Protection with the Federation

This information is issued to explain the purpose of the Insurance Certificate arranged by The Plastics Window Federation.
‘This product meets the demand and needs of those who wish to protect the cost of repairs or replacements covered by a Plastics Window Federation member contractors guarantee should that contractor cease to trade.’

 The need for the federation

• For many years the general public was not protected to a satisfactory degree. Companies have offered a guarantee but some have not been able to fulfil their obligations due to liquidation or ceasing to trade. 
• Should you need to make a complaint to the Federation details of the procedure are shown below. 
• The Federation will ensure to the best of its ability that complaints are dealt with quickly and the necessary action is taken immediately. 

Aims of the federation

• To protect the general public as an independent body when purchasing PVC-u products from its members should they cease trading.
• To ensure to the best of the Federation’s ability that its members follow the rules laid down by the Federation. 
• To give advice and information to the public as to recommended systems and installation methods. 
• To offer an independent surveying service in cases where a dispute has occurred between the customer and the member company. 
• To ensure that protection within the terms of the Policy of insurance is given to the customer in the event of a member company not being able to honour its own guarantee due to ceasing to trade. 

Making a complaint 

In the event of you having a complaint against a member of the Federation, follow the procedure below.
Write to the Federation at the address overleaf giving the following information.

• Name of the company in question, details of the complaint, date the order was placed, date when the work was carried out, address at which the installation was carried out, address at which you can be contacted, telephone numbers Day/Evening. 
• What steps you have already taken to obtain satisfaction from the company and what, if anything, they have done. 

Arbitration
Any dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with a contract with the installer shall be determined by the appointment of a single arbitrator to be agreed between the parties, or failing agreement within fourteen days, after either party has given to the other a written request to concur in the appointment of an arbitrator, by an arbitrator to be appointed by the President or Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Insurance
The criteria for insurance is that the installation has been completed by a member company and that the products installed were those constructed from PVC-U/Aluminium profiles.

Once an installation is completed the member installing company will make an online application for insurance. The Federation will make application to the insurance company for acceptance.

The Federation will provide, online to the member installer, confirmation of acceptance.

The member installer will download the certificate of insurance and policy terms and forward to the customer.

Should the certificate not be received within 14 days of completion of works notification should be sent in writing to the Federation.

Once you have received your Certificate of Insurance please keep it in a safe place with your contract as these documents will be required in the event of a claim being made.

The insurance protection is available as a 5 year or a 10 year policy and including commercial cover.

C & L Windows and Conservatories LTD
65, Seymour Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 5PT

01452 526028

www.candlwindows.co.uk 

your Protection.......With the federation

THE NEED FOR THE FEDERATION
For many years the general public were not protected to a satisfactory degree. Companies have offered a guarantee but some have not been able to fulfill their obligations throughout its entire duration due to liquidation or ceasing to trade.

YOUR INSURANCE POLICY
This product meets the needs and demands of homeowners who have had improvement works carried out on an existing property and require insurance protection to provide financial recompense in the event that the original contractor has ceased to trade and is unable to honor the terms of their written guarantee.

KEY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To protect the general public as an independent body when purchasing home improvement products from it's members, should they cease trading.

To ensure, to the best of the federation's ability, that its members follow the membership rules laid down by the federation.

To provide advice and information to consumers as to recommended systems and installation methods.

To offer an independent survey in cases where a dispute has occurred between the customer and the member company.

To ensure that protection within the terms of the policy of insurance is given to the customer in the event of a member company.

To ensure that protection within the terms of the policy of insurance is given to the customer in the event of a member company not being able to honour its own guarantee due to ceasing to trade.

MAKING A COMPLAINT

In the event that you need to raise an issue with a federation memeber, we will be only too happy to help. Simply provide us with the name of the company in question, full details of the problem, the date the order was placed, the date the work was carried out, your daytime & evening telephone numbers and your postal address.

We will also need to know what steps you have already taken in an attempt to obtain satisfaction from the company and what, if anything, has been done in order to try to resolve the problem.

The federation will act as arbitrator/mediator with the installing member company to assist in bringing the complaint to a mutually satisfactory conclusion.

INSURANCE

The criteria for additional insurance is that the installation has been completed by a member company and that the products installed are constructed from PVC-u, Aluminium, Hardwood or Composite Materials as well as Solar Panels and Photovoltaic Electrical Generation Systems.

Once an installation is completed, the member company will apply online for insurance cover. The federation will subsequently make an application to the insurance company for acceptance.

Following this, online confirmation of acceptance will be sent to the member company who will then downloading the certification of insurance and policy terms and conditions, and forward these to you, the customer. Should the certificate not be received within 14 days of completion of works, notification should be sent in writing to our address shown overleaf.

Once you have received your insurance certificate, please keep it safe, along with your contract, as these documents will be required in the even of a claim being made.

The insurance protection is provided as a 10 year policy.

C & L Windows and Conservatories Ltd
65, Seymour Road
Gloucester

GL1 5PT

01452 526028

www.candlwindows.co.uk 

Condensation...........The Answers

It's far easier to treat the cause than the effect.

What is Condensation?
Condensation is a relatively new phenomenon, resulting mainly from changes in lifestyle and our desire to keep heating as low as possible. It's related to the way we heat, ventilate and insulate our homes.

In days gone by, most homes had one or two chimneys, allowing up to four air changes per hour, and doors & windows were generally less well-fitting than they are today. This natural ventilation was the very process which prevented condensation. To cope with increased fuel costs came the trend to insulate, resulting in loft & cavity wall insulation and double glazing. However, it is also a fact that energy - efficient homes are more likely to suffer from condensation, because anything that keeps warm air in will also keep fresh air out, creating the ideal conditions for condensation to form.

Before we tackle the resulting problems, we need to understand exactly what condensation is, and then find the best way to deal with it. Condensation is water vapour suspended in the air. It's merely the air's natural moisture content settling on cool surfaces. The amount of moisture in the air is called relative humidity, and if the humidity level rises beyond 70%, mould and mildew will be encouraged to grow. Astonishingly, the average family creates up to 20 pints of moisture every day, simply by washing, cooking and breathing. This moisture must go somewhere and be dealt with in order to avoid condensation.

Where does most water vapour come from?
The most common sources of water vapour are from cooking, drying clothes on radiators, washing up, house plants, moisture in newly-built properties & extensions and from the breath we exhale.

Where can condensation occur?
Due to the thermal currents within a house, condensation can occur in a number of places, usually in cold spots such as an unheated room or conservatory without any adequate form of heating. Condensation forming on the room-side surface of a sealed unit indicates a high water vapour content is present and that the temperature of the room-side glass surface is inadequate. Condensation within the air space of a sealed unit indicates that the unit has broken down.

Double Glazing CANNOT cause condensation
'I did not have condensation before my new windows were installed. There must be something wrong with them'

This is a common assumption, but one which is incorrect, Windows cannot and will not produce any water. This 'water' is produced by our normal daily activities, therefore we, the householders, create the problem.

How do I know if i have condensation?
Condensation will take many forms, the most common being steamed up windows and puddles of water on the window sills. In extreme cases, dark spots of mould will appear around the windows, wall covering and mastic seals throughout your home. If you have a non-condensing tumble dryer, make sure it is properly vented to the outside of your property. Remember, tumble dryers can create up to 16 pints of water vapour in one cycle.

How can double glazing help?
Sealed unit replacement windows act as an insulation, which reduces heat loss that would be conducted from the inside of the room to the outside under normal circumstances. Remember that sealed units retain heat but are not actually a source of heat, therefor all rooms in your home should be adequately heated, especially conservatories. The likelihood of condensation forming on a warm surface is therefore reduced.

How can I reduce Condensation?
Condensation can be controlled by providing natural ventilation to change air on a regular basis and by maintaining an even room temperature. This is achieved through ventilating units that are controlled by humidistats, an air brick or by opening a window. Remember, air bricks must be open in order to achieve the desired results. An effective way of controlling condensation is to install a dehumidifier though this cost can be avoided if the problem is one of ventilation by installing an air brick or controlling the root cause of the moisture.

Breathing
Two sleeping adults exude 2 pints of moisture within an 8 hour period, which is absorbed as water vapour into the atmosphere.

New properties
The bricks, timber, concrete and other materials in an average 3 bedroom house absorbs 1,500 gallons of water, with the same principle applying to a conservatory base and the construction materials used. As with an new building work, you should always allow a period of drying out to ensure that problems are not encountered in the future.

Kitchen and Bathrooms
Prevent water finding its way in to other rooms of your home by closing the adjoining doors and leaving a window open after cooking or showering to allow a change of air. Extractor fans and cooker hoods work well for this purpose.
If you find a dark mould spots forming, treat the affected area immediately with a solution of household bleach or milton fluid. This will kill the mould spores and prevent them from spreading to other areas. All new houses with improved insulation and replacement windows are likely to trap moisture build-up. This can be identified and dealt with, as long as all rooms in your home are heated and the air is changed on a regular basis.

Conclusion
Condensation is the result of a build up of moisture caused by our everyday lifestyle and the continual improvement and modernisation of our homes. Replacement doors and windows simply can not produce condensation; double glazing will act as an insulator if there is sufficient heat within your home in the first place. Therefore, it is wise to attempt to control the amount of water vapour displaced within the household and to provide controlled ventilation to dispel the moisture before the problem arises.

C & L Windows and Conservatories Ltd

65, Seymour Road,

Gloucester

Gloucestershire

GL1 5PT

01452 526028

www.candlwindows.co.uk

Window Care....Cleaning and Maintenance

LOOKING AFTER WINDOWS, DOORS AND CONSERVATORIES

After buying your home, having replacement windows and doors installed could be the next biggest investment you will make.

This brief cleaning and maintenance guide makes a number of recommendations about how to care for your new Windows, doors and Conservatories.

Following these guidelines will assist in keeping your newly-installed units looking their best and working efficiently for many years to come.

Drainage

After a heavy shower of rain, you may notice some water laying in the bottom of your door or window frames. This is nothing to worry about as the water will simply drain away through the drainage holes in the base. 

Cleaning

Never use anything abrasive as this will scratch the surface and trap dirt. Instead, wash the frames with a mild solution of washing up liquid and if any stubborn marks remain, lightly rub with PVC-u creme cleaner.

Never use a household creme cleaner as this will remove the shine from the surface.

Glass

Any type of glass cleaner is suitable, except where Ritec Clearshield has been used or where any self-cleaning glass has been installed. In addition, no silicone product should come into contact with the self-cleaning glass surface.

Lead Work

As with any new lead work, when exposed to rain you will notice an oxidation process starting to happen, which shows as white or mottled staining on the lead. Within a few months when this process is complete, the lead will be dark grey in colour and will no longer stain.

Locks

Twice a year, we recommend you spray lithium white grease or a similar product into all of the locks/moving parts, as well as on to any metal contact surfaces around your doors and windows. This will help to keep them operating smoothly all year round. 

Building work e.g. Conservatory Bases

As with any new building work you should always allow a period of 'drying out', ensuring maximum air circulation and ventilation during this time. To test if a floor is 'dry' lay a square of carpet on the floor over night. If the floor is dry when the carpet is lifted, the process is complete, never use an electric or gas fire to speed up the drying out process as this is extremely dangerous.

Doors

To ensure a draught-free door, please remember to keep the door in the locker position, ensuring a tight fit on to the draught seals. This is extremely important in the case of composite Doors.

C & L Window and Conservatories Ltd
65, Seymour Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 5PT

01452 526028

www.candlwindows.co.uk 

What Causes external condensation on your Windows

People are often surprised to see external condensation on double glazed windows, expecting the cause is a fault with the unit.  Condensation on the outside of windows can be particularly noticeable during the Autumnal months. External condensation may occur on the latest energy efficient double glazed windows and demonstrates that the windows are doing a fine job of keeping heat in the building.

Many customers call us concerned at this “strange” phenomenon however this occurrence actually demonstrates the effectiveness of the glazing. Previously, where condensation occurred internally the “cold spot” of the sealed unit is now external and proves that the heat is being retained rather than lost through the double glazed sealed unit. The condensation will naturally evaporate once the atmosphere warms up.

Customers today want the finest in insulated and thermally efficient windows and a byproduct of this is superior efficiency.  A rated PVC-u windows, supplied as standard by C & L Windows may be prone to external condensation.  It is simply the window and the glass doing its job of keeping the heat in. For those that are more technically minded, Pilkington Glass, who many will know as the world’s largest producer of glass say:

The phenomenon is a natural and predictable event caused by the outer pane of the glazing being colder that the glass that it replaced. With single glazing and older style double glazing a larger proportion of heat was lost to the outside through the glass. With modern low e glass products more of the heat is kept inside and the outer pane is not heated as much.

Moisture condenses out of the air onto a cold surface that is said to be below the dew point. The dew point varies with the air temperature and the amount of moisture it contains. In spring and autumn in particular the glass temperature can fall to a low level during the night and the dew point can be comparatively high in these seasons. The glass is more often likely to be below the dew point in these conditions and the moisture condenses onto the surface.

  So there is nothing to worry about if you see external condensation on your new double glazed windows.  External condensation forms on the exterior surface of the outer pane of glass when its surface temperature drops below the outdoor dew point temperature – increasingly likely on an Autumn or Winter morning, hence why it is only in these current climatic conditions that it occurs.

External condensation on double glazing, if it occurs can be caused by a number of factors such as South or North facing properties, location (greater moisture in the northern regions) etc.

C & L Windows and Conservatories Ltd
65, Seymour Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 5PT

01452 526028
www.candlwindows.co.uk

Don’t fall victim as burglaries boom over festive season

Christmas time is a prosperous time for burglars – with pricey presents neatly tucked under the tree and a higher chance of homeowners being out visiting family, down the pub with friends or undertaking last minute shopping, homes are a treasure trove for thieves.

While burglary figures have revealed a sharp decrease as a whole – there were a total of 245,317 house burglaries recorded in 2014/15, compared with 519,265 in 2004 – Christmas is becoming a popular time for ‘Grinch-like’ criminals to strike.

Figures from Halifax Home Insurance revealed a 25 per cent rise in burglary claims last December, compared to the festive period in 2014.

The total number of claims in December last year reached 1,382, with an average of nearly 50 claims made each day over the Christmas period, according to Halifax.

Homeowners are being urged to stay on guard against would-be Grinches eyeing up present hauls stored in homes across the country.

In the lead up to Christmas, homes are more likely to be left unattended while parties are in full swing and the mad rush to buy last minute presents is underway. 

At the same time, they are more likely to contain a higher value of contents in the form of gifts ready to be unwrapped on Christmas Day, including gadgets and jewellery which can be easily pocketed.

Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said: ‘It’s not just Macaulay Culkin who will be Home Alone this Christmas. Presents across the country will be left unattended, leaving homes more open to thieves on the prowl during the festive season. 

‘With many people out at Christmas drinks parties not returning home until late at night, it can provide the perfect opportunity for thieves to slip into houses unnoticed and have their way with the rich pickings, likely to be made up of the latest gadgets and expensive accessories.

‘We’re advising customers to leave a light on, remember to secure all doors and windows properly and avoid leaving gifts on show to avoid being a victim of theft this Christmas.’

Halifax Insurance automatically increases its home contents cover by an extra £3,000 over the Christmas period, while other providers have similar offers.

For instance, Aviva, the Post Office and Santander increase their contents sum by 10 per cent automatically during December and the run-up to Christmas

Christmas is the peak time for burglaries

Police launched a two month campaign in October urging members of the public to see their property from a burglar's point of view in a bid to stop the traditional rise in burglary offences over the autumn and winter months.

Detective Superintendent Ray Blythe, said: ‘With all the excitement of the Christmas period, people can become a bit lax with their home security – at the very time when they need to be the most careful.

‘Police forces nationally tend to see an increase in burglary offences over the festive period with the long dark nights and people buying expensive gifts to give to their loved ones.’

According to the Home Office, domestic burglary actually peaks to 11 per cent above trend in January, which it says may be a reporting/recording effect. 

Victims that have left their homes vacant over the Christmas period may not discover that they have been burgled until January, when they then report the crime to the police.

Alternatively, the January peak in domestic burglary may be due to burglars resting over Christmas, then having to over-compensate in January when there are also more new goods in homes to steal. 

Another theory is that there is more need to burgle in January following the excesses of Christmas. 

The table from the Home Office below shows how November, December and January is the peak time for burglary:

Top tips for keeping your home safe at Christmas

Don’t leave gifts on show

It’s always nice to see presents under the tree but if the tree is near a window, the gifts offer 
would-be burglars with a tempting invite. If you do keep presents under the tree, try to keep them out of sight from the window. Leaving something in a branded bag can give a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘window shopping.’

Leave a light on

As it gets dark earlier, thieves have more time to target homes. Keeping lights on when you’re not home makes it harder for them to identify which properties have people still in them. Draw the curtains and set a timer for your lights so that they go on and off in different rooms using energy saving bulbs to suggest that people are in.

Everything must go

Just as you wouldn’t leave a handbag on display in your car while out shopping for gifts or in the sales, don’t advertise any shopping left in the car. Keep more expensive items at the bottom of the boot and ensure that there’s a parcel shelf hiding your bags. Aim to park in well-lit areas and secure car parks.

Lock your windows

Outdoor Christmas lights are often powered from a power source inside the house and fed out through a window. Always double check that all doors and windows are locked before leaving the house and don’t forget about any windows that have wires running out of them.

Delivery management

Online shopping is more and more commonplace – according to Royal Mail, two billion items were delivered over the Christmas period last year. Never give permission for presents delivered to be left outside in a visible place as it provides a clear signal to would-be burglars that nobody is home. Wherever possible, have them delivered somewhere you know they’ll be safe such as a neighbour, relative or workplace if it is permitted.

Advertising

Don’t leave discarded boxes of expensive items (e.g. TVs, iPads, desktop computers) outside the house after Christmas. They simply advertise what’s been added to your home contents and enable burglars to work out where they should focus their attention.   

Christmas carols

Although you might be in the Christmas spirit, be as wary as you normally would of visitors you don’t know. A Christmas carol singer might have the voice of an angel but could be a bogus caller, taking the opportunity to scope out your security.

C & L Windows and Conservatories Ltd

65, Seymour Road,
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 5PT

01452 526028

www.candlwindows.co.uk