December 2018 - Kiasu Workforce

Gas safety questions

At Kiasu Workforce, we offer a whole range of boiler services, including surveys and inspections, repairs, system upgrades, installations, offering a 24/7 emergency service with our team of Gas Safe engineers. Here, we’ve answered some of the common questions and concerns our customers have regarding gas safety to ensure you know how to identify and deal with any issues and to take a proactive stance to protect you, your home, and your family.

How do I know if my boiler needs replaced?

In general, gas boilers last up to around 15 years old. If yours is approaching that age you should already be considering replacing it. As boilers get older, wear and tear makes them less efficient, making repairs more costly and malfunctions more likely. Annual services can help them last longer and help you get a good idea of when, exactly, it’s time to replace it.

How do I identify a carbon monoxide leak?

One of the most prevalent and serious risks regarding commercial boiler malfunctions is the leak of carbon monoxide, also known as CO. This colourless gas is not only extremely flammable but also causes carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be extremely detrimental to your health and even fatal. It can be produced by space heaters, gas stoves, boilers, heats and even refrigerators. Installing a carbon monoxide detector, testing it frequently, and ensuring it is using fully charged batteries is the best way to know whether or not you have a leak in the home.

What do I do in the event of a leak?

If you have a carbon monoxide leak in the home, stop using all fuel-burning appliances in the home and turn them off if possible before leaving the home. Call the emergency services to inform them, as well as calling appliance servicing agencies like KiasuWorkforce so they can find and correct the source of the leak.

What should I do if I suspect I have carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, so it’s important to act quickly. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, tiredness, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect you or anyone else has carbon monoxide poisoning, follow the same steps you would take in the event of a leak. Visit your doctor for a breath and blood test for CO presence as soon as you can, too.

How often should I have my gas boiler serviced?

In order to prevent gas and carbon monoxide leaks, it’s best to have your boiler inspected and serviced every year by a qualified Gas Safe engineer. They can identify any potential issues as well as awarding your gas systems the right certification if they are safe. Preventative servicing and inspections are the only way to ensure all the appliances in the home are safe.

If you have any other particular concerns about your gas boiler or appliances, don’t hesitate to get in touch with KiasuWorkforce at 0208 988 1662. Our team is equipped to help you with any potential boiler problems you might have.

Building refurbishment tips

If you have commercial premises that have seen better days, or you’re planning to renovate or refurbish a new store, salon or office building, you’re probably thinking about the cost of the project. In business, it’s crucial to balance the books, and any savings you can make on building refurbishment could help to maximise your chances of generating profits. If you’re preparing for a refurbishment project, here are 5 ways to save.

Invest in maintenance

In the field of medicine, you often hear people say that prevention is better than cure. This is a rule you can also apply in business. When it comes to cutting the cost of refurbishment and repairs, it pays to invest in building maintenance. If you keep up with basic jobs, you tend to issues swiftly, and you keep an eye on the condition of the building, this can help to save a huge amount of money in the long-run. Even the most minor complications can become worse over the course of time, and it’s better to spend a little to nip problems in the bud than to end up spending a lot rectifying a more complex issue.

Plan ahead

If you’re thinking of taking on a renovation or a refurbishment project, you don’t want to be rushing around at the last minute and making split-second decisions. Give yourself time to plan every step with meticulous detail, and make sure you have all the information and advice you need to make the right decisions. You should be aware of exactly what is happening and how much it is going to cost before you make any final calls.

Shop around

Whether you’re looking for materials, furniture, or companies that specialise in boiler installation or plumbing, it pays to shop around. Compare quotes from different firms, discuss ideas, and look at prices offered by different retailers and suppliers. When researching building firms or companies that offer electrical installation services, take your time to explore your options. Weigh up the costs to get a good deal, but look for value for money, rather than the cheapest quote. It’s always wise to invest in experience and expertise.

Think about the future

If you’re planning a revamp, and you’re keen to save money, try and think about the future, as well as the present. Buying cheap materials, for example, may save you cash now, but if you need to replace the flooring or the facade in a couple of years’ time, rather than in a couple of decades’ time, it’s worth considering the long-term financial benefits. If you have a shop, an office block or a hotel, for example, and you’re laying a new floor in the entrance, it’s a good idea to choose robust, hard-wearing, durable materials that are easy to clean.

Be prepared to muck in

If you run a business, and your eye is firmly on your profit margins, you could save yourself a bit of money by rolling up your sleeves and mucking in. You can’t help out with unsafe or complex tasks that require expert attention, but you could always lend a hand when it comes to simple, low-risk tasks like painting walls, for example.

Are you a business owner looking to refurbish a commercial building? If so, you’re probably looking to achieve a great result without blowing the budget. Hopefully, this guide will help you pull off a fantastic makeover and save at the same time.

If you’re in need of property maintenance services or building refurbishment works, give Kiasu Workforce a call today on 0208 988 1662 or send us an email. Your business premises have never been in safer hands.

Month: December 2018

Your gas safety questions answered