Bolton-based Seddon has completed the £900,000 project to replace a 20-year-old hydrotherapy pool at Delamere School, to benefit pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Trafford. The project was funded by Trafford Council via the Department for Education’s SEND capital funding. Delamere School provides 80 places to support
It is no longer news that the standard of personal hygiene and sanitation has been raised, over the years. High traffic areas with objects touched by different people require more attention to curtail the spread of germs. You will need to focus more of your attention on the areas or
In 2020, market value is projected to decrease by around 6%, largely due to Covid-19 and the lockdown measures introduced to attempt to halt its spread. Although FM contracts have continued to be issued within the last year, the UK economy is expected to take a severe hit, with budgets
Finding the right vacuum cleaner can be one of the most challenging decisions to make. But at the end of the day, what makes a vacuum cleaner best is its efficiency. Each device offers a different cleaning experience. One model that has remained a popular choice is Duo clean Vacuum
SD Sealants, one of the largest cosmetic finishing groups in the UK, has launched a new repairs service dedicated to the facilities management sector. This new facilities management offering is the latest in a line of new services launched by the company, following the launch of its insurance claims department
So you’re thinking about renovating your home, that’s great! In these times when everyone’s been pretty much homebound, it can be a good idea to invest in some quality renovations. But before you start, we suggest you run a thorough check of your home, just to avoid any future (unpleasant)
Are you frustrated with the reappearance of rodents and ants after you’ve cleaned up your house? Well, before you feel hopeless, consider this. Pests like rodents, ants, or moles don’t appear because of the lack of sanitization at your home. They can occur in the cleanest of places and wreak
COVID-19 has challenged us all, testing safety, resilience, finances, and wellbeing alike. At our IWFM Impact Awards 2020 virtual ceremony in September, we celebrated some amazing examples of the powerful influence of our profession and its ability to adapt to these extraordinary circumstances with ingenuity, skill and often compassion. Ahead of Workplace Week International (9 to 13 November), we sat down with IWFM’s Head of Workplace, Donna Walker (DW), for a
Using one or more of the following tips can make it much easier to get rid of bed bugs and other pests, and there are many reasons for doing so. Let’s take a look at them and find out how they can work for you. Getting rid of these pests
RFM Group, the property maintenance company, is rolling out a high tech mobile workforce management system. Supplied by BigChange, the cloud-based system provides a complete business solution incorporating back office management software that synchronises in real time with rugged tablets used by RFM’s mobile workforce. BigChange provides is a single platform CRM,
Bolton-based Seddon has completed the £900,000 project to replace a 20-year-old hydrotherapy pool at Delamere School, to benefit pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Trafford. The project was funded by Trafford Council via the Department for Education’s SEND capital funding. Delamere School provides 80 places to support local children and is one of only three dedicated SEND schools in Trafford. Designed by Bowker Sadler Architecture (BSA), delivery of the project was also aided by structural engineer, Ridge and Partners LLP, and specialist pool installers, Unique Pool Ltd. The new hydrotherapy pool replaces the previous facilities which were well-worn and no longer fit-for-purpose. The existing pool area has been remodelled to provide a larger, more inclusive, and spacious changing facility. The extension houses a new level-deck pool to replace the existing one, which sat 600mm above floor level. Its design provides a level threshold and a modern pool hoist lift from the changing rooms into the pool, making direct entry into the water both easier and safer for those with reduced mobility. The new pool incorporates a stimulating bubble bed, colour changing/mood lighting, an audio system and image projection to enhance the sensory experience for the children. The hydrotherapy facility will prove to be a huge asset for the school by providing a wealth of benefits for children with SEND, helping to maintain joint and muscle movement and contributing to positive wellbeing. Fixed poolside seating offers parents and carers a comfortable place to watch their loved ones. During the build, the Seddon team worked with local sub-contractors and their own apprentices to offer live experience of the plumbing trade and to give a boost to local businesses, while the site management worked closely with the school to minimise disruption and maintain safety. This was commended by the headteacher throughout the build. “Bringing a project like this to life is an absolute pleasure. It was great to do our bit to improve these important facilities that benefit the school so much, by providing a more modern and usable space the children can get the very best support,” said John Shannon, divisional director at Seddon. “We were also able to undertake a site viewing with members of the children’s School Council, where they could see the works that were ongoing. Under the current circumstances, this really helped them to look forward to the new facility being completed, and I believe they were even reporting back to the staff about what pool toys and floats they want to add. We hope everyone at Delamere School and in the wider community can make the most of the new pool for years to come.” Pupils and staff were also given the opportunity to visit the site, as part of a safe, socially distanced tour while everything was under construction. The school plans to offer their improved and modern facilities to members of the local community, including plans for parent and baby classes. This will be scheduled around the school’s timetable and will maximise the benefit provided by this development. This will support the local community and generate much-needed income for the school to offset running costs and provide commercial sustainability for the facility. “The build has been completed on time by Seddon, which is unbelievable in the context of COVID. BSA inspired confidence that they understood the issues with our previous pool, and that they were experienced enough to deliver a high quality, bespoke product. They consulted at every stage, kept us very well informed and really cared about the success of our project and understood how much it meant to me and my children,” added Sally Burston, headteacher at Delamere School.
It is no longer news that the standard of personal hygiene and sanitation has been raised, over the years. High traffic areas with objects touched by different people require more attention to curtail the spread of germs. You will need to focus more of your attention on the areas or objects that attract a high population of people, as this has increased the need for more effective disinfection methods, and surface cleaner. Disinfection supplies, such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, sprays and wipes have been witnessing high demand, and we can’t be blind to the roles they play in fighting microbial contamination. This article will expose you to the importance of bio fogging within office premises, which is a new approach to disinfection methods. As a result of the shift of higher sanitation requirements, it has gained more attention recently, even though the technology has been around for years. What is bio fogging? Over-the-counter disinfectants will only disinfect a small targeted area, due to the limited size and expulsion capabilities of a typical spray bottle. Bio fogging takes ordinary disinfecting to the next level. In areas of all sizes from a small studio apartment to a large business office, bio fogging is undoubtedly a very useful and powerful tool. Most importantly, bio fogging provides a wide-reaching mist that reaches hard surfaces and covers high traffic, applying disinfectant in a fell swoop. How it functions A liquid antimicrobial solution that is converted into a vapour is used with the aid of the ULV Fogger (Ultra Low Volume). It develops into a thick mist or fog-like atmosphere, as more vapour is dispersed, therefore the reason for the name ‘fogging.’ Ranging from hard-to-reach places that oftentimes go unnoticed, the fogging application covers anything it comes in contact with. It is also worthy of note that fogging fights airborne pathogens as it passes through lands and air, and on a surface. All hard-surfaces are wiped down to remove excess solution, once disinfection has been completed. It is important that after recently disinfecting your office building, you need to stay away from the environment, for at least 6 hours. Advantages of bio fogging It is normal for your office building or home, or other premises to naturally retain viruses, bacteria, and dust. Germs are of special concern in high contact areas, as they can gather anywhere. The objects you and other individuals touch the most are high contact areas with different objects and surfaces. Typical examples are light switches, tabletops, and doorknobs. The traffic these areas generate make them a hotspot and breed grounds of germs, and cross-contamination. People will leave bacteria for the next person to pick up because the more people that touch that same area. In addition to high contact areas increasing the chances of germs spreading between persons, they can also be a virus hotspot— Coronavirus, for instance. Other places you should be concerned with are the corners of your office building that you don’t clean often as a result of how difficult it is to reach them. tough-to-reach places still collect germs and may still receive contact from individuals, despite their remote location. With the help of fogging services, you will cut off the need to move furniture to enable you to disinfect contaminated areas. It is normal for Fog clings to the surface as it lands when applying disinfectant because it passes through the crack. With bio fogging, you save yourself heavy lifting and time, and still reaches hard-to-reach places. The most noticeable benefit bio fogging offers is its ability to clean any size of areas with ease. As aforementioned, over-the-counter supplies can only reach a limited area because of their simple spraying feature. The potency of fogging in combating Coronavirus Considering the way people contact the Coronavirus, which takes the same form of germs contamination, anti-covid fogging is, as a result, important. According to a study, Coronavirus can last 24 hours on cardboards, 72 hours on stainless steel and plastic. Even with the invention of the vaccine, it is still important to practise stringent hygiene measures which include disinfecting and cleaning objects and surfaces that are frequently touched by people, which further emphasizes the importance of bio fogging in the environment you stay in the most. We are likely to continue to see waves of coronavirus infections for some time to come, even when national restrictions are lifted all over the world. It would be worse during winter months because many people will be indoor for longer with less ventilation. Hence, the reason you have to continue using hygienic practices and stay vigilant.
In 2020, market value is projected to decrease by around 6%, largely due to Covid-19 and the lockdown measures introduced to attempt to halt its spread. Although FM contracts have continued to be issued within the last year, the UK economy is expected to take a severe hit, with budgets and investment decisions likely to be negatively impacted. The effects of the lockdown measures introduced across the UK have been especially hard within several key end-users of FM services. Notable examples include retail, leisure (e.g. gyms and sports stadiums) and the hospitality industry, i.e. pubs, cafes and restaurants. Meanwhile, the curtailing of international travel has also adversely affected end-use FM sectors such as hotels. Prior to 2020, the bundled outsourced FM market experienced relatively steady growth of around 3% per annum, with the exception of 2017 when the prevailing political uncertainty caused by Brexit resulted in a slowdown. Between 2015 and 2019, market value rose by almost 10%. The FM market is considered relatively mature across a wide range of sectors, a factor likely to inhibit growth levels over the next few years. The performance of the market remains heavily dependent upon the prevailing political and economic situation in the UK and its effects upon budgets and investment. Fiona Watts, Commissioned Research Manager at AMA Research, comments “it remains to be seen to what extent end-user sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality recover from Covid-19 and the associated economic impacts of lockdown. Given that many were struggling to remain profitable prior to the pandemic, it seems likely that many companies may either go out of business or dramatically scale down their estates, thereby reducing demand for FM services”. The market for outsourced FM services is expected to recover in the years following 2020, although to what extent largely depends upon the UK economic situation. It has been suggested in the past that outsourcing is protected from the worst effects of economic cycles to a large extent – in times of economic slowdown or recession, cost-cutting measures by clients can often stimulate demand for FM services. In times of economic growth, the number of FM contracts tends to increase.
Finding the right vacuum cleaner can be one of the most challenging decisions to make. But at the end of the day, what makes a vacuum cleaner best is its efficiency. Each device offers a different cleaning experience. One model that has remained a popular choice is Duo clean Vacuum cleaners like Shark NV801UKT. Duo clean vacuum cleaners offer many extra features that make it user-friendly and sought after. If you still have a doubt why people go for Duo clean Vacuum cleaners over the other types, here are a few reasons why. Go from Upright To Portable Models like Shark NV801UKT can be easily changed from an upright vacuum to a portable vacuum just with two clicks. It makes it more flexible and easy to use. With this feature, you can clean the stairs easily without lugging the vacuum cleaner around. When it is assembled upright, the hose and handle offer good flexibility. With the machine at ground level, you can easily clean even the seventh step without difficulty. The Lift-away Feature Many Duo clean vacuum cleaners come with the Lift-Away body feature, especially models like Shark NV801UKT. When you use the lift-away section in one hand and the tool or handle in the other, you have a limited radius to reach. But these duo clean models offer a right cord length. With a decent cord length, you can reach the top of the stairs without looking for alternate plug sockets to move the machine around. Dual-roller And Suction Power If you have hard floors and large carpeted areas, duo clean vacuum cleaners can help clean them effectively. The dual-roller and suction power, cleans hard floors easily. It picks up 100% of the dust without flicking it out or brushing in the front. The flocked rollers are also helpful for day-to-day use. It picks up the dust that sticks to the polished floor and also sucks in pet hair quickly. Helpful Accessories Duo clean vacuum cleaners also come with the right package of helpful accessories. Certain models include an upholstery tool which cleans crevices and corners well. Long metal tubes with the crevice tool attached reach a good height. Mini-turbo tool is one to look out for in the duo clean vacuum cleaners. The Boost Feature The boost feature is one of the most sought after options that makes duo clean vacuum cleaners a popular choice. If there is any stubborn dirt on carpets or hardwood floors, you can turn on the boost feature. It gives extra suction and removes the stubborn dirt from the floor fairly easily. Anti-allergen seals If you or your family members are allergic to dust or other allergens, you must take extra care when you buy a vacuum cleaner. It is also a feature that makes duo clean vacuum cleaners a popular choice among buyers. Duo clean models come with anti-allergen complete seals that guarantee to trap 99.9% of allergens and dust. It is a very useful feature to look out for if you have even mild dust allergy. Works Well With Pet Hair Duo clean vacuum cleaners have rotating dual brush bars which when used on hardwood floors can easily retrieve pet hair from tiles, parquets and laminates. The front rollers grab the hairs, and integrated combs push them to the bin effectively. Some vacuum cleaners when run on pet hair, sometimes ball up the hair. Duo clean vacuum cleaners easily clean long hairs without balling them up. You can even clean your pet’s beds with the turbo tool. Many users have a soft spot when it comes to Duo clean vacuum cleaners. With its myriads of features, it gives a whole new user experience without much effort from you. If you are looking to buy a new vacuum, add duo clean vacuum cleaners like Shark NV801UKT to the list.
SD Sealants, one of the largest cosmetic finishing groups in the UK, has launched a new repairs service dedicated to the facilities management sector. This new facilities management offering is the latest in a line of new services launched by the company, following the launch of its insurance claims department in August this year and its marine repairs service in late 2019. The new repairs division will focus on working with housing associations, hospitals and care homes as well as schools and universities. “This is an important launch for the business and we are really excited about the benefits we will be able to offer some of these sectors and in particular, housing associations and care homes. The impact of Covid this year means that a lot of these associations are months behind on their repairs. We will be able to assist with these repairs and help clear the backlog. Longer term, this will improve sustainability as it will be less likely that fixtures will need to be replaced,” said Nick Jones, Managing Director of SD Sealants, on the launch. “By assisting with these repairs, we are hopeful that we can help make cost savings of up to 80% for housing associations. The company can also provide a slip resistant coating for baths and shower trays which it hopes will prove a benefit to care homes in increasing health and safety. Nick continued: “Hospitals and care homes will continue to see a lot of footfall in 2021 so keeping on top of repairs will be imperative. Again, we can help these organisations rescue fixtures and fittings, without the need to replace,” added Nick. Launched in 1973, SD Sealants originated as a family run business in Somerset that specialised in the supply and application of sealant. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the UK’s largest repairs and sealant companies, with nine offices across England, Scotland and Wales.
So you’re thinking about renovating your home, that’s great! In these times when everyone’s been pretty much homebound, it can be a good idea to invest in some quality renovations. But before you start, we suggest you run a thorough check of your home, just to avoid any future (unpleasant) surprises. Hire a pest control company before redoing your home – here’s why! You might be thinking that you don’t need pest control services because there are no pests in your home. Or at least… none that you know of. In actuality, there might be bats living in your attic even now, or perhaps a snake nest underneath your home – who knows? To put it simply, it’s not unusual for a home to have pests, without the owners even knowing it. Pests could really mess up your renovation plans. Even the nicest of contractors probably won’t take kindly to finding a family of opossums living on your property mid-job. Such an occurrence will no doubt halt the work for at least a couple of days while you get rid of the unwanted pests. In the meantime, of course, you still have to keep paying your work crew, and might even have to pay something for the inconvenience. And if you don’t find the pests during renovation, that’s even worse! Not all pests will pop up during a home redo. Let’s face it, these creatures aren’t stupid. They’re not going to just pop out when everyone’s focused on the house so that they can get killed! Quite the contrary. The pest in question will stay carefully hidden until things go back to normal, and then it’ll come back… to your freshly redone home! Whether it’s termites, bats, or raccoons, these pests will do considerable damage to your home, by chewing on the wood structures, electrical wires, messing up insulation, or who knows, maybe even endangering the home’s stability. And aside from the obvious health and safety danger this poses, we’re also looking at some serious money you’ve just thrown down the drain. Pests won’t care if you’ve just renovated your home, they’ll mess it up just the same. And then you’ll be back at square one, not only having to pay for pest control, but also for a work crew to come back and renovate your house… again! To avoid all these headaches, look through this informational source for help dealing with wildlife pests. Preventive pest control could also help you fix things before they become a problem! If you hire a pest control company to come in and do a quick and thorough assessment of your property beforehand, they will be able to highlight any potential weak points on your property. Pros like Orlando Rats offer many different services. They’ll look for holes in the wall or crawl spaces under your property, or any such things that could become a pest entry point. And you’ll be able to fix these things before they become a problem, during the renovation. In the end, hiring a pest control company to run a check on your home is the smart and budget-friendly thing to do!
Are you frustrated with the reappearance of rodents and ants after you’ve cleaned up your house? Well, before you feel hopeless, consider this. Pests like rodents, ants, or moles don’t appear because of the lack of sanitization at your home. They can occur in the cleanest of places and wreak havoc. So, you don’t have to blame yourself. Instead, you can get a solution to this issue in the form of pest control. At Empire Pest Control London, professionals take up the challenge to remove all traces of pests at your place and ensure that the pests don’t reappear in the near future. They use products like sticky fly traps, chain door curtains, fly machine bulbs, wasp nests, and various rodent proofing methods for pest control. Pests tend to get comfortable at your place, be it a home or an office space. That is the reason why they are hard to get rid of. But, with a professional team like that of Empire Pest Control, it becomes easy to get rid of pests within 24 hours. So, if a rat has been bothering you all night, then you don’t have to let it destroy another night of yours. Now you have an effective solution at your disposal. Just make a call and get consultation with the Empire Pest Control team. The same day pest removal services can be availed at any time and is available across London. Besides, you can make a call even in the middle of the night, and the pest control specialists will be there at your doorstep at the designated time. Which Sectors Do Empire Pest Control Serve? Empire Pest Control serves various sectors across London, including both residential as well as commercial sectors. This diverse range of sectors includes food retail, transportation services, food production, commercial premises, industrial premises, private property, logistics, and more. You can call up the experts at Empire Pest Control and seek advice from them anytime. And if you want, they can come to your place, inspect it thoroughly for pests, and then offer you practical advice. What Pest Control Solutions Are Adopted? At Empire, professionals usually stay away from the usual practice of using a chemical-based pest control method. Having said that; it’s not always possible that the professionals would use organic pest control. Some pests are stubborn. They intend to stay. And on these pests, organic methods are not very useful. Only chemicals hush them off. Pest Control specialists, at Empire, visit your place and inspect it thoroughly. They identify the perfect solution for the kind of pest infestation at your home/office. These specialists are well-versed with the different types of insects and animal species. Their knowledge of insects habitats, animal behaviours, the likelihood of reappearance, and rates of infestation helps them decide the right chemical/ organic method for pest control. What’s Pest Proofing? If you sign up for a 24-hour pest removal services from Empire Pest Control, you’d be given an additional benefit of pest-proofing or pest prevention. Once you get your house cleaned up, you wouldn’t want the pests to reappear soon. And therefore, getting pest-proofing is vital for you. Initially, the specialists will use their equipment and methods to pest-proof your house or office. However, they would offer you their informative advice to keep your home pest-proof in future.
COVID-19 has challenged us all, testing safety, resilience, finances, and wellbeing alike. At our IWFM Impact Awards 2020 virtual ceremony in September, we celebrated some amazing examples of the powerful influence of our profession and its ability to adapt to these extraordinary circumstances with ingenuity, skill and often compassion. Ahead of Workplace Week International (9 to 13 November), we sat down with IWFM’s Head of Workplace, Donna Walker (DW), for a social distanced chat about her experiences of managing IWFM’s team and head office during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you require any support in managing the impacts of COVID-19 and the return to work, we have a range of resources, including guidance, information and webinars, available here. 1. On 16 March – a week before the Government announced the first national lockdown – IWFM CEO Linda Hausmanis closed head office and moved all employees to remote working. Why did IWFM act at that stage and what were your immediate thoughts and actions in tackling the transition? DW: ‘We were keeping a close eye on developments and had already implemented 14-day self-isolation for anyone travelling internationally. Then I was notified by our landlord that another tenant in our building had sent home an employee who had flu like symptoms. After weighing up the potential risks and vulnerabilities of remaining in the office and reviewing our business continuity plans, we were able to make a decision quickly and act promptly. ‘Although we already had some in our team who regularly worked remotely, the technical infrastructure and system improvements we had invested in over the last two years enabled the whole organisation to work from home very successfully. The health, safety and wellbeing of our team is paramount and we were equipped to make the transition, so that’s why we acted as early as we did: we wanted to and we could.’ 2. What were your biggest challenges and successes when moving all employees to remote working? How well set up was IWFM for this transition? With uncertainty about the duration of the lockdown, what were your priorities in ensuring the maintenance, safety and preparedness of the building? DW: ‘We felt really well prepared, so the biggest challenges we faced were the factors outside of our control, particularly around connectivity: the reliability of our team’s home internet connections when millions were working from home and likewise for our key communication platform, Microsoft Teams. However, it all worked remarkably well and we were able to deliver the majority of our products and services with limited downtime or interruption. ‘Although our building was unoccupied, it remained open due to other tenants who faced different challenges and needed to access the building. We continued with our usual cleaning, maintenance and auditing with slight schedule changes to ensure we were working within the parameters enforced by lockdown. During the first national lockdown, we also had to undertake some repairs to our office space that were identified during an audit, so although everyone else was working from home, there were times we had to be in the office to resolve issues. Such is the non-stop nature of workplace and facilities management!’ 3. After the first UK national lockdown ended in June and organisations began welcoming people back into buildings, how did you go about ensuring that IWFM head office is a safe environment? DW: ‘We followed the guidance provided by government and tailored it to our situation. Our local BID (Business Improvement District) network provided free signage and touch-free devices for our team. We ensured our temperature control and air handling system was being maintained in line with new findings and worked with our cleaning providers to ensure they were operating in accordance with the new infection control guidance. We introduced a booking system for our people to work from the office where they needed to in line with official guidance that people ‘should’ work from home where possible. Seating arrangements remained at two metres throughout. Hand sanitiser stations were setup throughout the office. ‘People were advised not to visit the office if they displayed any symptoms and in any case to take their temperature before setting off. As an additional check, their temperature would be taken on arrival at the office. We also ensured that our team mainly accessed the office to collect equipment or complete a task that required office use, which resulted in minimal occupancy and reduced our risk considerably. When people use the word ‘safe’ or the term ‘COVID-safe’, I wince because how can anyone guarantee a 100% safe environment? You can implement measures with what is reasonably practicable, but you can’t account for behaviours being in line all of the time.’ 4. This year has been marked by uncertainty: we’ve experienced a three-month national lockdown, relaxed social distancing measures, local lockdowns, and now national lockdown again. What have been your biggest challenges and successes throughout this changing situation? DW: ‘Keeping teams motivated during the pandemic has to be one of the biggest challenges for any manager who would normally engage teams through physical and social interactions that help to bring about a familiar and tangible culture. The usual in-person conversations and moods that would take place or be picked up in the office can be missed when working remotely. ‘However, we have been able to maintain engagement levels through a variety of tactics, including regular all-team surveys and risk assessments, fortnightly all-team briefings, CEO coffee catch-up sessions, celebrating events like Mental Health Awareness Week, continuing with our quarterly training window, offering flexible working arrangements for those who care for the vulnerable, and celebrating personal anniversaries and achievements. We have also had a programme delivered through our social committee with activities like a virtual running club via Strava, virtual yoga and meditation, and ‘pub’ quizzes.’ 5. Beyond the immediate health risks of COVID-19, the subject of wellbeing has been a major concern throughout the pandemic. How has IWFM managed and monitored wellbeing during mass remote working? DW: ‘It was fortuitous that I had delivered health, safety and wellbeing recap training to our entire management team in January, so it was at the forefront of their minds when communicating with their teams. These conversations helped us to be proactive in supporting team members who were considered vulnerable in line with pandemic guidance. As a management team, we made it a priority to have regular interactions with team members via our virtual platforms and in person when lockdown rules were eased through socially distanced meetings in open spaces. ‘During remote working, the team were and continue to be surveyed at regular intervals by way of risk assessment and any concerning findings are addressed, managed and controlled in a timely manner. The team were given regular opportunities to collect furniture or order equipment through our Business Support team, who arranged to have items delivered to their homes. Team members who struggled to work from home due to childcare arrangements had the ability to work flexibly. Once lockdown eased, those who needed a break from their home space were given the option to book spaces to work in the office.’ 6. What lessons will you draw from this year? Have you learned anything that has surprised you? DW: ‘As workplace and facilities professionals, we sometimes don’t give ourselves enough credit for the things we do as normally we’re behind the scenes dealing with issues no one really thinks about until it becomes a problem. However, this unforeseen global crisis propelled our profession into the spotlight and we have managed extremely well considering the circumstances. I have learnt that communicating in different ways, even if it’s the same message, is key (and to repeat it a few times doesn’t hurt either) as
Using one or more of the following tips can make it much easier to get rid of bed bugs and other pests, and there are many reasons for doing so. Let’s take a look at them and find out how they can work for you. Getting rid of these pests doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. One of the top 5 DIY pest control methods is using an organic approach. You need to make sure you do everything correctly and use the right type of product to get the job done properly. If you don’t want to invest a lot of money in these products then it’s worth looking at some online resources to see what else is available. Natural pest control The other option that you have is to use a natural pest control method. There is a wide range of home remedies that are very effective at killing bugs and keeping them from breeding and causing problems in your home. Some of the most effective include: There are also several natural ingredients that you can include in your kitchen to ensure that you don’t have to deal with the problems associated with using pest control methods. One of the most popular ingredients for bug extermination is lemon juice. If you have an infestation of mosquitoes or cockroaches, then, applying a squeeze of lemon onto the affected area or a jar of yogurt is often enough to kill the bugs without having to resort to any chemicals. If you need further information on any of the top 5 DIY pest control methods, then you can find plenty of information about these methods on the Internet. You must find one that suits your particular needs so that you can ensure that you don’t have to make any long term or expensive mistakes when using them. Use of Baits & Sprays The most popular pest control method in terms of home and property issues is using baits or sprays that are designed to target the bugs and stop them from breeding. You can find a wide range of different types of baits and sprays from reputable sources, including online retailers. 2. Sealing cracks and crevices Another one of the top 5 DIY pest control methods is simply sealing cracks and crevices where bugs have previously been able to travel freely to lay their eggs. This can help stop the bugs from laying their eggs in your home or property and will also ensure that they don’t come back. You must seal up all possible entrances to the home as they will eventually spread through your property. 3. Use of Mesh Use a screwdriver to stuff in copper mesh into various gaps. This will help to keep the pests away Use of acrylic latex caulk You can also fill various cracks with acrylic latex caulk. Always keep a dry napkin to clean extra caulks. 4. Spider solution Use a dehumidifier in your basement. Maintain the temperature at 40 percent. Clean the cobwebs regularly. The spiders will decrease significantly in a week Several other pest control methods involve using chemicals and pesticides. Although it is best to avoid these products if you can, they can certainly help to stop the spread of a problem. As you can see, there are several different pest control methods used by various Pest removal companies out there. Depending on the problem that you have, there are several different ways that you can treat it. Hopefully, this article has helped you to identify which of the top 5 DIY pest control methods will work best for you. With the various pest control methods available on the market, you need to make sure that you research the ones that are right for your particular situation before making a final decision. The more time that you spend researching the options available, the easier it will be to select the correct one for your needs. One of the most popular DIY pest control methods is using chemicals and pesticides on a small scale, to kill pests. If you do use chemicals and pesticides on a large scale, then you need to make sure that you follow the instructions for using the product completely and that you keep away from any products that may be harmful to you and your family and pets. You also need to research the different pest control methods available before deciding on the method that is right for your needs. For example, there are pest control products that are effective at killing cockroaches, but not so good at killing mosquitoes. So take a look at the product reviews and ensure that you find one that will get the job done properly. You can also hire a pest control services to get rid of pests smoothly and safely.
RFM Group, the property maintenance company, is rolling out a high tech mobile workforce management system. Supplied by BigChange, the cloud-based system provides a complete business solution incorporating back office management software that synchronises in real time with rugged tablets used by RFM’s mobile workforce. BigChange provides is a single platform CRM, Job Scheduling, Mobile App Tracking and a Customer Portal. RFM are property experts that consult, build, manage and maintain all types of property and the company has built a reputation as a pioneer in the use of technology. The switch to BigChange has been timed to support ambitious expansion plans for the business. RFM had grown out of a server-based system and needed to overhaul their IT; over 12 months the company reviewed 15 different systems. “In the end only one met our needs and that was from BigChange,” says Mark Flanagan, Client Services Director, RFM Group. “We realised we could replace 4 separate systems with 1 completely integrated solution that was also very affordable. We were very impressed with how easily it could be customised and therefore meet our needs across the company now and in the future.” “BigChange gives us an IT solution that is completely scalable and it will make it relatively easy to bring new acquisitions onboard. Adoption is very straightforward as anyone will be able to go online and access the system instantly anytime from anywhere – plus it is very easy to use,” Flanagan adds. Initial implementation of the system is within social housing where RFM are the appointed maintenance contractor for Housing Associations Railway Housing and Habinteg Housing. BigChange provides an all in one system incorporating CRM, job booking and scheduling, mobile working and financial control and with planned integration with Sage, the company will have a single system replacing 4 disconnected systems. RFM’s mobile operatives, who provide a full range of services from plumbing to electrical and other trades, have been equipped with rugged tablet devices. These devices run the JobWatch app to replace all paperwork in the field with electronic job sheets, health and safety workflows, certifications, inspection reports, backed with job-linked photographs from site. BigChange vehicle tackers meanwhile give RFM a real time view of worker movements and tracking logs support job records. “Previously we had little insight into ongoing work and records were limited and not very accessible,” Flanagan comments. “With BigChange that’s all changed and the system is already having a big impact and we now have levels of management control, whether our own maintenance teams or those of our contractors.” Another key benefit for RFM was the way JobWatch mobile app can be used by contractors allowing third party operatives to simply access the app on their smartphones. It means contractor work is seamlessly integrated into RFM operations, reporting on jobs in the same way as their own operatives. Flanagan also sees BigChange providing a platform for expansion into new sectors. “With greatly improved and electronic reporting we can meet the stringent demands of the biggest operators in areas such as facilities management and insurance. It means we can expand to new areas and with such a powerful cloud and mobile working solution, there are no longer barriers to expanding nationally.”
