What is render?

Render is a common finish to many UK homes and commercial buildings.  Render is basically a finish on the external walls of a building.  There are many kinds of render, usually made up of a mixture cement, sand, lime and water.  Render is applied by building up a few coats, which when dry offer protection from the elements to the brickwork underneath.

Fresh, clean render makes your home or commercial building look more appealing and can add value to the property.  However, over time render will become dirty with a build-up of algae, moss lichen and other dirt.

When this happens, the property can look unkept and people will often assume a full repaint is needed when the same results can be achieved by using less expensive render cleaning services like ours at JJC Contractors Ltd.

Why get your render cleaned?

Your rendering may be low maintenance; however, it can last even longer if looked after properly. If the render is not regularly cleaned, it will begin to fade.  This is likely due to the render becoming infested with algae, mosses, and lichens that stain and ruin the appearance of a home or commercial building.

Render cleaning will drastically improve the look of your home or any building.  Over the year’s buildings are exposed to a variety of elements all day every day.

This can cause a lot of dirt to build-up over time, which will decrease not only the look of your home but its value.

What is the best way to clean render?

Many people do not know how to effectively clean and remove stains from their render.  High pressure cleaning damages rendered walls, as it penetrates tiny gaps of the render causing expensive and lasting damage.

Using a low-pressure cleaning process ensures a safe clean of your render that is long lasting and without causing damage to your existing rendering or pebbledash.

Fortunately, we at JJC Contractors Ltd are specialist render and roofer cleaners.

Here at JJC Contractors Ltd we use specialist techniques to get rid of organic matter algae and nasty stains.  We do this without the use of high-pressure washing equipment that will ultimately damage your rendering.

We have a three-stage cleaning process starting with cleaning off any moss or algae with a soft wash method, using specialist tools to do the job.  The second stage is a light steaming process to effectively remove any other dirt and grime and then finally apply a treatment to protect your render leaving it in tip top condition.

Our three-stage technique will not only clean your render but kill any growth at the root, leaving you with longer lasting cleaner render, effectively removing a range of containments including:

• Stains
• Mould
• Algae
• Spores
• Moss
• Lichens

Conclusion

Render cleaning restores pride in your property’s appearance, delays the need for full repainting and prolongs the overall life of your render.

By using a professional render cleaning service, you are assured the best results with minimum of risk of damaging your property.  Our experienced team know how to restore your render to its former state, making it both appealing to potential future buyers and prolonging the life of the render itself.

The post RENDER CLEANING -THE RIGHT WAY appeared first on JJC Contractors Ltd.

Over time roofs become dirty with a build-up of moss and algae.  To retain the structural integrity of the roof and ensure your home or commercial property is safe and protected for all weather conditions, it is important to keep your roof clean and clean it regularly.

There are several methods which can be used some being better and more effective than others we will discuss those further on.

Why clean roof tiles?

If roof moss, algae and dirt is left and not deal with it can cause many problems.  Firstly, moss absorbs moisture easily, which will add weight to the roof, putting it under stress.  Also, this moisture can enter the roof space, which can seriously damage integral parts of the roof structure. In addition to this moisture can cause cracks and splits in your roof tiles.

The presence of moss, algae or dirt on your roof tiles can also cause blockages in your roofline drainage system.  The build-up of moss and other materials can block the guttering that runs along the tiled roof, causing water to run down the sides of the building, leaving unsightly marks and resulting in damp within the walls of the property.

What is the best cleaning method?

Here are JJC Contractors Ltd we are roof specialists providing the very best in roof cleaning services, that not only cleans the surface of your roof but also eliminates biological spores on the surface of your roof, prolonging its appearance and longevity for years to come.

The most common used method is high pressure washing but this is something we are against and would never recommend.  High pressure washing can cause more damage than good because the strength of the water stream can remove the protective finish off the roof tiles.

We use specialist techniques to get rid of organic matter algae and nasty stains.  We do this without the use of high-pressure washing equipment that will ultimately damage your roof.

At JJC Contractors Ltd we have a three-stage cleaning process starting with cleaning off any moss or algae with a soft wash method, using specialist tools to do the job.  The second stage is a light steaming process to effectively remove any other dirt and grime and then finally apply a treatment of biocide to protect your roof leaving it in tip top condition.

Our three-stage technique will not only clean your roof but kill any growth at the root, leaving you with longer lasting cleaner roof, effectively removing a range of containments including:

• Stains
• Mould
• Algae
• Spores
• Moss
• Lichens

Conclusion

Roof cleaning will keep your roof in tip top condition, not just looking its best but also keep you and your property safe and protected  not just from the winter weather but  all year round

By using a professional roof cleaning service, you are assured the best results with minimum of risk of damaging your property.  Our experienced team know how to restore your roof  to its former state, making it both appealing to potential future buyers and prolonging the life of the roof itself.

In addition to the above as specialist roofing contractors we can carry out all manner of roof repairs, ensuring your roof stays safe and protected throughout its life time.

The post How best to clean and protect your roof this winter? appeared first on JJC Contractors Ltd.

Gutters perform an important role in protecting your property.  They do this by directing the rain and water away from your property. We give you the top signs your gutters need replacing.

Knowing when the time has come to replace your gutters is important because the type of problems that affect your gutters and downpipes will become worse over time. This will lead to more expensive repair work.

The four top signs to look out for as follows:

1. Peeling paint

As well as being unsightly this can also indicate a more serious issue with some types of gutters.  Steel gutters are coated to help protect them from the moisture that can cause them to rust if the paint is beginning to peel off this could indicate that moisture damage has already begun to occur on the gutters themselves.

2. Cracks and Splits

Big or small, cracks and splits need dealing with straight away.  Small cracks may not seem that big of a problem, but they can grow over time, particularly in the winter months when the water will turn to ice inside the crack and expand, causing the crack to split open wider.

3. Water damage around or beneath the gutters

You may spot stains, mould or peeling paint on the exterior walls.  These are all signs that your gutters need replacement sooner rather than later

4. Sagging gutters

Are the gutters sagging or pulling away from the fascias, this can be caused by a build of up debris, which if left, over time can become very heavy and cause your gutters to come away from the fascias – this can be resolved by having them cleaned and repaired and may result in not need replacing.

Another reason could be due to incorrect sizing or not enough support from the gutter hangers. If this is the case they probably need replacing.

Conclusion

Functioning gutters are crucial to your property and its protection.  Make sure you take notice of the signs mentioned above to keep your property in the best condition possible.

The post TOP SIGNS YOUR GUTTERS NEED REPLACING  appeared first on JJC Contractors Ltd.

Maintaining your gutters is probably the last thing you think about.

Whether you have a commercial or domestic property to maintain, gutters tend to be last on the to-do list, until something goes wrong.

To make sure you give your gutters the full attention they deserve we have put together a must-read guide on how to maintain and repair your guttering.

So why is gutter maintenance so important?

For a start clogged up gutters not only causes water to flow incorrectly off your roof but can add weight to the gutters. This makes them sag and fall apart.

If your gutters are not working as they should or have been damaged, they can no longer do the job they were designed for.  This can lead to other issues as mentioned above or far worse.

Gutters are there to protect your home or commercial property from water.

They are there to make sure the water from the roof is carried away safely to the downpipes and into the drains.

Without them, water would just pour straight off and run down the exterior wall and windows of your property.

This leaves potential for the water to find its way into any small crack or crevice, and potential for damage to paintwork, brickwork and pointing. The damper the conditions the more chance of mould over time.

Without taking care of your gutters you will be faced with increased maintenance to resolve the problem.  All of which can be avoided with regular maintenance and cleaning of your gutters.

Maintenance and Repairs of your guttering

We all have a good routine for keeping the inside of our homes and commercial properties clean and this should extend to the outside of our properties too.

1. Carry out a regular external inspection of your gutters

Inspections carried out around four times a year is recommended and the best time to do this is when it’s raining.

Next time it rains have a look to see how your guttering is performing.

Look out for the following signs:

• Is there water flowing over one point of the gutter
• Are there any drips coming from the gutter?
• Is there any vegetation growing from the gutter?
• Can you see any loose, bending or misshapen downpipes?
• Is there any splashback happening at ground level?
• Is the exterior wall green or discoloured or mouldy?
• Do you have any pointing or brickwork damaged?
• Are there any cracks in the foundation?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then the chances are you have blocked gutters and it’s time to get them cleaned before real problems strike.

These are all warning signed of ongoing damage to your property caused by blocked gutters and you need to act straight away.

2. Inspect the inside of your property.

Some of the most serious damage caused by blocked guttering happens inside the property.

If you have a leaky roof, and/or watermarks appearing on the ceilings, don’t assume that the roof tiling is automatically at fault.

A common issue with blocked gutters is that when rainwater has nowhere to go, it backs up under the roof causing internal problems with leaks and mould.  If you have any of these problems in your property, then again have your guttering checked.

Remember prevention is always better than cure, spotting blocked gutters is not always easy and often the damage has already been done.  Regular checks and gutter cleaning prevent such problems.

3. Deal with any minor repairs needed

Occasionally your guttering may need a small repair, such as a leak between two sections of the guttering and the joint that connects them.

These kinds of repairs are easy to complete and will prevent further problems occurring in the future.

Remember small issues become bigger ones if left alone over time.

If you don’t feel confident in carrying out any repairs to your guttering, then use a professional service to do this for you.

4. Clean your gutters regularly

 To keep your gutters and downpipes in tip-top condition they should be cleaned twice a year in Spring and Winter, or at the very least once a year.

All properties whether domestic or commercial should carry out regular cleaning and maintenance of their guttering and downpipes as part of their ongoing maintenance.

This is even more important for landlords and commercial property managers as the costs of poor external property maintenance can be much higher.

Getting up on the roof of your home or commercial property can dangerous especially if you are afraid of heights and don’t own the right tools or have the right skills necessary to clean your gutters or downpipes.

We would recommend using a professional service like ourselves to take care of this for you.  As part of our gutter cleaning service, we will do any minor repairs as well as identify any worsening problems before they become bigger ones and offer you advice on future maintenance of your guttering and downpipes.

 Conclusion

 As you can see guttering and downpipes play an important role in protecting your property.

If you look after it, it will look after you and help prevent damage to the property.

Carrying out regular inspections, keeping it clean and tackling those minor repairs is the best way of maintaining your gutters and downpipes.

The post MAINTAINING YOUR GUTTERS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT appeared first on JJC Contractors Ltd.

It doesn’t matter whether you have a domestic or commercial property, the outcome of not keeping your gutters and downpipes clean is just the same.

Contrary to what you may think, the rain doesn’t keep your guttering clean.  There is a lot of other debris that can land in your guttering and wreak havoc.

Fallen leaves, grit, dirt and moss are just a few of the regular culprits for clogging up your guttering and downpipes.

If not dealt with in good time the guttering and downpipes can become easily broken and damaged.

This extra weight can even pull the gutters away from the wall creating cracks and a bigger issue to solve.

Living in a tree-free area doesn’t mean your gutters will be okay. You’d be shocked at just how much dirt and grit can accumulate on the average roof.

When your guttering is blocked, rainwater can only land on the foundations.. This will lead to water seeping into the walls, causing damp.

Over time this will cause major structural problems which are costly to fix.

How should you be keeping your gutters clean and functional all year round?

To keep your guttering and downpipes in tip-top condition, you should clean them at least once a year in the winter but twice a year is best in both Spring and Winter.

Yes, you could try cleaning your gutters yourself if you are not afraid of heights and have good sturdy ladders.

However, it is always best when tackling jobs like this to get the experts in especially if your gutters are in an awkward location.

It is far safer to use a professional to clean them quickly and safely than to attempt it yourself.

Conclusion

Not keeping your gutters clean will lead to your guttering becoming blocked. This causes them to eventually become damaged and break away from the wall.

In addition to this water will seep into your walls causing damp. If left, over time this will cause structural damage in the future.

Calling in a professional to carry out a quick annual clean will not only keep them clean but will prevent a host of more serious problems arising later down the line.

We provide a reliable and efficient gutter cleaning service across Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas.

Whether you are looking for a regular full gutter cleaning service or a one-off emergency gutter repair, you can count on our professional and affordable team to look after you.

The post WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CLEANED YOUR GUTTERS? appeared first on JJC Contractors Ltd.

FASCIAS

These are boards which act to support the bottom edge of the roof tiles, they protect the ends of the roof rafter as well as keeping out birds and vermin.

In addition to this fascias help to prevent weather damage to your roof and are available in many styles and a range of colours to suit your tastes.

Traditional fascias tend to be made of wood, which will eventually rot over time. The result is your home losing some if its protection. They quickly become unsightly if you don’t keep on top of maintaining them, which is very time consuming.

It may be tempting to cover your rotten fascias with uPVC  but this is only masking the issue and will lead to further damage later down the line.

It may seem like a cheaper option in the short term but in the long term the rotten wood underneath will just continue to rot and only make the problem ten times worse.

WHY CHOOSE uPVC FASICAS AND SOFFITS – The key benefits of using uPVC fascias are

• Low maintenance, easy to keep clean
• Hard wearing and capable of withstanding harsh weather
• Longer life span that the traditional wooden fascias
• Much more aesthetically pleasing
• Available in a range of colours and realistic wood grain finishes

SOFFITS

The soffits are boards which are attached to the underside of the roof like assembly to keep the underside of the roof rafters dry and secure.  Soffits are also traditionally constructed from wood and can also become rotten in time.  This leads to water penetrating the roof rafters end, causing serious roof damage.

The key benefits of using uPVC Soffits are

• Low maintenance
• Hard wearing and capable to withstanding harsh weather
• Longer life span than the traditional wooden soffits
• Available in a range of colours in a realistic woodgrain
• Much more aesthetically pleasing

If your facias and soffits have seen better days and you are looking at getting them replaced, then you have come to the right place.

At JJC Contractors we believe in only the best for our customers and that’s why we are fully qualified installers of Soffits and Fascias and our product of choice is Free Foam building products.

We have chosen this product for many reasons, one of which is it is manufactured using some of the best raw materials available in PVC-U extrusion.

Free foam building products are BBA approved, manufactured in accordance with British Standards and conform to all relevant environmental regulations.

Once installed our products will provide extra thermal efficiency within homes and buildings, helping reduce carbon emissions, an important consideration these days.

All free foam products are designed to be not only durable but also flexible and easy to use, yet they are extremely rigid once installed. Free foam products will not bend, rot, warp or discolour and come with a comprehensive guarantee.

Like to find out more
Contact us today

The post WHY CHOOSE uPVC FASICAS AND SOFFITS appeared first on JJC Contractors Ltd.

The Firestone EPDM flat roof system is an advanced flat roof system becoming an ever more popular alternative to the traditional roofing systems of old.

It has been used extensively over the last forty years in the USA and is in fact the most used single ply roofing membrane in the world.

So, what makes this roofing system so desirable? Apart from the fact it is watertight and extremely durable, here are just some of the many features and benefits:

1. Ease of installation

The Firestone’s EPDM roofing systems are seamless, this means that they come in one piece so there is no field seaming involved, reducing the time and effort it takes for your roofing contractor to install it.

Another great feature is that is does not require any flame, as needed with traditional methods.  This system uses a cold applied roofing adhesive making the process 100% safe and odour free.

2. Resistant to leaks and punctures

With Firestone EPDM membranes offering unmatched resistance to ozone, UV radiation and high and low temperatures, with minimal maintenance, they are a reliable barrier against water and moisture.

3. Easy installation

This roofing system is extremely flexible that allows for the roofing material to be installed even in cold temperatures.  This means it can be installed all year round with minimal fuss.

4. Aesthetically pleasing

This material looks good with its clean and smooth surface, it also prevents the growth of moss that is known to harbour moisture, which causes problems later down the line.

5. Environmentally friendly

If you want to contribute towards a greener environment, the consider the Firestone EPDM.

Firestone’s EPDM manufacturing facilities have received certification for environmental management systems.  As one of the environmentally friendly roofing materials in the world today, EPDM does not have toxic emissions during installation.

All this comes with a 20-year guarantee and installed by our fully qualified workmen. Do your roof a favour and contact us now for your no obligation quote.

The post FIRESTONE EPDM THE HIGH-QUALITY ROOFING SOLUTION appeared first on JJC Contractors Ltd.

Today we will be talking all about flat roofs and how you can maintain Life span of a Flat Roof ensuring any small issues you may have with your roof don’t end up escalating into major ones.
If you are unsure as to how to go about maintaining your flat roof, then you have come to the right place.

We here at JJC Contractors have put together a few handy tips and information to guide you on how best to look at your roof.

Flat Roof Tips

1. A roof doesn’t last forever so checks should always be carried out at least twice a year to ensure any damage is repaired quickly to avoid unnecessary costly bills.
2. Sounds obvious but make sure you remove debris such as leaves, twigs, moss, stones to ensure this never builds up to the point where your gutters begin to get blocked up and create water pooling. Clean out gutters and any other drainage areas to allow the water to flow freely after rainfall.
3. Any surrounding foliage should be cut down and trimmed where possible to keep the build-up of any debris as mentioned above to a minimum.
4. Carrying out internal checks are just as important as carrying out external ones. Check the ceiling for rising moisture and spread of damp, as well as any water damage. If this is neglected it will lead to much bigger and more costly problems in the future.

Common Issues With Flat Roofs

A good flat roof should always feature a mild incline if there isn’t one or the slope isn’t steep enough rain can gather in all manner of places on the roof causing damage. Also watch out for pooling of water, which can occur if the roof has begun to sag in places, or if you have blocked drainage.

If left too long the water will eventually damage the membrane protecting the roof and leaks will start to appear.

Moisture that gets trapped between the roof and membrane can cause what is called blistering, this is likely to happen in hotter environments. Repairing this is an easy task for roof contractors to carry out for you.

While there are many advantages to using EPDM as a protective membrane coating, it can suffer from shrinking, when this happens the seams will start to loosen and again moisture can begin to affect the layer beneath. If it is minimal then repairs are again straightforward but if left it will be costly.

Hope you have enjoyed our handy tips and if you do need some help with your roof repairs or replacements feel free to get in touch.

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