Property Maintenance - Standish Property Maintenance & Pest Control

Gutter Cleaning Wigan

Gutter Cleaning

Throughout the year your gutters collect more than just rain water. Roof debris, leaves, animal droppings, moss, seeds etc all build up. This debris causes blockages allowing vegetation to grow.

Roof debris in the valley

Gutters are there to carry the rainwater quickly away from your roof. This protects the brickwork and foundations from becoming damp. When the gutters become blocked water can pour over either sides or ends of the gutters.

Roof debris blocking the gutter and catching moss

There are several products on the market to prevent this debris getting into the gutters. Many of which are a quick fix to a long-term problem. They catch the debris in turn becoming blocked up. Known as ‘Gutter Guards’ or ‘Hedgehog Gutter Brush’, these are simply a waste of your money and make cleaning a lot harder.

Note the gutter guard at bottom centre of the picture

Certainly, in areas of mass tree population, having Standish Property Maintenance clean your gutters once or twice a year is the best way to avoid blockages. Many tiled roofs have problems with moss. Moss is in many ways worse than leaf fall, when it comes to blocking your gutters.

Left long enough you can have a garden growing in your gutter

Andy and Megan use a gimmick free technique to clean and clear your gutters of all this debris. They check your downspout carries all the water away and isn’t blocked. Most of what is removed is compostable. Therefore, it generally ends up in the green bin.

Birds drop all sorts in the gutter including sunflower seeds

The main issues we face, include:

- Bad workmanship
- Physical damage
- Animal fouling’s
- Weather damage
- Different profile of gutters

We have done one job, were the gutter was full in its entire length of one side of the house, with pigeon droppings. The picture below was that job. The Solar PV system pictured allowed pigeons to nest on the roof and clear their spoil into the gutter. A health and hygenie risk for both us and the householder from below. We counteracted this by fencing the edges off with a mess specific for this task.

Included in our work is a health check of the gutters and downspouts. If there is a problem or damage. We would attempt to correct it there and then. Or explain the issue to you. In rectifying the problem, we always prefer to use new parts and have the gutter configured as it should be. Our last option is to reach for the silicone gun.

Extremely poor workmanship here. The new estate off Rectory Lane, this is common on these £300k srcset= houses!” width=”525″ height=”700″>

Recently, Standish has had many new houses built along Rectory Lane. We have been called out to more issues on this estate than anywhere else in Standish or Wigan. If your gutters are leaking, it’s more often down to poor quality of work. Examples of this are shown in some of our pictures.

Incorrectly assembled gutters showing cheap work for a high cost!

So many times, we have gone out to gutter leaks where the installer has neglected to screw up unions or outlets. Using sealant to fix this at £5 a tube is reckless. A clean cloth, a screw and 5 minutes will generally be enough to cure a drip.

This is not how it should be done!

In addition to leaking gutters, a blocked downspout, again often due to poor install is a common occurrence. Joints and sockets are best adhesive and fixing free. Rather, wall brackets spaced no further than 1.5m apart, support its length is best practice.

An example of how good our cleaning options can be

Bends and joints fixed with screws, always seem to catch leaves or moss. Thus, collecting more and more that prevents water running away.

So many problems with the workmanship of these new builds its quite frankly unbelievable

Further to our gutter and downspout clearing we can offer the full clean down. Cleaning of the Gutters face, the Fascia, the Soffit, Barge boards and all pipework. We do this largely by hand using detergents and upvc specific cream cleaners. Added to our arsenal is a long reach jet wash and various types of ladder.

The picture depicts perfectly how the levels of this gutter are wrong.

Any time of year is ideal for either type of clear or clean. But often the full clean is done in spring and the clear in Autumn / Winter. Whenever you see fit to have either done, give us a call on 07920001980 / 01257431837 or use our contact page. We will do our very best to assist you and guide you through how we do it and what it is likely to cost.

Fascia and soffit cleaning

Gutter, Barge Board, Pipework, UPVC, Fascia and Soffit, Cleaning.

Megan and Andy love Fascia and Soffit cleaning of homes around Standish and Wigan. Using gimmick free techniques and modern cleaning products they restore them to their former glory in no time. When done together with the emptying and cleaning of the gutters, it really adds to a smart maintained look and curb appeal of your home.

Fascia and Soffit cleaning

A variety of grime, dirt, algae, cobwebs and pollution cause your fascia and soffits to look dull and tired. This accumulation of dirt is mostly noticeable on white UPVC, dulling the overall appearance of your property. If you allow this grime to remain there, it will be tougher to remove and cause permanent staining. To ensure your UPVC is also kept intact and in top condition, it’s important to have fascia and soffits cleaned. Keeping your gutters well maintained should be a priority because aside from the aesthetic side of things, they protect your home from rain water ingress.

Fascia and Soffit cleaning before and after

Using a variety of brushes and cloths, along with a UPVC restoring cream cleaner to revive your fascia and soffits. We ensure that every inch of your UPVC is pristinely cleaned. Our long reach jet wash allows us to get to those hard to reach areas such as above conservatory roofs which might be hard to get to with ladders alone. Its variable pressure makes it the ideal tool to blast the more stubborn marks. Whilst on its gentle pressure to rinse everything clear.

You can book a fascia and soffit cleaning on its own. If you’re looking to get your home looking as good as new, we also offer a UPVC deep clean package. This includes the cleaning of all UPVC including fascia and soffits, gutters, windows and pipework.

Gutter, Fascia and Soffit cleaning

What will be cleaned?

All fascia, soffits and gutters are cleaned. If you request a UPVC deep clean, this would also include the windows, doors, cladding and all pipe work.

How often should UPVC fascia and soffits be cleaned?

The time between cleans will depend largely on the location of the property. If you live next to a busy road or woodland for example. Your home will be exposed to much more pollution which can build up over time. If you start to notice a build-up then it’s probably time to get them cleaned!

Do you use Pressure Washers to carry out the clean?

Yes, we use our variable pressure jet wash. This ensures the hard to shift grime gets a good going over and then the whole job gets a gentler rinse down. So we will require and outside tap and access to some electrical point.

What if my Fascia & Soffits are very dirty?

We generally get fascia and soffits looking like new, even if they are very dirty. But, occasionally the build-up of grime has sat for a long period of time. So, it may have permanently stained white UPVC making it very difficult to remove. The rainwater downspouts often suffer from lime scale build up that can be difficult to remove. We will always let you know if you UPVC may be stained to ensure you have realistic expectations on the results of your clean.

Do you clean the inside of my gutters?

Yes, UPVC fascia and soffit cleans include the inside and outside of the gutters.

For a friendly andf reliable quote call us on 07920001980 or 01257431837. Alternatively contact us using the contact page and we’ll try to help you.

Drone survey technology for roof and property surveying

Drones are often thought of as kids toys or extremely high end and expensive bits of film kit used on such programs as the BBC’s ‘Blue Planet’. When infact they are more often utilised in the survey of buildings or property. Drone surveys are now a common replacement for the naked eye.

What is a drone?

Drones are more commonly known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In its most basic form, a drone is a flying robot that can be remotely controlled by a pilot through software-controlled flight plans in their embedded systems, working in conjunction with on board sensors and GPS. Ideal for building, roof and property inspections, drone surveys are the safest option.

Why is using a drone better than in person?

It’s Safer – Why send someone to work at height when you can send a drone. Falls from height:

- are the third highest cause of fatal injury, comprising 20% of fatal accidents
- cause around 80 major injuries each year
- result in a further 230 over-3-day absence injuries each year can result in serious or even fatal injury even when the fall is less than 2m.

It’s Cheaper – Having a drone to complete a survey is a more cost and time effective method of completing a survey compared to hiring a cherry picker or erecting traditional scaffolding. The physical impact of a person on a roof is likely to cause some damage. Using a drone will prevent this additional cost implication.

It’s Faster – Most of our work is completed in minutes or hours. We can quickly scan the whole roof to view faults that can be then looked at in greater detail.

How much does it cost?

The cost varies from domestic to commercial to industrial. Contact us with your needs and we will explain our pricing.

Drone Roof Survey & Inspection

To inspect the roof of a building properly using all the modern health and safety practices is a time consuming and expensive exercise. Piloting a drone to complete a building survey not only brings significant cost savings but can add greater detail to roof inspections or structural reports.

Employing modern drone technology to complete a roof inspection or building survey, there are many additional benefits. Some of which include reduction in downtime for businesses, no need for access platforms or erections on site, access routes no longer closed or reduced.

We can offer you:

• Roof Inspection / Survey Tree and roof survey

• Property aerial photography Roof inspections made safe and simple using a drone

• High-Resolution Photography

• Insurance Surveys Insurance Survey Images

Drone Inspection Images

Our drone has its own High Definition camera that will take clear and detailed inspection photographs. We aim to utilise these images and footage to show you the condition of your property without costly demands of scaffolding, MEWPS or dangers of mounting the roof from a ladder.

Taking images,using our drone for property inspections can be completed in a short period of time. An aerial survey completed by Standish Property Maintenance will help identify structural problems with pitched and flat roofs and defects along roofline or brick work.

Survey Photography Analysis

Coupled with Andy’s 17 years experience in the roofing industry, we work alongside a Chartered Surveyor. Together they can offer a report on the imagery the drone captures. This can lead to preventative maintenance measures you can complete.

All too often insurance companies refuse to pay out due to contributory negligence. So a detailed property survey and photographic evidence could help you fix any smaller issues before they become too big.

Training and Insurance

We are currently working to secure the UK’s drone qualification – the Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) with Heliguy. This qualification will ensure we have full authority to fly within the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidlines.

CONTACT US

We cover all of the North West – If you think we can offer you a service please don’t hesitate to give us a call or use the contact page link. Don’t forget to leave us the property address so we can work out any access issues or foreseeable problems and help us build a competitive and fair price for you.

Slate repairs required in Wigan

Generally speaking, slate repairs are normally visible from the ground. Quite often you can see a slate missing or a slate has fallen off the roof to the floor. A missing slate is obvious. However, a cracked slate may still be visible from the ground but harder to spot. A slate with a large corner missing may be visible from the floor. Slipped slates and vertical cracks in the slates, can be almost impossible to see without a close-up inspection from a ladder.

Safe access to the roof.

The best way to assess and check for less obvious damage is to us a ladder. Mounted on the roof, a Cat Ladder* will allow you to look the roof over to look for slippage, cracks and nail failure of surrounding slates. It is very common that the one slipped slate we’ve been asked to look at is actually three or four.

We usually ask the same few questions of a customer to try and understand what is causing the problem. Above all, roof leaks are always inconvenient but they are not always signs of a larger issue.

When a roof starts to leak.

A very common type of leak is caused by wind driven rain. However, we often have customers wondering why they are getting leaks after a storm when it rained a few days ago and it didn’t leak? Wind driven rain is rain propelled by wind and it often blows horizontally. Therefore, water ingress that would otherwise be impossible with regular rainfall is still likely to blow into the crevices of your roof.

Storm damage.

Your roof is designed to shed water downward, not from the side. A wind driven rain at the perfect angle can create leaks your roofing system isn’t designed to prevent. It’s most likely you have a leak caused by wind driven rain if your roof does not leak in every downpour. If you have no felt liner under the slates you’re more prone to roof leaks. A true problem requiring flashing or slate repairs, would leak every time and it would most likely leak in the same spot.

Don’t worry.

Wind driven rain is rare and not an indicator of slate repairs required. If you are not sure, you can always contact us via the contact page on our website. We are happy to give you reassuring advice or even come out and take a look.

*A roof ladder also known as a cat ladder is for when you need to work on your roof safely. Simply put, a roof ladder a ladder with two hooks attached on the end. The hooks allow it to attach over the ridge tiles of a roof securing the ladder. Above all, it makes it safe to move arond the roof while giving a base to balance and complete work from.

An extension ladder is needed to climb on to the roof as a roof/cat ladder is not a standalone ladder. Using roof ladder link clamps and TETRA safety kits to make them more secure and less likely to slide apart when transferring from one to the other.

To get the cat ladder in place it has wheels to allow you to push it up the sloping roof . Without dislodging or damaging roof tiles or slates you simply turn the ladder over. The hooks securely lodge on the ridge of the roof.

How can we help?

After reading our post, you feel like you have any questions or are in need of a reassuring chat. If you don’t feel confident, or don’t hve the tools, ladders or courage to tackle slate repairs yourself. Please feel free to give is a call on 07920001980 or an email and we will do our best to help.

Ridge tile repairs and repointing

What are ridge tiles?

In its simplest form, the ridge of a roof is the peak where two opposing roof planes meet. Or to be more specific, the “highest point on a roof, represented by a horizontal line where two roof areas intersect, running the length of the area.” On the horizontal apex of the roof, ridge tiles are used in conjunction with either concrete tiles or slate.

What are the different types of ridge tile?

Generally, there are three styles of ridge tiles: half round, angled and ornamental. Each of which has several variants such as size, colour, fixing, joint type and material.

How are the ridge tiles fixed to the roof?

Using mortar as a weatherproof ridge tile adhesive has lasted the test of time. That said, mortar’s inability to sufficiently cope with environmental changes and its regular need for maintenance pave the way for new technical advancements.

Legislation.

The latest European Standards, state the of fixing of ridge tiles must be dry fix. BS 5534 and more recently BS 8216:2018 state that mortar should no longer be used as the only means of fixing tiles and fittings onto roof ridges, with mortar-only applications limited to certain repair jobs and heritage properties only.

Maintenance free.

Possibly easier to install, dry ridge systems, such as Marley Eternit’s Universal RidgeFast is designed to provide a totally dry fixed and weathertight ridge that is fast and simple to install. Every ridge tile is mechanically fixed eliminating the need for mortar completely. The system is suitable for use with all Marley tiles and slates and those of other manufacturers.

What is a dry fix system?

A dry fix ridge system is the method of mechanically fixing ridge tiles to the ridge of a roof without the use of mortar. In many circumstances, dry ridge systems are the perfect alternative to more traditional cement and mortar joins. Well known brands such as Marley, have produced dry ridge systems that offer excellent quality and value. A dry ridge kit is fast to install and once in place offers a firm, durable seal that’s virtually maintenance free. When it comes to a dry ridge system vs mortar, many tradesmen find the former easier to install and more economical.

What is meant by a wet fix?

Any fixing system that claims to be “wet” is one that uses cement as the primary method to secure the roof tiles in place. While most people think that cement is a strong material that’ll last forever, the truth is often very different.

What causes tile to come away or be blown from the roof?

When a roof on a typical house is constructed, the weight of the tiles presses down onto the roof timbers and there’s some flexing and movement. Most new houses will experience between 5-30mm of movement in the roof. This usually occurs within the first few years after construction. While this is quite normal, it does have an effect on the cement which is holding the tiles in place. Cement doesn’t like movement, it often cracks or crumbles and during installation is susceptible to frost and rain.

Insurance Claim.

Needless to say, a tile like this could be blown off the roof on a windy day and kill someone. In 2010 the NHBC (National House Builders Council) saw a 60% increase in the number of claims relating to pitched tiled roofs. Most of the claims were as a result of cement failure.

How can it be repaired?

Repointed ridge tiles in Wigan — Repointed ridge tiles

Either through your home insurer or from your own pocket, a contractor would be best employed to fix the roof. Their superior knowledge, skill and equipment are not to be ignored when paying for this repair. Roofs are high and dangerous places, working on them should not be undertaken in jest.

Storm Damage.

On 3rd of January 2018 the Telegraph reported “Storm Eleanor, which swept across the country overnight carrying heavy rain and winds of up to 100mph, has left thousands of homes without power and caused substantial damage to property.”

Act of God?

Reporter Sophie Smith went on to say “Part of an insurer’s job will be to see whether the damage was the result of the storm or due to a lack of general upkeep, which became apparent because of the storm. Roof damage is one area where assessors will be looking for signs of poor maintenance. If ridge tiles blew off in a high wind, surveyors may look for signs that the mortar had perished.”

Is storm damage covered by house insurance?

Homeowners insurance may help cover certain causes of storm damage, including wind, hail and lightning. However, damage caused by flood and earthquakes typically is not covered by a standard home owner’s insurance policy. In other words, it’s important to read your policy to learn what types of storm damage may or may not be covered.

Contributory negligence

A defence available where it is proved that the claimant‘s own negligence contributed to its loss or damage. In laymans terms this means if you have failed to maintain your roof (emptying gutters, repointing ridge tiles etc), the insurance company could suggest that the damage caused by the storm could have been avoided and may not pay out.

What is involved in a successful repair?

Repointing involves scraping away the loose mortar and replacing with new. Possibly, some homeowners will request this type of job when the mortar is loose and found in the gutter line or on then floor. For a typical semi-detached property, the cost for ridge pointing is between £120 and £250.

Working at heights.

Our repair techniques follow industry standards and best practices. We have Public Liability insurance, qualifications and experience that cover us to work up to 10 meters high. Access from either a ladder, mobile scaffold tower or MEWPs. Therefore, we can be more acurate with what we do and how we do it.

How can we help?

After reading our post, you feel like you have any questions or are in need of a reassuring chat. Please feel free to give is a call or an email and we will do our best to help.

Gutter Cleaning Wigan

Fascia and soffit cleaning

Gutter, Barge Board, Pipework, UPVC, Fascia and Soffit, Cleaning.

What will be cleaned?

How often should UPVC fascia and soffits be cleaned?

Do you use Pressure Washers to carry out the clean?

What if my Fascia & Soffits are very dirty?

Do you clean the inside of my gutters?

For a friendly andf reliable quote call us on 07920001980 or 01257431837. Alternatively contact us using the contact page and we’ll try to help you.

Drone survey technology for roof and property surveying

What is a drone?

Why is using a drone better than in person?

How much does it cost?

Drone Roof Survey & Inspection

We can offer you:

Drone Inspection Images

Survey Photography Analysis

Training and Insurance

CONTACT US

Slate repairs required in Wigan

Safe access to the roof.

When a roof starts to leak.

Storm damage.

Don’t worry.

How can we help?

Ridge tile repairs and repointing

What are ridge tiles?

What are the different types of ridge tile?

How are the ridge tiles fixed to the roof?

Legislation.

Maintenance free.

What is a dry fix system?

What is meant by a wet fix?

What causes tile to come away or be blown from the roof?

Insurance Claim.

How can it be repaired?

Storm Damage.

Act of God?

Is storm damage covered by house insurance?

Contributory negligence

What is involved in a successful repair?

Working at heights.

How can we help?

After reading our post, you feel like you have any questions or are in need of a reassuring chat. Please feel free to give is a call or an email and we will do our best to help.

Contact us to see how we can help you