Services, materials and fittings

Services & materials Asbestos in UK homes: where it is found and what to do Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, so properties built or refurbished before then may still contain asbestos-containing materials. Common location... 6 min read → Services & materials Does a house need rewiring? Signs and wiring regulations Wiring deteriorates with age, wear and changing regulations. Signs that a house may need rewiring include frequently tripping breakers or fuses, flick... 5 min read → Services & materials Energy Performance Certificates: what buyers should know An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a report on a property's energy efficiency, graded from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Most res... 3 min read → Services & materials Home EV chargers: what they add when selling a house A home EV charger can make a property stand out to buyers who own or plan to buy an electric vehicle. It allows overnight charging on off-peak electri... 5 min read → Services & materials How long do double glazed windows last? Lifespan and care Double glazed windows are generally expected to last 20 to 25 years, and high-quality units can last up to 35 years if properly maintained. Their actu... 5 min read → Services & materials Lath and plaster walls and ceilings: what buyers should know Lath and plaster is a traditional way of forming walls and ceilings: thin wooden strips, called laths, are fixed to the framework and covered in plast... 3 min read → Services & materials Magnesite floor screed: how to identify it and its problems Magnesite floor screed is a mid-20th-century flooring layer made from magnesium oxychloride cement mixed with sawdust or wood flour, used in UK buildi... 6 min read → Services & materials Water softeners: benefits, costs and maintenance A water softener reduces the calcium, magnesium and other metal ions that make water hard. Softer water can extend the life of washing machines, dishw... 5 min read →