Thinking of Moving House? - The Benefits Of A Pre-Purchase Electrical Survey

Apparently July saw a rise in the property market but I wonder what percentage of these buyers have or are going to ask an Electrician to carry out a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey on the property before making an offer?

Now I know moving is an expensive time as it is what with your Solicitors and Estate Agent fees, then you have to pay for a Building Survey, and then you have all the other costs involved with moving house, so your probably thinking something like a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey is an expense you could do without. However, imagine your in your new home a few months later, the boxes are unpacked and your past that stressful period, then just as things start to resemble some normality, you have an electrical fault which then leads to you calling out an electrician to find out what the problem is. The Electrician arrives which in turn leads to him telling you that the wiring for example, is in a terrible condition and more work is required than just the initial problem. The benefit with having a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey done is it will show the condition of the electrical wiring of a property and check the safety of the electrical installation before you comit yourself to a property.

When we buy a property, we never really know what we are going to find as we transform it into our home, walls could be in a terrible condition once you remove the wallpaper, which means you have to have all the walls re-plastered, which was like the house I purchased 2 years ago with my partner which of course we didn't budget for! Now I appreciate that no survey would show up those types of problems but the Building Survey did make us aware of some other things that needed considering, as did the Pre-purchase Electrical Survey we had done. The survey bought to our attention that some areas of the electrics in the house needed modernisation, for example, our kitchen, lounge and dining room power all fed off of one circuit. Now the demands of kitchens these days what with a washing machine, fridge freezer, tumble dryer, dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine and endless amounts of other kitchen appliances we had, it was heading for a fuse overload unless we changed the current electrical set up. Now the two viewings we had would not have made us aware of this, as everything looked fine on the surface and even thought this problem was something that could be easily rectified, the survey helped to highlight the problem to us and made us aware of the costs before deciding on the property.

The things that showed up from us having a Building and a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey did not put us off buying this particular house, the point is we went into this house knowing what to expect and what costs were involved going forward, well minus the wall problems! The survey gave us the opportunity to get a better insight into the electrical condition of our future home and therefore a decision was based on if we wanted and could afford the property or not from the findings.

If you really don't think you have anything to worry about with a property you are considering then why not consider having a Visual Electrical Inspection which gives you a reasonable insight on the condition of the electrical system in a property. The report will highlight anything that may need replacing, if any, in the future which at least gives you some peace of mind.

Whenever a customer calls us at Fulcher Edwards to find out if they should have a electrical survey on a property they are interested in, we always advise them to have one or a visual inspection as it provides you with useful information before making that offer. Its important to remember that just because something is working, it doesn't necessarily mean there are no underlining problems and it is operating safely.

If you are considering looking for a new home anytime soon then don't forget to budget for an Pre-purchase Electrical Survey as it could save you money in the long run. Just make sure that the electrician you use is registered with a Government-approved organisations like NICEIC, as registered Electricians will work to current British Standards which will lead to a job well done, because lets be honest your going to be under enough stress already!

Happy moving!

Light Up Your Garden

Believe it not, it would seem that we are actually having a Summer this year so if your lucky to have one, your no doubt making the most of your garden at the moment with plenty of BBQ's with family and friends that probably continue late into the evening. This time of year your garden is an extension of your home so why not take the time to decorate it like you would your lounge or kitchen? By this we mean with lights and not just by having one to light up the garden to help you see, but by using them it to make a feature of your garden.

There are different types of lighting designs available that would enhance any type of garden whatever size it may be. Just by adding lighting to your walls, trees, shrubs, patio, decking, steps, pond or summerhouse will instantly bring your garden to life.

There are many types of styles and effects you can choose from for your front or rear garden, ranging from traditional, contemporary to eco-friendly and you don't necessarily need to light every area of your garden or spend a fortune to create a great effect.

Below are the different type of effects available to add that wow factor to your garden:

Uplighting
This is when lighting is placed at ground level by placing a light at the base of a tree, shrub or garden building which creates dramatic effects by giving depth and contour.

Water Lighting
This is when lighting is placed in or around a water feature such as a pond. Water is great for acting as a natural mirror and adding beautiful reflections.

Downlighting
This works well when it is used to focus on a particular feature or plant as it can produce some wonderful shadows. This type of effect can also double up as a security feature too if used on a doorway of a building.

Shadowing
This effect can be achieved when placing light in front of a particular object like a statue where it will illuminate it. This works even better if there is a wall or building nearby.

Step/Path Lighting
This type of lighting is usually at low level and helps make the area safe and creates an interest as to where does a particular path or step lead to.

Cross Lighting
This is when lighting hits a particular object from both sides, which adds a softness to the lighting. This works well on benches.

Washing
This type of lighting creates a soft glow effect by placing light at the base of a wall or hedge so that it washes over the surface of them.

Moonlighting
This type of lighting is very effective and provides a romantic feel. This is done by placing and positioning a light in a tree for instance, where the light will be broken up, which then creates a dappled effect on the ground.

Most people think that only landscape gardeners can carry out these type of works, however some electrical services companies do have there own design team who can discuss your ideas, order suitable lights and install them for you and your still gain the same results. However if you would prefer to use a landscape gardening company, its worth checking with your electricians before searching, as they may work closely with a some already. By doing this you not only get a recommendation but the electrical works will be carried out by a company you already know and trust.

Deck lights, rope lights, sensor lights, LED and even security lights are just some of the many different lights on offer to you that can be used, so why not think about updating your garden and adding that wow factor while the summer season is upon us and enjoy it for many more years to come!

Electrical Safety Advice For Your Holiday!

It's that time of year when we all look forward to jet setting off to a hot destination for some well deserved chill out time with friends or family. Even though your escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, electrical safety is something you need to stay very much on the ball with even whilst abroad. Some countries do not have the same safety regulations as we do in the UK so some vital checks should really be part of your holiday routine to keep you safe.

The Electrical Safety Council recommend a few vital checks when travelling abroad and how to keep safe when it comes to electrical appliances.

Your hotel room - check that:
•there are no bare wires that can be touched where electrical accessories have been removed or damaged
•sockets and light switches are not damaged or have their covers missing
•light bulbs are properly inserted into all light fittings and are not broken or cracked
•there are no trailing extension leads or overloaded sockets and never ignore the warning signs of burning smells, sounds of arcing (buzzing and crackling), fuses blowing or scorch marks on plugs and sockets

Bathrooms - check that:
•electrical accessories cannot be touched whilst in the bath or shower

By the pool - check that:
•electrical appliances are kept away from the water

On camp sites - check that:
•there is Residual Current Device (RCD) protection or a similar device that will cut off the supply if there is an electrical problem
•flexible cables are positioned appropriately to prevent them being damaged
•electrical appliances are stored in a dry place

Keeping yourself & your family safe is not difficult if you follow a few simple rules:

1.Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands.
2.Never touch light switches if they are cracked or show signs of damage.
3.Never plug equipment into a socket which looks damaged/cracked or has part or all of the cover missing.
4.Never use mains powered electrical appliances in a bathroom.
5.Always check that cables are securely attached to electrical equipment and are not cut, nicked or damaged in anyway. There should be no joints in the cable and certainly no repairs with insulating tape. Cables should also be checked for signs of overheating, such as discoloration.
6.Always check that the travel adaptor you are using is the correct type for the country in which you are travelling and never force it into a socket if it does not easily fit.

Wherever you are on holiday, no-one should have to compromise their safety so always report any electrical dangers to the person responsible. This could be your hotel rep, tour operator or the hotel manager. If the danger is not removed immediately, insist on being moved.

These types of checks will put your mind at rest so you can really enjoy your break. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!

Fire Safety In The Home - Electrical Appliances

I think most people would agree that we take electricity for granted and forget the damage it can cause if not treated with care. Electricity can kill, can give you an electric shock and it can also cause a fire.

Below are some guidance notes on electrical appliance safety that every homeowner should follow to help protect there family and home from a fire:

1) Check your sockets on a regular basis to see if they feel hot and if there are any burn marks. A registered electrician can check for you to see if they need repairing or replacing.

2) Regularly check the flexible cables on all your appliances for damage, such as fraying and general wear and tear. Then check to see that the cable is fastened securely to the plug. If any appliances show any sign of the above then stop using them until they are repaired. Checks should always be carried out before you plug any appliance into a socket.

3) Do you know how old your wiring is? Electrical installations should be checked at least every 10 years in a house and when you move into a new home. Look at it as an MOT for your home the same reason you have your car checked. If you live in rented accommodation, the electrical installation and appliances provided are the landlord’s responsibility. You have the right to ask to see a copy of the certificate or report confirming that the installation meets the UK national standard BS 7671 so you know how safe they are.

4) Check the current rating of an electrical adaptor before you plug appliances into one. Always make sure that the total current used by the appliances are not more than the adaptor’s rating.

5) Turn off any electrical appliances like TVs, computers and hairdryers that you are not using, especially at night as this is when a fire can spread quickly and cause more damage. This also helps you save energy and will help reduce your electricity bill.

6) Always take care when using hand-held electrical appliances and switch them off and unplug them when you have finished using them. This is particularly important if you have items that can get very hot like hair straighteners, hairdryers and curling tongs which, if left on can easily cause a fire by being in contact with any flammable material that they are in contact with.

Things You Shouldn't Do!

1) Don’t use a bulb with a higher wattage than the one printed on the light fitting or lamp shade you are using.

2) Never cover the air vents on fan heaters or storage heaters.

3) Don't overload electrical adaptors by plugging too many appliances in to one socket especially appliances like kettles, heaters and irons as they have a high electrical current. A registered electrician can install extra sockets for you which would be much safer.

4) Never let flexible cables trail under rugs or carpets.

5) Do not dry clothes on electric heaters or place it near curtains or furniture.

Get A Smoke Alarm!

If a fire starts in your home, a smoke alarm will give you the valuable time you need to escape. Its important to check yours regularly as someone is twice as likely to die in a house fire if your smoke alarm does not work. Speak to your local Fire Brigade as they may be able to install one for you free of charge as part of there free home fire risk check.

Remember that elecricity can kill, so you should always follow advice on electrical safety as it could save your life!

Have you got an RCD? If not why not!

A recent survey showed that many people confuse RCD's with circuit breakers, however an RCD offers a lot more protection and can even save your life!

What does an RCD do exactly?

RCD is an abbreviation for residual current device. Should danger arise when using electrical equipment, such as a toaster or a lawn mower, this little device turns the electricity off so that no harm comes to the person using it, such as an electric shock.

Is home really the safest place?

1 in 8 of us are still getting electric shocks in the home and every week someone dies of an electrical accident in the home. Now we all know that electricity kills but we all seem to think that our homes are the exception and that things like an electric shock wont happen to us, but we face electrical dangers everyday unless we protect ourselves correctly. An RCD can protect our family from electrical fires and electric shocks in the home.

What RCD option is best for me?

There are two different types of RCD's that can be installed into your home:

RCD on your fuse box:
A registered electrician or electrical services company like Fulcher Edwards can install a new fuse box for you with RCD's fitted. This option provides you with the highest level of protection as it covers all wiring, sockets and appliances on the circuit.

Plug-in RCD:
This can be plugged into any socket in your home or garden and will protect you should there be a problem with the particular appliance you are using and have used the RCD plug-in device at the time.

Fulcher Edwards would always advise our customers on having an RCD on your fuse box as the level of protection is so much higher than the plug-in RCD as its unlikely you will use these for every appliance in your home. This option would not protect your family all of the time unlike the fuse box option.

To make people more aware of the importance of having an RCD fitted in your home the Electrical Safety Council have launched a campaign called Plug into Safety. Their website in general offers lots of advice on how to make your home safe so we would definitely recommend a read when you have some time.

An RCD can save a life so surely this little device is worth a consideration in your home?

The Glamorous Platforms

FE was very lucky to be involved for the second year running with the Absolute Return for Kids charity (ARK) annual gala dinner at the old Eurostar Terminal in Waterloo. Now of course being based in the terminal and basically knowing it inside out especially from an electrical point of view, we would always be involved to a certain extent but to see the platforms transform into a spectacular event really was nice to see. FE has had their offices in this terminal for some 15 years and this place has seen many changes over that time and Eurostar leaving the terminal was a sad day and took the life out of the building, so to have so many people in this building again was great to see.

Now of course events like this do not happen overnight (rumour has it £10k per ticket!), they are planned months and months in advance and it wasn't much different with our role. There was a lot of testing to be done as well as energising and livening up in the vast area that is this terminal. Plus it was not just the platforms that were used for the event but the old departures concourse was where guests like Naomi Campbell and Eva Herzigova arrived, the departures lounge area was the walkway where guests made their way up to the platforms for the dinner and auction. The rest of the departures area was used for 'backstage' purposes so all the old shops like WHSmith were transformed into dressing rooms and refreshment spots for all the staff hired for the evening. The Killers & Groove Armada had their own private area in the old Business Lounge.

On the lead up to the event it really was all hands on deck as we worked alongside the events electricians and assisting with their needs, even when The Killers required 110 transformers from our store room so that they could perform at their rehearsal. We were even helping out The Old Vic theatre the day of the ARK event with their production of Ditch in the tunnels under Waterloo as they too were using a small part of the terminal as a backstage spot for their performers. Mr Arpad Busson was even seen wondering about the terminal making sure everything was going to plan.

At one point it was hard to imagine the event was going to happen as there was so much still to be done but these event companies are pros and know exactly what they were doing, especially as it was their second year at the terminal. 6pm came and a few of us went up to the platforms to see the final result before the guests arrived and security got even tighter which we soon realised was because the beautiful Queen Rania of Jordan was the special guest of the evening.

Steve and Fred were our two electricians on standby on the night, they were here until long after the event finished which didn't see the last guest leave until the very late hours of the morning. When everyone had left, works started straight away to start clearing the terminal. Our electricians job at this point was to bring up the front and back of house lighting so that this was possible for the events company.

A week on and the terminal is still being stripped out with anything that was to do with the ARK event and each day it gets closer to its old self. The good news though is The Railway Children production starts soon so there will still be lots of activity going on here but just of a different kind.

We think events like this are a great way of using a disused terminal, what do you think?

Safety of Portable Appliances Provided by Landlords

If you are a landlord then generally you will supply your tenants with appliances such as fridges, washing machines and electric kettles as part of the tenancy agreement. As I'm sure you are aware The Landlord and Tenancy Act 1985, you are required to ensure that these appliances are safe for continued use.

The Electrical Safety Council recommends that such appliances are tested either by a business competent in PAT or an electrician that is registered with an industry recognised accreditation like NICEIC. This should be at the start of each tenancy and at regular intervals during any long term tenancy.

The checks that need to be carried out will include an inspection to ensure the following;

1) connections inside a plug are correct and secure
2) the fuse inside a plug is of the correct rating
3) no bare wires are visible other than at the terminals inside the plug and appliance
4) There is no sign of internal damage, overheating or entry of liquid, dust or dirt

The competent person carrying out the testing for you will use a portable appliance test instrument to check the electrical condition of the appliances you have and supply you will a portable appliance safety certificate when testing is complete and all items are agreed safe. In some cases you will also be issued an asset register on each of the items tested for your records.

With most fatalities in the home by electric shock being caused by appliances, faulty plugs and leads, I'm sure you agree the importance of such testing. In fact whether your a landlord or not shouldn't we all be thinking about having such testing at work and at our homes on a regular basis considering we all use these type of appliances in our everyday life? Just think how often do you put the kettle on to make you and your colleague a cuppa in the office or you and your family use the hair dryer or toaster at home?

Have you had PAT in the your office or at home?