Features

Polypipe puts you in control

Polypipe app

Polypipe, the UK’s leading manufacturer of underfloor heating systems, has developed a new range of smart controls compatible with leading home smart systems.

Polypipe’s new Smart controls, allow customers to adjust the temperature of their underfloor heating system using a smartphone, tablet or touchscreen thermostat.

The controls are compatible with Google Assistant, Apple Homekit and Amazon Alexa meaning that they fit in with systems that customers are already familiar with.

Smart controls used with modern underfloor heating systems are designed to operate more efficiently and save money and energy over the whole life of installation and use.

New shower enclosure range from Primaflow F&P

Primaflow F&P new shower enclosure range

Leading bathroom wholesaler Primaflow F&P has unveiled an exclusive range of ‘easy-fit’ shower enclosures, designed to be installed in three simple steps. 

The new models – available with sliding, pivot, quadrant and bi-fold door options – also feature quick-release metal rollers, for easy cleaning. Gary Shields, Primaflow F&P’s Bathrooms and Fires Category Manager, explains that the new range has been designed with retailers’ needs firmly in mind: 

£40m Growth for Bathroom Market in 2019

White Bathroom Market Sink

The new bathroom market report from MTW Research indicates that bathroom sales will grow by around £40 million in 2019, with real term growth returning in 2020 for most bathroom product sectors. 

Based on data from 130 bathroom suppliers, the report identifies rising ‘pent up demand’ in the bathroom market, highlighting growing latent demand for several sectors.  Bathroom retailers are reporting healthy levels of enquiries according to MTW, but consumers remain reticent to commit to purchase due to Brexit paralysis and economic uncertainties. 

School pupils work with drainage company in fight against plastic

School pupils working with drainage company in fight against plastic

Lanes for Drains are empowering teenagers to lead the fight against hidden plastics by working with secondary schools to produce unique and engaging lesson plans and a set of educational resources that are now available to schools nationwide.

The company – the largest privately owned drainage contractor in the UK – aims to raise awareness of the dangers of hidden plastics and how this generation can have the biggest impact in halting the problem.

Tool theft: top tips for prevention

Tool theft from a van

As technology advances within electric power tools, unfortunately so does tool theft and tactics which thieves use to break in and steal equipment. Thieves are becoming more sophisticated and are using methods to break into vehicles which leave no sign of damage; mainly by taking advantage of a security flaw in keyless vehicles. The popular ‘relay’ method is carried out using an illegal device which replicates the signal from your car or van’s key fob. So, not only are work tools at risk, so is the actual vehicle itself. 

Tips For A Healthy Winter Boiler

Boiler on a blue wall

Just like a car, a boiler needs to be well maintained in order to keep it operating at its best. Spring and Summer is the perfect time to make sure it’s in tip top condition. If you are doing DIY or jobs around your home this bank holiday, follow these tips to help prevent any stressful moments later in the year when the cold weather returns!

Check the system pressure 

Occasionally you may need to top up your heating system to maintain optimum performance. If your boiler pressure is below 0.5 bar then generally it’s too low and you need to increase the pressure. If it’s between 1 and 1.5, you can sit back and relax.

Bleeding a radiator

How a water fitting is tested to become an ‘Approved Product’

Approved water fitting tap

WATCH: an exclusive look at how a water fitting is tested to become an ‘Approved Product’

Water fittings, such as taps, pipes and showers, must be of an appropriate quality and standard to comply with UK water fitting regulations and byelaws, and prevent water from being contaminated – and a WRAS Approval is one way of demonstrating that a water fitting complies with this requirement.

To give an insight into how water fittings are tested, The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) has shared a behind the scenes,  informative video detailing some of the intensive tests a tap goes through to ensure it complies with the relevant standards, before it can be granted Approved Product status.

The two-minute video illustrates tests such as:

Top 5 Lies Customers Tell To Obtain Cheaper Van Insurance

White van driving through a city

Top 100 Insurance Brokerage Reveals the Top 5 Lies Customers Tell Staff in Attempt to Obtain Cheaper Van Insurance

Constuctaquote.com also reveals that in some instances customers potentially do the opposite of what they intended and end up increasing their premiums by avoiding the truth 

Top 100 insurance brokerage, Constructaquote.com,has created a top 5 list of fibs told by potential customers on a mission to get cheap van insurance, the South Wales Company has revealed.