Aspect Windows through the pandemic

As we drearily endure yet another lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have turned our thoughts to DIY and other home improvement projects.

Many of the stores were closed initially, but were still offering deliveries or click and collect services, so we could still lay our hands on flooring materials and paint etc... But what about the bigger jobs that fall outside the realms of the DIY enthusiast?

Home improvements such as roofing, driveway and garden landscaping seem to be untouched as they involve outside working, but what about having new windows and doors such as double glazing installed?

Having double glazing installed during coronavirus lockdown?

Many of our potential customers have aked us whether or not the lockdown will affect window installations. Well, it's good news! Should you have home improvements booked, we can still work in your home. Window installers along with other trades can continue to work inside their customers homes during the new lockdown period, however, COVID-secure guidelines must be adhered to at all times.

As long as people are well with no symptoms of COVID-19, trades can continue to work in a domestic setting.

Window installers follow recognised hygiene practices

Part of the procedures in place to keep both workers and home owners safe mean companies or sole traders should notify homeowners in advance of their arrival. Tradespeople must wash their hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds and must wash their hands regularly, especially after sneezing or coughing, and when leaving the homeowners property. If there are no facilities to wash hands, sanitiser must be used, it is a workers responsibility to carry sanitiser with them at all times.

Workers must maintain a safe distance of two metres from any occupants of the home at all times. They must ensure as far as is practicable that there is adequate ventilation in the area where they are working. This usually involves opening the window or door, but the actual removal of the door or window will certainly achieve this aim.

Clearly no work should be carried out in a household which is isolating or where someone is shielding unless the work is an emergency glazing or door repair. Finally, no work can be conducted by anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of how mild they may be.

In essence, the rules that double glazing installers must follow is the same as the rules we should all be following to slow the transmission of this horrible virus.

Just how safe is it for glazing installers to work in my home during the lockdown?

Assuming the proper precautions are taken and the risks are managed in accordance with the Government guidelines, we can all limit the chances of transmission. There will always be an element of risk, but this is considerably safer than using a supermarket. You remain in control of the situation and limit the contact and thus risk.

Our installers will have developed a risk assessment and remember that you are entitled to request a copy of your installers COVID-19 risk assessment before they start work. Installers will inform you of where they will be working within your home and the precautions that will be taken to reduce any potential risks.

What can you do to avoid spreading the virus?

Although your double glazing installers will adhere to strict Covid-secure practices, you can assist them by doing your bit too. You should always try to stick to the social distancing rules within the home during the installation.

Help the glazing installers by allowing them regular access to hand washing facilities, preferably in a separate location to where you or your family wash their hands if at all possible.

When the double glazing installation team have left, thoroughly sanitise all the areas of the home where they have been. Wearing rubber gloves and using a good surface sanitiser with disposable paper towels is the best way. Try to avoid cloths as these can simply transfer the virus from one surface to another, but this practice should be no different to when you wipe down a surface that has had raw chicken on. Paper towels are one use, clothes are not!

What about putting glazing work off until Covid has gone?

Of course you can postpone and double glazing works to be carried out at your home if you so wish, but as long as you follow some simple guidelines, there really is no need to.

Actually, the only time you need to put off double glazing window installations during lockdown is if you are instructed to by the government during their regular updates, or if any person within your household has COVID-19 symptoms, or has had symptoms within 2 weeks of the installation date.

You should also be aware of any extra precautions that should be taken if anyone in your household is extremely clinically vulnerable, such as a person over the age of seventy or with a serious or underlying health issue.

Can an installer still fit my windows or doors if I have a cold?

This is a little trickier. If you are showing flu like symptons, which can be confused with Covid symptoms, then the answer is no, particularly within fourteen days of the installation date. A mere sniffle, without other recognised Covid symptoms should be fine. Just keep in mind that not everyone presents with the same symptoms, so you must remain mindful, not only for your safety, but for the safety of the glazing installer too.

Should you be displaying any such symptoms, it is important that the work is re-booked. The same rules apply to our glazing installers that may have had symptoms, in the fourteen days prior to the installation date. Any installer that has shown these symptoms recently will not be allowed to install your windows, doors or conservatories.

Help us to help you during the Covid lockdown

When your double glazing installer arrives, negotiate an order in which they will work so that you are always in a different room. Keep to the recognised social distancing and provide washing facilities where installers can wash their hands regularly.

Try to increase and maintain airflow by keeping windows and soors open as much as possible. This may be uncomfortable as the outside temperature is low this time of year, but wearing warm clothing for a few hours is far better than contracting Covid because your house is kept warm during the installation process.

The clean up process

The installer will clean down any areas they have worked in and come into contact with during the installation, this will include your new windows or doors. But should you want to clean up after the installers have left, try to avoid touching any sealant which may not have set.

As long as customers and double glazing installation personnel stick to the basic health and safety guidelines surrounding Covid-19, you can still go ahead with your planned installation and enjoy the added warmth, security and beauty of your new double glazed windows and doors.

 

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Further Information

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 01438 311 412, email us at enquiries@aspectwindowsanddoors.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.