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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for May 2006

Need a new boiler! Advice please!!!!
Hi, My boiler has been playing up for a while and fibally went pop last night. Need a new one! Can anyone recommend brands and installers (national? or local companies?) How much can i expect to pay to have combi boiler installed suitable for small 3 bed semi? Any advice much appreciated. Thanks
Can anyone help solve my mistake?
I was trying to remove a radiator to do some decorating and the nut on the Lockshield valve was stuck. I put some WD40 on it, twisted hard and have broken the pipe just under the valve. It's upstairs so the water that trickled out went onto the floorboards so I turned off all the radiators in the house and the stop-tap…
Bolier Position
As part of a kitchen redesign we are going to have our combi boiler moved into the corner of the kitchen, from its current location in the middle of a wall. The corner is a solid external wall turning into an internal platerboard wall (which is being rebuilt during the redesign) Due to the positioning of the kitchen units,…
Electrical Regulations
We are shortly having a new kitchen installed. The kitchen installer is arranging for an electrican to do all the electric works. I have heard that there are new building regulations governing electrical work. Does anyone know what I need to ask for to ensure we comply with these regs.
How to stop my Hanging Baskets being stolen??
Have spent time over the last few weeks trying to tidy up my garden and planted four really nice Hanging Baskets to put up at the front. Am really gutted as sometime between yesterday and today one of them has been pinched - am now worried the other three will go too!!! I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for…
Carpets
Having just bought a new house I now need to carpet it. i don't intend moving from here for at least 20 years or so, so when buying things I'm trying to juggle value for money against good quality. Also, what I can afford!!! I need about 120 sq meters of carpet and seen some nice stuff in carpet right (supertwist) its…
My fridge doesn't work grrrr!
Does anyone know anything about fridges? I've got a Hotpoint Iced Diamond larder fridge. I've just noticed that it isn't working (the light still works but that's it!). I've pulled it out and noticed that there is a white plastic tray filled with mouldy scummy water above the black motor thingy (god I'm technical aren't…
Best position of extractor fan?
I really do need to get an extractor fan fitted in the bathroom, why on earth I didn't think of this when I had the bathroom completely brought upto date I don't know:rolleyes: My question is WHERE would the best place to have this fitted? The shower is on an outside wall..........and the shower unit is on the garage wall.…
Infestation of ANTS...
My room has become a magnet for ants. I found several the other day so went and bought an ant box (attracts the little *****.... to the box and they fet stuck) but now i have found more. They seem to be coming from the edge of the carpet under the windowsill. I darent pull the carpet up for fear of shrieking like...well a…
anti slam mechanism for kitchen doors/draws
Thinking of getting some anti slamming diy kits for the kitchen units doors and draws from woodfit.com Its the Bluemotion devices for both the runners and air pistons. Has anyone had any good dealings with this company and are those the best to use.. It's cheaper than changing the entire kitchen units anyway.:j Thanks Andy
Paint !
Hi,Can you please advise which paint you have found to be the best value for money, I am just looking to paint a couple of rooms in light colours ... just wondering if some of the own brands are just as good as the big boys.Also are there are current offers on dulux/crown etc that people may have come across ?Thanks in…
Blackout linings
I've recently hung some new bedroom curtains, 66" wide x 90" drop, and now I'm waking up at 5 am each morning because, although they're lined, they still let in lots of light. I find it very difficult to get back to sleep once I am awake (I have tried putting on a sleep mask when I've woken up but find it's not much help…
Oven and grill problems
Hi I have an oven and hob unit in my flat.The hob works but the grill or oven do not heat.There is a digital clock that flashes 00.00 on and off.When I try to set the clock nothing happens it still keeps flashing. Has anyone any ideas to sort it out?:confused:
Electricians & landscaping advice please?
Warning lone female with big plans, attempting to landscape the back garden, please be tolerant of any lack of know-how! :eek: The plan is to put in a patio & rockery with large water feature & some lighting. I bought some armoured cabling from the electrician who did my conservatory & its been sat waiting for me to get…
Heating is making a noise but isn't on!
Although my heating is is off (ie via the timer), and my boiler is not firing there still is a pump whirring away! There is no heating nor hot water required so I am wondering why something is working? Does anybody know whether this is something that should be happening or is it time to clear the area?
Can I do something to make my furniture match?
Hi, Any advice on restoring/painting furniture to match each other. I have a dining room table, chairs, 2 bookshelves - all in good quality honey pine varnished real wood. Old TV cabinet - in mahogony veneer Cheap nest of tables - in light beech veneer. I'd really like at all to match in a kind of aged antique dark wood…
Damp quilt!!
I think this is a bit of a strange question, but here goes anyway!! I've moved to a new place and have noticed my quilt feeling damp - mostly along the bottom (where it usually ends up on the floor during the night!) - I've felt the carpet for dampness and can't notice anything alarming! Though my quilt definitely seems to…
Alpha condensing boilers
Energy Smart - http://www.energy-smart.org.uk/boilers_prices.asp - do a discounted range of boilers. I quite like the look of the Alpha CD24C condensing boiler to replace our old broken Ariston EuroCombi boiler. Does anyone have any experience with the Alpha CD24C? Is it worth the extra money? Is it a good, reliable and…
Door is stuck - jammed tight - any solutions?
We finally have our house! We were only given the keys to two of the doors though, as the other two doors aren't locked. One is jammed shut and bolted, the other has been screwed shut and sealed all around with mastic or something...! Does anyone have any great ideas on how to unstick a jammed door? It's wooden and in a…
Knocking down a partition wall
Hi everyone, i want to knock through to my kitchen to make an open plan kitchen dinner, i have a tradional 3 bed terraced house in east london, the front reception is already knocked through into back reception, but our kitchen is tiny, so i want to knock the wall down between our back reception and kitchen to make a…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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