Caple’s new Leigh Painted kitchen

Posted on by Posted in Bathrooms and Kitchens

CaplePaintedThe new Leigh painted kitchen by Caple is so versatile, it will suit a variety of kitchens from compact spaces to open-plan living says the manufacturer.

Caple’s furniture manager Doug Haswell said:

“Our new Leigh painted kitchen in charcoal and light grey demonstrates just two colourways in our collection of 11 different shades, which means there’s a colour for everyone,”

“The available colour choices are alabaster, baby blue, blue steel, charcoal, dark grey, light grey, mussel pebble, sage and white.”

Feature elements in this collection range from plain painted or tongue and groove painted end panels, over mantle kits and shelves, boxed pilasters, radius end posts and canopies.

www.caple.co.uk

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Gas Access Campaign reaches million mark

Posted on by Posted in Health and Safety

HousesofParliamentMore than 60 housing associations have thrown their weight behind the Gas Access Campaign, helping it to reach the 1 million homes milestone.

Spearheaded by social housing provider Home Group, in conjunction with the Association of Gas Safety Managers (AGSM) and CORGI Technical Services, the campaign was launched in September to make it easier for housing providers to access homes to check gas appliances.

Current law enables local authorities to apply to a court to gain lawful entry into homes within 24 hours of refusal by a tenant, whereas it can take housing associations up to four months to legally gain entry.

Sixty-one housing associations – including Affinity Sutton, Gentoo, L&Q, Halton Housing, Riverside and South Yorkshire Housing Association – have now joined Home Group’s call for registered providers to be granted the same timely access to homes as their local authority counterparts.

Mark Henderson, Home Group’s chief executive said:

“The law as it stands is putting lives at risk and costing housing providers millions,

“The Gas Access campaign really seems to have struck a chord with those in the sector. The fact that we’ve hit the 1 million mark so quickly after launching the campaign shows the appetite out there to tackle this issue.

“Other housing associations clearly share our frustration that, as landlords, we’re quite rightly legally obliged to ensure the gas safety of our properties on an annual basis, yet the law makes it tortuously difficult to gain access when a tenant is being uncooperative.

“Faulty boilers and flues don’t just have the potential to kill those in the household where they are situated – the effects can be devastating to neighbours. All it needs is amending a couple of paragraphs in the Law. We trust the new Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis is on board with this campaign.“

Claire Heyes, chief executive of the AGSM, added:

“This is a major milestone in the Gas Access campaign and we are delighted to have achieved it. This level of support is no surprise, as we have been listening to our members’ frustrations for some time and now they are instrumental in bringing about this much-needed change. Gas Managers across the UK are working with their directors and CEOs to raise awareness and generate support – housing providers are fully aware of the significance of this campaign.“

She continued:

“We won’t stop here though, as the stakes are too high and the consequences of inaction too serious and far reaching. Working together, we will continue to keep the pressure on the Minister, MPs and the government to implement the changes that the sector desperately needs.“

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Homeserve to protect Britain’s homes as severe weather approaches

Posted on by Posted in Drainage, Plumbing Industry News

homeserverTens of thousands of UK families could face the misery of burst water pipes and blocked drains this autumn and winter, HomeServe, the home assistance provider, is warning.

As Britain braces itself in light of severe weather warnings from the Met Office, stark statistics from HomeServe reveal its home assistance teams dealt with more than a quarter of a million plumbing and drainage claims in the last year alone – around one every two minutes.

Greg Reed, HomeServe’s chief marketing officer, said:

“Emergency call-outs are most prevalent during the more inclement weather of the autumn and winter seasons, but our home assistance teams are on standby to support families across the UK every day. We know from our own statistics that more than a quarter of a million families in the UK were blighted by burst pipes, blocked drains and other plumbing and drainage problems in 2013.”

HomeServe’s statistics reveal that:

  • In 2013, HomeServe responded to 258,846 plumbing and drainage claims or problems – 30 every hour on average, or one every two minutes
  • Last year alone, HomeServe fixed or unblocked around 60,000 drains and repaired or replaced more than 100,000 pipes
  • 89% of problems attended by HomeServe approved plumbers are fixed during the first call

The Met Office has this week issued severe weather warnings for parts of the UK, and winter 2013 was one of the wettest since 1766. With the UK braced, HomeServe is calling on Britain’s homes to consider taking steps to protect themselves in the event of plumbing and drainage emergencies.

New customers can take advantage of a limited offer from HomeServe, with plumbing and drainage cover at just 75p per month in the first year. The offer is available until December 15 (after which it rises to just £1 each month for the first 12 months) and offers protection against burst pipes, blocked sinks and drains, as well as seized and dripping taps (terms apply, offer available to homeowners only.)

Gregg said:

“Many UK families have cover to protect themselves if they experience plumbing and drainage problems. However, there are still many that don’t, and the pre or post-Christmas payment shock of a burst pipe or blocked drain, can sometimes be difficult to manage. Come rain or shine, we’re here to help if people need us and we’re proud that almost one in nine of all plumbing emergencies are fixed first time by our dedicated UK teams.”

To find out more about HomeServe and all the relevant terms and conditions of the offer, visit homeserve.com.

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Whirlpool extends their iXelium stainless steel finish

Posted on by Posted in Bathrooms and Kitchens

whirlpoolThe iXelium stainless steel finish, which is used on the Whirlpool Fusion Line of hobs, have recently been extended to built-in appliances within the Fusion cooking range, encompassing ovens, microwaves, hoods and warming drawer.

This is due to the application of nanotechnology, Whirlpool’s iXelium acts like a barrier against chemical, and mechanical agents, preserving the quality and the natural shine of the metal over a period of time.

iXelium is an effectively anti-ageing solution, which prevents surface stains, as well as reducing the signs of scratches, corrosion, and marks. Whirlpool’s appliances are therefore more resistant to scratches and high temperatures, says the company.

The technology used, also makes it easy for cleaning, as the food residue will not stick to the surface. The ‘green’ properties of iXelium mean that just water may be used to clean it for a more limited environmental impact, compared to standard products.

Neil Austin, Trade Marketing Manager for Whirlpool, said:

“The extension of iXelium and its great properties of preservation across our Fusion cooking line complete a quality collection of appliances that are famously easy to use and now equally easy to keep clean and pristine. Any form of manual cleaning is an arduous and time-consuming task and an unpleasant waste of quality time.”

www.whirlpoolcorp.com

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HHIC: Heating controls should be made mandatory to aid fuel poor

Posted on by Posted in Plumbing Industry News

Building Regulations must mandate full heating controls if we are serious about tackling fuel poverty, according to the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).

In response to the recent consultation from the Department for Energy & Climate Change, the HHIC is calling for mandatory installation of heating controls to help those in fuel poverty to properly manage their usage.

HHIC Director, Roger Webb said:

“The Department for Communities & Local Government must mandate full heating controls in Part L of the Building Regulations for any central heating installation,”

“We need to stop talking about fuel poverty and start to take action. One way of helping to achieve this would be to install heating controls into people’s homes. For too long energy efficiency has been seen by government as installing insulation and double glazing, but these alone will not help reduce the amount of energy being consumed to heat a property. They will help retain the heat being generated but will not control how much is being created in the first place.”

Mr Webb recommended that thermostatic radiator valves and programmable room thermostats be introduced in order to allow homeowners to control the amount of heat to individual rooms as well as when the central heating comes on and goes off, allowing the boiler to turn off when the necessary temperature has been reached.

He added:

“Using less energy means lower bills,”

“Having heating controls mandated in the building regulations will at least mean that any new properties being built in the future will have these controls as standard.”

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