Myths about Asbestos

Asbestos occurs naturally and was used expansively in construction and a multitude of other industries until the substance was banned in 1999 in the UK. Most people are well aware now of the risks of asbestos but still there remains a lot of misinformation and myth that can cause confusion.

Here are some of the most commonly untruths about asbestos:

Some types of asbestos are safe

There are several types of asbestos, each variety with slightly different properties. However, it is also true that all forms of asbestos are prohibited from use in the UK. White asbestos was not banned in the UK until 1999. Some varieties such as the brown asbestos are considered more dangerous, but all forms are carcinogenic.

Modern buildings cannot contain asbestos

Many people believe that asbestos has been banned for much longer than it has been. In fact, asbestos was commonly used until 1999. This means that if your property was built before 1999 it may contain asbestos somewhere.

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Asbestos must be removed as soon as possible

It is a commonly held view that on discovery of asbestos, it should be removed from the building as fast possible. To assume this would be incorrect, however. In fact, if asbestos is in good condition then it may not pose a risk to health. Whenever asbestos is suspected, the best thing to do is contact a specialist and arrange for an asbestos survey to be carried out. For Asbestos Removal Essex, visit a site like Sperion, a leading Asbestos Removal Essex company.

Diseases caused by asbestos are contagious.

If materials that contain asbestos are broken or damaged, they give off tiny microscopic fibres into the atmosphere. People nearby could breathe in the particles deep into their lungs, possibly leading to asbestosis, developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.

Fortunately, the disease itself is not contagious. The myth that the diseases are transmitted appeared when the family members of construction workers began to fall ill with the same condition. However, the reason for this is most likely due to the construction workers, or anyone who has worked around asbestos, bringing microfibres into the home on their work clothes.

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Asbestos only affects industrial and construction workers.

Speaking of construction workers, there is another belief that only those who work around asbestos are vulnerable to it. This, again, is not true. The primary reason why industrial and construction staff are more linked to asbestos is because they spend much more time working near it, increasing their chances of being affected by it.

However, asbestos can affect anyone, anywhere. If you breathe air containing microscopic fibres, you could also be impacted – regardless of whether you work in construction or not.

The benefits and alternatives of sliding sash windows

Sash windows in the UK are a typical feature of Victorian and Georgian properties, with the distinctive aesthetics and designs considered part of the British building heritage. Sash windows have glazed panels that open horizontally or vertically. They are undeniably elegant and charming and a familiar sight across English cities, towns and villages; however, the downside of these windows is the loss of energy and high maintenance costs.

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Across England, more people are having sliding sash windows installed to retain the aesthetically pleasing appearance of their homes, conservatories and freestanding garden rooms. The benefits are as follows:

Energy efficient

Sliding sash windows typically have UPVC frames with low emissivity glass used in double glazing windows. This effectively allows sunlight through while preventing air from leaking in or out of the window. Double glazed windows comprise two sheets of glass with a gap of around 16mm between them. This creates an insulated barrier that keeps the heat inside your home.

An estimate by the British Fenestration Rating Council reveals that by installing double glazing you could save between £95 on C energy efficient rated glazing to £115 when using A++ per annum.

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Some windows have gases such as krypton, xenon or argon between the glass. The pane spacers used to keep the glass apart are also energy efficient and contain little to zero metal. While you save on energy, you want fresh air streaming into your home during the summer months, making the case for the adaptability of sash windows clear.

Security

UPVC is known for its added strength and durability. Using an aluminium or UPVC sliding sash window frame gives your home a rock-solid security advantage.

Low maintenance

UPVC is the choice for sliding sash window frames that combine well with double glazed glass and components. Homeowners and renters can use a wet cloth to wipe dirt from a window frame and any glass cleaner. You do not have any other upkeep such as sanding, varnishing and repainting when this type of windows is installed. The lifespan of UPVC is up to 100 years, making it a cost-effective solution.

Alternative options

Sliding sash windows are created for those small areas of your home but if you are looking at replacing a large patio style window or door you may want to consider an Aluminium Sliding Doors Swindon company such as bifoldcompany.co.uk/aluminium-sliding-doors-swindon/ instead. This style of door are used as statement pieces in a home and offer instance access out to the garden area, meaning that you create a garden room by simply opening the doors.

Tips to Protect Your Home from Pests

No one likes to think of uninvited pests sneaking into their homes, leaving mess, chewing on food and chewing through electrical wires! They can quickly become a real nuisance, not to mention the health problems associated with these infestations. Some time spent preventing pests can save much stress because once an infestation occurs, it is very tricky to eradicate it. Here you’ll find some top ideas to keep your home safe from unwanted visitors: Continue reading Tips to Protect Your Home from Pests

How Concrete is Made

Have you ever wondered how concrete is made? Basically, concrete is a combination of stone and paste. However, there are certain skills to get the right mix. More specifically, the paste is a Portland cement and water mix which should lining the small, smooth stones or aggregate and larger, coarse aggregate to form a good concrete mix. A chemical reaction called hydration occurs then the mixture hardens and strengthens which is when we see the final result of hard concrete.

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You may not have thought much about concrete in the past but it’s a pretty amazing substance. When it is initially mixed, it is similar to plastic and is simple to set up, but during hardening into a position, it is incredibly strong and durable. This explains why concrete is such a familiar sight in our urban areas, serving as pathways, roads, motorways, bridges, property and dams. If you are in need of this tough substance for your home projects, be sure to check Derby Ready Mix Concrete at a site like https://www.bestmix.co.uk/

So, how does the ideal mix get made?

The secret of success is the proportion of concrete materials and how you mix them. Too little paste and you will be left with a difficult mix to use, that makes rough edges and will become porous. Mix with too much paste and it will be more susceptible to cracking. That is why it is so important to get it right and best left to the professionals.

The paste is created when water is added, allowing the substance to completely cover every part of the small rocks and larger sand particles (known together as aggregate). The quality of the paste mix affects the quality of your concrete and this is where the process becomes complex. The strength of the paste is also dependent on the cement-water ratio. It is calculated as the weight of water divided by the weight of the cement. Concrete is best made by reducing the ratio water to cement ratio without compromising the effectiveness and workability of the final result. Ideally, the concrete should be approximately 15% of cement, aggregate of 60-75% and 15-20% water.

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Any type of natural water can be used in the mixing process as long as there is no odour or taste. When there is a high level of pollutants in the water, it can have an impact on the time it takes for the concrete to set and how strong it becomes. Unclean water in the process can also lead to a shorter life, corrosion, easier staining and instability. Most mixtures have certain specifications set for amounts of impurities such as sulphates, chlorides, alkali and solids in the water. The type of rock and sand used, and their size has a large impact on the final result, as well.

How to get creative with laminate flooring in your home

If you like lamination, you will be interested to know that it can be used in so many creative applications. Here are some super ideas on how to apply it in some unconventional ways in your home. It is of course important to ensure that you incorporate it into your cleaning schedule that you have arranged with a Domestic Cleaner Frome company like https://www.baytreecleaning.com/ to help protect the flooring from permanent stains and damage. Continue reading How to get creative with laminate flooring in your home

How much does the royal family actually cost the taxpayer?

The Royal Family

The Queen’s close family are the ones responsible for undertaking royal duties, Prince Phillip her children; Charles, Ann, Andrew and Edward. Her grandchildren – William, Harry, Peter, Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie, Louise and James, and their spouses as well as the Queen’s cousins also undertake official royal duties.

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In the financial year 2018/19 the royal family undertook over 3,200 official engagements across the UK and overseas, according to the Royal website.

The living costs of the members of the royal family who carry out official duties, are usually met through income from the Duchy of Lancaster, other costs are met through the Sovereign Grant.

Duchy of Lancaster

The Duchy of Lancaster is the private estate of Queen Elizabeth II, the British Sovereign, it comprises land holdings and other assets. The revenue profits of the Duchy of Lancaster are presented to the Sovereign annually and form part of the Privy Purse, providing income for the official and private expenses of the monarch.

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Sovereign Grant

The Sovereign Grant pays towards travel, communications and the maintenance of royal palaces. The money lets the Queen and other members of the family carry out official duties with the biggest outlay being security.

The Sovereign Grant is funded by the Treasury and this is where taxpayer’s money comes in. In 2018/19 it was worth £82.2m, with around 15% of the income originating from the profits of the Crown Estate. If there is any unused money at the end of the year, it is moved into a reserve fund, which is also used to help pay for the upkeep of the palaces.

The Government pays out £47m from the Sovereign Grant for major events, for attending official duties, etc., but not the £70m for security. It has been estimated that the cost of royal security to the taxpayer per year is £106 million. Security such as close protection London which companies like https://www.valorousgroup.co.uk/ can provide.

In 2019 the Royal Family incurred a £67 million bill paid for by the UK taxpayer, which roughly translates as 69 pence per person.

It’s not all spending though; the Royal family also bring in money through tourism, and as one of the country’s biggest landowners, through the Crown Estate. In 2017 the monarchy contributed £1.8 billion to the UK economy.

How is tarmac laid?

If you’re considering new tarmac for your property, it is really a job for professionals. The level of skill involved is quite large, coupled with the expense of getting all the right machinery and equipment and knowing how to use them all. Here’s how to get a good job for all your tarmac needs: Continue reading How is tarmac laid?

Don’t give thieves an easy time!

A burglary occurs every 40 seconds in the UK so it is a crime that affects many people. Burglary is a forced entry into a residence for the purpose of committing a crime of theft. This can be a very emotional experience and annoying to find that you have been robbed. It’s not just that you might have lost valuable property but also that your private, personal space has been violated. The thought of someone in your home can be very distressing and feel like you’ve had a security breach. Some people blame themselves if they forgot to secure a door or window, or if they have been deceived by a distraction burglary but it is important to remember that it’s not your fault. Continue reading Don’t give thieves an easy time!