Maintenance Archives - Page 2 of 2

5 Boiler Maintenance Tips You Should Follow

Posted on August 21, 2019February 9, 2024 by rob.fullsend

If you’re concerned about your boiler and future issues you may have to face, then you have come to the right place. Here at Kiasu Workforce, we want to help our customers with regular and efficient maintenance that keeps repair costs down and eliminates your worries.

But why is boiler maintenance important for your business, and why should you care?

Why is Boiler Maintenance Important?

Boilers are an integral part of every property, whether it’s a residential home or a commercial business, they’re crucial in the day-to-day running of a building. They create heating, power and electricity, depending on the type of boiler you decide to have installed. They keep our radiators warm and our water running hot exactly when needed.

From time to time, boilers can become costly. If you have ever had to call out a specialist for a boiler-related emergency, you will know why. This is where we recommend that you keep on top of your boiler maintenance to keep the pennies in your pocket and avoid any future accidents.

5 Boiler Maintenance Tips

If boilers aren’t looked after properly, they can become faulty and unfortunately, in the worst-case scenario, a faulty boiler can even be fatal. This is why keeping on top of regular maintenance can prevent costly fixes and emergency repairs that might have been avoidable.

To help you, we put together our top five boiler maintenance tips that we recommend that you follow to keep your boiler running efficiently and thus, your business running efficiently.

#1 Maintain Regular Boiler Servicing

Every boiler should, at the very minimum, have a service yearly, according to British Gas. This service should be carried out by a trained professional who can ensure that it’s working correctly.

A Gas Safe engineer will be able to fully assess your boiler’s current condition. From this, they can make any adjustments that can make it run more efficiently. They will also note any cause for concern and ensure that you receive the correct solutions.

Boiler servicing is one of the fundamental parts of boiler maintenance. As they see a lot more use in the colder months of the year, they need to be in the best condition possible.

#2 Prevent Pipes Freezing

Frozen pipes can be a big danger to boilers as they can block the system, allowing pressure to be built up within the boiler.

When the weather is cold, ensure that you have the heating on for at least a couple of hours a day just so the pipes are kept to a temperature that won’t allow for freezing to occur. Even in the warmer months when we don’t tend to use the heating as much, it’s a good idea to do this to ensure everything is running smoothly.

#3 Leak Awareness

A leaking boiler is more common than you would think, so it’s important to be regularly checked for any signs of leakage as they will be cheaper to fix the earlier they are spotted.

Leaks are dangerous as they can cause rust in the system and also electrical faults, so they must be dealt with as soon as they are spotted.Check the cupboard where your boiler lives every so often to ensure there are no signs of a leak.

#4 Check Ventilation Regularly

Like anything else, your boiler needs room to breathe so it can work properly.

Ensure that your boiler is free of any clutter that may surround it, as it needs the space to do its job well. If it is in a cupboard that is also used for storage, ensure that other items are well out of the way so that they do not cause any ventilation issues that could lead to further boiler damage.

#5 Bleed Your Radiators

Although not directly boiler-related, your radiators not heating up is a sign of possible boiler damage. To ensure you don’t jump the gun in this situation, it is best to bleed your radiators every once in a while.

Bleeding your radiators gets rid of any condensed air that can sometimes get trapped and will often result in the pressure gage in your boiler reducing. You can read more details about boiler pressure in your boiler manual.

Find out how to bleed your radiators in our handy guide.

Is It a Legal Requirement to Service your Boiler?

For homeowners, regular annual services of your boiler are not legally required. However, they are usually a requirement put in place by your insurance provider. Failing to maintain regular maintenance checks and services could mean your insurance policy is invalidated.

For landlords, regular boiler services are a legal requirement.

Further Boiler Help & Advice

Ensure you are up to date with annual boiler services with the help of our expert and experienced team at Kiasu Workforce. Our certified Gas Safe engineers can help you with expert advice and guidance following your annual boiler service, including offering information on any relevant or needed next steps.

Find out more about the boiler services we can offer in London today, and contact our teamfor further help and advice.

Alternatively, why not discover how we can assist you with boiler installation, repair and replacement work?

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Maintain My Boiler?

Regular maintenance tasks involve monitoring pressure levels, inspecting for leaks or signs of damage, bleeding radiators, cleaning, replacing filters and annual servicing by a qualified heating engineer.

These simple yet effective tasks help to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your boiler. If you do not fancy carrying out these tasks, hiring a M&E contractor is recommended as they will upkeep and improve system performance, extending its lifespan and lowering the risk of breakdowns.

Why Boiler Maintenance is Important?

Boiler maintenance is crucial for prolonging the lifespan of the boiler; it helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and maintains safety by identifying and addressing potential hazards. Poorly maintained boilers can have serious consequences such as gas leaks or carbon monoxide emissions making your boiler dangerous and inciting emergencies. It is recommended that you hire a M&E contractor to inspect, identify and solve any issues that your boiler may have regularly.

How Often Should Boiler Maintenance Be Done?

Ideally boiler maintenance should be conducted annually by a qualified engineer. They should thoroughly inspect, clean and service the system. The planned maintenance programme should involve regular checks and tasks throughout the year to monitor performance and address any minor issues. This strategy will maximise the efficiency and reliability of your boiler.

The rise of smart heating & home automation

Posted on May 23, 2019July 28, 2023 by rob.fullsend

Smart heating & home automation: 2000-2019

10 years ago, smart heating & home automation might have sounded like concepts from Back to the Future. But with more internet-connected devices than ever before, they are now realities which look set to stay.

Now, this might lead you to ask “where’s my jetpack?”. But IoT-connected smart devices could save you just as much time and effort in the long run. Albeit without quite as much fun.

Smart appliances, the IoT and connected living

The Internet of Things, or IoT, essentially refers to the collection of devices which are connected to the internet, functioning without user input in most scenarios. This connectivity allows devices to communicate with sensors, other devices and systems outside of the device.

Now you can control multiple factors of your building using smart services. Nest paved the way for smart heating controls with its smart thermostat, introduced in 2011. Smart thermostats attempt to save energy by sychronising the timing of heating and cooling with patterns of household occupancy.

Their precursors, programmable thermostats, typically resulted in higher energy use than simple ones. This was largely down to user error and the difficulty of programming. A smart thermostat aims to obviate the need for human interaction, simplifying the task of saving energy whilst maintaining an equitable temperature.

Since then, a plethora of devices have become available, covering every conceivable application.

Various products can integrate with your lighting & garage door, sense smoke & carbon monoxide or toggle your devices to create the impression that somebody is home. And of course, all these devices will eventually integrate together.

Advantages of home automation

Home automation enables users to save time and effort. It could also lead to savings by preventing mishaps. Such as the one I experienced at the age of 19 when, after living with some friends for a year, we realised we’d had the boiler set to “continuous” the whole time. No – the bill was not a pretty sight.

We ended up paying considerably more than the cost of a smart thermostat, which made us wish we’d had the foresight to buy one. Then again, having just turned 18, our money was spent on goods in liquid form only. A smart thermostat would have been unlikely to make the cut.

Smart appliances will enable users to complete their housework remotely, prepare the house for guests, maintain cleanliness and much more. The concept essentially allows any application that can be dreamt up. It enables devices – rather than users – to utilise all the technology at our disposal.

Iot: Risks & Threats

The IoT is not simply a case of turning your devices on and then riding off into the sunset, however. Security risks, which pose the biggest threat to smart appliance development, are inherent in some devices and difficult to conclusively prevent.

Besides the router, each IoT-enabled connected appliance is also at risk from hackers looking for firmware vulnerabilities to exploit. The more devices, the more points of vulnerability.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning look set to drive a wave of secure advancements within the sector. AI will constantly probe, detect and learn from security logs, reacting to cyber threats faster than humans. Machine Learning could enable self-diagnosing smart appliances, which issue update notifications and security fixes when a firmware issue is detected.

The future of smart heating & home automation

With our modern taste for convenience, it seems inevitable that smart appliances and home automation will play an increasing part in our lives in the years to come. It is imperative that the security risks inherent are tackled, rather than simply talked down.

However, provided robust threat prevention methods can be implemented, the concepts look like being the first of a new technological paradigm.

Article by Barney Scott, Kiasu Group

Kiasu expands successful PPM partnership with CRM Students

Posted on April 11, 2019July 28, 2023 by rob.fullsend

CRM & Kiasu celebrate successful PPM contract

Kiasu is proud to be a preferred maintenance and works partner of CRM Students. Continuing an already successful partnership, Kiasu is responsible for planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and emergency maintenance for five of CRM’s properties in Greater London.

Planned Preventative Maintenance

Kiasu’s duties will include fire, plumbing and electrical safety checks, utility installation, repair and replacement, building refurbishment, fixed wire testing, PAT testing, minor repairs and decorating projects. In addition, the company provides an emergency callout service. Accordingly, Kiasu is employed as a planned preventative maintenance provider with a reactive maintenance provision.

CRM Students

CRM Students offers high-quality student accommodation for all budgets, operating across the UK with locations in 31 different towns. CRM’s Kiasu-maintained London portfolio includes Fulham Palace Studios, Kingston Plaza, Felda House & Grand Felda House at Wembley and Hox Park in Egham.

Fulham Palace Studios	Kingston Plaza	Hox Park
Felda House	Grand Felda House

CRM aims to provide a comfortable environment with a friendly community. suitable for all types of students to study and socialise. Properties are close to main transport lines. The company also works with Student Minds, a charity which provides critical mental health support for students. CRM conducts fundraising activities to help students help each other.

Kiasu Group

Kiasu has been around since 2009, and has grown to cover the whole of London and further afield. The Group provides an extensive range of property and maintenance services, as well as building projects and reactive maintenance. Kiasu also offers incident response training through its Crisis Management arm. Kiasu Workforce can assist with your maintenance needs. Give us a call on 02089881662 if you have an enquiry.

Ian Riches, Managing Director of Kiasu Group, commented; “We’re very glad to further strengthen our relationship with CRM. This opportunity reinforces our position as a service provider of choice within the student accommodation sector and vindicates the hard work our team do on a daily basis to grow our excellent client base. We look forward to working with our CRM colleagues through the duration of this contract and thereafter.”

Article by Barney Scott, Kiasu Group

Why you Need to Hire an M&E Contractor

Posted on April 8, 2019January 18, 2024 by rob.fullsend

If you have found yourself questioning whether you need an M&E contractor, you have come to the right place.

Here at Kiasu Workforce, we are London’s boutique property maintenance and commercial building projects company, and we offer expert mechanical and engineering services. But why should you care or want to hire us?

To help you with all the answers to your M&E contracting questions, we have put together an all-you-could-need guide to M&E contracting. From what it is to why you need it, we are sure we have all the tips and advice you need to make an informed decision.

What is M&E contracting?

To understand why you need an M&E contractor, it’s crucial to delve deeper into their role and how they help maintain your property.

If you own a building, you might have heard the term ‘M&E contractor’. A specialist contractor such as this will handle the mechanical and electrical systems within a building. Hence the name ‘M&E’.

Ultimately, they will ensure that critical areas of your business are working effectively. So, what types of systems can M&E contractors keep in check for you?

Well, they can be involved in everything from heating and ventilation systems to all elements related to health and safety within your property. M&E contractors are also often known as building service engineers.

They can handle everything from fire safety, the energy supply, the building control system and even ICT networks throughout the building. Drainage, plumbing and lighting issues can also be handled by an M&E contractor.

4 Reasons you need an M&E contractor

Now you know what the role of an M&E contractor is, it’s time to move on to why you need to hire one. We have put together the top four reasons you need an M&E contractor to help put the role into a little more perspective on how it will benefit you.

1. Keeping your building safe in the event of a fire

One of the most important aspects of fire safety is ensuring that occupants of the building are provided with the warnings that they need to get out of the building safely.

An M&E contractor can help here by ensuring that the right alarm systems are installed and working effectively.

As well as the initial alarm set up, the contractor can ensure that they will work efficiently in the event of a fire. An M&E contractor can also ensure that a full working ventilation system is operational in your building. This is another key aspect of safety and ensuring that the building is suitable for occupants.

2. Ensuring your business is up to code

It’s important to be aware that buildings must be set up to adhere to strict health and safety regulations, and an M&E contractor can help with this. When you undertake any building work or maintenance, an M&E contractor can ensure that your building is always up to code and help you avoid liability issues.

3. Preventing issues before they emerge

M&E contractors can also be responsible for making sure that issues never crop up on your property. For instance, they can conduct PAT testing, which ensures that portable electrical devices are safe and working correctly. If devices like this are not checked, they could actually be the cause of a fire. For this reason, it is no exaggeration to say that hiring an M&E contractor could prevent disaster.

4.Keeping your building secure

An M&E contractor can also guarantee that your building is set up to remain both safe and secure. Having a trusted contractor in the role can ensure that key security elements are in place throughout a building.

They will also guarantee that electrical locks throughout your business are fully functional and that there are no gaps in your security.

Hiring an M&E contractor

We hope that our guide has helped you to understand why an M&E contractor is such a vital hire for any building owner or business owner. Using their services will allow you to make sure that your business is both safe and secure. As well as this, systems will remain operational and any problems can be resolved quickly and without delay by a fully trained expert.

If you’re ready to hire an M&E contractor for your site or business, don’t hesitate to find out more about our expert M&E services available. Alternatively, browse more property maintenance services in London also on offer from Kiasu Workforce.

The Essential Safety Checks of Commercial Building Maintenance

Posted on February 7, 2019January 18, 2024 by rob.fullsend

Commercial building maintenance

No matter what kind of commercial building you own or run, it’s vital to maintain it carefully and correctly. If you don’t pay attention to the regular maintenance requirements, you’ll pay for it later. Ignoring problems or not even checking for them in the first place won’t make them go away.

If you want to learn more about maintaining a commercial property, you’ve come to the right place. We will cover all of the essentials and explain why they’re important. By reading all of the information below, you’ll better understand what it takes to maintain your commercial property. So read on now to learn about all the maintenance inspections you need to keep your building in top condition.

Why Do Building Maintenance Inspections Matter?

First, we need to discuss why these checks and property maintenance procedures are necessary. For a commercial space to function correctly and offer fundamental safety and security to the people working inside it each day, it must undergo regular maintenance checks. This doesn’t happen by itself.

It’s very easy to coast along and assume everything is fine. Still, you won’t know that for sure until you actively seek out problems and carry out proper checks. Now it’s time to look at the inspections and maintenance tips you should know.

The regular checks you’ll need to make

Many areas require inspections, and each area requires several different checks. Here are the areas of your property you will need to check to meet safety standards and legal requirements routinely:

Burglar Alarms And Security
Fire Safety (Fire Alarms And Fire Doors)
Electrical Installations (Pat Testing, Fixed Wire Testing Etc.)
Plumbing
Roofing
Heating, Ventilation And Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Checking and double-checking all alarms

You should make sure you have various types of alarms on your property. You’ll require a burglar alarm to ensure the building is secure 24 hours a day. On top of that, you should have fire alarms in place to comply with all relevant fire safety regulations. Once you have all of those alarms, you should ensure they’re regularly checked and double-checked to ensure that they’re functioning the way they’re meant to.

Fire Safety Inspections

One of the most dangerous threats that every property must strive to avoid is a fire. Several of the other inspections covered in this guide will help prevent fires and help keep you safe if one does break out. For example, fire alarms (as discussed above) will alert you to a fire. And some of the electrical testing (which we cover later) will identify potential fire risks so you can fix them before they cause an incident. In addition to these, however, you will also need regular fire door inspections. In the event of a fire, fire doors are essential to reducing the spread and containing the problem. However, over time they will suffer wear and tear. Regular checks will be able to highlight any significant damage that will prevent them from functioning correctly.

PAT Testing By The Book

Portable appliance testing is necessary for every commercial setting. It’s a vital aspect of health and safety and ensures electrical appliances are safe for use without any risk to the employees interacting with them. PAT testing has to be done carefully and by the book. A series of visual and electronic tests have to be carried out before an appliance can be passed as safe for use. These tests need to be completed regularly; it’s not enough to pass them once and then forget about them.

Plumbing And Pipe Checks

When something goes badly wrong with the building’s plumbing, you’ll know about it, and it certainly won’t be pleasant to deal with. Burst pipes or blockages can quickly get messy, making the commercial space unsafe and unusable until the problem is put right. That’s why regular plumbing and pipe checks are vital. When you carry out those checks, you can spot potential issues or minor problems before they become more severe. It is best to identify and fix the issue early to avoid potential disruptions. These checks need to be done thoroughly and carefully to ensure nothing is missed.

Annual Electrical Checks

All electrical components need to be checked annually. Faulty electrics pose several serious risks, including the threat of electrocution. Plus, faulty electrics are a fire hazard. Therefore these checks are crucial to a building’s safety. When it comes to electrics, it’s not worth taking any chances. Outlets, breaker boxes and switches should be reviewed and assessed for safety concerns and potential issues.

Things like cracks or signs of deterioration should be spotted as early as possible. It is important to rectify these issues before they worsen and cause a bigger, more serious problem. It’ll save you a lot of time and money in the future if you do. And more importantly, it can prevent a harmful (or even deadly) incident such as a fire.

Regular Roof Inspections

Roof inspections might not apply to every business as they might be a contained office in a larger building. But if you are maintaining a whole building, you’ll need to ensure the roof is regularly inspected for faults and damage. Let a professional carry out these checks because they can be risky if carried out by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. It’s imperative to carry out these inspections if there’s recently been a lot of stormy or generally adverse weather in your area.

Maintaining HVAC Systems

Without regular maintenance, an air conditioning system’s effectiveness can subside. They become less energy efficient – costing you more for the same results. Eventually, your HVAC system may not even be able to function to the same level at all. Furthermore, as with all maintenance inspections, HVAC servicing will identify small problems before they become bigger. If left unattended, these issues could leave you without air conditioning and a sizable repair bill. So make sure you spot them early and fix them while the issue is still small.

Ventilation and Air Quality Control

Dust fumes and airborne contaminants can cause a range of health issues. Air quality is a serious concern that needs to be properly monitored. Ongoing inspections are crucial to ensuring your ventilation minimises these risks. In some cases, such inspections are a legal requirement. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), for example, requires Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems to be tested every 14 months.

Preventative Maintenance and Inspections

Property maintenance will be far easier for you if you stay on top of things. It’ll allow you to spot small problems before they get the chance to develop into much bigger ones. Each of the checks listed above will be vital for commercial property to function properly and run smoothly. Left unattended and unchecked, any one of these areas could lead to a significant problem resulting in costly fixes or even harm to yourself or others. Please don’t ignore them.

Conclusion

Property maintenance will be a lot easier for you if you stay on top of things. It’ll allow you to spot small problems before they get the chance to develop into much bigger ones. Each of the checks listed above will be vital to the smooth functioning of your commercial property, so don’t forget about them.

Our team is equipped to help you with any commercial property maintenance needs you might have so if you need any of the property checks mentioned above, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kiasu Workforce on 0208 988 1662 or email us at enquiries@kiasugroup.co.uk

5 ways to save money on your building refurbishment

Posted on December 11, 2018July 28, 2023 by rob.fullsend

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.