How to Climb a Ladder Safely

With an estimated two million ladders in daily use across the UK, it is perhaps not surprising that ladders account for around 40% of falls from height accidents investigated by the Health & Safety Executive in workplaces in the UK each year.

The use of ladders is by far and away the largest single cause of such accidents both in the workplace and at home.

We decided to share the Do’s and Dont’s on the use of ladders. While its best not to use them sometimes they need to be used.

How to Put Up Ladders

Placing ladders in the wrong position is the most often made mistake that leads to injuries. Here is how to place the put up the ladder safely.

• Make sure you do not put the ladder on uneven ground.
• Place the ladder laying flat on the ground.
• Push one end of the ladder against a wall.
• Lift the other end of the ladder up and rest against the wall.
• Set the right angle, by using a 1:4 ratio. Divide the ladder by four. If the ladder i 4 meters long, the base should be 1 meter away from the wall.
• If the ladder is extra long, find a second person to help from the other end.

How to Climb a Ladder Safely

• Ensure that your ladder is fit and fully functional before using it. Check thoroughly for any loose steps or other defects.
• When you place the ladder, be sure it is on an even and not slippery surface. Remember that just one swing can be crucial. If the ground is uneven, do not put anything under the ladder, as it will only make it more unstable.
• Always climb with a two-hand grip, facing the ladder.
• Avoid holding a box of tools in one hand when climbing up.
• Take one step at a time and don’t rush it. If the angle is not right, you should be able to feel some shaking. Get back down to fix the angle in necessary.

How to Climb a Step Ladder Safely

• Ensure the ladder is fit and fully functional before using it.
• Never set up a stepladder on uneven, or slippery ground.
• Never sit or stand on the very top step of the step ladder.
• Only climb up the front of the ladder, never the back side.
• Do not allow a second person to climb from the other side. There are special two person ladders out there, but if this isn’t one, let the second person only hold the ladder in place if they want to help.
• Keep your hips within the two vertical rails.
• Remove all tools and materials from the ladder before moving it. You really want that hammer falling on your face?
• Never use a step ladder like an extension ladder by leaning it against a wall.

Never leave step ladders unattended, especially if there are children around. Remember your childhood and how fun it was to get on high places – the kids want to do it too. So, when you’re done working, put the ladder away, or at least lay it on the ground.

What Not to Do

The following basic precautions come in handy.

• Never use the top two steps of an extension ladder.
• Do not work near any electricity, especially if the ladder is made of metal.
• Do not lean a step ladder to a wall, the way you would do with an extension ladder. They don’t work the same way.
• Both step ladder feet should sit firmly on the ground. If the ground is uneven, dig some dirt out from beneath one foot.
• Never place an extension ladder on slippery surfaces.
• Always face the ladder when ascending and descending.
• Use both hands to grab the rungs, not the rails.
• Wear a tool belt or holster to carry tools and supplies in order to decrease your time going up and down.
• Keep your hips within the vertical side rails, otherwise the ladder will lose balance.

Top tips for cleaning the inside of your windows!

Invite the brightness back into your home with sparkling clean windows. From making your own cleaning solution to the trusted old newspaper trick, there are plenty of ways to bring the shine back to your window panes which will transform your rooms making them light, bright and good for the soul.

Your equipment checklist:

Here’s what you’ll need for cleaning windows in order to get a professional finish:

A Large dry brush or broom handle for removing cobwebs and dust

A bucket

A sponge

A squeegee

Purpose made window cleaning solutions or vinegar

Brown paper or newspaper

Chamois or microfibre cloth

Dry lint free cloth or drying pad

Cleaning windows tips:

1. Remove any built up dust

Start by tying back or removing any curtains or blinds and use a dust pan brush or broom handle to brush around the window corners and window sill to eliminate any laying dust.

2. Start by washing your window with a sponge

Washing up liquid in warm soapy water will work well but remember – the fewer suds the better. Be careful when using strong window cleaning solutions that they do not damage surrounding paintwork.

3. Wipe off the excess water

With a clean squeegee, starting at the top of the window and work your way down in a reverse-S pattern for maximum efficiency. Regularly wipe the squeegee blade clean with an old rag to avoid transferring the dirt around.

4. Remove any remaining water

Use damp, wrung-dry chamois or microfibre cloth to remove any remaining water from the glass. Finally dry the windowsill beneath where any water may have dripped down.

5. Wash windows on a cloudy day

Although direct sunlight makes it easier to see the dirt, it also dries the windows too quickly, leaving streaks on the glass. Make sure you pick a cloudy day for your cleaning session (but if you’re doing the outside, beware of rain!).

6. Clean your windows at least twice a year

This will make a truly surprising difference to your whole room by making it lighter and brighter. You’ll be surprised at how dirty your windows can get

7. Make your own cleaning solution

Add two tablespoons of vinegar to a small bucket of warm water.

8. Really dirty or greasy windows?

Use two tablespoons of household ammonia or domestic borax per gallon and rinse
with the vinegar solution above. Finish with a dry, lint-free cloth.

9. Buffing

Buff the clean, dry glass, with a pad of crumpled newspaper. The printers’ ink will give your windows an extra sparkle.

If you still do not want to have a go yourself, give us a call or visit www.windowcleaninggloucester.co.uk to recieve a free quoation 

Conservatory Valet and Gutter Clearance in Gloucestershire

One of our many jobs so far this week, a conservatory valet and and gutter clearance in Stow on the wold. 

This conservatory has been neglected for many years and we were asked to clear the gutters and clean the conservatory inside and out including all frames! We managed to return it back to its former glory again and the customer is extremely happy with the results.

We offer various levels of service to ensure we can meet the needs of all our customers, from just a conservatory roof clean to a full treatment. 

We clean using purified water for the best results and where necessary, appropriate, environmentally friendly detergents and products. Our systems and equipment mean we can thoroughly and effectively clean your entire conservatory if required, accessing areas that are difficult to reach, without the need to walk on the roof. 

Our prices are very reasonable and extremely competitive for the services offered and we are proud of the fact that we are usually beat our competitors on price and quality of service, according to our customers! 

We are based in Gloucester and cover the whole of Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, Bristol, Swindon and everywhere in between.

Contact us for a free quotation

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Patio and Driveway cleaning in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud

Have you looked at your driveway recently and just thought that it looks a bit aged, unkempt and dare I say it, unloved? maybe as you drive home from work you just feel that your home has lost its kerb appeal? 

One reason that many homeowners put off cleaning their driveways is because they don’t have the time, and if you haven’t got the right tools cleaning your driveway can be an extremely time consuming task for a busy homeowner.

One benefit to cleaning your driveway or having your driveway cleaned is that the cleaner your driveway is the cleaner your house will become. As we enter our homes we are picking up the dirt from the driveway and traipsing it into our homes. Although some may be rubbed off on the doormat as we enter the house a lot will be taken through the home as we go upstairs to change, to the bathroom or to the lounge to relax. Through having your driveway cleaned you are removing the built up dirt from the entrances of your home or property and preventing them from being transferred into your home.

We all want our homes to look the smartest on the streets and we all crave that kerb appeal, cleaning your driveway can really help as a clean path and driveway at the front of your home creates a fantastic first impression.

If you are looking to have your driveway cleaned in Gloucester, Cheltenham Stroud or the surrounding areas why not give us a call, we would be only too happy to help!

Conservatory roof cleaning in Gloucester

Conservatory roof cleaning job completed today in Gloucester.

This conservatory was covered in green slime, baked on black mould and moss quite simply making the whole house look shabby.

Many conservatories go many years without any TLC. They get covered in the dreaded green slime, Black mould, moss grows in the channels and can force its way into the seals.

They sit attached to many properties looking neglected and unloved.

Here at Diamond Shine we have the equipment and the ability to clean all this muck off of your conservatory, Gutters, Fascias, soffits and downpipes at a reasonable and affordable cost.

Prices start from £30.00. Contact us today for a free quotation. 

Builders clean at Gloucester Quays

One of our many jobs last week, a block of newly renovated flats in Gloucester Quays. We completed an internal and external builders clean of these sash windows which can be very awkward. Removing stickers, putty and cement making them ready for the new owners. 

If you have a project near completion why not contact us today for a free quotation. 

Builders cleans service available

Diamond shine carry out builders cleans and sparkle cleans in Bristol, Gloucester, Stroud and the surrounding areas for large National and Multinational building contractors, to small local builders. No matter how big or widely spread the client, we can deliver an excellent, reliable cleaning service.

Builders cleans are one of our main specialties, we have expert knowledge and experience working in the construction sector and pride ourselves on the high standards we deliver. We follow strict Health and Safety protocol and have £5m public liability insurance. As well as being CSCS qualified, we can also use specialist machinery and equipment, solving issues such as hard to reach or high level cleaning. We provide the highest possible standards of cleaning, so you can rest assured when hand over comes, you and your clients will not be disappointed.

WHY CHOOSE DIAMOND SHINE?

• We have CSCS registered operatives
• Our operatives are used to dealing with internal and external glass and frames and the cleaning of these..
• Where required all types of access equipment can be used as the operatives would have all the necessary PASMA and IPAF certifications.
• All our RAMS are site specific and are not generic 
• We are reliable.
• We are flexible.
• We can react quickly to changing circumstances.
• We are used to working with and around other trades.
• We are used to working to strict deadlines.

For more information call us today on 01452 346124 or fill out the contact form

Why Should You Get Your Gutter Cleared?

All too often we treat gutters as an out-of-sight, out-of-mind issue.  After all, they’re far above the height of things we typically notice, and until we see them overflowing (or worse, falling down) we have a tendency to ignore them. That can be a costly mistake.  Here’s why.

What’s wrong with clogged gutters?

The problem with having clogged, blocked gutters is far more than aesthetic in nature.  While having sticks and leaves visible, or noticing waterfalls from the roof edge after a downpour (or heavy icicles during the winter) may be less than ideal in terms of your building’s appearance, the long term consequences of not maintaining clean gutters are far more severe than simply looking untidy. There are several issues at play: 

Weight

Clogged gutters have several issues which result in their weighing too much to be properly supported.  First, of course, there’s the matter of the debris itself. Second, if the gutters are clogged, water cannot flow through, and trapped water contributes to the weight problem. Finally, debris like leaves and sticks absorb water, which means that even if some water is still trickling through, your gutters are supporting far more weight than is recommended. If the problem becomes severe enough, the gutters could pull away from the building, damaging the building and becoming damaged themselves. Of course, falling gutters also represent a safety hazard.

Water damage

When water isn’t being properly dispersed through the gutters, it overflows. That can result in unsightly water damage on the exterior of the building. Even more damaging are the results if the water ends up infiltrating the walls themselves, especially if this goes unnoticed until the material behind the siding begins to rot.

Roof and tile damage

Water itself isn’t usually damaging to roofs or shingles, but ice is. As water freezes in the gutters, it will expand, pushing up against the edge of the roof and tiles. This can also create a barrier that results in standing water (and eventually ice) on the roof, which can lead to serious long-term damage.

Damage to the building’s foundation

Finally, if water is allowed to run down the side of the building rather than being drained away at a distance, this can actually cause permanent damage to the building’s foundations. Cracks in the foundation can lead to flooding in basements and crawl spaces, and result in the need for costly repairs.

Contact us today for a free quotation, prices start from £25.00

Velux window cleaning in Aldsworth

One of our many jobs last week, a large property in Aldsworth, Gloucestershire. The customer previously though their velux windows were inaccessible without expensive access equipment. We can clean velux windows from the ground up to a height of 50ft at a very affordable price. Contact us today for a free quotation. 

Full house valet in Stroud

One of our many jobs completed this week, gutters cleaned and cleared, fascia cleaned, conservatory roof cleaned and all the windows, frames and sills at an affordable price. One very happy customer. If your property exterior is in need of a a good clean give us a call or fill out our online form.