Refurb and maintenance

Matt Wilde, Site Technician for Langley Waterproofing Systems Ltd, discusses with Housing Association magazine his work both on and offsite, what he enjoys most about the role and its importance for social housing projects.

What is your role at Langley?

As site technician, I am a field-based resource available to Langley’s customers as part of our aftercare and maintenance service. Many years of on-site, hands-on installation experience enable me to conduct training sessions on the technical application of Langley products, as well as health and safety considerations.

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with their approved fabricator APiC UK Ltd; recently completed a major refurbishment mixed use project for Park Regis Hotels in Birmingham. 

The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association advises housing providers on the legalities of dealing with asbestos…

What are your legal duties?

It is vital that owners and managers of properties, constructed prior to the year 2000, take the risks from asbestos seriously and deal with asbestos in a controlled and safe manner. Today it is still the greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, with currently approx. 5,000 asbestos-related cancer deaths per year.

The Window Company (Contracts) has joined forces with Basildon Borough Council in an innovative scheme aimed at giving private homeowners the chance to upgrade their homes to match council owned properties being refurbished around them.

Multi-Trade property service company The McDougall Group has boosted productivity with the introduction of a BigChange service management system, which can help mobile workers within the social housing sector.

The web-based system can be used by building and housing maintenance teams, and connects in-house teams with contractors thanks to being accessed on computers, phones or tablets – basically, BigChange offers a single platform for easier management.    

McDougall has equipped its tradespeople and engineers with smartphones and tablets running JobWatch, part of the all-in-one solution from BigChange.

Whether it’s the kitchen sink or the shower, there’s a good chance that all social housing tenants will experience plumbing problems in their home at some point. The Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS) recently commissioned a study into the most common plumbing issues in the home, with dripping taps and leaking pipes being the leading problems reported.

Many of these can be prevented by using properly tested products and hiring a qualified plumber or installer, ensuring that water systems or fittings meet the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws.