Carports are covered parking areas which can be used to shelter one or more vehicles from the elements. Unlike garages, carports are open in construction. Carports can be free-standing structures, or can be attached to one or two walls. Because carports are so open, they offer less protection than a traditional garage, but they also offer better ventilation.

Carports are not a new invention; they have been in use for more than 100 years. The earliest record of a carport can be traced back to the early 1900s, when Walter Burley Griffin used one in his design for Sloan House in Illinois. The term “carport” did not get coined until much later, however. Architecture historian David Gebhard traced the origin of the term back to the Streamline Moderne homes of the 1930s.

Choosing between a carport and a garage.

Freestanding carports have been a popular feature of American homes for many decades, but the design is becoming increasingly popular in Europe too. This popularity is down to several reasons. Carports are cheaper to build, and their open structure allows them to double as an entertainment area. You would not want to host a barbecue in your garage (in fact, doing so would most likely be rather unsafe!), but carports can easily be converted into a makeshift marquee or gazebo for some weekend entertainment.

Carports do have some downsides, unlike garages, they are not suitable for use as a general storage area. They also offer less security for your car. However, they are far cheaper to build, and generally you do not need planning permission to erect a carport, whereas you may well to build a full garage.

Another benefit of building a carport is that it is a stylish addition for your home. If you are thinking of building a garage why not consider a powder coated aluminium carport that can match the colour and style of your home? You can even decorate your carport with hanging baskets and place plants in the corners, making it an attractive part of your house rather than an enclosed and dark utility area.

What style of carport should you choose?

Free standing carports are more flexible than lean-to carports in terms of where they can be placed and how they can be accessed. If you have a large trailer or an awkward to manoeuvre vehicle, parking in a free-standing carport may be easier for you than parking in a lean-to carport or garage. However, free standing car ports do offer slightly less protection from the elements than lean-to carports, and therefore a lean-to may be better for those wanting to benefit from that bit of added protection from the weather.

The choice of materials and roof style is a matter of personal preference. There are many different designs to choose from. Metal carports are more hard-wearing than wooden carports and therefore require a lot less maintenance. If you are looking for a small carport, then a stylish metal model with a curved roof is a good option for any modern home.

Large open carports are a good choice for people who enjoy working on their cars. They offer shelter from the elements, and can have small storage areas built-in for tools, but they also offer good ventilation, so you can enjoy fresh air and natural light while working on your vehicle, instead of being stuck in a dark, stifling garage.

All carports should be designed and installed to allow rainwater to flow off the roof easily. Ensure your carport has guttering installed to direct the excess water to a nearby drain, instead of allowing it to run off in several different directions, or flow towards your property.

No matter what kind of carport you choose, it is important to use a reputable company to install it to make sure that it is erected correctly. An incorrectly installed carport which could be blown over in the wind, or collapse under the weight of standing rainwater is not safe and could damage your car or your property.

How much does a carport cost?

The cost of a carport depends on the size that you want it to be, the material it is made from, and the style you choose.

Before you can get a detailed quote for a carport, a surveyor will need to examine your property, measure the area and make sure that it is ready for work to be done. The surveyor will be able to take into account all of the factors contributing to the car port price- including your style choices and also the environment where it is being installed. This will allow them to give an exact price for completing the project from start to finish, rather than an estimate.

If you would like to know more about having a carport installed, check out this step by step guide. After browsing the range of designs on offer, contact us directly for a more detailed quote.

In general, UPVC double glazed windows are long-lasting, secure and hard wearing, however problems do sometimes occur. The most common issues with double glazing tend to be related to sealed units. Read on to learn about common double glazing problems, and how to handle them.

Condensation

Condensation occurs when water vapour hits a cold surface. Steam, or general moisture in the air, condenses back into water droplets. Usually, having double glazing reduces the amount of condensation that occurs in your home. However, if your home is insulated, draft proofed, and has double glazing then it could become a moisture trap. To determine whether the double glazing condensation problems you have are indicative of a something serious, look at where the water is gathering.

• On the inside pane: Condensation on the inside of the inner glass is an indication that the temperature of the glass is too low for the atmosphere and water vapour content of the room. Check out this handy guide to find out ways to reduce the amount of condensation in this situation.
• In the cavity: Condensation inside the cavity of your window is sign that there is a problem with the seal of your unit. There should never be condensation in between the two panes of a hermetically sealed unit. If you see condensation there, it is usually a sign of either leakage of moist air from the room into the window cavity, or that something inside the air space itself contains moisture. You should have an expert examine your windows to determine how to fix this issue.

Other Common Double Glazing Problems

Double glazing is designed to provide insulation, reduce noise pollution, and stop drafts. However, as your installation ages, it is common for the sash to drop, and the hinges to become worn. This leads to several problems:

Draughts

If you notice draughts coming from your double glazed windows, this is usually a sign that the windows are not closing properly. This is usually caused by one of the two wear-and-tear related issues mentioned above.
To diagnose the problem, close the window and check the side with the hinges. If there is a gap between the sash and the frame, then this means your hinges are damaged. If the hinges look OK, check the lock by sliding a credit card between the sash and the frame. If the card moves freely, then you need to tighten the lock. If the gap is tight, then you have nothing to worry about.
The final likely cause of draughts is a dropped sash. This usually occurs in windows that have side openings. Close the window, and look at the top corner above the handle. If you can see daylight where the sash is supposed to meet the frame, then your sash has dropped, and will need adjusted.

Broken handles and hinges

Broken handles, hinges and locks should not be ignored. As mentioned earlier, damaged hinges that prevent the window from closing correctly lead to draughts, and this essentially eliminates some of the main reasons for having double glazing.

In addition, broken window locks are a serious security issue. Your home insurance may be invalidated if your windows are not correctly locked. For this reason, and your family’s safety, it is important that you fix the problem immediately.

Is it Time to Upgrade Your Windows?

If you live in an older property that has one of the first generation sealed double glazing panes or even a property with UPVC windows and single glazing, then you may find that updating your windows will save you money. Some common problems with older UPVC installations include:

• Discoloured UPVC frames: While UPVC is quite hardwearing and easy to clean, it will eventually become discoloured. If cleaning the plastic with a specialist UPVC cleaning product does not remove the discolouration, then it may be time to replace the frames.
• Improving your glazing: If you currently have only single glazing, then you should definitely consider investing in double glazing. Double glazed windows reduce noise pollution, stop draughts, and help to regulate the temperature of your home. If you already have double glazing, but you live in an area which gets a lot of wind, bad weather, or noise pollution, you may want to update to coated, low emission glazing solutions.
• Updating less energy efficient windows: Double glazing comes in many different flavours. Early double glazing was certainly better than single pane glazing, but there have been many advances in glazing over the last few years. Modern “Low-E” windows are filled with a special low emissivity gas to ensure that short wavelength heat from the winter sun is allowed into your home, but that the heat inside your home does not leak out. This saves you a lot of money on your heating bills, and keeps the temperature of your home comfortable all-year round. Check out this document to learn more about how low-e windows work.
• Poor security: Many older windows feature simple locks (or worse, no locks at all). Not only is this dangerous from a security point of view, it could be costing you a lot of money. Improving the security of your windows may result in lower insurance premiums.

Repair or replace?

Damaged hinges and dropped sashes can be repaired for you by a specialist.

Issues with seals, however, are more difficult to repair (but not impossible). If you are unsure whether you should repair or replace your double glazing, consult a company such as Window Doctor, who can examine your windows and offer advice, as well as a free quotation.

Replacing your windows will require a substantial up-front investment, but over time that investment will pay for itself. If you do not have double glazing at the moment, speak to your local authority to see if they offer any financial aid for people looking to make their homes more environmentally friendly.

Conservatories are the most common kind of home extension. They are affordable, easy to build, and a great way to add some much-needed extra living space to your home. There is a lot of confusion surrounding conservatories, however. Is planning permission necessary, or are conservatories considered to be a permitted development?

Building regulations can be confusing. Read on to learn about which rules apply when building a conservatory and what you have to do to get the process started.

Planning Permission: Is it needed for a conservatory?

Building a conservatory is governed by the same rules as other forms of home extensions. The rules for extension planning permission are quite specific about which jobs do and do not need it. In general, conservatories are classed as “permitted developments”. This means that you do not need planning permission, as long as the following conditions are met:

• You must be building a single storey conservatory.
• The conservatory covers no more than half of the total land around your home.
• The conservatory height must not exceed the height of your roof.
• If the conservatory is to the rear of your home, it must not extend more than three meters beyond the rear wall of your home (if you live in an attached house), or four meters if you live in a detached property.
• The total height of the conservatory cannot be more than four meters.
• The maximum eaves height of the conservatory must be within two meters of the boundary and the height of the eaves and ridges must not exceed the height of your home.
• Side conservatories must have a width no greater than half the width of the house.

If any of the above conditions are not met, then you will need planning permission to build your conservatory.

Conditions for Conservatories

The conservatory planning permission rules may seem confusing, but they are actually quite clear-cut. If you are thinking of building a conservatory then the first thing you should do is contact your local authority for advice.

The permitted development rules mentioned above apply only to houses. If you live in a flat or maisonette then you may need planning permission even for a relatively small and simple development.

Conservatories are generally exempt from traditional building regulations as long as they are:

• Built at ground level.
• Have a floor area of less than 30Sq Meters.
• Are separated from the rest of the house by a true external walls, doors and windows (not interior quality dividing walls).
• Have an independent heating system with separate power and temperature controls.
• Have glazing and electrical installations that comply with all relevant building regulation requirements.

If you have a multi-storey home, you should take care to position your conservatory so that it does not impede ladder access to any windows serving rooms that are a part of a loft or roof conversion. Those windows may be used as an escape or rescue route in the event of a fire.

If you plan on having any extensive wiring work carried out, be aware that conservatories are included in the building regulations covering electrical wiring. All major electrical works must be carried out by a qualified engineer. The same goes for gas appliances.

Obtaining planning permission can be a slow process, so it is a good idea to put in your application early. There is no harm in having the paperwork in place long before construction starts.

Finding Contractors to Build Your Conservatory

When most people buy a conservatory, they work with contractors that specialize in conservatory construction.  This can ensure that the build runs smoothly and takes the stress out of dealing with individual contractors.

Look for a contractor that has experience with building “green” conservatories. Older conservatory designs can be a huge energy drain because they tend to become very warm during the summer, but lose heat rapidly during the winter. If you design your conservatory to be more like an extension, with good insulation and energy efficient glazing, this will save you energy (and money) and make your conservatory a more comfortable place to spend time in throughout the year.

Avoid contractors that cold-call you. If you are planning to build a conservatory, ask your neighbours who worked on theirs, and ask friends and family to recommend reliable workers for you. If someone tells you they know a good builder/painter or other tradesman, ask to see the work that they did. Look for someone that has worked on similar projects. Remember that there is a big difference between hanging some shelves and building a conservatory. Many people make well-intentioned recommendations, not realising how much skill and experience some projects require.

Be wary of contractors that encourage you to borrow money from a company that they recommend – especially if it is not a company that you are familiar with. One common scam is for builders to recommend secured loan companies even for smaller home improvement projects. The terms of these loans can be quite punitive, and once the builders have what they want from you – your signature, you will find that they lose interest in the project. You could end up paying exorbitant interest rates for sub-standard work.

To avoid such scammers, do your own research, get several detailed quotes from different contractors, and choose the contractor that offers the most reasonable sounding deal. Agree milestone payments in advance, and make sure that you understand how unexpected expenses will be handled.

Making the Most of Your Conservatory

In all too many cases, poorly built conservatories are only habitable for a few months out of the year. Because conservatories contain so many windows, they can often become excessively warm during the summer, and particularly cold during the winter.

Choosing the right suppliers at the start of the build will however result in a conservatory that is welcoming all year round.  Stormclad’s a-rated energy efficient glass uses state of the art technology to lock in absolutely all the heat in your home.  With a ten year guarantee you can rest assured that your conservatory will be nice and warm whatever the weather outside.

Most people use their conservatory as a communal room for entertaining, but there are lots of other things that the room can be used for.

Consider turning your conservatory into a gym. You can open the doors and windows during the summer, turn on some music, and enjoy the view of the garden while you’re riding your exercise bike. During the winter, you won’t mind that the conservatory is cold because it will warm up quickly once you start exercising.

Another good use for conservatories is as a breakfast room. Most families eat breakfast together, but eating in the dining room seems a little too formal for such an early meal. Eating in the conservatory creates a more relaxed atmosphere, and the setting will boost your mood and make it easier for you to tackle the day ahead.

Whatever you choose to do with your conservatory, try to resist the urge to fill it with “stuff” while it is not in use. You do not want to turn your conservatory into a temporary storage area. If the conservatory is allowed to fill up with clutter, you will find it more difficult to reclaim the room once the weather improves. Instead of storing things in the conservatory, keep those items in boxes in the hall and commit to “processing” one box per week – either by giving it away, throwing it away, or storing it properly. This will keep your conservatory clean and tidy, ensuring it is used for its intended purpose.

With thanks to the Nottingham Topper: 

Staff at a Nottingham company have been hailed ‘Good Samaritans’ after coming to the rescue of a local Scouts group.

Raiders broke into a hut used by the 4^th Hucknall Scouts group by smashing an external kitchen door, just before Christmas. The hut was deemed unsafe to leave unguarded, so club leaders called in city firm Stormclad, which caters for windows, doors, conservatories, as well as patio doors, fascias and soffits, car ports and garage doors. Stormclad bosses proved it was the season of goodwill by supplying and fitting an external fire door free of charge.

Scout Club leader Sheila Parsonage said; “Not only did they come to our aid at a moment’s notice but continued the goodwill be replacing a second damaged fire door and only charging the cost of the door itself.

“We would like to say a big thank you to our Good Samaritan Stormclad for making our Scout hut safe and secure, and making it look great too.”

Terry Hill, Marketing Director at Stormclad, said the company was more than happy to help the Scouts.

“It was a genuine goodwill gesture to help the kids.” He added.

“We didn’t want the building to be left open over the holiday period, so stepped in to help.”

Brand new conservatories look gorgeous, but that sparkling fresh look doesn’t tend to last for long. Mould, mildew, dust and prolonged exposure to the elements can quickly make even the nicest of conservatories look dull and run-down.  The

good news is that with the right conservatory cleaning tools you can keep your conservatory looking like-new quite easily.  Here are a few conservatory cleaning tips  to help you get your conservatory in shape ready for the summer.

Useful Conservatory Cleaning Equipment and Tools

Looking after a conservatory requires more than just a little elbow grease and a sponge.  Washing the windows and wiping down the frame regularly will help to prevent dirt and mildew build up, but you will need some specialist conservatory cleaning equipment if you want to safely and easily clean the hard-to-reach parts of your conservatory.

Some good investments include:

• A sturdy ladder – you can purchase specialist conservatory cleaning ladders (http://www.ladderstore.com/conservatory-access-ladder-for-cleaning-maintenance.html) that are lightweight and attach securely to the top of the conservatory with non-marking cross-bearers that prevent damage to the roof.
• Telescopic conservatory cleaning brushes –  a telescopic brush (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Betterware-708-Telescopic-Conservatory-Cleaner/sim/B000K4X7BK/2) extends your reach, allowing you to clean high and awkward to get to spots without putting your safety at risk.
• Power washers – you can use a power washer (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-X-Tra-Pressure-Washer-Cleaner/dp/B001TUYV1O/ ) to clean parts of your conservatory that are not made of glass.  They are especially effective for cleaning stone floors, brickwork and concrete but can be used on some roofs too.

How to Clean Your Conservatory

Cleaning a conservatory can be quite a time-consuming task.  It’s best to break down the cleaning process into several stages which you’ll work on over a long weekend, taking plenty of breaks along the way.  The key tasks that you will need to tackle are:

• Remove plant material and debris from the gutters and drainpipes.
• Sweep the roof then hose it down with a pressure washer.  Use a mild moss, algae and mould removing solution to treat the roof afterwards and prevent re-growth.
• Clean the outside of the windows – you can use the same solution for this as you would use to clean any other window on your house.  If you spot any cracks or chips in your windows, contact your conservatory company to get the damaged pane replaced – even if the damage is not particularly unsightly, cracked double glazing panes are far less secure than intact ones.
• Clean the framework – UPVC conservatories can be wiped down with a solution of warm soapy water.  Do not use abrasive chemicals to clean a UPVC conservatory.  Wooden frames can be brushed clean then sponged down with warm soapy water.  After the wood dries, treat it with oil to bring out the grain and protect the wood against the elements.

You should clean the exterior of your conservatory once every six months to prevent leakage, roof damage and decay.  If you live in an area that experiences a lot of bad weather then you should clean your conservatory more often.  Clogged gutters and collected debris on the roof can cause a lot of damage if allowed to build up unchecked.

Some modern conservatories come with “self-cleaning” glass, however this glass is not really as magical as it sounds.  The glass will stay clean for far longer than untreated glass, but moss and algae are likely to build up over time, especially if the roof is north facing.  It’s a good idea to give self-cleaning glass a helping hand by spraying it with warm, soapy water occasionally.  Do not scrub self-cleaning glass, and do not use harsh chemicals on it, because this may damage the photocatalytic coating.

Cleaning the Conservatory Interior

While the exterior of the conservatory has to put up with a lot of wind and rain as well as even harsher winter weather, the interior of the conservatory puts up with a lot of abuse as well. If someone who lives in your home smokes then you may end up with unsightly yellow stains on the frame of your conservatory.

Mould and mildew can build up inside the conservatory too, especially if the conservatory is poorly ventilated and left unused during the colder months.

Before cleaning conservatory windows inside, consult the documentation that came with your conservatory.  Weather seals can be easily damaged if you use the wrong sort of cleaning material.  If in doubt, use a solution of warm water with a small amount of washing up liquid in it.

While you’re cleaning the inside of the conservatory, examine the locks and rollers on all doors. It is safe to lubricate handles, locks and hinges with WD40, but you should not oil the doors rollers or tracks.  If a door is sticking or becomes difficult to move, check that the tracks are free from debris and that the drainage holes are unobstructed. If clearing the tracks does not solve the problem, call a conservatory engineer and get them to examine the door.

Safety First

Conservatory roofs are not designed to be stood on or crawled on.  If you are not able to clean the roof with a telescopic brush or a power hose, then you should use a conservatory cleaning ladder to climb up to the roof and then place crawl boards across the roof’s glazing bars.

Do not, under any circumstances, crawl or walk directly onto a roof panel.  Position your crawl board or your ladder’s cross bearers so that its weight is evenly distributed across two glazing bars.  Work slowly and methodically and stay on the crawl board at all times.

Do not go up onto a conservatory roof if it is wet and slippy, or during windy weather.  Try to have someone with you when you are working so that they can hold the ladder, pass you tools, and be available should you need any assistance.

If you are using any specialist mould or mildew removers, keep them out of reach of children and keep the tops securely on the bottles while you are not using them.  This is especially important if you have pets running around.  Even a small amount of cleaning chemicals can be fatal to a pet if ingested.

Congratulations to our recent competition winners, Mr and Mrs Jones from Chilwell. The lucky couple are pictured below, receiving their prize of a luxury Christmas hamper, which was personally delivered on Wednesday by two members of the Stormclad team.

As you might be aware, at Stormclad we’re all about valuing our customers, and that’s why we love to give a little back by running competitions designed just for you, our wonderful customers.

Mr and Mrs Jones won this fabulous prize after we invited the couple to enter our Christmas competition. Not only were they lucky enough to win a luxury John Lewis Winter Gem Christmas Hamper, but as with everybody who entered, they were presented with a £250 voucher to spend with Stormclad, as well as access to a number of other lovely offers and bonuses to say Merry Christmas from us. Read below to see what the couple had to say about their prize…..

We’re planning to do lots more giveaways in the New Year, so keep one eye on your email and one on our Facebook page, if you don’t want to miss out on winning some fabulous prizes in 2013!

Dear Clyde,

It was a lovely surprise when out of the blue you phoned us up to say that we had won a Christmas hamper in the competition set by Stormclad.

This was a lovely surprise as both my husband and myself had completely forgotten that we had even entered a competition for a hamper.

It was a pleasure to meet you and your colleague this afternoon and take delivery of the beautiful hamper. We will certainly have a lovely time trying out all the luxury things that we probably wouldn’t normally buy.

Thank you once again, and we would like to wish all at Stormclad a Happy Christmas and a successful New Year!

Best Wishes,

Mr and Mrs M. Jones

Home security is a top priority for many homeowners; yet what most of us see as secure, may in fact be highly vulnerable when criminals with the ‘right’ skills attempt to break in to your home.

The scary fact is that while many burglars are young and opportunistic, many more are ‘professional’ criminals who come equipped with the knowledge and tools to successfully break into seemingly secure homes.

The video below features an expert from an independent test centre attempting to break into two doors: the first is fitted with a standard UPVC door handle, found on many exterior doors around the UK.

The second is fitted with a ‘Secure by Design’ handle – a door handle used by Stormclad, that has been designed specifically to thwart the efforts of even the most experienced and determined burglars.

To find out more about how Stormclad can help you to enhance your home’s security, please click here or give us a call on 0843 636 4488.

Today’s smart phones do so much more than make calls and receive emails.  With the right apps, your phone can help you get fit, stick to your diet, find your way around town, and wok on your DIY jobs. Whether you need inspiration, calculators, or mobile tools, there is software that can do the job.  Here are ten of our favourite home improvement apps.

1.    Yardage Calc – iOS

This tool will help you to estimate the yardage of fabric you need and can convert yards to meters.  If you buy a lot of fabric this tool will save you time and hassle in the store, and will help to ensure that you don’t buy too much fabric, or end up short for an important upholstery job.

2.    Handy Man DIY – iOS

Are you sick of guessing how much paint, trim and flooring you need for your next job?  Just input the relevant figures into this calculator and it will give you a clear answer, taking out the guesswork, and ensuring you don’t end up stuck with loads of leftovers.

3.    ColorSmart – iOS/Android (Free)

Have you seen a colour that you just love?  Snap a photo and let this app match that colour with a paint from the BEHR range. In addition, you can get recommendations for matching colours, and play with “re-designing” some mock rooms in the app, to help you visualise what the paint will look like in your home.

4.    iHandy Level Free – iOS/Android (Free)

There’s nothing more annoying than hunting through boxes of tools and all the junk in your shed to find a tool that you only use once every few years.  If you’re anything like me, you probably just buy a new spirit level for every DIY job.  Now there’s no need!  This free app does everything a regular spirit level can do, only better, since the screen is lit, and it provides numerical feedback for extra precision.

5.    ID Wood – iOS

How many kinds of wood can you name?  This visual floor dictionary contains information about more than 160 different kinds of wood, helping you to choose the best wood for your floor.  It tells you about the durability, sustainability, and hardness of the wood, and offers tips about the best way to work with that particular wood, saving you from potentially disastrous woodworking mistakes.

6.    My Measures – Android

Working with hand-drawn floor maps can be rather error-prone, and doesn’t help you visualise where things will go in your room.  My Measures lets you take photographs of your room, and layer notes about size, angle, or location onto them.  Now there will be no more getting home with that new painting only to be find that the book-case in that corner is taller than you thought it was.

7.    Dimensions – iOS (Free)

Use your iPhone as a collection of measuring devices including super-precise callipers, a tape measure for sizing up rooms, and a satellite map that can calculate the size of your garden. This is perfect for taking quick measurements out at the store, and for those times when you can’t find your tape measure.

8.    Sewing Guide – Android

Whether you’re a novice sewer, or an expert that just needs the odd reminder when it comes to more esoteric techniques, this app is a must have. Knowing how to finish seams, add zips, and make pockets will save you time and money when it comes to clothing repairs, crafts, and upholstery.

9.    Home Sizer  – iOS

If you’re designing your own home, having an idea of the tax, insurance and mortgage costs is important.  This app will help you make sure that your dream home is really affordable.

10.  HomeLogic Mobile Control – iOS (Free)

This app is like a remote control for your home.  It allows you to control HomeLogic equipped cameras, air conditioning, heating, and other systems via WiFi or the Internet. If you’re renovating your home, investing in a remotely controllable system is a good idea – checking your security systems remotely will give you peace of mind, and the cost-savings of managing your heating and lighting remotely will soon mount up.

Images from http://freshome.com

If you want to ensure that your conservatory lasts a lifetime, then you will need to clean it regularly and keep up with any required maintenance work. Small conservatories can be quite easy to clean, especially if you have opted for a treated glass and UPVC construction.  Cleaning a bigger conservatory, or one with a polycarbonate roof, can be a more demanding task, however.  Here are a few tips to help you take care of your conservatory.

Roof Care

Glass roofs are usually quote simple to take care of.  You can wash them using a telescopic pole with an attached water feed.  Warm soapy water should be enough to get rid of all but the most stubborn moss build-ups.

If you have a polycarbonate roof then you should take care when cleaning it.  Polycarbonate roofs are treated with chemical coatings to protect them from the elements, and most household cleaning products will damage that coating.  Do not scrub polycarbonate roofs, and do not use petrol based or alkaline cleaners.  The company that supplied your conservatory should be able to offer cleaning advice.

If you use the wrong cleaning product on a polycarbonate roof, it could become discoloured and start to crack or decay after prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Exterior Cleaning

If your conservatory has a UPVC frame, you should be able to clean it with warm, soapy water.  Wooden frames need more care.  Some people like to leave their conservatory exterior untreated, so that it takes on a weathered appearance.  Even if this is your goal, you should brush it clean once or twice a year to remove mould and mildew build-up.

If you want to keep your conservatory wood looking like new, consider treating it with Tung Oil. This water-resistant oil will help to bring out the natural grain of the wood, and keep it flexible and strong.

Other Cleaning

In addition to cleaning the roof and the frame, it is a good idea to carefully inspect any gutters and drainage.  If there is a build-up of leaves, twigs and other debris in those gutters, it can encourage the growth of moss and algae, and lead to a damp problem developing. Untreated leaks and damp patches can cause roof tiles to shift, leading to even bigger leaks and interior damage.

The interior of the conservatory should be cleaned regularly as well, with careful attention paid to the interior frame, and to the floor.  If you have any concerns about leaks, damp, or mould, then you should seek professional advice.

Should You Use a Professional Cleaning Service?

While it is easy enough to clean your conservatory windows and perform basic maintenance, there are some tasks that may be best left to the professionals.  If you have a wooden conservatory, or your roof requires special treatment, then you may find that hiring a professional cleaning service is the best option.

Some cleaning tasks require working at a height, and if you do not have the correct safety equipment, it is a bad idea to attempt this.  The same goes for treating leaks and damp patches.   If you do not know exactly what you are doing, your attempt to fix the problem may cause more damage in the long term.  Sometimes, calling in professional help is the most cost-effective solution.

Photo credit: Xurble

If you live in an area close to a river or the sea, then your property could be at risk of flooding, especially at this time of year.  Sadly, it’s not possible to make your home completely flood proof, but there are many precautions that you can take to reduce the likelihood of flood damage, and ensure that should a flood happen, the damage is minimal.

It Pays to Prepare for Floods

If you are caught unawares and your home is flooded, then the damage could be quite extensive.  It takes a long time to clean out a flooded property, and the damage to furniture and electronic equipment in your home will be expensive.  The best course of action is to take preventative anti-flooding measures, but to accept that water might get in, and prepare for that eventuality too.

Keeping Flood Water Out:

To keep flood water out, consider the following:

• Raise door thresholds, and invest in flood boards that you can install during periods of extreme weather
• Raise damp-proof brick courses
• Install covers over ventilation bricks to prevent water coming in through them
• Fit non-return valves to water inlet pipes, outlet pipes and drains
• Consider “tanking” (sealing) floors to stop rising water
• If you live in a high risk area, consult your local authority about installing a pump to clear floodwater

Reducing Water Damage

There’s always the possibility of water breaking through your defences, but if you have prepared well then the damage should be minimal.  Here are some things you can do to prevent your property.

• High shelves – place valuable items on high shelves
• Keep electronic equipment off the floor – mount your home entertainment system 1.5 meters above floor level
• Doors – fit synthetic or waxed doors that can withstand water
• Skirting – varnish your skirting boards to protect them from flood water
• Kitchen cabinets – next time you replace your kitchen cabinets, opt for solid wood, or a water resistant synthetic material, rather than soft wood or chipboard
• Appliances – raise appliances such as your fridge and washing machine, even a small plinth could make a difference

Coping With a Flood

If you receive a flood warning, you should act quickly to take precautions:

• If you have a car, and the flood water hasn’t reached your area, move the car to higher ground
• Gather essential items (medicines, insurance documents, a wind up radio, etc) and move them upstairs (or to a high shelf)
• Fill jugs, pans, and bottles with clean water
• Turn off your gas and electricity supplies (unless you have an electric pump running to remove water)
• If you do not have non-return valves fitted to your pipes, put the plugs in to your sinks, bathtub and shower to prevent water coming up through the plugholes.  Weigh the plugs down with a sandbag.
• Tune in to the local radio to listen for alerts

After The Flood

When you return to your home after the flood, the first thing you should do is get a qualified engineer to inspect your electrical appliances.  Do not turn them on until the inspection has been completed.

Flood water can contain dangerous chemicals, so wear waterproof clothing, gloves, waterproof boots, and a face mask while you are cleaning and drying out your home.

Take photographs of the flood damage to show to your insurance company.

Photo from University of Salford.