchasing products

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Adverts/videos News Competitions Features Business issues and advice

How are you most likely to view digital information?

■ Smartphone ■ Tablet ■ Desktop

Overall how do you rate the Professional Builder website?

■ Excellent ■ Good ■ Satisfactory ■ Poor

Have you visited www.probuildermag.co.uk?

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If yes, what did you find most useful/interesting on the Professional Builder website?

■ New products

If yes, which of the following do you use?

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S E E I T. . .

SEARCH IT ...SHARE IT

Do you use the Professional Builder social media platforms?

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Be Social... join the conversation https://twitter.com/PB_mag

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Wwww.probuildermag.co.uk

What type of vehicle do you use for business purposes?

■ Van ■ Pick-Up Truck ■ Other ...................................................................

What make is your business vehicle?

■ Ford ■ Mercedes – Fuso Canter ■ Fiat ■ VW ■ Citroen ■ LDV ■ Mitsubishi ■ Nissan ■ Peugeot ■ Renault ■ Vauxhall ■ Other ..............................................................................

How often would you change your vehicle?

■ 1-3 Years ■ 4-6 Years ■ 7+ Years Do you read any other building trade related magazines?

If yes, please name them: ..............................................................................

Is Professional Builder your favourite building trade magazine?

■ Yes ■ No Which of the following aspects of Professional Builder magazine do you consider to be the most useful/interesting?

(Tick as many as you like) ■ Viewpoint ■ Adverts ■ News ■ Features ■ New Products ■ Product Tests ■ Legislation ■ Technical advice – how to articles (Step by Steps) ■ Business advice and tips ■ Training news ■ Trade disaster pictures & stories ■ Competitions & Giveaways

MAKITA JOB SITE RADIO DAB – DMR109 This robust Job site radio from Makita is able to receive Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) and is compatible with CXT (12-Max) and LXT (14.4v/18v) batteries or the 240V AC adaptor.

The radio features a high quality two speaker stereo system, digital tuner with LCD display, a flexible antenna that can be removed and stored inside the radio, and is equipped with an AUX-IN jack for connecting to external audio sources (cable not included). The radio also has an AC adaptor jack and is equipped with a micro USB port for software upgrades.

It also boasts a soft grip carry handle that swivels 90°, elastomer bumpers and is IP rated 64 – protecting against dust and light showers.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

Please send completed forms back to just ‘Freepost HAMERVILLE’, no stamp needed. Alternatively, you can fill it out online at www.rdr.link/024 To be entered into the free prize draw for a Makita DAB Site Radio please complete below: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms: ........................Name: ........................................................................

Signature: ...................................................................................... Date:……………………

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Tick here if you are happy to receive information from Makita ■ Send your completed survey to: FREEPOST HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford WD24 4YF

For how many years have you been a reader of Professional Builder?

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new & self build

Opening new doors!

Jade Damarell, Brand Manager from XL Joinery, shares her advice on what to consider when providing doors for a new build property.

P

urchasing a new build is becoming an increasingly popular option amongst potential house buyers, and it’s easy to see why. Offering premium, ready-to-move-into homes that feature aesthetics of the homeowner’s choice, new build properties present the perfect opportunity for purchasers to move in with ease and simplicity, whilst saving time and avoiding the hassle of project work. By ensuring that the property is of a high quality both inside and out, builders will be able to transform the industry’s negative perceptions whilst guaranteeing customer satisfaction.

First impressions count With so much choice available on the market, choosing the right external door is no easy task. Combining a quality product with attractive aesthetics as well as enhanced security, it’s important for builders to offer valuable and accurate recommendations to their customers before fitting.

A front door provides the opportunity to create a good first impression, offering scope for stylish expression and personal preference. One particular trend that is popular amongst homeowners is the inclusion of a coloured front door.

Whether homeowners are looking to

make a statement with a striking entrance in a cobalt blue, or choose a more conservative option in neutral colours, there’s an option for everyone.

When it comes to the rear of the new build, it’s easy to dismiss and opt for the easiest product. However, we

recommend fitting a back door that features a combination of glass and wood, such as our range of bi-fold doors.

Not only will this add a touch of variety into the build, but the addition of glass will also bathe the house in natural light; a trend that is particularly hot at the minute.

It’s the inside that counts Internal doors have the ability to bring a room, and a home, to life; something that is crucial to consider when transforming a new build property into a warm and welcoming home. Therefore, builders should consider the quality and performance characteristics of a product before offering recommendations to customers.

By working with a product that locks both sound and heat within the home, customers can enjoy long-term satisfaction with their product, resulting in an improved attitude towards their overall new build experience.

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Another feature that is worth considering when opting for an internal door is a solid core construction. As well as offering superior sound and heat retention, a solid core door is an affordable and long-lasting solution that also offers enhanced fire resistance due to their thickness.

The endless possibilities of a blank canvas Providing doors for a new build property creates an opportunity for both builders and customers to take advantage of the blank canvas and help to style a new house itself.

Depending on the customer’s personal preference, external door options can range from a bold statement coloured door, such as our external Tricoya range, or a timeless classic that adds a touch of warmth and tradition to the home.

Similarly, door choice gives builders an opportunity to create a consistent theme from one room to the next that will run

I

throughout the home. For traditional styles, doors with styling details such as panels or raised mouldings, like those in our Calabria and Louis ranges, have the classic look and appeal that have been seen in houses for generations.

For contemporary looks, opting for sleek, minimalist styles help set a modern tone throughout the home. Doors that combine materials such as wood, metal and glass within their designs are especially growing in popularity due to

52 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

their varied and exciting aesthetics, giving an alternative look.

Ultimately, working with new build homes offers a wealth of opportunities for builders to take advantage of. Ranging from external and internal doors, as well as aesthetic designs and varied styles, carefully considering the type of doors to include in a new build allows builders to set a consistent theme throughout the entire house. What’s more, choosing a supplier that can offer products that boast superior heat retention and sound insulation means that builders and developers know they’re using a product that will be beneficial to future occupants.

By not dismissing the importance of doors within new builds, builders are able to easily add a premium touch across the home and offer an overall high-quality finished product.

For more information on XL Joinery online visit www.rdr.link/BG092

new & self build

Best in A self-build project in the stunning countryside of North East England has benefitted from Isover’s Metac, chosen for its excellent thermal and acoustic properties, as well as being the perfect fit for the architectural design of the property.

P

atrick Ward, director of Patrick Ward, a building company covering everything from general maintenance to newbuild projects, began the special journey of building a home for his family in June 2018. Located in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, the stonebuilt property features extensive glazing, skylights and bi-folding doors, all of which provide views out onto the surrounding fields and rolling hills.

Patrick said: “As a builder, it had long been a dream of mine to build a house for me and my family and I was finally granted the opportunity to do so when this piece of land came up for sale. I had already decided that I wanted to manage the project as a whole and have since been actively involved with the build at every stage of the process.

“When it came to specifying the insulation, I knew I wanted a product that could offer both superior thermal and acoustic performance, especially considering our rural and exposed location. I was already aware of Isover from my time spent in the construction industry and have previously used its products on many projects over the years, so I know they are high-quality.

“After discussing the various insulation possibilities with Dean Wilson, Area Sales Manager for the North East and Cumbria

“Glass”

at Isover, he recommended Metac 175mm thick glass mineral wool insulation, with an additional 50mm Metac between battens installed below the rafters. Due to the architectural design of the house featuring pitched and sloping roofs, it was deemed to be the best fit.”

Metac, a glass mineral wool ‘slab on a roll’ insulation, is specifically designed for use in pitched roof rafter applications, Left: Patrick Ward, owner of the property and Director of Pattrick Ward Ltd. Right: Dean Wilson, Area Sales Manager, Isover.

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delivering a range of benefits to both the installer and homeowner. As well as excellent thermal performance, capable of achieving U-values that meet and exceed the minimum required by Approved Document L1A, Metac also has proven acoustic properties, helping to reduce external noise from extreme weather, aircraft and traffic. In fact, recent testing at the University of Salford has revealed that Metac can reduce externally-generated airborne sound by up to 49dB (Rw) within pitched roof rafter applications.

Patrick continued: “Isover assisted at every stage of the specification process. I provided Dean with a set of the working architectural drawings and he was then able to calculate exactly what products I needed in order to comply with the Uvalue requirements. This, in turn, helped with the SAP calculations. Considering the large number of windows, skylights and bifolding doors, and our exposed location, all of which could negatively impact on the property’s overall energy efficiency, it was

I

a pitched roof U-value of 0.14 W/m2K – an excellent result!”

What’s more, in addition to its thermal and acoustic performance, Metac is also renowned for its ease of installation, as Patrick commented: “The whole process was very quick and straightforward, with Metac being both easy to handle and install, saving valuable time on site. I was really pleased with it!”

Metac is flexible and can be easily friction fitted between rafters, with any off cuts simply re-used within tighter rafter spaces, minimising air gaps and the amount of material waste generated.

What’s more, manufactured from up to 80 per cent recycled glass it is also noncombustible, achieving a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire rating – the best attainable.

vital that we specified high-performing insulation with excellent thermal properties to achieve the necessary SAP rating.

Thanks to Metac, we were able to achieve

56 JULY/AUGUST 2019 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

For more information online on Isover’s glass mineral wool ‘slab on a roll’ insulation, Metac visit www.rdr.link/BG025

new & self build

GOT IT COVERED Alex Chalmers, Managing Director of Wetherby Group describes the benefits of using a Monocouche Through-Coloured Render system with a step-by-step guide to application.

B

uildings in the UK are under attack from increasingly extreme weather conditions. Water penetration, frost and UV attack rays from the sun all affect the fabric of the buildings in which we live, work and visit.

Render systems are one of the options available to protect brick and blockwork on both new build and refurbishment projects as well as add to the design aesthetics of the building.

“When choosing the correct render, it is vital to consider the

substrate to which it will be applied. A system that has been extensively tested and known to adhere to a wide range of different substrates is very important to ensure the longevity of the render system. A choice of finishes is also a large consideration so that a customer’s visual expectations are met. Throughcoloured render systems are low maintenance, waterproof yet breathable, and application is easy by hand or spray.”

HERE WE DEMONSTRATE APPLICATION BY HAND ONTO MEDIUM DENSITY CONCRETE BLOCKS IN EASY STEPS.

Prepare the Surface Ensure that the background is clean, dry, well-bonded and free from anything that may impair adhesion. Apply clean water to control suction if required.

Mix the Render Mix each bag with 4.5 to 5 litres of clean water with a high speed power mixer for two minutes, stand for two minutes then mix again.

Fasten the Beads Fix beads to corners or joints where required.

Render Application (1st Pass) Using a stainless steel trowel or spray pump apply a first pass of render to a thickness of approximately 9mm.

Reinforcing Mesh Embed fibre mesh reinforcing at stress points, around windows and door openings.

Render Application (2nd Pass) Apply a second pass of 9mm wet on wet then, using a serrated edge, level and remove any air pockets. Allow to dry until render will show impression of a thumb nail but not a thumb print.

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additional products, all available from the Ecorend range: 씰 Fungicidal Wash 씰 Fibre Reinforcing Mesh 씰 S10 Bonding Primer (if required) 씰 TRX Nano Coat is an optional high performance top coat for additional protection against dirt pick up and long-term staining in just one coat.

Scraping Scrape back to 15mm using a scraping tool and ‘I’ Bar to ensure surface is flat and level.

MR1 Finished Appearance The finished render has a natural stone like appearance and is available in a choice of 33 colours.

Specification The complete M20 specification for the application of MR1 monocouche throughcoloured render onto multiple different types of substrates includes the following

Alex concludes: “Here at Wetherby Group we have developed our Ecorend product range into a force to be reckoned with but, as well as that, we also offer a support service second to none. This includes the supply of full system specifications to NBS standards for all types of substrate and application. Full technical support on products and application is also available.

Also, with our innovative Smart Pack waterproof packaging product can be stored outside, therefore saving both merchants and contractors storage space and cost. The packaging is clean and fully

recyclable so further savings can be made on waste disposal.”

Ecorend MR1 Monocouche ThroughColoured Render system now comes complete with a British Board of Agrément Certification.

For further information on Ecorend online visit www.rdr.link/BG026

new & self build product round-up

TIMBER FRAME SYSTEM With a four-stage installation process, Fassa Bortolo’s Fassarend timber frame system uses lightweight carrier boards, mechanically fixed onto wooden battens and finished with a thin coat render. A drained cavity behind the render carrier board allows the components to breathe from behind and drain any moisture caused by condensation.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG027

MDF RANGE Claiming one of the most comprehensive ranges of MDF products currently available, Norbord’s CaberWood range of Medium Density Fibreboard is available in five grades.

These range from the basic lightweight general purpose grade, MDF Trade, to MDF Industrial, a hard-working, deep routing, moisture-resistant product with uniform density all the way through the board.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG028

LIQUID ROOFING SYSTEM A new roofing system from Cromar has been created to resolve the time-consuming issue of roofers having to strip back roofs before applying a liquid system. The styrene-free Flexiglass System can be applied onto roofing felt, asphalt, single ply membranes, metals and existing liquid applied systems. The product is UV stable, stormproof, frost proof, impact resistant and foot trafficable.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG029

WEATHERPROOF UNDERLAY Waterproof and tear-resistant, Permo extreme RS SK2 underlay from Klober has been designed for use on low pitched roofs. Suitable for profile tiles pitched at 12.5° or more, 15° for slates and 22.5° for plain tiles; it is manufactured from a bondable two-layered underlay with a shrink-resistant TPU coating on a robust PES (polyethersulphone) fleece, which allows vapour to escape, while keeping rainwater out.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG030

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new & self build product round-up

SEALANT AND ADHESIVE Using a unique polymer blend, Everbuild’s EB25 combines flexibility with bond strength.

Suitable for use both indoors and outdoors, the manufacturer claims the solution can be used on virtually any material in most weather conditions and can even be used underwater. Once cured, the product is resistant to mould, temperature extremes and chemicals.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG031

BIOCIDAL PAINT RANGE Following decontamination, most mould-afflicted properties will require some redecoration and Safeguard Europe now offers a choice of products in its Dryzone range to deliver a highquality decorative finish to stained walls and other surfaces. Mould-Resistant Emulsion Paint provides lasting protection against the effects of condensation and is easily applied over standard paint finishes, whilst ACS Paint Additive can be used to make any paint mould-resistant.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG032

TILE ADHESIVE Designed for installing porcelain, ceramic or natural stone tiles in external areas, such as patios and terraces, Dunlop Large Format and Natural Stone Adhesive is pourable and rapid-setting in only three hours. Water and frost resistant, it can be applied in up to 25mm thickness – making it suitable for fixing tiles/slabs of uneven thickness and uneven surfaces.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG033

INTERIOR PAINTS In order to help builders achieve longer lasting results on their jobs, Dulux Trade has launched new formulations of its Diamond Matt and Diamond Eggshell paints. According to the company, the two emulsions are now 50 times more durable than standard trade emulsions, with enhanced protection against scrubs, scuffs and stains, to stand the test of daily wear and tear in high footfall areas.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG034

kitchens & bathrooms

No. 2 in the Series

Everyone’s a winner!

In the second edition of the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) series of articles showcasing the Highly Commended projects of the regional 2019 Master Builder Awards, we’re looking at which kitchen renovations brought the judges to the boil.

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erbyshire-based builders D & M Building and Maintenance services was highly commended for its £50,000 extension and renovation of a kitchen in a detached property. Judges recognised the complexity of the project, which involved major structural changes and new electrics, plumbing and plastering. The team completed the work to the highest possible standard and ‘the transformation has been amazing’, according to Director, Monica Walker. A significant obstacle for the team was working around the family, who continued using the kitchen as they sought to radically alter the space. However, the end-product speaks for itself, a stunning ‘transformation of a very small kitchen into an amazing working space, (it) has been the most rewarding experience’.

What’s the team’s secret ingredient? ‘It’s a one-of-a-kind company that values its customer above anything. The team is professional at all times and always polite,’ Monica concluded.

Judges were wowed by the creativity and style demonstrated in Project One Installations’ £55,000 kitchen renovation.

The firm was highly commended at the Welsh Master Builder Awards for its creation of a ‘luxdustrial’ lifestyle space for a family keen on free-cycling their kitchen and bringing it into the modern era. To this end, the team upgraded the existing units to give them fresh appeal by using unusual materials like reclaimed bricks, and sand-blasted radiators recycled from a train station. They also produced a

luxurious finish with beautiful bespoke timber including tobacco Halifax Oak and dark brown Cape Elm. The team successfully interpreted the client’s brief to produce not just a kitchen, but a central hub of life for a young and busy family.

Taking on a project after a previous builder has started work will always be a tough nut to crack, but one which Mission Construction did not shy away from.

Unsurprisingly, the £160,000 kitchen renovation and new build on a single storey Stockport bungalow was not without its challenges, including inheriting a site in poor condition, and an incorrect design for foundations of loading, which did not take into account unearthed ground conditions, and finally the construction of a traditional roof with several valleys and apexes. In the end, the team found the experience ‘challenging but enjoyable’. Not only did Mission Construction help the client to deliver their dream build, but the team also developed a friendship with their clients, arriving on-site to freshly baked cakes in the morning. What better sign of a successful kitchen renovation than that?

The Master Builder Awards aims to recognise and celebrate the high-quality work and dedication of the SME construction sector throughout the UK.

For further information online visit www.rdr.link/BG035

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ROOM SERVICE I

have spent a great deal of my working life fitting kitchens and bathrooms. In a way you have to be something of a masochist to specialise in this sort of work because they are technically demanding, and the customer is usually putting you under pressure to get the room back in some sort of working order. Fast track products have helped, but no sooner do you find the solution to one problem than another challenge arises. Still, as the saying goes, if it was easy everyone would be doing it.

FLOOR LAYING There are few areas of the building industry where preparation is as important as it is in floors. The key enemies are damp and movement. If you can eliminate both of those you have a fighting chance. If you can’t then remedying them after the floor is laid can be costly – or impossible.

Fortunately, there is a lot of technical help out there from companies such as F Ball and Co, who manufacture Setcrete.

Floorlaying was once the preserve of specialist contractors and nothing slows a job down more than waiting on the floorlayer. There is clearly a demand for builder-friendly products.

Karndean now has three good options for the jobbing builder. None of them require adhesive and all of them can be laid on underfloor heating.

F Ball and Co www.rdr.link/BG036 Karndean www.rdr.link/BG037

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Roger Bisby selects some kitchen and bathroom products that have been game changers.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING Pretty much every kitchen and bathroom I do these days needs (or wants) underfloor heating. If you aren’t lifting the floor then low build options are the way forward. The more insulation you can get under the pipes or cables the better but a lot of customers are determined to have a warm floor even if it isn’t as efficient and economical as it could be.

Omnie Toron is a system I have used in a number of kitchens over the past few years. If you can get a clear run at the floor it is straightforward and can usually be done in a day. I don’t fit a great deal of electric underfloor heating in kitchens because it is really suitable for tile warm up rather than whole room heating. If you have a bathroom with a towel rail then electric underfloor heating is fine, but not if you are intending to use it as the sole source of heat. My favourite system is pipe in screed and that is what I recommend for extensions. The most common question I get from customers is “what if it leaks?”. My answer is simple: “It won’t leak”. The only way it will leak is if somebody drills through the pipe. With modern grab adhesives it is rarely necessary to drill into a screed.

For further information on any of these products online use the appropriate link Omnie www.rdr.link/BG038 Nu-Heat www.rdr.link/BG039 Continental Underfloor www.rdr.link/BG040 LASER LEVELS It is now hard to remember what we did before laser levels were invented.

It wasn’t so much the invention but making them affordable that really moved them on as a product. It is hard to imagine now but we were once happy and willing to spend £500 on a laser level, and very few of them were the self-levelling, all singing and dancing cross hair lasers we have now. Now you would only pay that for a green beam, and even those are coming down in price. As good as modern laser levels are I can’t be the only person who still puts his six foot Stabila down on the units to check. Lasers can lose calibration, the same as anything, so it helps to lock the pendulum before you move it or put it back in the box. www.rdr.link/BG041 Bosch Laser Levels www.rdr.link/BG042 Imex Green Beam

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POWER TOOLS When you are fitting kitchens and bathrooms you aren’t necessarily looking for the most powerful drill on the market. Far more important is finding something small enough to get into those tight spaces. It also helps if you have a right angle and offset chuck. Milwaukee and Bosch both have 12V sets that fit this bill. I find they can tackle almost every job you throw at them. I draw the line at drilling into concrete but, with the right bit, most brickwork is not a problem.

Another invaluable cordless tool is a compact reciprocating saw. Milwaukee, Makita and DeWalt all have good tools in this category and, if you are running one of these battery platforms, you can pick up a naked body only recip saw for very little money.

Milwaukee www.rdr.link/BG043 Bosch www.rdr.link/BG044 Makita www.rdr.link/BG045

TILE BACKING BOARD It seems to me that Professional Builder magazine has dedicated a great many pages to the promotion of tile backing boards.

Back in the day when builders and plumbers were still using plasterboard, or marine plywood, as a tileable surface we were singing the praises of specialist tile backing boards such as Wedi and Hardibacker.

Now, at long last, the industry has caught on, so much so that the latest British Standard now calls for wet areas, such as showers and baths, to be tanked. It is also no longer acceptable to use timber boards as a surface for vertical tiling.

Not surprisingly the number of products now available for tiling onto has grown exponentially, and with that the price has come tumbling down. One day tile backing board will be almost the same price as plasterboard. Then there will be no excuse.

Hardibacker www.rdr.link/BG048 Wedi www.rdr.link/BG049 Elements Board www.rdr.link/BG050

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t’s no secret that a small bathroom can throw up design challenges. Not only is it difficult for customers to fit everything they might need inside the space, it’s also a task for them to find practical and flexible furniture solutions that suit the design at the right price. However, with some careful research, professional installers can identify bathroom manufacturers that are combatting the growing issue of space in UK homes through unique added value in sanitary technology and bathroom ceramics.

Of course, there are endless ways to make a small bathroom more appealing, but when it comes to the installation of new toilets, how can installers and builders suggest the best possible solutions for their customers?

HANG TOUGH Ellie Broderick, Product Manager – Geberit Duofix, explores the drivers behind an industry shift in favour of wall-hung toilets and the potential opportunities for installers.

Big design ambitions Installers are tasked with getting the most out of a variety of bathrooms as they look to meet the changing demands from homeowners.

For example, according to a recent study, bathrooms topped the list of interior refurbishments for renovation frequency in 2017, with more than a quarter of renovating homeowners tackling bathrooms (Houzz, 2017). However, according to a 2018 report by the LABC Warranty, UK homes have never been smaller, averaging at just 67.82 sqm.

As a result, a number of bathroom solutions are emerging to maximise space without compromising on style. Of course, all this leaves installers with a challenge on their hands: generating well-thought out, inspired bathrooms, while contending with an increasing lack of space.

With affordable wall-hung sanitaryware now available because of product and system development from leading manufacturers – the question remains, is there a chance for installers to grow their reputation by introducing customers to the sophisticated, space-saving attributes of wall-hung toilets?

Space-saving flexibility Bathrooms are valuable spaces. People naturally spend a long time in this room; hence it is necessary for users to have a bathroom that does not compromise on space and offers a

The creative flexibility afforded by wallhung toilets is incomparable, giving installers the ability to generate thoughtful bathroom designs that create streamlined, clutter free environments for the end-user.

As well as bringing order and neatness to the bathroom, wall-hung toilets can also form the illusion of a larger room, while making better use of areas dominated by windows or sloping ceilings.

Easy to clean

sensory retreat from our increasingly busy lives through clever design that creates considered comfort for users.

Providing a space-efficient alternative to traditional close coupled systems, wallhung toilets with concealed cisterns and prewall frames are fast becoming a popular choice for homeowners across the UK.

Another clear advantage of the wall-hung toilet is that it hovers several inches off the floor, allowing the user to clean around and underneath it with ease. The prospect of dust and dirt accumulation is significantly reduced compared to close coupled toilets and there are no hard-toreach areas.

Modern design As well as being practical, wall hung toilets also emit a sense of modern sophistication. The fact that the toilet

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appears to float is immediately impressive and associated with the stylish suites seen in hotels and five-star apartments.

Acoustics By designing in a pre-wall frame the user can optimise all acoustic values. For example, the Duofix frame includes integrated rubber tipped push rods to reduce noise from the flush plate when pressed for flushing, a polythene jacket insulating the cistern, circlips on threaded rods to eliminate movement and sound absorbing seals on drainage brackets.

Installation innovation Installers know too well that difficult installations can ramp up the cost of an overall bathroom refurbishment – another issue which manufacturers are tackling head on with versatile, quick-to-fit WC frame systems.

A good example of this advancement is the Duofix system, boasting a load bearing capacity of up to 400 kilos and a

variety of options for different heights or design configurations. Specifically designed with installation and ease of maintenance in mind, systems like this make concealing the cistern inside a drywall quick and neat by eliminating the need for additional, carefully positioned studding. The result? A strong, reliable and leak free finish, thanks to its onepiece blow moulded cistern, angle bracket fixings and snap connectors.

Installing such systems typically reduces the complex installation procedures associated with wall-hung ceramics, with cleverly concealed fixings

and the inclusion and position of water inlets and waste outlets.

Maintenance is also safe and simple.

For example, the concealed cisterns allow full access to the internal workings through removal of the flush plate or removable shelf. What’s more, reputable manufacturers will offer a suitable spare parts guarantee, with this company providing spare parts security for all function-relevant components for at least 25 years.

For more information on Geberit Duofix online visit www.rdr.link/BG051

kitchens & bathrooms

SOFT SPOT

Kevin Johnson, MD of Monarch Water and Technical Director of the UK Water Treatment Association is urging professionals to install a water softener on kitchen and bathroom projects.

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nstalling a new kitchen or bathroom is a significant investment for your clients, but despite the in-depth consideration given to every conceivable aspect of the new installation, little, if any, thought is given to water quality.

Scale of the issue A staggering 60 per cent of the UK suffers with hard water, but consumers have little knowledge of the serious damage limescale can cause around the home. With just 5 per cent of homes owning a water softener, it’s a relatively untapped market. By educating customers on the importance of protecting their investment with a sustainable water softener, professional builders can help them safeguard their homes while increasing the project value.

Water isn’t inherently hard – it changes after passing though limestone and chalk beds, deep underground. The magnesium and calcium cling to the water and once these minerals are heated in showers, kettles, boilers, dishwashers and washing machines, they turn to limescale.

No matter how shiny and new a bathroom or kitchen may be, the effects of limescale will soon be evident with scum deposits on taps, shower screens, basins and toilet bowls.

It’s not just the visible signs of limescale that consumers need to be

aware of, but the hidden damage inside their pipes. Limescale coats the heating elements in boilers, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, coffee machines and kettles, making them work harder and cost more to run.

In fact, according to British Water, just a 1.6mm coating of limescale on a heating element makes it up to 12 per cent less effective. This means appliances are more likely to suffer breakdowns and their working life significantly decreased.

Sustainable solution With hard water estimated to be responsible for 70 per cent of equipment failures, tackling limescale is essential to prevent breakdowns of household appliances. Installing the latest generation of sustainable water softeners will not only protect customers’ new kitchens and bathrooms, but offer whole house protection. Not only will they prevent future limescale build up, but remove any existing deposits too.

New water softening units are smaller, faster and more efficient than their previous counterparts and are compatible with any boiler, meaning every household in a hard water area is a potential customer.

The latest water softening units feature the innovative rapid-fit bypass which removes 80 per cent of equipment needed to fit, making installation quicker and easier than ever before. There are also models that use 12 per cent less salt and 24 per cent less water, making them the most sustainable option in their class.

Soft sell It’s vital that professional builders keep up-to-date with advancements in technology to ensure they are offering their customers cutting edge technology and maximising profit potential. Educating customers about the latest sustainable water softeners and the benefits they offer is the key to securing sales and encouraging customer loyalty.

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Professional builders should help customers to view water softeners as an investment and insurance to protect their homes from limescale. After all, reduced energy and water consumption means lower bills, making the latest water softening technology an affordable luxury.

Consumers may see a water softener as an expensive investment, but with a payback of as little as four years, the lifetime benefits and costs should be considered when looking at the price tag.

Water softeners offer savings of around £200 a year once installed, making the running costs of around £8-10 per household member negligible.

It’s not just customers that will benefit from installing a water softener, professional builders can reap financial rewards too. Purchasing the latest water softening technology from a merchant, at a trade discount, will enable them to offer customers a competitive supply and install quote, allowing them to pocket a decent profit of around £100-150.

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Size matters The type of water softener a customer will need will depend on the size of the household. Units are rated according to the amount of hard grains they can remove between regenerations, so installers need to test the water with kits provided by the manufacturers.

When it comes to water softeners working out which size unit is best suited to customers is fairly straightforward.

Take the number of bedrooms and maximum number of potential occupants and allow 160 litres per person, per day.

It’s also important to check the pipe size where the softener will be installed, as well as the incoming mains pressure, and maximum flow rate. Below one bar and the machine may not function, over five bar and a pressure reducing valve may be needed. Access for maintenance and refilling salt should also be considered when siting a water softener.

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For further information on Monarch Water online visit www.rdr.link/BG052

kitchens & bathrooms

IN ALL HONESTY! Professional Builder tracks the installation of a Mira Honesty ERD.

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he Mira Honesty ERD is described as the ideal choice for any contemporary bathroom. Once installed, users can divert easily between the deluge head and hand shower for a personalised experience.

The Mira Magni-Flo combines to deliver up to three times more flow, even at low pressure; the Honesty also comes with a ‘fast-fix kit’ for ease of installation, providing added reassurance for installers.

How to fit the Mira Honesty ERD Start by isolating the water supplies. Then, decide on a suitable position for the shower unit and fittings and determine the direction and route of the water supply pipes.

Once the supply pipes are installed slide the plastic pipe guide provided over the pipes and level using a spirit level (1).

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Secure the pipe guide to the wall with tape to hold in position. Leave the guide in place and finish the wall.

Ensure that the recessed supply pipes protrude 25mm from the finished wall surface and are square to the wall.

Slide the wall brackets over the supply pipes, hold in position and mark the position of the fixing holes. Drill the holes, install the wall plugs and fix the brackets to the wall using the screws supplied (2).

Slide the olives over the pipes and install the connectors finger tight, then another ¼ to ½ turn (3). Turn on the water supply and flush the pipework.

Next, screw on the concealing plates, assemble the bar valve ensuring to install the manufacturers’ supplied sealing washers in each inlet and attach to the wall brackets using a suitable spanner, avoiding damage to the chrome finish (4).

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Installing the fittings Take the middle bar and slide on the hose retaining ring and clamp bracket, then screw all three bars together (5).

Fit the wall bracket into the riser arm and loosely secure with the grub screw at the top.

Push the lower bar fully into the top of the shower valve and ensure that the bar is fully engaged with the seal, preventing incorrect positioning of the wall bracket (6).

Hold the riser bar assembly against the wall checking it is vertical with a spirit level and use the wall bracket as a template to mark the fixing hole positions (7).

Remove the assembled bar and fixing bracket. Drill holes for the wall fixing bracket, fit the wall plugs and loosely screw the bracket to the wall (8).

Refit the bar into the shower valve and loosely fit the wall bracket concealing

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7

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cover to the riser arm (9). Ensure the lower bar is correctly fitted into the shower valve and fully tighten the wall bracket to the wall and secure the riser arm with the grub screw using the hex key.

Tighten the grub screw at the rear of the shower valve to secure the riser bar and fit the plug.

Finally, install the overhead deluge (10), slide the hose through the hose retaining ring and connect to both the shower valve and handset.

The Mira Honesty ERD mixer shower is now ready to use.

To find out more about the Mira Honesty ERD mixer shower, go to www.rdr.link/BG053

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kitchens & bathrooms product round-up

WORKTOPS Modular quartz surface specialist, Maxtop Quartz, has revealed the next generation of its worktops, complete with a seamless finish, 1.5mm bevelled edge and now including marble-effect finishes. All of the surfaces are 40mm thick and made from solid quartz.

The patented honeycomb interior makes it much simpler to handle and install, reducing characteristics typically associated with solid surfaces, such as time, cost and order/installation time.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG054

ELECTRIC SHOWER A new multi-entry instant electric shower collection, ‘Glow Thermostatic’, has been launched by Redring.

Featuring multi-entry points – six for electricity and eight for water – the shower aims to make installation faster and cleaner, adapting to accommodate existing plumbing and fixture work.

This reduces the need for drilling to align the plumbing and wiring connections.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG055

ANTI-MOULD SILICONE

BATHROOM PANELS

To help keep black mould growth at bay Pure Silicone from Cromar has far higher levels of antifungal additive than conventional sanitary silicones, which are introduced during the manufacturing process, enabling the product to come with a 10-year guarantee. So, you can be assured that whether you are sealing a new bathroom, or sprucing up an old one, Pure Silicone will stay bright and clean for many years to come.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG056

Nine new designs have been added to Fibo’s range of panel designs and colours, reflecting design trends for marble and natural stone effects, soft greens and neutrals.

Four further panels (sea blues and greys) have also been introduced to the UK. The new designs are available with and without grouting lines for a tile effect or a seamless panel wall.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG057

PANELLING Abacus Bathrooms has launched a new interior decorative wall and ceiling panelling system. The M1 Series is a portfolio of panelling solutions for design-led, innovative bathrooms and kitchens. The lightweight “fit and forget” panels are waterproof and simple to install. The high gloss, honeycomb core panels can be fitted over existing surfaces including tiles.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG058

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT DIAMOND BLADE The Platinum Hard Diamond cutting blade from Trojan features a 15mm Turbo segment incorporating grooves for faster cutting and better debris removal. The blade utilises increased diamond concentration, providing a longer service life. Designed for cutting a range of materials such as concrete, engineering brick and clay pipe, the blades have been double laser welded for increased safety and durability.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG059

BEVELLING TOOL Preparing Maincor MLCP (multilayer composite pipe) prior to installation is now simpler thanks to the manufacturer’s newly updated bevelling tool. The tool’s ergonomic design is now more comfortable, particularly when used on a regular basis.

The new tool is designed for use with formstable multilayered pipe, which has a 100 per cent oxygen barrier to guard against corrosion and low rates of expansion.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG061

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DECORATING TOOL The PaintTopper fits most metal paint cans to reduce the amount of mess involved, such as dry flakes and sticky lids.

The multi-purpose handle design not only allows for easy removal but also comes with a cup holder and a removable and flexible cup to store your paint brushes. The built-in lid lets you close the tin without removing it.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG060

DECORATORS’ SCRAPERS A new prep tool from Purdy has been designed to make prepping easier, quicker and pain-free for professional decorators. A Bent Pole Scraper has been designed with a carefully angled blade to maximise efficiency. It also avoids the scraped knuckles that using a straight scraper can cause. The scraper can be used by hand or, if necessary, is compatible with an extension pole.

For more details online, go to www.rdr.link/BG062

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

MAKING YOUR MARK Professional Builder reviews two brands from Royd Tool Group.

I have seen ACER construction markers in a display unit on the merchant’s counter, but I must admit, until now, I hadn’t bothered to pick one up and examine it more closely. I suppose my thinking was that there couldn’t be that much difference between the ACER and an ordinary pencil. Having now used both the pencil and the marker I can see it becoming a permanent addition to my tool kit.

The pencil is a retractable lead version which takes 120mm refills. The main advantage is that you can poke the tip into places ordinary pencils won’t reach, so you can use it for marking through holes, and, because the point is finer, you get a lot more precision. The trouble with the traditional wood pencil is that the lead breaks in the wood and you keep sharpening, breaking and sharpening again. I don’t imagine anybody has ever done a study of how much time tradesmen spend looking for a pencil and sharpening it, but I would think it adds up.

You can buy the pencil or ink marker separately, but getting the set is worth it because the ink marker with both fat and thin tip is well worth the investment. If I could only buy one it would have to be the ink marker because, as a plumber, it is useful to be able to mark up pipes and cables on my central heating installations. The ingenious thing about this marker is the ink well, which replenishes either the fat or the thin tip depending on which one you are not using.

The pen and pencil come with site holsters that clip on your belt, and I would like to think I would use them and have the pen and pencil to hand, but I know me, and they would disappear as I crawled through a loft space or some other hell hole known only to plumbers and electricians.

So, as handy as the holster is, the pen and pencil would stay safely tucked into my pencil pocket on my work trousers.

For further information on the ACER range of construction markers online go to www.rdr.link/BG064

OPTIMAXX SCREWS There are so many quality screws around these days that it is hard to settle on a brand, but once you do it is then equally hard for other manufacturers to woo you away. If anyone is going to succeed in making you leave your trusted brand I put my money on Optimaxx.

It is hard to find a real design advantage in something as basic as a screw, but Optimaxx seems to have done it. The tip is very sharp, so it locates precisely. The first section has a saw tooth cut on the lower threads that makes for a much faster start in hardwood, with no need for a pilot hole. The deep cut thread is lubricated to reduce friction, and increases run time on your battery driver. The short collar under the head is doubled up to resist snapping on impact driving and the underside of the head had no less than 24 grooves to selfcounter sink. Even in hardwood, and dense chipboard, the heads will drive in flush or even below the surface. All these features put together give the screws a real advantage over many of their competitors.

For further information on Optimaxx online, go to www.rdr.link/BG065

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WORKWEAR

Jacket for all trades Professional Builder takes a quick look at a sure-fire winner from Snickers.

It may be the height of summer, but in certain parts of the country you may still find yourself in need of a lightweight jacket. This 8004 All Round Work Jacket is made with 37.5 technology that helps maintain ideal body temperature. It is ideal as a warm jacket under a windproof shell, but when the weather is mild you can wear it over a T shirt just to keep the chill off.

Part of the secret of the jacket is the breathable fabric, which releases the moisture caused by sweating so you remain dry even when exerting yourself.

Dylan, our test pilot, says he particularly likes the high neck, which zips right up to the chin.

He also likes the zipped pockets for phone and wallet.

So much for the functionality – but what about the looks? We polled a few people out on site and they all gave it the thumbs up. If you are a service engineer, plumber or electrician who’s in and out of customers’ houses this jacket is going to turn a few heads – in the right kind of way. Snickers also provides an embroidery service, so you can have your company name and logo stitched on the front. This qualifies it as a company uniform and allows you to claim tax relief.

4 ALL ROUNDWORK 37.5 FLEECE JACKET Fleece jacket featuring 37.5 Technology for cooling comfort during the whole work day. Reflective details and brushed inside for extra comfort.

Wear it as an outer layer in mild temperatures.

Features 씰 37.5 Technology captures and releases moisture vapor for cooling comfort 씰 Brushed inside offering warmth and comfort 씰 Reflective details for increased visibility 씰 Two front pockets and arm pocket

For further information on Snickers online, go to www.rdr.link/BG066

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

No.2 in the series

A helping hand Professional Builder has teamed up with Festool to discuss ways to maintain the health of tradespeople. In its second instalment, we discuss the importance of looking after your hands.

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ecently, a study of British workplaces’ health and safety conditions found that, as a nation, we suffer more than 18,000 hand injuries each year. It’s a big problem, which equates to more than 127,400 collective absence days annually, costing the economy millions, not to mention the large fines for companies. It’s especially vital that the construction industry sector becomes more aware about the causes of unnecessary hand, wrist and arm injuries and works to eradicate them.

MORE INFO Just type in www.rdr.link/ followed by the unique code shown to get straight to more info.

Many people assume that the biggest risk to hands on-site is from an accidental cut. In fact, tradespeople are far more likely to suffer injuries caused by prolonged exposure to vibration, particularly a condition called Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). HAVS is a serious, disabling injury that is prevalent in the construction industry. HAVS causes changes in the sensation of the fingers and can lead to a permanent numbness of fingers and muscle weakness.

Tradespeople who operate hand-held, or hand guided tools are at serious risk of developing it. Similarly, if you hold workpieces, which vibrate while being processed, or operate a hammer action tool, your chances of acquiring the condition are elevated. It’s important that those working in such environments are aware of the early warning signs and keep an eye out for symptoms. Such symptoms can include tingling in the fingers, loss of strength in hands and fingertips turning white in wet and cold conditions.

The most effective way to curtail the onset of HAVS is to reduce vibrations from your daily operations. A variety of factors can have an impact on vibrations such as machine choice, accessories,

consumables or how the machine is being used.

Fortunately, innovative tools from leading manufacturers like Festool are designed with the health of the user in mind.

Festool products, such as the ETS EC 125, have a patented VS balancing ensuring that it runs smoothly during sanding, making work less hazardous.

Some of the Festool tools also have a “Vibration Control System” which actively regulates vibration. This ensures smoother operation and noticeably lower risk.

However, it is not only the mechanics of Festool products that help. The whole Festool system works to make tradespeople’s jobs easier and less hazardous. From the dust extraction that increases removal rate to sanding backing pads that help decrease vibrations. There is also a dedicated team for customers to get advice and training from, to identify customers’ needs and advise on specific ways to help drop expected exposure levels.

This system approach is helping tradespeople complete everyday construction tasks in a far safer manner and is part of Festool’s goal to improve the working conditions of tradespeople.

To find out more about Festool online go to www.rdr.link/BG067

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 85

cash converter We all love our vans, but sooner or later the time will come when you have to sell it. Over the next two issues, Dan Powell of Honest John Vans tells you how to get the best price.

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hether you are upgrading to a van that’s larger and more practical, or downsizing to something that’s less polluting and cheaper to run, sooner or later the time will come when you have to sell your van. But where do you start? And how do you get the best price?

How much is my van worth?

If you’ve decided to sell your van then you’ll want to know its value. This can easily be done and shouldn’t cost you a penny.

Free online van pricing websites, like Price Any Van and Honest Used Van Prices, provide free and accurate valuations by make, model and year.

Once you have a rough idea on value, check online adverts to see how prices vary on condition and spec. When pricing your van, you should factor in the mileage, service history and any aftermarket extras fitted.

How can I ready my van for sale?

Consider paying for any small repairs that may have been on your ‘to do’ list. Bodywork scuffs or a faulty door handle, for example, will dampen your van’s appeal and value. It’s also worth renewing the MoT if it has less than six months remaining. The same goes for basic servicing.

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builders’ vehicles 씱

If you’re handy with a bucket and sponge, give your van the clean of its life. Wash off the muck with a jetwash first and then use a good quality vehicle shampoo to clean the bodywork with a clean microfibre mitt or cloth. Don’t use sponges – these tend to hang on to dirt and cause tiny scratches in the paint that leave a dull finish.

Can I sell my van for free online?

Advertising is fairly easy these days and usually free. There’s no shortage of online classified sites with Auto Trader, Exchange and Mart being two of the most popular, along with Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace.

There are several online auction sites, with eBay being one of the most recognisable. Nearly all will charge a percentage of the selling price, which can add up if your van is relatively new or valuable. You can also add a reserve to protect your van from being sold below market value.

Buying a new van? Part-exchange...

A part exchange can be a quick and easy option, if you’re planning to buy a new van from a dealership. But it’s vital to understand the overall cost. For example, a dealer selling a new Ford at £25,000 may offer £5,000 for the part-exchange and no discount on the new van, which means you pay £20,000.

Another dealer with a similar van may offer a £2,000 discount and a £4,000 part-exchange. This means the overall cost is cheaper at £19,000, despite the fact that the trade-in value is less.

For more van selling tiips and advice, visit www.rdr.link/BG078

A HIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

In the latest of our Technical Troubleshooting series, Mat Woodyatt, Technical Training Manager of BMI UK & Ireland, looks at the causes of, and problems arising from, hip end failure.

th ERIES) (14 IN THE S

G O O F S O N T H E R O O F I

The failure of a traditional mortar-bedded hip end detail is an all too common sight. This hip may have been installed to what was an acceptable standard, and the hip end tile was supported by a hip iron in accordance with best practice.

Nevertheless, the detail has failed and the hip tile has become dislodged from the roof, closely followed by the adjacent hip tiles. And, as a result, the loss of hip tiles will start to allow water ingress into the roof space and subsequent problems.

The 2014 updates to code of practice BS 5534: 2014 +A2: 2018 Slating and Tiling for Pitched Roofs and Vertical Cladding introduced recommendations to address the reliability issues with traditional mortar-bedded ridges and hips. It says that all mortar-bedded ridge and hip tiles should either be accompanied by a mechanical fixing or replaced entirely by a dry fix solution.

With an appropriate mechanical fix, the hip end tile would still be in place, although cracked

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mortar could still fall out if in poor condition. The loss of the material is a prime concern here as it is not only a question of roof performance, but also one of safety. The risk is not only of tiles, but also sections of heavy mortar crashing to the ground beneath, which could easily cause injury – and possibly a fatal one at that.

Dry fix takes the installation a step further.

Some people are not that keen on the aesthetic of dry fix, yet it’s nothing to the poor appearance – and poor performance – of crumbling, degraded mortar. In addition to keeping the property’s occupants and passers-by safe, dry fix is quick and easy to repair and maintains a clean aesthetic and professional finish to the detail.

BMI UK & Ireland offers a range of pitched and flat training courses on all aspects of roof design, estimating and installation.

For more information on BMI’s training courses, online, go to www.rdr.link/BG068

NO. 3 K

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THE BOARD

Minding the store The board convenes to discuss CaberWood MDF storage and conditioning.

Conditioning Wood panel products expand on taking moisture from the surrounding air and shrink on losing it. As a guide, a small increase in moisture of 1 per cent increases length and width by 0.25mm per metre. A decrease in moisture of 1 per cent will have a corresponding shrinkage effect.

It is clearly desirable to minimise these changes, which can be applied prorata, by taking a few simple precautions.

Boards should be allowed to reach equilibrium by storing them under the atmospheric conditions in which they are to be used, for a minimum of 48 hours prior to laying. It is recommended that boards are loose stacked, on a minimum of three equi-spaced bearers, with spacers between each board to allow free air movement.

CaberWood MDF panel weight guide For lifting and handling purposes using an 18mm panel thickness, the following should be used as a guide weight (kg per m²): ● CaberWood Trade MDF / Moisture Resistant 10 kg/m² ● CaberWood Pro MDF / Moisture Resistant 13 kg/m² ● CaberWood Industrial MDF 14.5 kg/m² Note: Calculations for guide weights for thicknesses other than 18mm, are prorata, e.g. 12mm CaberWood MDF Trade = 10 kg/m² x 12/18 = 6.7 kg/m².

Transport and storage Moisture content All wood is hygroscopic. Its moisture content, therefore, depends on its environment.

The moisture content which wood and wood-based products will attain in service (equilibrium moisture content) depends primarily on the atmospheric humidity.

CaberWood MDF should be: ● Transported in uniform stacks on a flat base to avoid damage ● Protected against the weather ● Stored on a rigid flat base and adequately ventilated ● Insulated from the ground to avoid dampness ● When wooden bearers are used, they

should be of uniform thickness and placed in line. The distance between bearers should be no greater than 700–1,000mm. ● A HSE information sheet on the ‘safe stacking of sawn material and board materials’ is available on request from www.norbord.co.uk.

For more information on CaberWood MDF online, go to www.rdr.link/BG069

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No.14

T O P T R UM P S PLASTER CLASS In the latest of its building defects Top Trumps series, Safeguard Europe looks at the problems that can arise when inappropriate replastering systems are used on damp walls.

One of the more overlooked aspects of rising damp treatment is the replastering. It is common knowledge that the best way to stop rising damp at its source is to create a new dampproof course using high-strength dampproofing rods.

However, even though the damp is no longer present, salts will have been left behind from the groundwater.

These salts can contaminate plaster surfaces, causing blistering paint, crumbling plaster and further damppatches. They can also contaminate new plaster surfaces, so standard gypsum plasters cannot be used.

The old ways are not always the best The traditional answer to replastering salt-contaminated walls is to use a sand and cement render with a salt-resistant additive. This form of replastering is very good at resisting salts but it does have some significant drawbacks.

Sand and cement render needs to be very carefully gauged and mixed to make sure that it is effective. It also requires sharp washed sand, which can be difficult to source. This places a large emphasis on operator competency, which can be difficult due to skill shortages.

Sand and cement render is also a very cold and dense material. It is often stronger than the walls it is being

applied to. This means that, if it is ever required down the line, removing the render can be very difficult and may cause damage to the masonry behind it.

Finally, sand and cement render is not breathable. It can drastically decrease the rate of evaporation on walls it has been applied to. This means that the wall will dry out more slowly and, in the event of a future damp-proof course failure, rising damp may return at a height above where it was before.

Not just a sticking plaster There are now modern renovation plasters available that provide all the salt-resistance and damp-resistance of sand and cement render without any of the drawbacks. One such plaster is Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster, which is specifically blended and pre-bagged to ensure consistent performance on any damp or salt-contaminated wall.

These modern renovation plasters are

ideal for use on walls that have previously suffered from any form of dampness, not just rising damp.

Modern renovation plasters are designed to have a large pore structure and are applied at 20mm thickness.

This allows any residual salts in the wall to form behind the decorating surface, keeping it free from damage, whilst still allowing the wall to breathe and dry out naturally. It also means that the resulting surface is warmer and softer than sand and cement, which helps to preserve the original building materials underneath should the need for more renovations arise.

Heritage helper When dealing with renovations on heritage properties, traditional wisdom dictates that lime plaster should be used on internal surfaces because of its breathability. Whilst it is true that lime plaster is highly breathable, it does not deal well with salt-contamination and physically degrades over wetting and drying cycles.

Certain modern renovation plasters contain a blend of natural hydraulic lime and calcite that is ideal for use on heritage properties. For instance, laboratory testing shows that Dryzone Hi-Lime Renovation Plaster is actually more breathable than lime plaster whilst still being able to resist saltcontamination and damp.

Y OU R C H A N C E T O WI N !

Safeguard is offering a pack of its new Building Defect cards to the first 50 readers to go online to www.rdr.link/BG070

For further information on Safeguard online, go to www.rdr.link/BG071

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 91

ADE’S TOP WINDOW & DOOR TIPS

ADRIAN’S ‘CALL’!

GARDEN VARIETY No. 6

Adrian Barraclough runs Quickslide, one of Britain’s leading window & door manufacturers.

This month, Ade advises on garden door installations.

Even half way through the summer we are all still optimistic that we will get a few days sunshine when we want to throw the doors and windows open and let some rays into our homes. So make sure you have the answers when you’re asked for advice on what garden doors a homeowner should choose.

The most important question to ask your customer is how they are planning to use the room: ● If they want a spectacular, uninterrupted opening onto a fine patio and sculpted gardens then they should consider a bi-folding door. ● A better choice for great uninterrupted views all year round are sliding doors, what we used to call ‘patio doors’, because they use more glass and less frame – and let’s face it, the doors will be closed most of the time anyway. ● Or for a more classically styled home, and perhaps with smaller openings, then have a good look at French doors.

The choice available for all door types is immense but let’s begin with the basics. Aluminium has the edge over PVCu – and even timber for larger doors – as it is more rigid and suffers from less flex. And aluminium bi-folding and sliding doors have actually fuelled a mini-boom in aluminium windows from homeowners wanting their windows and doors to match. However, if the home already has nice windows in woodgrain, or coloured finish PVCu, sliders or French doors to match are an excellent choice.

Other important considerations: ● Budget – PVCu is usually cheaper than aluminium and timber. ● Refurbishment or new build – does the end user want to replace with a like-for-like product or something completely new? ● Energy ratings – generally, all modern products can achieve great thermal performance, but PVCu is generally more energy efficient. All

manufacturers will clearly state the performance of their products and will be easy to compare. ● Lead time – bespoke colours and styles may take longer. Look for a supplier that actually manufactures doors to keep lead-times to a minimum. ● Installation – bi-folds are harder to install than sliders so make sure you know what you’re doing, though a good manufacturer will offer an installation guide. Patio sliders and French doors are both easy to fit. ● Security – consider options of glass, locks and handles. Go for quality and performance marks, such as Secured by Design. With new housing booming, most modern doors will come with some sort of PAS 24 security upgrade, mandatory for new homes. Do not stint on security! Good suppliers will offer a range of devices to make bifolds, sliders and French doors as secure as they can possibly be.

For further information on Quickslide online, go to www.rdr.link/BG072

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Digital digest

Professional BUILDING ■ FLOORING ■ PLUMBING ■ ROOFING ■ CARPENTRY ■ PAINTING AND DECORATING ■

The Professional Builder team has invested significantly in its digital offering over the past year, which has created some impressive results across our website and social media channels.

To discover more about our brand please visit our website www.probuildermag.co.uk where you can also follow the links to our social media channels. Here you can also request to receive our weekly newsletters and keep up to date on all the latest industry news.

Here is a snapshot of what has been popular online with Professional Builder’s audience over the last month…

www.facebook.com/probuilderonline/ FACEBOOK FAVOURITES Over on Facebook, our story about HiKOKI Power Tools working with the Rainy Day Trust to support victims of tool theft has been viewed the most. We also ran a poll about answering work phone calls while on holiday – and 41 per cent said they do!

ONLINE HITS On the Professional Builder website, readers enjoyed the story about new product Holdalot and also a news story about the amount of dangerous germs harboured by dirty vans.

TRADESTALK CHAT A chat about waste and recycling was a big hit this month, with lots of tradespeople calling for manufacturers to deal with excessive packaging on products. To join in the conversation, make sure you are following Professional Builder

@PB_mag TOP TWEETS Ahead of Bob the Builder’s 21st birthday, we asked which fictional tradesperson are you, and this was popular on Twitter this month. Our photos from the JCB press launch were also very popular.

SEE IT SEARCH IT SHARE IT @PB_mag

@probuildermag

www.facebook.com/probuilderonline

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 93

GOOD HEALTH

PRESCRIPTION

SKIN CARE

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Patient Name............................ ..........

Date of Birth ..............................

Address ....................................

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IN A NEW REGULAR COLUMN PRACTICING GP ALICE FITZGIBBON TACKLES SOME OF THE EVERYDAY HEALTH ISSUES WHICH MAY BE IMPACTING ON YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES. THIS MONTH, IT’S THE SECOND INSTALMENT OF OUR FOCUS ON SKINCARE.

Worshippers The Sun

To find out more about skincare, visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk

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By now, summer is here and the sun has been out. Last month was all about caring for skin and protecting it from the harmful rays of the sun. This month I’d like to cover what to look out for on yourself (and others!) that might be a sign of skin damage or skin cancer. Skin cancers are more common as you get older – damage to the skin builds up over the years.

There are two types of skin cancer – melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers are not connected to moles. They occur on body parts that have been exposed to the sun, especially the head, face and arms.

These skin cancers are curable with treatment and are much less likely to spread than melanomas. There are two main types: basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Basal cell carcinomas are very slow growing and often look like a shiny lump on the skin. They slowly get bigger and sometimes bleed, scab over or turn into an ulcer. Squamous cell carcinomas appear as firm pink lumps that have a crusted, rough surface. They can be tender, bleed and again turn into an ulcer. Squamous cell carcinomas are more likely to spread than basal cell carcinomas however both need to be treated either by removal of the cancer, or in some cases applying treatment to the skin directly using creams or freezing therapy. So, the message is that if you have any new skin lumps that are growing, becoming crusty, bleeding or have an area of ulceration: GET THEM CHECKED. Melanoma skin cancers come next.

According to Cancer Research figures, melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. A staggering 86 per cent of these were preventable – limiting damage from the sun and ultraviolet radiation in sunbeds could have stopped these happening. There

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are more and more people being diagnosed with melanomas every year. If caught early, it can be treated and cured. If a melanoma is left untreated for too long then it can spread from the skin to other body organs and become very difficult to treat. This is why melanoma is the 20th most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Early identification and surgical removal is the best treatment.

So, it can be difficult to look at a mole and know if it is worrying. If you notice any of these ABCD changes then see your GP: Asymmetry – is the mole a funny shape? Are the two sides the same?

Border – are the edges irregular or blurred rather than clear and well defined?

Colour – is it more than one colour? Are there different shades of black, brown, pink or red?

Diameter (size) – most melanomas are 6mm or more. If you notice any change in shape or size then it should be checked out.

Sometimes it is difficult to look at moles or lumps on our backs or in difficult to reach places. That’s why I suggest asking someone else to check the ones you cannot see yourself. If in doubt, or if you want to keep an eye on a mole, take a picture of it and again four weeks later. If you are worried about a mole or a change on your skin then seek advice from your GP. I haven’t put any pictures of skin cancers in this column because it can be very difficult to know just from looking at a picture if there is a skin cancer or not. That is why if you have concerns you should get checked out and your GP can refer onwards to a skin specialist, called a dermatologist, if needed. The best way to look after your skin and avoid skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun and avoid sunbeds. It is never too late to start!

wise howell

It seems that young people are no longer interested in construction as a career choice. So how can we get them to see the attractions of a life on the tools?

STEEL YOURSELF!

PLASTERER DAMIEN JONES HAS A WISE TROWEL CHOICE

The flashing steel of Marshalltown has helped many a spreader get to the finish in good time and that’s certainly the case for plasterer, Damien Jones of Hemel Hempstead based, D&G Plastering Services. “I use the steel rather than stainless steel version of a Marshalltown 14in., 4 ¾in. finishing trowel simply because you can develop a sharper edge,” he explains, “and that will inevitably give you a better finish.”

Wherever you can get an edge in the race with your competition you need to take it, and that’s certainly the case with the brand of tools that has become synonymous with the wet trades – and is equally true of your wheels. That’s why Vauxhall is the perfect partner to the British Superbike Championship (BSB), and Damien will now be attending an event courtesy of the only manufacturer to still build vans on these shores. Whilst a brand new version of the Vivaro will be available later this year, the Combo is now established as an award winning podium presence in the commercial vehicle sector – and with good reason.

A one tonne payload makes light work of heavy loads, and there are three different specs to choose from. Invest in the Limited Edition Nav, for instance, and you’ll be in pole position in comfort and style, with an 8in. colour touchscreen, and 16in. alloy wheels, amongst many more features.

For further information on the Vauxhall range of vans online visit www.rdr.link/BG074

For me – and for most Professional Builder readers, I’m guessing – the building game is the best way to spend your days, months, years, and for many of us, your whole life.

What better way to earn a living than to be out on site, building new stuff or repairing old stuff, making the world a better place, and getting paid good money for doing it?

I’ve said it in this column before, that there’s no better feeling than lying in bed at night, thinking back on a good day’s work, feeling physically tired but knowing that you’ve achieved something rewarding – building something that will probably still be standing long after you’ve passed on to a better place.

You just don’t get that same feeling if you’ve spent your day stacking shelves, say, or writing a report. Or filling in your tax return.

But it’s hard to explain this to today’s youngsters, who have other career choices open to them, or who might think they can simply become overnight media stars, rather than have to work for a living.

What can the industry do to attract the young recruits it needs to replace those of us who are getting too creaky to carry on?

One German construction union thinks it’s got the right idea. It is touring primary schools, giving out free tool kits

to the kiddies. That seems like a pretty good incentive to me.

I’m not quite sure how that would go with the health-andsafety lobby in the UK, especially if hammers or bladed tools were involved. But if little Johnny or Jane turns up at home in Germany with free pliers or a screwdriver from school, I imagine most parents would be only too pleased to see them get to work on repairing the homestead.

To be fair, this is only a continuation of what occurred when I was a boy. I had a toy wooden tool kit when I was a toddler. And I remember chocolates in the shape of tools – hammers, screwdrivers, spanners – which was all designed to acclimatise youngsters to the shape of the objects that they would later come to use in their adult lives.

Are these things no longer around? What do children get given these days – chocolates in the shape of mobile phones?

(Er… actually, it seems that this is a fact!)

However we do it, there needs to be a way of persuading youngsters – or “influencing” them, to use the modern vernacular – that the building industry is a great way to spend your working life.

Bob the Builder has never been more needed.

Jeff Howell

E-mail Jeff via his website www.askjeff.co.uk

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Advertisement index Aanco UK Ltd......................................................... (page 29) Aanco UK Ltd .........................................................(page 31) Akzo Nobel (ICI Paints) ..........................................(page 19) Andreas Stihl Ltd ...................................................(page 32) Blakes Building Profiles Ltd ...................................(page 80) BMI UK & Ireland/Redland ...................................(page 61) BMI UK & Ireland/Icopal .......................................(page 83) Buckler Boots Ltd ..................................................(page 80) Build Aviator ..........................................................(page 12) Bushboard Ltd....................................................... (page 74) Dallmer Ltd ............................................................(page 69) Doorstop International .........................................(page 34) Dunlop Adhesives .................................................(page 66) Eclisse UK ..............................................................(page 79) Elfin Kitchens ........................................................(page 76) ERA Home Security Ltd .........................................(page 58) Eurocell Building Plastics Ltd ................................(page 15) Everbuild Building Products Ltd............................ (page 36) F. Engel Workwear ................................................ (page 24) Fakro GB Ltd ..........................................................(page 43) Federation of Master Builders ..............(inside front cover) Fensa ..................................................................... (page 76) Festool UK Ltd .........................................................(page 4) Fischer Fixings Ltd .................................................(page 40) Hambleside Danelaw Ltd ......................................(page 62) Harrison Thompson & co Ltd................................ (page 65) Hexstone Ltd t/a Owlett Jaton ..............................(page 44) Keystone Lintels Ltd .............................................. (page 35) Kohler Mira Ltd .....................................................(page 70) Makita (UK) Ltd ..................................................... (page 16) Marley Ltd ............................................................. (page 57) Marley Ltd/Etex .....................................................(page 62) Marmox UK Ltd ..................................................... (page 78)

CLASSIFIEDS

Mercedes Canter .................................................... (page 8) Metabo (UK) Ltd ...................................................(page 89) Muck Truck............................................................ (page 89) Norbord Europe Ltd ..............................................(page 25) Permaroof (UK) Ltd ...............................................(page 89) Plumb Partners Group Ltd .................................... (page 11) Pnu­Point Ltd ........................................................(page 42) Polypipe plc ...........................................................(page 54) Quickslide ................................................................(page 5) REG Group Ltd/Growtivation ................................(page 82) Robert Bosch Ltd ................................. (outside back cover) Rocket Door Frames .............................................(page 65) Rocket Door Frames ............................................. (page 87) Royd UK/Screw ..................................................... (page 60) Royd UK/Acer ........................................................ (page 84) RSS Tilemaster ......................................................(page 42) Safeguard Europe Ltd/Stormdry ...........................(page 18) Safeguard Europe Ltd/Dryrod ...............................(page 72) Safeguard Europe Ltd/Drybase............................. (page 84) Simpson Strong Tie ...............................................(page 46) Snickers Work Wear................................................ (page 6) Techtronic Industries UK Ltd .................................(page 22) Toolfair Exhibition ................................................. (page 96) Toolstream Ltd/Triton ...........................................(page 56) Toupret (UK) Ltd ....................................................(page 73) TuffX Processed Glass Ltd .....................................(page 53) Ubbink UK Ltd ........................................................(page 52) UK Underfloor Heating Ltd ...................................(page 69) Vauxhall Motors Ltd ...........................................(pages 2,3) Wavin/Osma .........................................................(page 39) Wetherby Laroc ....................................................(page 63) Winn & Coales Denso Ltd .....................................(page 86) Woodscape Group Ltd ..........................................(page 64)

To advertise here please telephone Sam Shannon-Tinsley on 01923 237799 THE TRADESHOW BUILT FOR THE TRADE PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

TOOLFAIR 2019

POWER TOOLS • HAND TOOLS • BUILDING EQUIPMENT

All the latest tools, live demos, show specials – all under one roof!

Ricoh Arena, Coventry: Thursday 19th & Friday 20th September Sandown Park, Surrey: Thursday 7th & Friday 8th November

Register for free at: www.toolfair.info

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Find six words relating to Makita power tools.

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This month Mak ita is offering an incredible pr ize package, which includes Makita’s drill and screwdriv er bit set, 5Ah power bank, a chainsaw USB stick and a Mak ita watch. With over 100 bits, Makita’s drill and screwdriv er bit set will come in handy for a wide rang e of tasks – and it all comes in a convenient, stur dy carry case for easy transp ort to and from site. As part of the prize package, Makita is also giving away a 5Ah po wer bank for convenient on-s ite charging, a watch with a bl ue clock face and a USB stic k in the shape of a chainsaw.

CAN YOU SPOT THE 5 DIFFERENCES TO WIN THIS MONTH’S STAR PRIZE

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE WORDSEARCH ANSWERS: BRUSHLESS, BLADE, JIGSAW, MORTISER, SANDER, CORDLESS

Tell us the five differences you have spotted by entering online at makitauk.com/mb.html