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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for June 2011

What colour to paint concrete fence posts...?
Last year I installed new 6ft fencing around the back garden and I painted it in Ronseal Harvest Gold and painted a small decking area in the same colour. Gold Anyway, I am wanting to paint the concrete posts and bases this year, but can't decide if to do the mcrisp white or do them a creamy type colour. Any thoughts...?
Loft insulation
Hi I want to get some more insulation up in the loft over the Summer ready for next winter. There are some electric cables in the loft which are for the bedroom ceiling lights. Is it OK to cover these cables with insulation? Don't want to create a fire risk. Thanks.
Terrazzo Floor cleaning
Hi Can anyone recommend a good cleaning fluid and/or the best way to clean a stained terrazzo floor? It's quite badly marked with spilt drinks and possibly some oil based substance. Thanks for any help.
Convert Velux Loft to Dormer
Hi There If I now convert the loft to simply a velux conversion, could I then in the future, convert the velux to a dormer without any significant change bar the dormer windows? I understand that I would be wasting the velux windows/insulation/decor on the dormer side, but, it's simply a matter of cash flow that I'm…
Has my re-rendering be done correctly and how should I pay ?
I have today had part of one of walls partially re-rendered. Old rendering taken off, disposed off & first coat of rendering put on. Next coat of rendering due to be put on tomorrow. Trouble is I have noticed a gap at top of my Frenchdoor, where there is a gap of approx 15cm length-wise on the top far left side of the door…
Magnet stable door?
I'm looking for a wooden stable door. The quote from my builder is £1500 which includes the door frame, fitting and furniture. It is to be fitted in a door opening not yet built so size is flexible. This seems steep. I've been told he will fit for about £150. I have found a magnet trade door for £314.03 which would need a…
Paint over wallpaper or strip, line and repaint?
The house we're buying is covered in a single, unpainted sheet of evil-coloured wallpaper. We had a highly recommended decorator in who advised if we removed the wallpaper we will likely need to line the walls with lining paper before painting in order to get a smooth surface, and quoted us for this. I'm wondering if we're…
Radiators are hot but the heating is not on
Hi all Wondering if someone can help. I have just noticed that my bathroom and spare room radiators are both warm/hot even though the heating is not on. None of the other radiators in the house are hot, just these two. The hot water is on so I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. I have now turned both…
Cheap toilet pan needed!
We moved out of our old flat in June and have had an "addendum" to the previously clear checkout report a week afterwards saying that the toilet pan is cracked. I don't remember doing this but accept it wasn't in the ingoing report. However the landlord is asking for £300 for a replacement pan. It's a "back to wall" style…
Inexpensive Paving
Does anyone have any experience of ordering paving online? I think we need about 25 square metres for our wee patio and was hoping to get something around the £20 mark. Any pointers greatly appreciated.
Canon Harrogate cooker
Can anyone give me some advice. The spindle that the knob for the bottom oven goes on has sheared off. Is this something I can fix myself ? and if so can someone give me some instructions. Many thanks.
Anyone know much about re plastering walls to Part L building Regs?
I'm restoring an old 3 up 2 down end terrace. Stone built with a cavity wall and brick inner wall, if that helps. When it comes time to re plaster I've learned that you now need to use insulated plasterboard. Does anybody know how thick I need the insulated plasterboard to be (U-Values etc)???
Idiot guide to laying a carpet?
I need to carpet my whole house, 3 bedrooms, lounge, stairs, bathroom and hallway. I have been looking at the £3.75m2 stuff on ebay and have just had a quote from a carpet fitter for 2 rooms which comes to £100. The most important rooms to get done first are the lounge and the youngest boys room. How hard can fitting a…
Is Cheapest possible emulsion okay for Mist coat?
Is emulsion the right stuff, or do i need Silk/Vinyl And if so do i still need to water it down? Thinking of something like B&Q or Wickes cheapy own brand. Does it need to go on with a brush, or can i roller it? Again are cheap brushes or rollers okay for a mist coat. Builder has told me to spend £20 on a quality lambs…
Woodworm treatment costs - alternative to Rentokil?
I have just had Rentokil round to survey my house and they have found 'current infestation of woodboring insects confined to the ceiling joists and supporting timbers". the report does not say the extent of the infestation or the size of the loft void (it is a fairly large 4 bedroom barn conversion) They are the common…
Poor range of bath trims in DIY store
Whoever sealed the edging around my bath did not do a good job and it looks unsightly so I went to B&Q to buy bath trim for the three edges and was disappointed with the range of colours and quality. Ditto Wickes' website and Homebase. Does anyone know of a stockist I can contact? Thanks. Numberlock
Anyone used Stick and Go Tiles in their bathroom?
Dear All, There's a company based in Droitwich which sells self-adhesive 'tiles' which can be used in bathrooms, apparently. Anyone on here used these tiles and can vouch for their appearance and value? Thanks. Numberlock
Kommerling or Liniar NRG
Hi there - Still looking at double glazing - decided want to go with a DGCOS installer and had two quotes at same price for different profiles: Kommerling Gold 70 - C rated or Liniar NRG - A rated I've heard of Kommerling though some seem to think they are overrated. Never heard of Liniar and there's not much writte about…
Posts suitable for picket fence
Hi, My daughter's boyfriend is going to put up a small picket fence around an area at the front of my house for me (just 3 6x3ft panels) and although I have let him know which panels I would like, I don't know about the posts. I don't want the really chunky posts that we have in the back garden which are for 6ft closed…
new bed
i am wanting to buy a new bed and found this website thebedwarehousedirect.com they have a bed i want at a decent price but i can't find anything on the internet about them. has anyone used his website/knows anybody that has or knows anything about it let me know. thanks chefman :beer:

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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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