FIXED PROPERTIES, HAPPIER PEOPLE

The best way to tackle your backlog of repairs!

With the easing of lockdown and major backlog of repairs, social housing landlords are facing the fresh challenge of meeting their obligations at the same time as protecting tenants and operatives from the pandemic and achieving happy tenants. Never has it been more important for operatives to be able to achieve the correct fix, the first time.

Read our 3-step guide on how to manage the backlog in repairs and fix the right first time:

PPE

Firstly, the welfare of everyone is paramount to prevent the spread of the Pandemic and PPE plays a large part in this. Ensure all staff know the correct PPE to wear especially when entering an occupied property. Ensure they know how to wear the PPE you have an associated and documented sanitising routine for every job. Are they using disinfectants with long term protection or do they need to re sanitise there working space regularly? Is the disinfectant properly certified to EN14476 and does it pose any potential harm to the tenant? Have they the facility to sanitise hands or wash them?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUPPLIERS

Not having the right product at the right time is a major reason jobs can’t be completed first time. Many of the Leading merchants have dedicated stock monitoring systems and specialist delivery services to keep the right products on the van and get them to the job just when you need them. Many manufactures of more special goods may offer next day delivery service but if goods are used regularly the merchant will advise when to keep as a freely available stock item.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

Cost and price aren’t always equal. Saving 20% on a material may take twice as long to fit, or mean that repair has to be reattended to meaning the ultimate cost is far above the price of a better product. Therefore, careful consideration should be put on ensuring products are the right product to do the job right the first time which ultimately saves cost.

Our Top Product Picks

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Dura + Adhesive Sealant

We know that in your job, space is always needed, and time is a precious commodity. Cost saving? Oh, you’re very welcome! When you need to save both space, time and money, the ultimate choice for you is DURA+ Hybrid Adhesive Sealant. When it comes to products suited for social housing repair work, you need dependable, reliable products that get the job done right first time, every time. DURA+ will provide ultimate performance for every task, whether it’s a plumbing leak, kitchen repair or even a dripping gutter in the midst of a torrential downpour. No driving back to the merchant for another sealant for another task, DURA+ will do it all helping manage the job in less time.

Maxam 175 Glass Repair Film

The original and unrivalled emergency glass repair film, invented to secure broken windows in a matter of minutes. Our Maxam175 emergency glass repair film can but used on internal and external glazing. Used to stabilise broken and damaged glass the film can be applied on flat, toughened or laminated glass; as well as many other hard surfaces.

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Mould Treatment

Pura + Mould Treatment

Every building faces mould problems, when dealt with correctly it should not reoccur. MAXAM PURA+ two-part mould treatment will firstly encapsulate the mould spores and safely remove them from the surface then leave a high-performance antimicrobial barrier on the surface. This will completely kill the mould and prevent further use.

Drainmax Drain Unblocker

Blocked drains can be a pain to deal with. Thankfully we have a great solution that will get rid of the blockage within minutes. Dissolving granules for blocked drains saving you possible drain damage by jetting or using rods and expensive call out fees, Drainmax is the much-favoured alternative.

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We hope that this blog has helped, if you want to get more advice on repair and maintenance get in touch with the details below:

info@maxam.co.uk

0800 0922 923

Housing Disrepair Claims

What is Housing Disrepair?  Housing disrepair is when rented property is in need of repair so that it is safe for the tenants to live in. Your landlord is required by law to make sure:
  • That your house does not have damp and mould problems
  • That your heating is working
  • That any drains and gutters are working well
  • That you have safe access to gas, electricity and water
  • That your home does not have a vermin infestation
  • That you have working toilets, sinks and other washing facilities
  • That the structure of your house is in a good state
If you report an issue and your landlord fails to take action within a reasonable amount of time, then this could be considered housing disrepair.   Problems the Landlord is responsible for: 
  • Faulty Heating System- All tenants are entitled to a working heating system.
  • Leaking Roof- It is your landlords’ duty to make sure leaking roofs get repaired.
  • Plants growing on roof- This can cause damage and leaks in your roof.
  • Damp and Mould- This can be caused by broken gutters.
  • External Drains- If you have broken pipes this should be fixed by your landlord.
  • Rising damp- This can create issues with the plaster, flooring and skirting boards.
  • Hazardous stairs- Stairs with missing banisters, handrails or loose flooring is a major trip hazard that needs to be seen to.
  • Vermin Infestation- If you have a vermin infestation due to other housing disrepair or they were there when you moved in this is the Landlord’s responsibility.
  • Bad flooring- If your flooring presents a trip or slip hazard then this needs to be dealt with.
  • Damaged Brickwork- Repointing can be done to walls when necessary, such as when there are cracks letting water through.
  • Plumbing Problems- Any issues with leaks and plumbing should be seen to by your landlord.
  • Dampness- Damp caused by rotten window frames needs to be dealt with quickly as this could then lead to further problems such as mould.
  Problems the Tennant is responsible for: 
  • Replacing batteries, lightbulbs and HVAC filters.
  • Pest infestations- if this infestation is caused by your own uncleanliness, then it is not the Landlord’s responsibility.
  • Clogged Drains- it is your responsibility to sort out clogged drains if it is due to say, flushing foreign items down the toilet or putting wrong foods down the waste disposal. If your landlord does deal with these, they have to right to charge money for it.
  • Damage done to the property by you or family members or guests or pets is your responsibility to deal with.
  • Damaged walls caused by tenants- if the wall has holes due to you putting up shelves it is your responsibility to get it fixed.
  • Appliances that aren’t working- this often is the landlord’s responsibility although if they aren’t working due to you misusing them then it is now your problem to deal with.
  Get in touch with us today for more help on fixing housing problems: info@maxam.co.uk 0800 0922 923  

How to prevent and deal with rodent infestation.

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A rodent infestation can cause the spread of more than 35 diseases, can cause fires, electrical and structural damage to buildings.

Here’s how to tell whether you may have a problem with rodent infestation:

Droppings- If you come across mice or rat droppings you will need to deal with this carefully as the faeces can contain harmful viruses and bacteria.

Gnaw Marks- another thing to look for is chewed wires or objects.

Scuffling noises- if you hear scratching or the sound of something pattering around in the walls then it could be rodents.

Nests- rodents tend to build their nests in a dark place. They often use paper, cotton and other fabrics to build their nests, if you find these sorts of materials scattered or moved around then it’s a sign there may be a nest nearby.

Mice and Rats- if you spot a rodent then it’s likely that there are a dozen others. Both mice and rats can breed rapidly so the sooner you get help about this issue the better.

How rats can get in your building.

Read below on just some of the ways that vermin could be entering your building.

 

Cracks in walls

Rats can fit through any tiny space down to the size of a ten pence coin. Check your building for any cracks as vermin can easily fit through these.

Holes in the roof

It is a wise idea to get your roof checked for any holes, and get them fixed as vermin could easily enter, chew some wires and cause endless damage.

Gaps around window

Make sure you seal any openings and check windows for holes. Any broken windows should be repaired.

Through the toilet

Rats are great at swimming; this means that they will follow along a pipe and get to the opening. It’s always a good idea to keep the toilet lid closed so that it is harder for vermin to get out.

Through vents

Many vents have gaps that are large enough for rats to squeeze through. Be sure to seal around all vents and cover them with metal screening.

Quick tips to prevent rodents:

  • Repair any damages that could give entry to rodents.
  • Make sure any garbage from the site is disposed of on a regular basis and any food is safely stored in airtight containers.
  • Keep all rooms including basements and unused places well ventilated and dry.
  • Fix leaking pipes and any clogged drains.

Maxam have just launched a new range of rodent control products for protecting you and your property – just get in touch for more details:

Maxam.co.uk

0131 442 4343

Bleach Mould Remover vs. Organic Mould Remover: What is best?

This article is an unbiased look at the pros and cons of both bleach mould removal and organic mould removal.

   Let’s dive straight in…

   Pros of a bleach mould remover:

  • It is relatively inexpensive and is available almost anywhere
  • It is good at taking the colour of the mould away
  • It can be applied easily to surfaces such as porcelain and tiles
  • Bleach may help get rid of any smells of the mould

   Cons of a bleach mould remover:

  • Bleach only kills surface mould
  • Bleach is a corrosive and can cause issues such as respiratory distress, eye irritation and burns. If combined with other common cleaning substances such as ammonia, they can react to each other creating a toxic gas
  • Chlorine bleach is not registered as an effective disinfectant to kill growing mould with the Environmental Protection Agency
  • Bleach can create the illusion that it has eradicated the mould when in actuality it has only bleached the colour of it
  • Bleach only works on non-porous surfaces
  • Bleach does not work on porous surfaces such as wood as it cannot reach the roots
  • Bleach can damage your skin
  • If you inhale chlorine gas it can cause awful health effects such as chest pain, breathing problems, fluid in the lungs, pneumonia and vomiting.

   Pros of an organic mould remover:

  • No negative health effects
  • Is safe to be used by anyone
  • Non-toxic, organic and green and has no biocides
  • Works on both porous and non-porous surfaces
  • Rips the mould out by the roots

   Cons of an organic mould remover:

  • Does not bleach (discolour) the mould
  • May not remove heavy staining
  • You may have to scrub the affected area as it is not a spray and leave product
  • May be a two-part process to completely kill the mould.
 

   As you can see both types of mould removing products have their own set of strengths and weaknesses.

  That means that, by now, you probably have a pretty good feel for things.

   So, the question is, based on what you have read, do you feel that an organic mould removing product is the best option for you?

Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you get the best mould remover for your problem:

info@maxam.co.uk

+44 (0) 131 442 4343

Protecting Properties against Winter

The British Winter can be very harsh, and when the temperature falls it can put your water supplies, drains, roofing and roads at risk.

Pipe Damage

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A frozen pipe will not only leave you without water, it can cause severe damage or even flooding when it thaws out.

Here are some simple steps that you can take to prevent this from happening:

  1. Check pipes for any cracks or fissures (these should be seen to straight away)
  2. Once you are happy with the state of the pipes, make sure they are lagged so that they aren’t exposed to Winters harsh elements.
  3. Book another boiler service. This will help keep the pipes warm.

Our solution we bring to you for cracks or fissures in pipes is Pipemax– our emergency pipe repair.

Here are some key features of this great problem-solver:

  • Doesn’t require draining down
  • No need to turn off the stopcock
  • Withstands a wide temperature range
  • Resists acids, alkilis and oils
  • Bonds to any type of pipe, joint, elbows and t pieces
  • Effective up to 10 Bar Pressure
  • Works under water
  • Sets rock hard in minutes
  • Can be sanded and painted to match the original metal

View Pipemax

Pipemax

Leaky roofs

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Leaking roofs can cause huge damage so make sure you save yourself from this and check your roofs for potential issue areas.

We suggest that you survey the roof. Look out for pieces of tile or grit in gutters or on the ground. If necessary, you could get a professional in for a full survey and to fix the tiles (which can be dangerous if you aren’t trained).

Our solution we bring to you is our Roof Repair & Maintain Bundle.

What this includes:

  • 2 x Jetseal – Surface Renewal
  • 1 x Maxseal – Weatherproof Coating
  • 1 x Wetseal – Roof & Gutter Repair
  • 1 x Seek N Seal – Roof Repair

View this Bundle by clicking here.

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Blocked Drainage

Check your gutters, overflow pipes and drainpipes for damage, blockages and cracks. Twigs and leaves often cause blockages when they land in gutters. Blocked or damaged pipes and gutters can lead to water damage to the roofing and walls of the property.

To clear gutters, all you have to do is use a ladder, some gloves and a trowel. Scrape the debris away from the downpipe to steer clear from any blockages.

If the downpipe is already blocked you can use our Drainmax solution.

View Drainmax.

Damaged Roads & Pathways

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Potholes

Not only are potholes annoying to dodge, they also pose a big danger to all road users including misalignment, loss of control, tyre and wheel problems.

Potholes can occur any time of the year but during Winter this can increase due to freeze-thaw weathering and the use of de-icers.

We bring to you Tarmax, this is the instant & permanent pothole repair solution for all types of damaged and eroded pathways and roads to any depth and size of hole

View Tarmax.

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We hope that this has given you some useful advice as to making sure your property is safe. Thank you for reading!

Drainmax- drain unblocking with ease.

“So easy to use, with no chemical smell, and no expensive plumber needed! I won’t use anything else now.”

 

Thermo-Reactive Formulation to clear blocked and slow running drains

After using this drain unblocking product, Drainmax, Jane will use no other product for clearing drains than this. She explains that her bath and sink drains would often block up. She would waste money on supermarket products trying to find a solution, only to realise that didn’t do what it said on the bottle.
Then, she tried Drainmax and states that “it’s absolutely fantastic!”

Let’s find out why it works so well…

Drainmax is a Thermo-Reactive Formulation to clear blocked and slow running drains

These dissolving granules for blocked drains save you drain damage. Say goodbye to jetting, using rods and expensive call out fees, Drainmax is the ultimate drain unblocking solution.

Activated by hot water, this specialised compound seeks out and eradicates grease, oil, fat, hair, scum and slime impeding water flow in drainage systems.

What are its key benefits?:
  • It clears blocked drains quickly
  • It’s very easy to use
  • It prevents slow running drains
  • It’s safer to use than dangerous acids
  • It saves time and money
  • It eliminates bad smells and health hazards
  • It creates a fresh environment with a pleasant lemon fragrance.
  • It can also be applied frequently, in small amounts, to prevent build up and keep drains flowing
Key applications
  • Sodium hydroxide granules for safer use
  • Dissolves organic waste
  • Suitable for all pipes

Click here to view this product.

How to use Drainmax

HOW TO USE DRAINMAX

  1. Ensure adequate ventilation
  2. Remove excess water from drain area
  3. Apply sparingly starting with one capful and sprinkle into blocked drain
  4. Flush well with warm water
  5. If necessary repeat procedure until blockage is removed

Get in touch with Maxam on web@maxam.co.uk or ring 0131 442 4343 to learn more about this product and request a sample.