Asbestos in the Home

Your home has a 50% chance of harbouring asbestos, which could be lethal if disturbed.

The use of asbestos has been common in the industrialised world since the mid-19th century and it was not until 1999 that a total ban was imposed. It has been widely used in residential property. Approximately 50% of private houses are likely to contain some materials containing asbestos

While this may sound alarming, asbestos is likely to be dangerous only if it is released into the air and you breathe it in. Then you could be at long-term risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma (a cancer that forms in the lining of the chest or abdomen). Experts say that there should be little or no risk if the asbestos is enclosed and left undisturbed but it must be regularly checked for signs of deterioration.

In older homes, asbestos is often present in ceilings decorated using Artex textured coating. This is because, until the mid-1980s, Artex was made with white asbestos to strengthen it.
Estimates state that 30% of asbestos is found in ceiling coatings, 15% in boiler flue pipes and ducts, and 15% in floor tiles. A further 15% is found in areas such as cold water storage tanks, insulation materials, eaves, gutters and rainwater pipes, while 10% is in cement panel ceilings, 10% in outbuildings and 5% in fire protection materials, for example on the underside of integral garage roofs and in cupboards enclosing boilers.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that has been a popular building material since the 1950s. It is used as an insulator (to keep in heat and keep out cold), has good fire protection properties and protects against corrosion.
Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it's hard to know if you're working with it or not. But, if you work in a building built before the year 2000, it's likely that some parts of the building will contain asbestos.
Asbestos is found in many products used in buildings, including ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, boilers and sprayed coatings.

Don't let the ice bring you down again this year!

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 IT'S that time of year again....

  
And love it or hate it, winter weather brings one slippery problem that everyone could do without....ice.

 

And it's not just the persistent problem of ice-coated cars that cause us headaches, either.....icy roads, pavements, driveways and steps are just some of the perils that make journeys dangerous - and often put people off leaving the house altogether until the big thaw sets in.

More often than not, deicers can bring more problems than they do solutions. Deicers can be expensive, or stop working at low temperatures (which is when you need them most!). 

But more importantly, the chemical make-up of most popular deicers means that they can be toxic to the touch, as well as damaging to nearby plants and pets.

Fuze product's new deicer guarantees you a safer, proven product that is going to do the job in minutes and is available NOW! Zero chemicals, zero danger - and it gets to work instantly on vehicles, paths, pavements; everywhere!

What makes our Deicer safer?

• Non-corrosive and non-toxic
• Exceptional performance on paths, driveways, steps, roads etc
• Fast-acting - gets to work immediately
• Salt-free and completely safe to use
• Effective at temperatures as low as -10°C
• Does not damage grass or plants, and will not spoil floor coverings if walked indoors
• Available in solid form (for application by spreader or shovel) AND
• Available as a liquid (for use in a watering can)

 So don't get caught out again this year...order Fuze Products Deicer today, and beat the big freeze before it even sets in!

**To visit our website and browse our full range of products, click HERE

How to remove paint from window frames - in minutes

BIOSTRIP20 Paint Stripper …is fast becoming the chosen global alternative to chemical or solvent-based paint strippers. And unlike all other environmentally-friendly strippers, its actually proven to work faster than traditional, solvent-based products – all while giving off ZERO toxins or aromas.
Here’s our simple guide to removing paint quickly and easily - the Biostrip way!

WHETHER the frame is wood, UPVC or aluminium, removing paint from a window frame can be a tricky, messy business.

All too often, the paint (after a long, hard slog) may be removed, only to reveal that you’ve damaged the under-surface during the process.

Other times, the under-surface may be fine…but annoying patches of paint get left behind; which spoil the finished appearance when the job is completed and your new paint/varnish is applied.

Traditional Methods

There’s a wealth of ways to remove paint from your window frames; from sanding and scraping, to chemical paint strippers and heat guns.

But with each of these methods there are pitfalls…

Sanding and scraping - will often leave you with scrapes and scuffs on the under-surface. These might look minor enough, but after you’ve finished re-painting the window frame, these scrapes will stick out like a sore thumb against the smooth finish of the rest of the job.

Heat Guns - are another popular method of paint removal that usually pose more problems than they do solutions. Heat guns are best left untouched by anything other than the experienced hand, due to the number of amateur DIY-ers who have experienced serious or severe burns to their skin while trying to strip paint.

Traditionally of course, the most common method of removing paint has been to use a DCM-based paint stripper. But these are now banned, under EEC ruling, from sale to the general public following repeated reports of injury, respiratory problems, and in some instances, death, related to the use of DCM-based products.

So what can be done?

Thanks to Biostrip, the solution for all three window frame-types mentioned is, conveniently, all under one lid.

(Firstly, It’s important to remember that whatever the under-surface; be it wood, aluminium or UPVC, the area around where you are working needs to be safely covered with sheets or newspaper etc, to minimise mess and ensure no debris falls onto your carpet or furniture, or plants if you’re outdoors)

Using Biostrip couldn’t be easier:

• Brush a generous layer of Biostrip onto the surface, ensuring that the treated surfaces remain wet, and don’t dry out
• Allow to blister – this should take 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of coating
• Next, either rinse or scrape to remove the softened coating
• Repeat the process if any coating remains
• Wash area and allow to dry thoroughly before repainting

COVERAGE

500g will cover up to 3 metres sq

TIPS

• For a faster strip time, scuff or scribe the surface before applying Biostrip
• Gently use wire wool to remove softened varnish in awkward corners and/or profiles
• If the paint to be removed is several layers thick, a second coat of Biostrip might be required (however, laboratory tests and responses from customers show that, more often than not, Biostrip will work its way through several layers of paint at one time, meaning just one application might be necessary even for tougher jobs)

And that’s all there is to it!

*For more information on this or other Biostrip products, or to contact us - click HERE

*Distributors - we are always keen to hear from potential new Biostrip stockists. To get in touch, click  HERE