How To Bleed a Radiator

After a summer of inactivity radiators often fail to provide the heat they should. If your radiators are warm at the base and cool at the top, you need to bleed your radiator.  Occasionally air gets trapped inside keeping the hot water from providing the heat throughout.

Bleeding a radiator is easy to do, all you’ll need is a radiator key and a piece of tissue/cloth.

1. Locate the radiator value
2. Place the tissue/cloth just below the valve
3. Open the value with a quarter turn anti-clockwise
4. Wait until water drips on the cloth; the air is now out
5. Turn the key clockwise to close

It is worth checking periodically if your radiators need bleeding, simply feel for a difference in heat between the top and the bottom when the heating is switched on.  If there’s a difference you know what to do.

After bleeding the radiator is cold

If you have thermostatic radiator valves and you find that one radiator is completely cold when the rest of your radiators are on, it could be that the pin on the radiator valve has become stuck.

Unscrew the head of the valve with the temperature controls - you should be able to do this by hand.  Once removed you will see a small pin, take a pin-head hammer and give the pin a small tap which should release the blockage and let water into the radiator.  You may be able to hear the water entering the radiator, wait a few minutes and the radiator should start heating up.

If you radiator is still not warming up contact your local London Plumber.  Affleck’s friendly and qualified plumbers are available 24 hours a day on 0800 316 9595 / 0208 971 7000.

Roofing: Choosing Between Natural and Man-made Roof Slates

Many home-owners when building a new roof are faced with a common decision, choosing between natural slates and man-made roof slates.  There are quite a few factors to consider, longevity, aesthetics and availability but most often the key one; price – isn’t as different as it might first appear.

Natural Roof Slates

Natural roof slates tend to be the most expensive option on the market with natural Welsh slates often being sold for over £3 per tile – however there are cheaper natural slate alternatives. We have just retiled the new Affleck office with machine-cut Spanish slates, which we were able to buy as little as £1.20 per tile.

Natural slates tend are already millions of years old and have fantastic durability and are less brittle than alternatives.  Most slates are likely to last at least 50 years although it is not uncommon for them to last 100 or more.

Although the slates are smaller than some alternatives, they often require less labour to install so on a smaller roof may only be marginally more expensive overall.  When maintenance costs are factored in natural slates offer the best value for money and will add significantly to the value of your home.

Man-made Slates

There are various types of man-made slates, some entirely synthetic some blending ground-down natural slate which is then mixed with a synthetic resin.

For people looking to economise man-made slates seem like the natural choice given their greater area and lower cost.  When first laid man-made tiles look very good however are prone to deteriorate over time; the colour fading with the effect of UV rays.  Man-made tiles are usually guaranteed for about 25 years

After exposure to the sun man-made tiles tend to become more brittle, which adds to the maintenance cost and potentially hazardous water damage.

Roof Tile Cost Comparison

	Natural Roof Slates	Man-made Slates
Cost per tile	£1.20 (Spanish) to £3 (Welsh)	£0.80
Size (inches)	10 x 20	12 x 24
Longevity	50 - 100 years	25 - 30 years
Strength	Stronger	More brittle/fragile
Colour / Aesthetics	Natural Grey	Start looking good but gain whitish fade over time
Slate Cost (Typical Front of Pitched Roof: 25m2)	c. £510 - £1275 (425 Slates)	c. £240 (300 Slates)
Labour Cost (25m2)	c. £950	c. £950
Total Cost	c. £1460 –£2225 + Sundry items	c. £1190 + Sundry items
Conclusion	Natural Roof Slates are the clear winner, better looking much longer-lasting and only costing a small amount extra	If you're very tight for cash and looking for a short-term solution man-made slates may be better

Expert Roofer Opinion

If the condition of your roof is causing a problem with selling your house, man-made tiles offer the lowest cost solution.  However long-term, the savings made on the initial investment will be lost with higher maintenance and the need to replace. We would almost always advise our clients to opt for natural roof slates.

Boilers: Repair or Replace? Why Change your Boiler if its not broken?

Top Five Reasons you should replace your boiler

1. According to Which? people in a terrace/semi-detached home could save over £400 a year on energy bills with a new efficient boiler
2. It if often more cost effective to have a new boiler installed that is under warranty than continuing to pay out for repairs to an old boiler – often the case if the boiler is more than 10 years old
3. Boilers over 10 years old can be unreliable and may not comply with current regulations
4. Health and Safety (HSE) regulations changed from the 1st January 2013 stipulating that boiler flues must be accessible, any Gas Safe Engineer that services a boiler with a hidden flue will have to class them as unsafe and they will fail their inspection
5. Affleck are currently offering a combi boiler swap with a seven year warranty for as little as £1700 + VAT

Tripwire: if you are calling out a Gas Safe Engineer more than once a year for your boiler, it’s time to change

Boilers fix or buy new?

Colin Hunt, Affleck's Head of Plumbing & Heating

"Cost of servicing a boiler for the first years is generally £85+VAT but after the warranty expires the costs often exceed £600 + VAT including parts - plus the discomfort that comes with having no hot water or heating, often at the coldest time of year. Typical parts failure includes pumps, diverter valves and thermostat controls.

There comes a point normally after 10 years where you end up paying so much to repair it, it’s far cheaper to get a new one. Not only will you save on maintenance costs and hassle but also modern boilers tend to be 30% more efficient which will save considerably on your energy bill. Which? calculates that with new condensing boilers – like the ones we’re offering – you could save over £400 a year on your energy bill in a terraced or semi-detached home. The average household saving is £310, which added to servicing costs on old boilers, gives a huge saving.”

Annual fuel costs with different boiler types (source: Sedbuk)
Boiler type	Efficiency	Flat	Terraced	Semi-detached	Detached
Old gas heavy weight	55%	£779	£1062	£1204	£1705
Old gas light weight	65%	£659	£898	£1019	£1442
New non-condensing	78%	£549	£749	£849	£1202
New condensing	89%	£481	£656	£744	£1053

Boiler Change: Case Study

Converted Victorian Terrace between the commons

Lilly - Affleck’s former Office Manager – has a common story.  When she bought her house she was alerted to the age of the boiler and the fact that the heating system was old and the house was plumbed with micro pipes.  Over the past 3 years she kept putting off buying a new boiler and instead paid for boiler services, replacement parts, new pipes throughout the house and new radiators.  All works were carried out to increase the heat capacity of the property. However the boiler continued to fail and some of the radiators didn’t heating up as well as they could – scarves and hats were all the fashion in the house.

Why Affleck Recommend a New Boiler For This Client

• Boiler was over 10 years old and prone to problems
• Lilly had already paid out for repairs and new parts to boiler over the past 3 years and bills were only going to rise
• There was a persistent dropping of pressure which cannot be traced to an obvious leak
• A planned loft conversion which would require a more reliable boiler
• Boiler flue crossed boundary wall and will need to be moved for access to flue

Boiler: Action Advised

Old boiler to be removed, new boiler with 7 year warranty (Vaillant Combi Boiler) installed in new location with easy access to flue.

Replacement Boiler Cost

£2500 + VAT

Client Feedback

Lilly - "Having paid my deposit I had a date with the plumber; the work began two days later. The plumber arrived on time and took charge of my keys and got to work. The works continued into the next day and were finished on time with minimal disruption.

"I hadn’t realised what discomfort we were in until we had the new boiler installed – my home felt cosy again and the hot water was constant, not fluctuating has it had some for some time. My advice is to take Affleck’s advice, if you have more than one service/call out per year on a boiler over 10 years old get your boiler changed ASAP."

• Affleck are currently offering a combi boiler swap with a seven year warranty for as little as £1700 + VAT – saving you hundreds of pounds
• Affleck are offering 7 Boiler Services for the price of 5 when paid for in advance. (In order to maintain your seven year warranty you will need to keep records of your annual Boiler Service)
• We are offering a 15% discount on Boiler Services for August
• Why not book a service now and receive a free estimate for a boiler swap this summer?

Call us now on freephone 0800 316 9595 - to book a service and a free estimate at at time that suits you.

How to choose a trustworthy builder or tradesman - Questions & Apps

Our Affleck tradesmen are often called on to repair or take over poorly finished or unsafe work untaken by inexperienced ‘cowboys’.  Often the client has opted for the cheapest option and left themselves exposed risk and financial loss. You can avoid their mistakes.

Talk to your Traderman App

The TrustMark organisation has recently developed an excellent app which prompts you with questions to ask builders/tradesmen and records the important information.

As a reputable local London building services company we welcome this tool. Many of the questions you should ask are seemly straightforward, but you’d be surprised by how many people do not know what to expect from a builder or what to ask.

Having a clear set of terms from a company is invaluable. Both the consumer and tradesperson will have protection and peace of mind that each party will undertake their part of the contract.

Download the Trustmark App here:

Questions to ask your builder or tradesman

• Does the company hold insurance?
• What are the payment terms?
• Does the work come with a warranty?
• What availability does the company have to undertake the works?
• Does the company follow the latest health and safety guidelines?
• Does the company charge VAT?

These questions will help you form an opinion on the builder outside of the personal and first impression you receive. In addition always ask for relevant references and visits to completed projects. Some builders will show you a work in progress, which can really help you see how the company works

When you find the right builder you will return to them for years to come and recommend them to family, friends and colleagues.

Affleck’s London Builders 100% record

Affleck are very proud to say that once again we have received glowing feedback from our annual customer service survey:  100% of customers surveyed would use Affleck again and would refer us to a friend/family member.

Affleck Property Services has a clear cut policy for projects and maintenance laid out in our terms and conditions, found on our website, in addition to the reverse of all maintenance invoices, appointment confirmation emails and written estimates for larger works.
If you are looking for experienced London Builders for your loft extension, kitchen or bathroom project, call us on Freephone 0800 316 9595 and we can organise to visit you & offer a free quotation.

Save £500 on your Annual Electricity Bill ... in under 10 minutes!

We all want to stop wasting money, but with the minimum of effort.  Here’s our 10 minute guide to saving over £500 on your Annual Energy Bill… and reducing your carbon footprint by over one tonne a year.  What’s not to like.

In February 2013, the energy regulator OFGEM calculates that the average UK household energy bill will be £1,420 a year – and those are set to rise.  According to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau almost half of people in London are worried about the strain of rising fuel bills their finances.  However for most people saving money on your energy bill is quick, simple and in some cases free.

How to save money on my energy bill/electricity bill?

• Change energy providers – £240 per annum / 17% (average) – 5 mins
• Install a VPhase unit – £65 / 4.5% (electricity only) - 2 mins
• Switch to LED lighting – £140 / 12%  - 2 mins
• Turn the thermostat down 2 degrees £110 / 9% - 2 seconds

Step 1: Find a new energy provider

To keep it simple: use uSwitch.  Get your electricity or energy bill and enter your details, it takes just a few minutes.  Average customers save 17% or £230 per year on their bill, 10% save over £310.

You can compare on price, customer service levels and save on gas and electric bill combi tariffs.  Getting both gas and electric from the same supplier, known as Dual Fuel, can also give greater discounts.

Our advice is to switch to a fixed rate tariff to avoid price rises; you may pay more initially but in the long run, it will almost certainly be cheaper. Maximise your savings by opting for monthly direct debit.

• Time taken: 5 minutes
• Cost: £0
• Savings: £200 per year or 17% off your energy bill
• Carbon Footprint: No carbon saving here; its same amount of energy you’re just paying less

*Cash Saver 1: when filling out the form on uSwitch select 'No' when asked if you would like to see the plans you can switch to today - you'll receive more options which could save you a lot more money

*Cash Saver 2: once you’ve switched check your meter occasionally to ensure your account is not in credit.  As often you will be charged more than you have used.

Step 2: Order a VPhase Unit

VPhase units save money on electricity bills, improve the lifetime of your appliances and are environmentally friendly.  When you get a VPhase unit installed by a qualified electrician it reduces the voltage used by you appliances from the UK average of around 245V to around 220V; yielding a potential 10% saving in electricity bills for a typical home.

Appliances such as fridges and freezers can deliver savings of 17%, whilst prolonging their life through reduced voltage and electrical stresses.

There is no maintenance once installed, so you can immediately benefit from the energy and money savings.  Make a quick call to Affleck now on 0800 316 9595 to arrange getting your VPhase unit installed at a time to suit you.

• Time taken: 2 minutes (to make the call)
• Cost: £400 – including installation (recovered in 4 years)
• Saving: £63 per year or 10% off your energy bill
• Carbon Footprint: Saving 500kg of CO2 emissions per year

Read more: VPhase: 10% of Every Electricity Bill

Step 3: Switch to LED Lighting

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 offer fantastic savings compared with other lighting.  The higher initial cost is greatly outweighed by the long term savings in both cutting energy use and savings on the light bulbs.  New designs mean they can be fitted in existing sockets, so make your next bulbs LED.

LED lights last around 30,000 hours! Typical energy savings of LED lighting are £7 each per bulb (yep that much), probably about £140 per year per household.  You can calculate exactly how much you can save using this LED Energy Saving Calculator.

You can order yours online now at LED Giant – it’s the best site and price we could find.

• Time taken: 2 minutes
• Cost: £200 – (recovered in 18 months)
• Saving: £140 per year or over 12% off your annual energy costs
• Carbon Footprint: Saving 585kg of CO2 emissions per year

Read more: LED Lighting – Ready to be turned on?

Step 4: Turn thermostat down by 2 degrees

The Energy Saving Trust have calculated that for each degree you turn down your room thermostat you save around £55 and 230kg carbon dioxide a year.

That’s it; just two degrees. If you want to save, wear a cosy jumper; now you may even be able to justify buying that new one.

• Time taken: 2 seconds
• Cost: £0
• Saving: £110 per year or over 9% off your annual energy costs
• Carbon Footprint: Saving 460kg of CO2 emissions per year

Additional Simple Energy Savings

Some more good advice from the Energy Saving Trust:

• Install a room thermostat if you didn’t have one before: £70 and 280kg carbon dioxide a year
• Fit a hot water tank thermostat: £30 and 130kg carbon dioxide a year
• Fit a hot water tank insulation jacket: £40 and 170kg carbon dioxide a year.
• For offices and commercial property installing occupancy sensors can create savings of thousands of pounds a year

More Good Advice on Ways to Cut Your Energy Bill

This article was complied with the advice of our expert London electricians, the Energy Saving Trust, OFGEM (the UK energy regulator) and Energy for London:

• Energy Saving Trust
• OFGEM
• OFGEM – Household Energy Bills Explained (PDF)
• Energy for London

How to Replace a Broken Slate or Roof Tile

Broken tiles and slates are one of the most common issues with roofing. Replacing a broken slate can be a very simple job, however it also has the potential to be quite tricky and certainly dangerous.  Follow this guide on how to replace a broken slate from Wayne our Head of London Roofing.

Safety

The most important advice here is on safety.  Affleck do not recommend untrained people to attempt changing a roof tile.  Roofs by their nature are generally high above the ground the potential for serious injury is very high.  Please take great care when attempting to change a tile, if in doubt, always seek the help of a professional.

Steps to Replacing a Broken Slate

1. Find a matching tile/slate
2. Get the right tools – slate ripper/nail hook, copper nail, tingle/lead strap & hammer
3. Get to roof level securely
4. Use slate-ripper to remove nails
5. Slide out the slate
6. Fix the tingle/lead strap
7. Install the new slate

Find a matching tile/slate

Replacing your broken tile or broken slate with one different to the original will cause it to look out of place.  If you don’t have a spare tile at home, the easiest thing to do is to take a photo of your roof with your phone – the closer you are and the higher the quality, the better.  Take the photo to a roofing supplier and they should be able to supply you with a matching roof tile or slate.

Essential Tools for replacing a broken slate

You will need the following tools for repairing a broken tile or broken slate:

• Slate ripper
• Hammer
• Tingle/lead strap
• Copper Nail

Get to the roof securely

We cannot advise caution enough in this step.  Please see our note on safety.  Roofs vary greatly and there are a lot of variables to consider; size of the overhang, distance of the broken tile to the edge of the roof, number of tiles to replace etc.

You must have secure footing based on a solid foundation - either scaffolding or a well secured ladder.  Be aware that if someone is securing the ladder they may be at risk from falling debris.

Use slate-ripper to remove nails

The broken slate you are removing will be secured by two nails; one in each of the top corners.  Slide the slate-ripper beneath the broken tile and up towards the top right corner, you are aiming to catch the nail on the right hook of the slate ripper.

Once the hook is pulling on the nail, use the hammer to hit the handle of the slate-ripper to shear through the nail – it should take four or five strikes – be careful to keep the slate ripper held tightly.  Then repeat the process for the opposite corner.

Caution: when removing the nails be aware that some of the broken tile may come loose with the potential to knock you off balance or injure anyone below.

Remove the slate

With the nails removed you should be able to slide the remained of the slate out of position using your hands.  Slates can be quite cumbersome and as this one will be broken will be in several pieces – make sure you can put them down safely.

Install the lead-strap/tingle

Place the lead strap over the joint of the two roof slates that are now exposed. You will see nails securing the left and right slate.  Place the top to the tingle just above the line of these nails and hammer in your copper nail in line with the nails.  The nail should pass between the gap in the slates and into the roof baton below.

Install the new tile/slate

With the tingle secure take your new slate and slide it in place of the old one.  The slate should slide underneath the two slates above it.

With the slate installed, align it with the other slates in the same row. Finally fold the tingle up to hold it in place.  Once the tingle is secured you can crop off the excess off using wire-cutters or a similar tool.

Job done!

Recommendations for Roof Care

Make sure you check your roof at least once per year – checking for broken tiles, overflowing gutters or sagging.

From the interior signs of damp beneath a roof can often be a sign of a broken tile or another leak.

Affleck offer a fast and reliable roofing service to deal with any London roofing maintenance issue.  Contact us on 0800 316 9595 to arrange an appointment at a time to suit you.

Room with a View: Loft Conversion Heaven

This is a loft conversion to remember. This this is the second post on this recently renovated house in Clapham - the outcome of a very productive partnership with Millar + Howard Architects, who share their design thinking below. After 'The open-plan kitchen you wish you had', this post takes a look upstairs at the fantastic loft coversion with open views over London.

Architectural Design

Millar + Howard Architects

The house on Kerrison Rd initially presented itself as a timepiece, having had only 3 owners since it was built in Victorian times. There was still an outdoor privvy, many of the original features, and almost no mod-cons.
The aim of the project was to retain a sense of the history whilst creating bright spacious 21st century living space with plenty of personality.

The top floor has been converted from a poky loft space into a private master bedroom suite with panoramic views across the London skyline from the raised bath that takes pride of place at the side of the bedroom.

You can see more fantastic work from the Affleck London Loft Conversions team in our project gallery.