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	<title>Blog Archives - The NHIC</title>
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	<description>Committed to Improving Your Home</description>
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	<title>Blog Archives - The NHIC</title>
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		<title>The National Home Improvement Council&#8217;s 2023 Parliamentary Event</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/the-national-home-improvement-councils-2023-parliamentary-event/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 2023 10:42:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=12294</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>On the 12th of December 2023, we will be holding our annual Parliamentary Event at the House Of Lords in London. This is a key industry event where we will discuss our progress on the RMI Manifesto for Change for the repair, maintenance, and home improvements (RMI) sector over the last 12 months. The NHIC&#8217;s [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/the-national-home-improvement-councils-2023-parliamentary-event/">The National Home Improvement Council&#8217;s 2023 Parliamentary Event</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On the 12th of December 2023, we will be holding our annual Parliamentary Event at the House Of Lords in London.</p>
<p><span class="placeholder editor-box w-full h-full px-3 pt-3 pb-2 outline-none block overflow-y-auto" contenteditable="true" spellcheck="false" data-placeholder="" data-focused-advice="" data-tribute="true">This is a key industry event where we will discuss our progress on the RMI Manifesto for Change for the repair, maintenance, and home improvements (RMI) sector over the last 12 months.</span></p>
<p><span class="placeholder editor-box w-full h-full px-3 pt-3 pb-2 outline-none block overflow-y-auto" contenteditable="true" spellcheck="false" data-placeholder="" data-focused-advice="" data-tribute="true">The NHIC&#8217;s plans will also discuss how they will spearhead change over the next 12 months to reduce carbon emissions and improve homes.</span></p>
<p>This is an opportunity for all who attend to be part of a critical conversation that will significantly impact the industry.</p>
<p><span class="placeholder editor-box w-full h-full px-3 pt-3 pb-2 outline-none block overflow-y-auto" contenteditable="true" spellcheck="false" data-placeholder="" data-focused-advice="" data-tribute="true">Each of our three working group chairs will be giving their updates and progress on each group:</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><span class="placeholder editor-box w-full h-full px-3 pt-3 pb-2 outline-none block overflow-y-auto" contenteditable="true" spellcheck="false" data-placeholder="" data-focused-advice="" data-tribute="true">Carbon and Energy Efficiency</span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Group has been established to advise the NHIC Board on Carbon and Energy Efficiency needs across all NHIC members Acting as the thought leader for the NHIC to help the Council support initiatives which achieve the Net Zero agenda and support householders on the low carbon transition of their homes.  </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It will have responsibility for promoting the needs and progress of energy efficiency activities of the home improvement sector to key stakeholders, including but not limited to relevant government departments and officials, the CLC, and Construct Zero.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It is also responsible for highlighting best practices for members to drive change within their organisations and showcase improvements made within the home improvement sector. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><span class="placeholder editor-box w-full h-full px-3 pt-3 pb-2 outline-none block overflow-y-auto" contenteditable="true" spellcheck="false" data-placeholder="" data-focused-advice="" data-tribute="true"><br />
Competence, Compliance and Quality</span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Group has been established to advise the NHIC Board on Competency, Compliance, and Quality needs across all NHIC members. Acting as the thought leader for the NHIC to help the Council support initiatives which drive forward quality home improvements.  </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It will have responsibility for promoting the needs and progress of competence, compliance, and quality-related activities of the home improvement sector to key stakeholders, including but not limited to relevant government departments and officials, the CLC, and HSE.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It is also responsible for highlighting best practices for members to drive change within their organisations and showcase improvements made within the home improvement sector. It will have responsibility for initiating reports and data collection in line with Board requirements and agreement.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><span class="placeholder editor-box w-full h-full px-3 pt-3 pb-2 outline-none block overflow-y-auto" contenteditable="true" spellcheck="false" data-placeholder="" data-focused-advice="" data-tribute="true"><br />
Consumer Voice</span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Group has been established to advise the NHIC Board on consumer needs across all NHIC members.  Acting as the thought leader for the NHIC to help the Council champion the consumer&#8217;s needs and answer the challenges raised in the NHIC Manifesto.  </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It is also responsible for highlighting best practices for members. It will have responsibility for initiating external communications on training and skills in line with Board requirements and agreement</span><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/the-national-home-improvement-councils-2023-parliamentary-event/">The National Home Improvement Council&#8217;s 2023 Parliamentary Event</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>5 Key Causes of Subsidence and Where to Find Help</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/5-key-causes-of-subsidence-and-where-to-find-help/</link>
					<comments>https://nhic.org.uk/5-key-causes-of-subsidence-and-where-to-find-help/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2023 09:49:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=11888</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Is your home showing signs of subsidence? Cracks in the walls or ceilings, doors and windows sticking, or cracks in the foundation are all potential signs of subsidence. While it may be tempting to ignore these signs, doing so can put your home at risk of serious damage so it’s important to notice and monitor [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/5-key-causes-of-subsidence-and-where-to-find-help/">5 Key Causes of Subsidence and Where to Find Help</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Is your home showing signs of subsidence?</p>
<p>Cracks in the walls or ceilings, doors and windows sticking, or cracks in the foundation are all potential signs of subsidence.</p>
<p>While it may be tempting to ignore these signs, doing so can put your home at risk of serious damage so it’s important to notice and monitor these signs, and report to the relevant authorities where necessary, or schedule repair work on the property.</p>
<p>Subsidence occurs when the ground below your home shifts or sinks. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including soil type, mining activity, weather, and tree root growth.</p>
<p>Understanding the causes of subsidence is critical to preventing it from happening to your home.</p>
<p><strong>Here are 5 common causes of subsidence:</strong></p>
<h2>Soil type:</h2>
<p>Certain types of soil are more prone to subsidence than others. For example, clay soils expand when they get wet and contract when they dry out. This can cause the ground to shift and sink over time.</p>
<h2>Mining:</h2>
<p>Mining has been practised around the world since ancient times, and it continues to provide essential resources, from metals to fuel to minerals, that are necessary for modern life as we know it.</p>
<p>Although extractive industries are vital for industry growth, subsidence caused by mining is an issue that must be addressed. Subsidence occurs when underground tunnels or large quarries collapse in on themselves due to disruption of the underground layers and can cause serious damage to buildings, and roads, or even create sinkholes.</p>
<p>Government regulation and company oversight have improved subsidence management in the past decades, but more can still be done to ensure safe mining practices going forward.</p>
<h2>Tree roots:</h2>
<p>Growing tree roots can destabilize the ground around your home and lead to subsidence issues over time if left unchecked.</p>
<h2>Construction:</h2>
<p>Any construction activity near your home has the potential to destabilize the ground and cause subsidence problems down the line if not properly managed. Excavation for pools, additions, or other construction projects should be monitored carefully and approved by a local authority in line with building regulations and planning permission to avoid any issues.</p>
<h2>Water main breaks:</h2>
<p>If a water main break occurs near your property, it could potentially wash away enough soil to destabilize your home and cause it to sink into the ground. Monitoring local water main breaks is crucial if you want to avoid this type of problem.</p>
<p>For help and advice about subsidence and what can be done to remedy any issues, NHIC Members: <a href="https://www.fmb.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Federation of Master Builders</a> and <a href="https://www.ciob.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CIOB</a> are able to advise on matters relating to subsidence.</p>
<p>NHIC member, LABC’s Front Door tool: <a href="https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/search?q=subsidence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/search?q=subsidence</a> has helpful articles relating to subsidence and conservatories.</p>
<p>Here’s the link to <a href="https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Front Door Homepage.</a></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1673861720693_1896">The image of the house at the top of this post is of Jerushah the Tilted Cottage, which is situated at the <a href="https://bclm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Black Country Living Museum</a> in Dudley, UK.</p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1673861720693_1886">This cottage, constructed around 1840, was originally located at Cooper’s Bank, Gornal Wood.</p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1673861720693_1884">Its crooked appearance is a characteristic feature of the Black Country landscape and was caused by subsidence as coal was dug from the mines beneath.</p>
<p>Credit to the photographer, Elliott Brown, and more information on the house can be found <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6057571686" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/5-key-causes-of-subsidence-and-where-to-find-help/">5 Key Causes of Subsidence and Where to Find Help</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cost of Living Crisis Sees Rise in Energy Scams</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/cost-of-living-crisis-sees-rise-in-energy-scams/</link>
					<comments>https://nhic.org.uk/cost-of-living-crisis-sees-rise-in-energy-scams/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2022 09:52:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Post]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=11832</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>@FaisalHussain, Chief Executive of HIES Consumer Code, talks to @AnnaScothern, Chief Executive of the National Home Improvement Council (@NHIC) about the value of consumer protection schemes for renewables and home improvements as part of their #NetZeroForNothing podcast. In recent years, partly due to the publicity from the Government to achieve net zero by 2050, consumers [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/cost-of-living-crisis-sees-rise-in-energy-scams/">Cost of Living Crisis Sees Rise in Energy Scams</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>@FaisalHussain, Chief Executive of HIES Consumer Code, talks to @AnnaScothern, Chief Executive of the National Home Improvement Council (@NHIC) about the value of consumer protection schemes for renewables and home improvements as part of their #NetZeroForNothing podcast. </em></strong></p>
<p>In recent years, partly due to the publicity from the Government to achieve net zero by 2050, consumers have become more aware of the need to contribute to reducing carbon emissions. One way of doing this is by installing energy-efficient products into the home, but with so much choice, and often representing a significant investment, who do consumers choose to spend with?</p>
<p>@HIES is a Chartered Trading Standards Institute-approved Consumer Code that not only provides protection mechanisms for consumers, but also for our members. We have a robust system for vetting potential members with a significant rejection rate, which means consumers can trust in the fact their HIES-approved supplier has been vetted. And if anything goes wrong, and in life that can happen, they know they are protected and dispute resolution is available if it’s needed.</p>
<p><strong>Regulations, regulations, regulations</strong></p>
<p>Our members get support from the beginning, right through to an annual business health check to ensure they are compliant with all the latest code of practice. Things are always changing and in the home energy sector; you are talking about a wide range of products from solar roof tiles to heat pumps and more. We always have to be on top of the latest advice so our members can operate within the requirements and ensure they have the correct processes in place.</p>
<p>We have relationships with a range of stakeholders, like the NHIC, so we can find the right information and tap into resources, but the key to the process is to find things that people are not yet talking about so we can stay ahead of the game. In some cases, achieving net zero involves very new technology which will not have any consumer protection attached to it, and it is our job to write that into our code from scratch. For example, in the future it might be that if you produce your own domestic electricity, you can sell it or even give it to your neighbours. That’s an entirely new concept and a body like HIES would be involved in ensuring there are systems and processes in place that protect all parties. It’s a challenge but it means HIES members are reassured that they have a knowledge resource centre behind them, and consumers can trust in their supplier.</p>
<p>Anna Scothern, Chief Executive at the NHIC commented: “A fundamental way to incentivise the uptake of energy focussed home upgrades, is to ensure that wherever new technologies are installed, they are done so by competent persons and that the technologies and tradespeople have consumer protection built in. We need systems in place which support innovation but not at the cost of protection, and that is why we are proud to have members such as HIES who are going the extra mile to support and educate consumers about the best way to upgrade their home and save energy.”</p>
<p>If we are to all take personal responsibility in contributing to achieving Net Zero, consumer protection schemes like HIES are key to the smooth running of the process. Improving the home improvements sector has a positive impact on climate change, and there are all things we can do to contribute. Personal and habitual changes are as important as any guidance the Government produces. The smallest changes have big impacts over time.</p>
<p>If you are a consumer looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, for help and accredited companies, please visit <a href="http://www.hiesscheme.org.uk/homeowners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.hiesscheme.org.uk/homeowners</a>.</p>
<p>If you are an installer and would like to become a HIES-accredited member, visit <a href="http://www.hiesscheme.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.hiesscheme.org.uk</a> to find out more.</p>
<p>Listen to the full podcast <a href="https://nhic.podbean.com/e/the-benefits-of-consumer-protection-schemes-in-the-home-improvement-sectors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/cost-of-living-crisis-sees-rise-in-energy-scams/">Cost of Living Crisis Sees Rise in Energy Scams</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Doing Your Bit For The Climate Crisis</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/doing-your-bit-for-the-climate-crisis/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 10:12:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=11791</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Record temperatures in the UK and across Europe, shocking floods in Pakistan and a series of wildfires across the globe highlighted in 2022 the very real and frightening spectre of climate change. Coupled with rapidly rising energy bills homeowners are now looking to improve home comforts, reduce bills, reduce CO2 emissions and ultimately contribute to [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/doing-your-bit-for-the-climate-crisis/">Doing Your Bit For The Climate Crisis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Record temperatures in the UK and across Europe, shocking floods in Pakistan and a series of wildfires across the globe highlighted in 2022 the very real and frightening spectre of climate change. Coupled with rapidly rising energy bills homeowners are now looking to improve home comforts, reduce bills, reduce CO2 emissions and ultimately contribute to minimising the increase in global temperature.</p>
<p>Building Regulations set out minimum standards for insulation in new builds, conversions and retrofit projects, but there’s nothing to stop you from going above and beyond these.</p>
<p>One of the primary areas of your home where heat is lost is through the roof, so if you are planning a loft conversion, it’s vital that it&#8217;s insulated well, to save energy (and money) and to make sure it is usable throughout the year.</p>
<p>It must also meet the energy efficiency targets set out in Part L of the building regulations. This sets out the standard of insulation needed, measured in U-values. The lower the U-value, the slower the heat transfer and therefore the better it is at insulating.</p>
<p>Currently, the U-value must be 0.18W/m2K in England (the rules are more complicated for Welsh loft conversions). Your architect or designer will calculate the thermal heat loss and your building control surveyor will use the calculation to help determine compliance.</p>
<p>The regulations don’t specify which material is used – there is a range to choose from and each will have different thicknesses to achieve the minimum U-value. Ideally, you want insulation that gives the lowest U-value for the thinnest material so that your headroom is affected as little as possible. You may also want to consider using environmentally friendly insulation materials. Your builder, designer or architect should be able to advise on this and help make sure the U-value will meet building regulations.</p>
<p>Wall insulation is also worth investigating, whether you have suitable cavity walls that can be insulated or are thinking about dry-lining older single-skin or timber framed walls, built before the advent of modern materials. As well as improving comfort, the right insulation installed properly will reduce condensation and cold spots, reduce damp and mould, reduce your heating bills and, of course, reduce your carbon emissions.</p>
<p>If you’re going to increase the insulation in your home, it’s vital that you also think about ventilation. Ventilation includes openable windows and doors, air bricks and air vents, and mechanical extractor fans in your kitchen, bathrooms, and utility rooms. You can also consider more complex systems like whole-house ventilation, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems and passive stack ventilation. Improved ventilation improves airflow and the number of air changes in a room per hour, which removes odours as well as damp and mould spores and prevents staining and improves some illnesses like asthma.</p>
<p>Many people are now changing their primary and secondary heating systems. Whatever heating system you use, whether this is powered by gas, oil or electricity, the chances are more energy-efficient models are now available. You might want to consider renewable energy sources like ground and air-source heat pumps, solar or wind energy or be thinking about installing underfloor heating or a wood burner. If you are opening up or installing a new fireplace, appliance, or flue, you’ll need to make sure this is safely installed to enable gasses to escape properly, protect your home from fire and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.</p>
<p>The LABC Front Door website is full of ideas for minimising heat loss without compromising on vital ventilation. <a href="http://www.labcfrontdoor.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.labcfrontdoor.co.uk</a></p>
<p>Saving water is equally important, and many parts of the country are still experiencing drought conditions and hosepipe bans as reservoirs stay perilously low.</p>
<p>Many of us now have water meters and are looking for ways to save money on all our utility bills. Reducing water use in your bathroom can not only cut your bill, but it’s also a very good way to do your bit for the environment. Heating water for our hot water taps, showers, and baths account for roughly 20% of the energy bill in an average gas-heated home. According to Waterwise water facts, “Although the earth is often called the blue planet, out of all the water on the planet, there is less than 1% accessible fresh water for us to use.” Demand for fresh and drinkable water continues to rise and new homes must be designed and built with water-saving measures in mind.</p>
<p>LABC has lots of tips and ideas whether you’re renovating, building, or just trying to do your bit for the planet. <a href="https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/blog/15-water-saving-tips-for-your-bathroom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/blog/15-water-saving-tips-for-your-bathroom</a></p>
<p>Whatever you’re planning, make sure you’re really making the most of your investment and future-proof your home.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/doing-your-bit-for-the-climate-crisis/">Doing Your Bit For The Climate Crisis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>8 Costly Home Maintenance Mistakes You Need to be Wary Of</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/8-costly-home-maintenance-mistakes-you-need-to-be-wary-of/</link>
					<comments>https://nhic.org.uk/8-costly-home-maintenance-mistakes-you-need-to-be-wary-of/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 May 2021 14:36:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Post]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=10899</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Whether you are a homeowner or rent an apartment, home maintenance will be your responsibility most of the time. This includes keeping the house clean, ensuring that the pipes are not frozen during winter, and more. However, not everyone&#8217;s an expert when it comes to maintenance. So, it will not be surprising that we are [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/8-costly-home-maintenance-mistakes-you-need-to-be-wary-of/">8 Costly Home Maintenance Mistakes You Need to be Wary Of</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Whether you are a homeowner or rent an apartment, home maintenance will be your responsibility most of the time. This includes keeping the house clean, ensuring that the pipes are not frozen during winter, and more.</p>
<p>However, not everyone&#8217;s an expert when it comes to maintenance. So, it will not be surprising that we are doing things that can cause more damage than good:</p>
<ol>
<li>Neglecting wall or ceiling stains</li>
<li>Not washing the dishwasher regularly</li>
<li>Going overboard with the pressure washer</li>
<li>Letting chipped and peeling paint be</li>
<li>Not replacing your air filters</li>
<li>Not cleaning your fireplace</li>
<li>Forgetting about your gutters</li>
<li>Using harmful cleaning supplies</li>
</ol>
<p>If you want to ensure that you are not damaging your house further, here are eight things that you should be wary of:</p>
<h2>Neglecting wall or ceiling stains</h2>
<p>Staining and <a href="https://www.premierpainting.com.au/blog/water-stains-on-walls-and-ceilings/">watermarks in walls and ceilings</a> indicate that your pipes are leaking. It can be due to a roof problem or the aged caulking in the bathroom no longer prevents water from seeping through.</p>
<p>So, if you see this kind of stain in your drywall, immediately contact the plumber to address the root cause or issue.</p>
<p>After you&#8217;ve discovered the source of the stain and what caused it, the next step is to deal with the stain itself.</p>
<p>Use bleach to get rid of any mildew or mold. Then, use a coat primer, followed by a paint color in your ceiling or wall.</p>
<p>To avoid blotched work, get in touch with a contractor that specializes in the restoration of drywalls.</p>
<h2>Irregular cleaning of the dishwasher</h2>
<p>Your dishwasher cleans the dishes. But it doesn&#8217;t get the job done when it comes to cleaning itself.</p>
<p>One of the main issues with using a dishwasher is that food residue, grease, and soap scum can build on it over time. When you leave it be, the residue buildup can prevent your dishwasher from working correctly.</p>
<p>Ideally, it would help if you deep clean your dishwasher every three months to any of these issues from actually happening.</p>
<h2>Going overboard with the pressure washer</h2>
<p>Although a pressure washer is one of the most efficient ways to keep your home fresh, you might consider opting for a regular garden hose instead.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s because a pressure washer tends to damage a couple of exterior elements in your property. For example, it might strip the paint off your siding.</p>
<p>If you have to use a pressure washer, then you should take a couple of safety precautions.</p>
<p>Pros suggest you hold it at a 40° angle or pick a low-stress nozzle instead to avoid damaging sensitive areas like wood or stucco. You might keep the nozzle around 6 inches from the surface.</p>
<h2>Letting chipped and peeling paint be</h2>
<p>When your home&#8217;s exterior is in top shape, it adds to your house&#8217;s curb appeal and prevents structural issues. Some of these are wood rot, rusting, and more.</p>
<p>Although chipped and peeling paint can be a minor issue, it can lead to something serious later on. So, you shouldn&#8217;t ignore it.</p>
<p>Think of it as the first layer of protection in your home, guarding it against various elements.</p>
<h2>Not replacing your air filters</h2>
<p>If you regularly replace air filters in your home, you can reduce your HVAC&#8217;s energy consumption by around 5%-15%.</p>
<p>Therefore, your system doesn&#8217;t have to work twice as hard to keep your place warm or cold. As a result, it will lower the electric bills that you have to pay each month.</p>
<p>At best, you should clean or replace air filters every one to two months to <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/6-trouble-free-tips-to-make-your-homes-hvac-system-energy-efficient/">ensure that your HVAC is running correctly</a>.</p>
<p>Although this task is pretty easy, it&#8217;s sometimes easy to forget. So, set a reminder, or use a smart thermostat to remind you every couple of months.</p>
<h2>Not cleaning your fireplace</h2>
<p>Sure, opting for a traditional wood-burning fireplace might look warm and cozy, but it involves a lot of cleaning as well.</p>
<p>Carbonaceous chemical creosote will build up over time, leading to debris, and may even cause a chimney fire. Regularly cleaning your fireplace helps you avoid these things.</p>
<h2>Forgetting about your gutters</h2>
<p>To avoid any roof leaks, you should <a href="https://www.cleanproguttercleaning.com/important-clean-gutters/">keep your gutter clean</a>. Make sure that you get rid of pieces of trash and debris before you flush out leaves that will clog your drain.</p>
<p>Experts recommend that you clean your gutters every six months since leaves will drop in your roof all year long.</p>
<h2>Using harmful cleaning supplies</h2>
<p>Stay away from using harmful chemicals and other hazardous substances when cleaning your home. That&#8217;s because they can eventually home fixtures and appliances.</p>
<p>At Maid Sailors <a href="https://maidsailors.com/chicago/">Cleaning Service</a>, we tell our clients to opt for natural cleaners. This includes an all-purpose cleaner made of water and vinegar or lemon.</p>
<h2>Over to You</h2>
<p>Knowing how to maintain your place properly eliminates unnecessary guesswork. That way, you ensure your house&#8217;s upkeep without compromising its condition and market value.</p>
<p>By being aware of these costly home maintenance mistakes, you can avoid committing them in the first place. Good luck!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/8-costly-home-maintenance-mistakes-you-need-to-be-wary-of/">8 Costly Home Maintenance Mistakes You Need to be Wary Of</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>NAPIT Supportive of Setting the Bar Report</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/napit-supportive-of-setting-the-bar-report/</link>
					<comments>https://nhic.org.uk/napit-supportive-of-setting-the-bar-report/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2020 07:33:37 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[NHIC Members]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=10487</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/napit-supportive-of-setting-the-bar-report/">NAPIT Supportive of Setting the Bar Report</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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<div>The Final Report of the Competence Steering Group for Building a Safer Future, ‘Setting the Bar- A New Competence Regime for Building a Safer Future’ has been published.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>The report has been written following engagement with more than 300 organisations and through 13 Working Groups, with a unified vision to improve the competence of those who work in or on higher-risk buildings (HRB), be that design, construction, inspection or management as well as focusing on the safety and compliance of products used during the build and future renovations.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>The report focuses explicitly on the competence of installers working on and in HRB’s and how best to ensure their competence and identify them. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>Michael Andrews, NAPIT’s Chief Executive Officer commented: <i>“It’s great to see a focus on ensuring the accredited third-party certification of companies alongside the verification of individual competence and supervision playing a key role within the recommendations set out in this report. Accredited company certification allows for insurance and consumer protection requirements to be mandatory and provides a route for monitoring the competence of individuals working for those companies. We fully support the proposal to require all installers working within HRB’s to have a core knowledge of fire safety within buildings and agree that requiring individuals to demonstrate their ability to work within HRBs, through regular third party assessments and CPD is a positive step forward for the industry- especially if authentication is digitalised. <u></u><u></u></i></div>
<div><i><u></u> <u></u></i></div>
<div><i>We fully support the recommendation for constructive dialogue to continue between the Constructive Leadership Council, Working Group 2, the Competence Steering Group and Competent Person Schemes to ensure that competent individuals employed by a registered company are not having to jump through costly hoops to get additional cards with a particular logo on. Government Approved Schemes, namely Competent Person Schemes and TrustMark, should not be overlooked within this review as they are integral to the industry ambition of defining and identifying competence.”</i><u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>Following the publication of the final report from the Competence Steering Group, it is now up to industry to continue to work together on the implementation phase and ensure the recommendations within the report are put into practice. This work will be closely monitored by the new Building Safety Regulator, being set up within the Health and Safety Executive.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>NAPIT played an active role in the Installer Working Group which fed into this report, and we will continue to work with industry to ensure that the recommendations within this report are realised in a way which enhances the existing system. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>To read the report in full please see below:<u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>Setting the Bar- Final Report <a href="http://cic.org.uk/setting-the-bar-annexes.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://cic.org.uk/setting-the-bar-annexes.php&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1602066166714000&amp;usg=AFQjCNG64MrprFpV2btLIj0Ap5rPq0Ffaw">http://cic.org.uk/<wbr />setting-the-bar-annexes.php</a><u></u><u></u></div>
<div><u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>Setting the Bar- Executive Summary <a href="http://cic.org.uk/setting-the-bar-annexes.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://cic.org.uk/setting-the-bar-annexes.php&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1602066166714000&amp;usg=AFQjCNG64MrprFpV2btLIj0Ap5rPq0Ffaw">http://cic.org.uk/<wbr />setting-the-bar-annexes.php</a></div>
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<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/napit-supportive-of-setting-the-bar-report/">NAPIT Supportive of Setting the Bar Report</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>NHIC Welcomes Chancellors Announcement Supporting the Construction Talent Retention Scheme</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/nhic-welcomes-chancellors-announcement-supporting-the-construction-talent-retention-scheme/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2020 06:19:56 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=10317</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) welcomes today’s announcement from the Chancellor confirming support for the Construction Talent Retention Scheme. Formally launching later this month, the Construction Talent Retention Scheme is a partnership between industry and Government to secure essential talent in the UK’s construction sector. Announced by the Chancellor in today’s statement, the scheme [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/nhic-welcomes-chancellors-announcement-supporting-the-construction-talent-retention-scheme/">NHIC Welcomes Chancellors Announcement Supporting the Construction Talent Retention Scheme</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) welcomes today’s announcement from the Chancellor confirming support for the Construction Talent Retention Scheme.</p>
<p>Formally launching later this month, the Construction Talent Retention Scheme is a partnership between industry and Government to secure essential talent in the UK’s construction sector.</p>
<p>Announced by the Chancellor in today’s statement, the scheme is run by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) which is made up of trade and business associations from across the supply chain.</p>
<p>The online portal supports redeployment of staff at risk of redundancy from across the sector, while also enabling temporary employee loans between businesses.  It also gives displaced workers from other sectors a route to find new employment in construction, while offering businesses a platform to find the skills they need.</p>
<p>The not-for-profit programme has funding secured until the end of April 2021, providing a free online platform for any business or organisation looking to hire, while ensuring that candidates’ skills and experience are given a prominent platform within the wider industry.  Businesses and employers interested in finding out more are encouraged to register their interest at:  <a href="http://www.trs-system.co.uk/construction">www.trs-system.co.uk/construction</a></p>
<p>&#8220;We welcome the announcement from the Chancellor confirming support for the Construction Talent Retention Scheme.  It is a crucial tool for keeping skills within the sector and will make a huge difference to construction workers and their families that have been affected by redundancies or job losses due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  The Talent Retention Scheme has the full backing and support of those working in the RMI and Home Improvement Sector” said Anna Scothern, Chief Executive NHIC</p>
<p>As a key member of the CLC’s Refurbishment, Maintenance and Home Improvement workstream, the NHIC are working behind the scenes with other stakeholders to launch the website as soon as is possible and we will keep you informed of progress on our website and across social media.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>NOTES TO EDITORS</strong></p>
<h1>NHIC</h1>
<p>Through our corporate and associate membership options, the NHIC represents almost 100,000 businesses carrying out millions of refurbishment, maintenance and home improvement jobs each year.</p>
<p>Representing 100&#8217;s of trades and sub-trades NHIC membership contributes over £13Bn each year to the UK Economy with members delivering over 1 million hours of CPD training each year to raise standards and deliver quality improvements to the nation&#8217;s homes.</p>
<p>This makes the NHIC the most representative and influential body for Home Improvement and RMI professionals in the UK. The true voice of home improvement.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s more than 40 years since the National Home Improvement Council was launched and there remains much to be done and new challenges to address, not least supporting the economic, green and socially conscious recovery post COVID19.</p>
<p>As the umbrella organisation or the sector, the NHIC supports its members in their areas of expertise which allows us to make a real contribution to the future improvement of the nation&#8217;s homes.</p>
<p>Post COVID19 recovery together with the new demands on homes for home-working, home-schooling support and home-exercising alongside the demographic demands of an increasing and ageing population, energy efficiency, carbon emissions, fuel poverty and the ever-present concerns regarding an ageing workforce and skills shortage, the need to raise awareness and the standards of home improvement is never-ending.</p>
<h1>NHIC Mission:</h1>
<p>For everyone in the UK to live in safe, healthy and affordable homes.</p>
<h1>NHIC Vision:</h1>
<p>An ambassador for collaborative action, we work across our membership, wider industry and government to raise all homes to modern living standards while inspiring and supporting householders to refurbish, maintain and improve their homes using local professionals with confidence.</p>
<h1>NHIC Values:</h1>
<ul>
<li>Raise standards and deliver quality</li>
<li>Embrace and drive change</li>
<li>Be Passionate</li>
<li>Be Professional</li>
<li>Be Inclusive</li>
</ul>
<h1>NHIC Objectives:</h1>
<ul>
<li>To promote awareness of the health benefits of safe and sustainable home improvements</li>
<li>To improve the quality, safety and affordability of building work in and around the home</li>
<li>To improve living standards and reduce fuel poverty in homes across the UK</li>
<li>To be the voice of home improvement to Government.</li>
<li>To promote awareness of the need to improve the existing housing stock in the UK alongside an expectation of quality and reliability of works</li>
<li>To help ensure the UK has sufficient skilled workers</li>
<li>To sustain a prosperous, successful and inclusive not for profit membership organisation</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>NHIC Response to COVID 19 </strong></p>
<p>Sharing thinking, guidance, and support between members to support householders has always been at the heart of the NHIC. From the very beginning of the lockdown due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the NHIC opened its doors to any individual or organisation working in the refurbishment, maintenance, and home improvement industry. Giving free access to member benefits at no cost. Welcoming members and non-members alike to learn from the weekly webinars, share ideas and enjoy the camaraderie as part of the weekly digital drop-ins and receive daily political briefings on both COVID19 as we all general political news. The NHIC through in it together has allowed the RMI industry to come together to support householders from all tenures during these unprecedented and uncertain times. After all, we are all <strong>#inittogether </strong></p>
<p><strong>COVID 19 RESOURCES </strong><a href="https://nhic.org.uk/ncovid-19-resources/">https://nhic.org.uk/covid-19-resources/</a> | <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/member_support/">https://nhic.org.uk/member_support/</a></p>
<p><strong>NHIC Presidents</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>RT Hon Baroness Maddock</li>
<li>Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP</li>
<li>Lord Peter Brooke</li>
<li>Rt Hon Lord Ezra</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>NHIC Board</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Paul Everall CBE FCIOB Chair</li>
<li>Barrie Smith-Wright (QANW) Vice-Chair</li>
<li>Chris Yates (Corgi) Finance</li>
<li>Brian Smith (RetrofitWorks)</li>
<li>Frank Bertie (Napit)</li>
<li>Adrian Simpson (QASSS)</li>
<li>Yvonne Orgill (NHIC Educational Trust Chair)</li>
<li>Mike Smith (CIOB)</li>
<li>John Robinson (BMA)</li>
<li>Shauna Purdey (EnviroVent)</li>
<li>Phil Hammond (LABC)</li>
<li>Paul Simpson (Recticel)</li>
</ul>
<h1>NHIC Members</h1>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-10321" src="https://nhic.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Members_july2020-300x108.png" alt="" width="425" height="153" /></p>
<p>Further information is available by contacting the NHIC on <a href="mailto:marketing@nhic.org.uk">marketing@nhic.org.uk</a> or by telephoning 0333 022 0387</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/nhic-welcomes-chancellors-announcement-supporting-the-construction-talent-retention-scheme/">NHIC Welcomes Chancellors Announcement Supporting the Construction Talent Retention Scheme</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>COVID-19 Recovery plan will boost Home Improvement Sector</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/covid-19-recovery-plan-will-boost-home-improvement-sector/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:00:33 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[NHIC Members]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=10163</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Recovery plans to lead businesses out of the coronavirus-induced recession could enhance improvements in climate change, brought on by the slow-down of the economy.  These will boost the home improvement sector in the UK, leading to greener homes. The recently published ‘Plan to Rebuild’ from the UK government supports a recovery plan that focuses on [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/covid-19-recovery-plan-will-boost-home-improvement-sector/">COVID-19 Recovery plan will boost Home Improvement Sector</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Recovery plans to lead businesses out of the coronavirus-induced recession could enhance improvements in climate change, brought on by the slow-down of the economy.  These will boost the home improvement sector in the UK, leading to greener homes.</p>
<p>The recently published <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>‘Plan to Rebuild’</strong></em> from the UK government</a> supports a recovery plan that focuses on the green economy.  It also commits to building on the carbon reductions experienced since the lockdown began.</p>
<p>Whilst homeowners may not have the funds to finance their home improvements, financial incentives from national governments could make it possible.</p>
<p>Families that have been living at home during lockdown will have been using their bathrooms more, and considering how they may want to improve them in the future.</p>
<p>The positive impact that the Covid-19 epidemic has had on climate change may also have led people to consider their own contributions.  Also how they can make a difference in their own homes by using water and energy wisely.</p>
<p>The recent hot weather and extremely dry conditions should serve as a reminder that water is a finite resource.  Water use has gone up by as much as 20%, some areas are now suffering shortages, and reservoirs are low.</p>
<p>The Unified Water Label (UWL) is a smart tool that can help consumers make an informed choice about the bathroom products they select for their homes.</p>
<p>Companies that promote UWL products will be supporting governments focused on a green economy and consumers that wish to reduce water use and energy wastage.</p>
<p>Clearly, there is still much uncertainty about how we will come out of the recession caused by Covid-19. But whatever happens, the need to protect one of our most valuable resources, water and strive towards greener homes will remain.</p>
<p>The UWL can play a key role in bringing to market innovative and technologically advanced products that will make a difference.</p>
<p>More information about the UWL, along with details on how to find registered products can be found here <a href="http://www.europeanwaterlabel.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.europeanwaterlabel.eu.</a></p>
<p>This guest blog was written by<a href="https://nhic.org.uk/nhic-board-members/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Yvonne Orgill, MD at Unified Water Label and chairperson of the NHIC Trustees.</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/covid-19-recovery-plan-will-boost-home-improvement-sector/">COVID-19 Recovery plan will boost Home Improvement Sector</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Protect Against Microbiological Contamination</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/protect-against-microbiological-contamination/</link>
					<comments>https://nhic.org.uk/protect-against-microbiological-contamination/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The NHIC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2020 07:06:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[NHIC Members]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[corona]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[COVID19]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Member]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=10137</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/protect-against-microbiological-contamination/">Protect Against Microbiological Contamination</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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				<div class="et_pb_text_inner">The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors recently warned landlords, property owners and employers about the potential increased risk of Legionella as a result of the lockdown measures against COVID-19. This is because, with many properties being closed for a significant period of time, water tanks and plumbing systems are going unused. When stagnant, water is prone to microbiological contamination and poses a significant risk to building occupants on their return, if not treated correctly. </p>
<p>Microbiological contamination includes algae and bacteria such as pseudomonas and Legionella – and these can cause serious health issues if they enter the human body. For example, if inhaled (usually from water droplets dispersed from outlets such as taps, showers, hot tubs and air-conditioning units), Legionella bacterium can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious and potentially fatal type of pneumonia. </p>
<p>In order to prevent this and protect occupants, building owners should contact their maintenance company or plumbing and heating contractor to address the issue and properly treat the water. This can be done easily using Sterox tablets or Fernox LP Sterox. </p>
<p>Sterox tablets work to disinfect both hot and cold water systems by chlorinating the water and preventing bacteria from forming. The tablets are available as a pack of 15 as part of a test kit (that can carry out 50 tests). To ensure that the water is properly disinfected, you need to check that the correct quantity of Sterox tablets are used for each application – otherwise, the water could still become contaminated. Two Sterox tablets will be suitable to treat 225-litres of water – and provide the required 50mg/L of free chlorine. </p>
<p>Once the tablets have dissolved and the chlorinated water is released into the system, it is important to flush out the chlorinated water and refill with fresh water at least three times. The test tablets should then be used to ensure that the chlorine level is no greater than that of the incoming mains water. Although free chlorine is not harmful, it can leave an unpleasant taste in the water. </p>
<p>Alternatively, for a faster dosing process, you can also use Fernox LP Sterox, which is a silver stabilised hydrogen peroxide. To dose, simply add the required amount of LP Sterox to the tank and circulate the chemical throughout the whole system by running all hot and cold water outlets. After one minute, you should check the water at each outlet using the LP Sterox indicator strip. When all outlets have achieved 100ppm, the treatment is complete, and the water can be used as normal. Each 1L bottle is suitable to treat a 400-litre system, which should not be used for 24 hours after application – or a 300-litre system during normal use. </p>
<p>Pandemic or not, it is vital that action is taken to prevent microbiological contamination and ensure that, when building occupants return, they are not at risk of illness. With Sterox tablets and LP Sterox, this can be easily achieved.</div>
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<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/protect-against-microbiological-contamination/">Protect Against Microbiological Contamination</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Digital Security Amid COVID-19</title>
		<link>https://nhic.org.uk/digital-security/</link>
					<comments>https://nhic.org.uk/digital-security/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Danny Harvey]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:25:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Post]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://nhic.org.uk/?p=9479</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>As we all weather this global situation, we are all finding great new ways of keeping teams connected and businesses operating. Taking the traditional in-person meeting or catch-up online has seen some fantastic amounts of use for services like Zoom and Skype. As there isn’t a cross-platform solution that lets users interact using their choice [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/digital-security/">Digital Security Amid COVID-19</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As we all weather this global situation, we are all finding great new ways of keeping teams connected and businesses operating.</p>
<p>Taking the traditional in-person meeting or catch-up online has seen some fantastic amounts of use for services like <a href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zoom</a> and <a href="https://www.skype.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Skype.</a></p>
<p>As there isn’t a cross-platform solution that lets users interact using their choice of video conferencing tool, not everyone gets to choose which platform to use and not all platforms share the same features.</p>
<p>Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic official lockdown across the United Kingdom, the National Home Improvement Council (the NHIC) has run <a href="https://zoom.us/j/895599462?pwd=K3BnOVRiYmdqajBpbGVaMC80SmZ0QT09" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">weekly drop-in sessions</a> for all members so we can keep connected and give members our continued support and provide leadership though the developing situation.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s on security that this post is going to focus on, along with what the NHIC is doing on system security and some tips on what you can do as well.</p>
<p>With the surge in use for digital services that offer virtual meeting platforms, has come an understandable increase in the level of scrutiny on the security of these virtual meeting platform systems.</p>
<p>As with any event, there is lots of different advice out there and it&#8217;s easy to become unsure what to follow if you&#8217;re not familiar with the workings of digital technology.</p>
<p>On balance, services (like Zoom) and their policies were unlikely prepared for the initial surge in traffic &#8211; even though they handled the influx very well, despite some early technical issues.</p>
<p>Where perhaps more focus could have been placed initially was on overall security and privacy.</p>
<p>Since GDPR these things have been quite good.  Recently Zoom has stated that it has paused all on-going development work and focusing all efforts on tightening the security of its platform for users.  Which is great news.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2020/04/safety-and-security-while-video-conferencing/?utm_campaign=Wordfence%20Blog%20Emails&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=85678857&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9p2n0E6r2-IIRhMCG7Ss4DzO9RH8omAyEWrSKQJQF7CNbGQSCVME5PuNRXRPp8yrKg_Y1cmuRlND2FlbW8zeSPpCgQSA&amp;_hsmi=85678857" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out this great post from Wordfence</a> (a leading WordPress security company) that gives you advice on best practices while using Zoom and how to configure the platform for higher security.</p>
<p>Here at the NHIC, our website and other systems are kept safe and secure with regular updates and we even perform penetration testing on our own services.</p>
<p>That means we regularly try to “break-in” and force access to the website and other systems we use.</p>
<p>That way we can make sure that we can better keep ahead of any potential threats and keep the NHIC, its members and users of our systems as safe as we can.</p>
<p>The NHIC cloud-based systems have server-side security software as well.</p>
<p>During this current global situation, it&#8217;s important to make sure that digital systems are kept in good working order and are safe.</p>
<p>Our work makes sure that the NHIC can carry on providing useful resources and support to its members across the board make sure that anyone using the website or cloud system is kept safe.</p>
<p>What can you do at home and in your businesses to keep things secure?</p>
<p><strong>Here are some tips on web security:</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Use a VPN to protect your personal info on your home Wi-Fi<br />
</strong></h2>
<p>A VPN, or Virtual Private Network connects your device to a server out on the internet and allows you to browse the web using that server.</p>
<p>If you connect to a server in the US or Norway for example (there&#8217;s lots of available servers around the world) you will be browsing the internet as if you were in that country.</p>
<p>It also shields your browsing activity from anyone that might be interested in what you&#8217;re looking at when you use public Wi-Fi.  With public Wi-Fi it&#8217;s possible to intercept packets of information (that could contain account login details and other important data) that are being transmitted on the network.</p>
<p>Using a VPN protects you from this, your anonymity and keeps your data safe</p>
<p>I personally recommend <a href="https://nordvpn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NordVPN</a>.  It&#8217;s easy to use and setup is fast and straight forward.  No technical knowledge required.  Plus you can install on several devices as well. Other options include <a href="https://www.privateinternetaccess.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Private Internet Access</a> and <a href="https://www.expressvpn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ExpressVPN.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Browse with the latest security updates</strong></h2>
<p>When a browser or operating system notifies you of updates, as annoying as they can be it&#8217;s important to install them as soon as possible to lessen the risk of being compromised while online.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Use strong, unique passwords<br />
</strong></h2>
<p>This one is a must.  Passwords that are memorable can actually be more of a security risk.  Even now, the combination of &#8220;admin&#8221; and &#8220;password&#8221;, or &#8220;password123&#8221; are still being used to secure several vital, mission critical systems.</p>
<p>A string of random characters, including both lowercase and capital letters with numbers and special characters is much more secure.</p>
<p>Password managers can help with organising your not-so-easy to remember passwords.  Or you can keep an incrypted password list in a secure area of your preferred cloud storage service.  Microsoft&#8217;s OneDrive has a secure vault.</p>
<p><strong>Should I change my passwords regularly?</strong></p>
<p>There&#8217;s good evidence for a Yes and a No on this one.  If a system has been compromised, the attacker will generally set up back-door access that bypasses the need for knowing a password going forward.</p>
<p>The absolute best practice is to have a secure password, so it minimises the risk of anyone getting access in the first place.</p>
<p><strong>Social Media:</strong></p>
<p>One area where regular password changes are recommended is social media.  Social platforms aren’t well known for their privacy record and often allow unregulated apps developed by unapproved sources to run on their platforms.</p>
<p>It’s important to make sure that your privacy settings are set high and that you regularly change your password.  While any attacker cannot set up back-door access to your social profiles, they can access all your data that you have on those platforms.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Your website:</strong></h2>
<p>A lot of websites run on Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla to name a few.  These platforms are regularly pushing out updates.  It&#8217;s very important that these updates are put in place as soon as possible.</p>
<p>The security updates patch newly found security vulnerabilities that can be quickly exploited.</p>
<p>These CMS systems also allow for their functionality to be extended by use of plugins and extensions, which also require regular updates and maintenance to ensure a high level of security for not only just the website but it&#8217;s users and visitors as well.</p>
<p>By making sure that the NHIC website and cloud systems are secure, means that everyone using these services is protected as well.  From NHIC members and their users, we help maintain the platforms from which the NHIC can continue providing support to its member base.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.dharveymedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clook Internet</a> has been proudly supporting the NHIC digital real estate, including website developments, digital support and security since 2016.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://nhic.org.uk/digital-security/">Digital Security Amid COVID-19</a> appeared first on <a href="https://nhic.org.uk">The NHIC</a>.</p>
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