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Good (cheap!) garden office companies
Hi all, We are planning to put up a building in our garden early next year. It will be used by our children (pool table etc..) so needs to be fairly warm/have electric lighting etc.. We are looking for it to be around 16ft (w) x 12ft (d) and simple rectangular with a slightly sloping rood (not keen on traditional…
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What wood to create shelves in built-in wardrobe?
Never bought wood before. :o We have built in wardrobes in two bedrooms which have a shelf with a hanging rail underneath. Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55127243@N04/6021564837/in/photostream The shelf is simple - three wooden battens on the sides and back wall of the wardrobe, then a bit of what looks like painted ply…
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How To Release Jammed UPVC Window?
I have a UPVC double glazed bedroom window that has just today jammed shut-no problems with it before this. The top half should open (hinged at the top). I can turn the key and operate the central handle, but only the bolt at the bottom left hand corner retracts-the one at the bottom right hand corner seems to have failed,…
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Bathroom Sealant - White or Jasmine?
Hi all, Currently having bathroom done and I have travertine look tiles (pale colour) and a white suite. Grout is in jasmine and wondering if sealant should be too or should it be white? I've never seen jasmine, but bathroom fitter thinks it would be better to match grout. Also got some alcoves built in which he suggested…
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Replacing internal door furniture
Hi again, I am modernising my new home and want to replace all the old brass door furniture with polished chrome. I've had all the light switches done, and the bannister brackets and it is looking good, but now it's the doors' turn! This is where I need help. I am struggling to know what to do as a total novice diy'er. My…
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Which kitchen - Ultima/Wentworths/Burbidge/DIY Kitchens/Optiplan?
We are in the process of designing/buying a new kitchen and I have been following all the really useful threads/info on here for quite a while now. We've been to Howdens/Magnet and also to two local independent retailers and are now waiting on quotes from them all. As we are more likely to opt for a "non-trade" kitchen we…
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Painting internal doors - how?
Hi all, Here again to start a few threads as got a lot coming up over the next week or so. The house I've bought has good quality internal doors so don't really want to change them, however the previous owners have glossed on gloss for 20yrs or so. Therefore the finish is terrible. I would ideally like to use satin instead…
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3 Pull Cord Light Switches packed in, in as many weeks! Help!
Hi We're in the process of doing up our house an have redone our bathroom and replaced the old pull cord light switch, but we don't know what's going on as we're on our 3rd already as they keep stopping working. It's not that the light won't come on, the switch looses the ability to be pulled! One day it will be working…
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Permitted development and right to light
Hi, I am planning on building a rear extension on my 1960's semi-detached home. It is a single storey 3m deep extension the full width of the rear which would comply with permitted development. However, my adjoined neighbours have a window on their rear wall, the centre of which is 1.2m from our boundary. I have been…
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no cold water
There is only a trickle of water coming from the cold water in our bath. The cold tap in the basin in the bathroom runs perfectly. Any advice or suggestions please
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Learning DIY
Morning All, I'm just wondering how you all learnt DIY. Basically Hubby and I are hopeless at DIY. Wouldn't have a clue where to start in most scenarios (other than painting - we can do that :) ). We rely very heavily on my Dad who is an all round handyman. We bought our first property in 2007 which needed a lot of work…
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Roofing Pitch
What is the correct pitch (angle) for a pent roof spanning a distance across 2 metres please.
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Duvet cleaning
Hello, first time on this thread so I hope I have posted in the correct place, can anyone recommend a good dry cleaning service to have my kingsize duvet cleaned, thought I would ask on here just before I took it to the local Johnsons where I will no doubt end up paying over the odds, Its too big to go in my washer as it…
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Which varnish to use over acrylic paint?
I have painted my wooden back door step in water based eggshell and would like to protect it further from the elements etc. but I'm not sure if it's okay to cover it in an oil based varnish (e.g. yacht varnish). Will the two types of cover be compatable or should I stick with water based?
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Combi boiler leaking but not losing pressure
Long story but combi boiler wasn't giving me hot water so the diaphragm was replaced(covered by British Gas service). Later that day the water AND the heating wouldn't work AND there was a small leak from the bottom of the boiler. Next day the heating and water was working fine - but the leak remained. Called BG back out…
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Window energy ratings - is Argon gas worth the extra?
Hi, I'm currently looking at changing my windows. I've decided to go with a local firm who offered both what seems a fair price and what looks like a good window (I had a look round their factory and it all looks like quality materials are used). They have priced me for C energy rated windows. They said that these could be…
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Prefab-extension pods any comments?
Hi we are looking for a quick and cost effective solution to downstairs living. My dear old dad has recently had major surgery and is due to leave hospital very soon. We have looked at stair lifts but the stairs are too narrow to accomodate one. There is little or no room for a downstairs toilet and being upstairs all day…
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Opinions needed on Belling range cooker, is it quality brand?
I have my eyes one Belling GOURMET 90DFRED dual feul range cooker, as it looks good in the picture, and also has a price tag that is acceptable... But not sure about the quality, any ideas, please? Thank you!
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Mr Muscle Shower Shine
Can anyone please explain to me the science behind Mr Muscle Shower Shine? How does it work? How does spraying this onto wet tiles make it unnecessary to dry the tiles? Does anyone use it? Is it effective?
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Should I wash plasterboard walls?!
I know this is a weird question, but I've just bought my first house and am in the process of stripping the paper in the living room, intending to paint. The house is 17 years old, so I thought walls shouldn't be too bad and all I needed to do was strip the paper, follow my mum's advice re: washing walls to remove all of…
