How to fit outdoor lights

How to fit outdoor lights

by | Apr 27, 2021 | Blog

Outdoor lights are often underestimated. But at the end of the day, who doesn’t want to go home to a lighted front door where you can perfectly see the keyhole? Moreover, who doesn’t want to feel safe at night instead of walking in the dark front space? Yes, no one! That’s why having outdoor lights is essential to the home supplements.

Having lights in front of your home is not a luxury but a necessity. Not only will you light your entrance, but you can also see if there are strangers outside passing by your house at night!

You can trust a professional electrical technician to do that job for you in no time, or you can try fitting outside lights by yourself.
If you choose to do the latter, then we are here to help even from a distance! Here is all you need to know about fitting outdoor lights!

https://fix-man.co.uk/

Start with ensuring safety.

Fitting outside lights requires you to first ensure protection for yourself and the others around you. This goes for all home electrical jobs you decide to do by yourself.

Before you start doing anything, make sure you switch off the main power of your home. There is usually a fuse box or a consumer unit where you can shut down the whole electric system.

If the unit is connected to other houses next to yours, leave a note, and warn your neighbours.
Secure yourself with a voltage tester for lighting circuits. This will help you determine whether circuits are safe to work on and help you prevent unwanted circumstances.

Fitting outside light on a door

You can install outdoor lights on a wall near the front or at the ceiling if there is one. A very important note to your choice should be the waterproof feature. Choose the lights carefully and make sure they are suitable for outdoor conditions. How to fit outdoor lights? Follow these steps!

  1. After you’ve chosen your outdoor lights, you need to drill a hole in the wall you want the light to be installed. You need the cable to go through a plastic conduit to make sure it’s isolated well enough.
  2. You also need to connect the cores of the cables to the terminals in the unit. Of course, wrap them carefully with electrical tape and avoid water getting there.
  3. After that, you need to position the light and secure it with a little bit of silicone. This way you will keep it out of moisturising or other unwanted results.
  4. Connect all cables with the main power and check if everything is properly done.
  5. You need to run the length of 1mm² two core-and-earth cable back to the junction box.
  6. With a voltage tester check if the power is off or on and do the needed connections between the main junction box and your light.

https://fix-man.co.uk/

Fitting outside garden lights

If you are lucky enough to have a great home with a garden then you probably need to have lights there too! It’s not only making your garden look great, but it is also helpful for night walks or again security.
You can have a few lights illuminating the back gardens and space behind (or front) your house, or you can use it to light a pathway to the entrance door. You will need low-voltage lights because they are not only the easiest ones to install, but they are also the safest. Often they just need to be pushed into the ground.

Need Expert Help?

PricesContact us

If you have any questions, please Call us on 0203 761 5872 or fill our contact form

Other outdoor lights for gardens require much more time and efforts for installing so we again recommend contacting a professional electrician in London to help you with everything. This will help you save time, energy, worries, and bad outcomes. Because, let’s face it, electrical jobs are not to joke with!

https://fix-man.co.uk/

FixMan has a vast team of professionals that will help you with any problem you have or do the installation for you! Say you’ve installed it incorrectly, or the lights are not working properly? No problem! We’ll be on our way to help fix all of that! Our technicians will be more than happy to assist you with any electrical problems or installations. Trust the efficiency!

If you are not sure what kind of electric lights to ensure for the installation process, you can call us, and we will advise you on the best options for you, and then the rest will be up to us! Our electricians have all of the needed tools and all of the needed experience to do the job in no time with maximum efficiency! Contact us now for fitting outside lights!

Painting and decorating prices in 2021: Cost comparison in the UK

Painting and decorating prices in 2021: Cost comparison in the UK

by | Mar 22, 2021 | Blog

Adding a personal touch to your home is always a great idea! All you need is fresh paint and some decoration. This can transform every room into a cosy and nice place. From choosing the right colours to looking for new art pieces, this excitement can easily become very overwhelming. Once the first coat is drying, you’ve already got paint spots all over your hair and clothes. It really starts playing on your nerves, doesn’t it! At this point, a lot of us would turn to a professional painter and decorator in order to get the job well done. Although paintwork is often considered a DIY job, it can be beneficial to hire an expert. More precision techniques as cutting-in can be difficult and extremely time-consuming for a regular enthusiast. Professional painters and decorators will save you all the hustle!
https://fix-man.co.uk/

But how much do these services cost?

There are a few factors affecting the prices, starting with the location. The cost of hiring a professional wall-painter in London could be higher than hiring one in Durham. Also, the price of painting and decorating your home will vary greatly depending on the extent of the project. Do you want to paint just one room or the whole property?

We are sharing with you a list of average rates for professional painting and decorating services for 2021.

Wall Area Cost of painting a room
15m² £210
30m² £390
60m² £795
You want to know if it is worth it? Here is a useful tip – Calculate the cost of all materials and equipment you would need to buy, also how much money would you lose to take the time off your work in case you do painting yourself. Compare that to the cost of hiring a painter and make your choice. You see, hiring a professional is not that expensive!

It is time to choose the right company for your project. To make it easier, we prepared a few steps you need to consider:

  • Do not compromise with experience, even if it costs more!

We all can splash a coat of paint up, but a good skill level is what makes the difference! Cutting in, covering up damp, and getting a consistent finish is not an easy task.

There are many painters and decorators out there who are skilled, trustworthy, and hardworking! With FixMan’s proficiency and ability to multitask, you’ll soon find your home looking fresh and new.

https://fix-man.co.uk/
  • Good professional services could additionally help you with:

– An experienced decorator has a critical eye! Ask them what they think about the colours you’re considering. – They will likely be able to source you all kinds of specific and unusual items like skirting that matches the originals within your home. – Also bear in mind that professional decorators get the best prices on materials. This can save you a lot of money! – We all have additional jobs that need completing. Your professional painter will for sure touch up old paintwork, for example.

Unfortunately, complications like mould, damp, or plastering occur very often. Only a professional painter has the skills to identify and rectify any problems regarding the suitability of your existing walls.

Need Expert Help?

PricesContact us

If you have any questions, please Call us on 0203 761 5872 or fill our contact form

  • Do your homework and examine the condition of your property!

– Damp patches need a sealant added before starting with the painting work. – Ceilings that are stained with nicotine will need to be cleaned very well before any painting can begin. – Peeling gloss on woodwork will require a ‘burn off. – If there is wallpaper, better remove it yourself.

All these jobs take time and cost extra money, so if you don’t want to pay just DIY, it is actually an easy thing to do.
https://fix-man.co.uk/
  • The bigger projects mean better prices.

It is better to hire a professional painter and decorator for a large job instead of several small, one-off projects. Make a simple calculation and you will see that painting two rooms at the same time will always be cheaper than adding the costs for a single room together.

  • Keep costs low by hiring out of season.

At a certain period of the year, painters are super busy and as a result, their prices go higher. Summer is usually the worst time to start your project as it is the peak season for interior painting. Try to avoid this time and get the job well done in a low season month. January/ February is the best for finding lower prices! We are happy to share our experience and help with anything else due to your particular needs. Do not waste more time – send us your request! Feel free to share all your considerations! We will give you our best offer with no obligations at all!

How to Install, Wire and Connect Your New Electric Cooker

How to Install, Wire and Connect Your New Electric Cooker

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Blog

The electric cooker is pretty much the staple ingredient in every kitchen! Your old one is broken, or you just fancy a more modern model, then it is about time to make a change!

While many people think installing a new cooker is a simple task that you can manage without the need for an electrician, it is not as easy if you are not completely confident in your own DIY skills. We strongly advise that you contact a skilled handyman if you feel uncertain during any stages of replacing your electric cooker.

There are quite a few things to consider before tackling the job. We made a step-by-step guide with everything you need to know on how to install, wire, and connect your electric cooker!

https://fix-man.co.uk

Electrical regulations

Do you know how to do this correctly and, more importantly, safely? Electric cooker installation involves legalities, which you must be aware of in the first place.

It is possible that your new cooker is more powerful than the previous one. This means your old circuit is insufficient to power the new cooker, and a new circuit needs to be installed. Due to the existing legal requirement, new circuit installations can only be done by Part P certified electricians.

If you can make use of your own electric cooker control unit, then you can do the wiring but be very careful and cautious while doing the job!

Make sure your home meets the power requirements.

Domestic electric cookers are big consumers of high voltage electricity. Read the manual to check its exact amp rating. You will need to get at least a 13 amp fuse; even the latest models will require a 32 amp fuse. Make sure you are aware of the correct numbers before starting.

The electric cooker installation requires a separate fuse, which means you need to fit your new appliance on a distinct circuit. This way, the isolated system will ensure that your electric cooker is drawing enough power at all times, and it’s perfectly safe to use daily.

https://fix-man.co.uk

A double pole isolating switch is a must!

An electric cooker uses so much power during an electrical circuit that it needs to be continuously supervised by double pole isolating switches. Double pole switches ensure that it shuts both wires off for total safety in case of an emergency.

The isolating switch guarantees that in the event of a short circuit, the appliance’s wiring will no longer carry electrical current. It ensures that you won’t get shocked if you touch the device.

Think out the positioning of your cooker control unit.

The control unit is the thick cable that your new electric cooker needs to be connected through. Make sure that your cooker is positioned within two meters of the unit, never directly below it, to prevent a fire situation.

More modern control units have neon lights established, which will signify when the unit is turned on.

Choose the right cable for your cooking.

Usually, a new cooker is coming with the cable included in the packaging, but in case you didn’t receive it, we have a few tips on selecting the right one:

  1. Look for more thickness as a 2.5 mm heat-resistant cable – it will give you better protection.
  2. Choose the one with several wires – often, it comes with three wires, and the cable is frequently referred to as “two core and earth” or a “twin and earth” cable.
  3. Still, If you can’t figure out the right cable for your electric cooker, read the official manual and consult with a professional electrician!
https://fix-man.co.uk

Take the “Hot zone” of your appliance into account.

This is the area positioned directly above your electric cooker. Start with removing all materials around it – plastic paper, wallpaper, etc.

Тhis is a must even before starting to install your electric cooker. Leave a gap of at least 30 cm between the cooker and any other kitchen appliances, including dishwasher, sink, and refrigerator.

Need Expert Help?

PricesContact us

If you have any questions, please Call us on 0203 761 5872 or fill our contact form

Connect your cooker to your home’s power grid.

On this step, you must be very careful! If you have done everything above, correctly you have taken all essential safety precautions, and it’s time for your new electric cooker installation.

Connect the cable behind the cooker:

  • Identify the terminal outlet box behind the cooker and carefully unscrew the plate.
  • Connect the 3 wires ( brown or live, blue or neutral and earth or green/yellow) to their appropriate slots. The neutral remains on the left, the earth at the centre and the live one goes to the right.
  • Tighten the screws to make sure the wires are fixed in place.
  • Re-install the backplate.

Connect the cooker with its control unit:

  • Double-check if the cable that comes with the cooker is properly fixed to your appliance.
  • Use a tiny padlock to lock the cooker circuit on the fuse box. This way, you prevent people from accidentally flipping the switch while you are busy wiring the cooker.
  • In order to de-energise the cooker completely, turn the double pole isolator switch on.
  • To avoid scratching the kitchen floor, place a scrap covering material beneath the cooker.
  • Ensure the cooker control unit is completely dead and safe to work with by testing with a voltage tester. Then move ahead with removing the screws inside.
  • Apply gentle pressure to place the wires in their respective slots and then place the screws back. Make sure not to cross-thread the screws.
  • To secure the wires firmly in place, screw the insulation bit under the wiring.
https://fix-man.co.uk
Turn the cooker on to check if everything works as it should. If so, good job! You are ready to start cooking your favourite meals!

Don’t forget to be careful, cautious and patient. It is necessary to do research and be fully prepared before starting this task. If you do not feel confident, you can do it, better hire licensed professional to complete the project. 

FixMan is here to help! Our electricians will take care of all health and safety checks. They will install the new cooker and test it for you. Safety always comes first and is more significant than anything!