LED Lighting – Ready to be turned on?

Under recent UK government legislation, the sale of all traditional incandescent light bulbs will be phased out by the end of 2012. So what does this mean? Candle-light or Energy Saving Bulbs only? No - the next-generation light-bulbs are bright, environmentally friendly, save you money and on top of all that they look cool too – welcome: LED lighting.

LED or Energy Saving (CFL) light bulbs?

Both Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Energy Saving Light bulbs, a.k.a. Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) offer substantial energy savings over traditional light bulbs, however LEDs are the clear winner offering a greater financial savings, with higher longevity and less energy usage, as well as the production materials being less harmful to the environment.

LED Lighting

LED's are currently less common than energy saving light-bulbs due to their slightly higher price. Now LED lighting is poised to become far more widely available and competitively priced; the future default for general home lighting.

When first developed LEDs were limited to single-bulb use, for things like instrument panels, dot matrix displays and fairy lights – which would hardly light your home.

The light of LED's is one-directional, as opposed to the spherical light produced by traditional bulbs. The solution is to encase a cluster of LED's in diffuser lenses, spreading the light in wider beams. This, combined with bases which fit common household light fixtures, has led to LED's being the next generation in home lighting.

New LED bases are designed to fit common household light fixtures

Benefits of LED lighting

• Long-lasting – The life time of an LED is at least 20,000 hours, more than 10 times the life time of a normal energy-saving bulb
• Cost-effective – On average, a 5W LED light will generate the same lighting as a 15W energy saving light bulb does. Although LED’s are initially expensive, the cost is recouped over time through less energy usage and a long lifespan
• More efficient – Use only 2-17 watts of electricity, less than both CFL and incandescent bulbs
• Cool – Do not cause heat build-up; LED’s produce 3.4btu’s/hour compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs
• Mercury free – No mercury used in the manufacturing of LED’s

What does LED lighting look like?

When viewed up close LED lights are small points of light but - like a Monet – from a little further back the light blends together to create a natural uniform light.

Here are some examples of kitchen LED lighting we have used for our clients. They were delighted with the outcome.

LED lighting really is the future.

Just in case you're not convinced that LED lights were cool already – check this out:

Gutter Clearing – a simple guide to saving time & money

Gutters they seem simple, and they are, but they don't look after themselves. Save yourself serious expense by following our guide to gutter clearing.

Gutters protect the outer skin of the property as well as the foundations; a faulty gutter left unchecked can cause serious structural damage, so check them regularly.

What are the signs of a blocked or faulty gutter?

Blocked gutters start sagging with weight of leaves, dirt and water, and can appear to be pulling away from the house. After long periods discolouration of external walls, peeling paint or penetrating damp problems will be an expensive sign that you'll wish you'd spotted earlier.

Key signs of a blocked or faulty gutter

• Water overflowing from gutter during rain
• Warped or sagging gutters
• Discoloured paint/walls
• Wet external walls/penetrating damp
• Damp basement

What damage can a blocked gutter cause?

In addition to damp walls, overflowing water can lead to rotten wooden beams and roof supports, and a damp basement affecting the foundations – none of which are good for your home or your wallet. In the worst case scenario we've seen, the owner had localised subsidence and the downward movement of the soil was affecting the stability of the house – all from a blocked gutter.

How do I clean a gutter?

When you're up a long ladder; go prepared. The best way clear leaves and moss is with a small dustpan brush and a trowel. The debris is brushed into a manageable lump and a trowel scoops it into a bucket. Be methodical and avoid overstretching.

How often should I clean my gutters?

You should clean your gutters at least twice a year, in late spring and late autumn. For areas near woodlands, gutters should be cleaned more frequently.

How much does gutter cleaning cost?

Gutter clearing and cleaning from our experienced roofers costs £95+VAT per hour, which is normally all it takes to do the job - few companies can beat this price.

Water penetration and damp damage can run from hundreds to thousands of pounds depending on length of time left unrepaired so we recommend early action. Think ICC at least twice a year: Inspect, Clear, Clean. If you're unable to do it yourself, call us.

Gutter Clearing FAQs

What causes a blocked gutter?

The most common causes of a blocked gutter is through the build-up of leaves, moss, lichen, bird droppings, snow and ice, roof tiles, tennis balls, and other debris washed off a roof. So wherever you live in London, gutters should be checked for the signs of blockage at least every few months.

Why does water drip from my gutter a long time after it rains?

This is often because the seals or joints on the guttering have deteriorated. This problem will usually be made worse by the presence of a blockage in your gutters or down pipe.

Sections of my gutter are not blocked but beginning to sag

This is usually a sign that your gutters have been installed incorrectly, with the gutter brackets placed too far apart. Debris will probably begin to form within the guttering, leading to blockages. If ignored, the guttering will warp out of shape, causing more problems. Therefore, it is easier and cheaper to have the problem resolved as soon as the sagging is noticed.