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Condensation on rising main or a leak?
Hi, as you can see from the picture our 22mm copper rising main comes vertically up inside the kitchen undersink cupboard via a stopc0ck, pressure limiting valve, a horizontal 15mm tee to kitchen cold water tap and dishwasher and then disappears via a hole in the rear of the cupboard to the rest of the house. The 15mm…
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Oven suddenly stopped working properly
Hi, We just went to cook lunch and the oven wouldn't come on. I checked the fuse box and the fuse that runs it had tripped. So, turned it back on and the oven "sort of" works now. It is a Brandt double oven (fan). The top half works. The bottom half doesn't (it gives the appearance of working, but it doesn't heat up) so I…
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Restuffing sofa cushions
I'm hoping some thrifty folks can give me some advise.... a couple of years ago we purchased some sofas when we moved home (moved furnished to unfurnished). The sofas we bought were ok, on a deal from Homebase (since we had to furnish a whole house at once we couldn't afford thousands on sofas). The sofas overall are ok,…
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basement bedroom window
Hi, I'm hoping that some MSE forum users might be able to help me with this.. I am in the process of buying a '2 bedroom maisonette' set out over the ground floor and basement level. It is a really nice flat and by far the best thing I've seen in my price range in over six months of looking. The kitchen, bathroom and…
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Restrictive covenants - penalties for breach?
Grateful for any advice on this. My property is on an estate with a number of restrictive covenants which were provided to me when I purchased 7 or so years ago. I recently dug them out because I was thinking of putting a fence up between mine and my neighbour's front gardens (there are currently just some concrete slabs…
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Cheap radiators
I've been doing a bit of revamping of my central heating system and I needed a new radiator. I took a look on the Ultimatehandyman website forum and read that Plumbnation were likely to be the source of radiators at the best prices. Indeed this was true - my radiator via them was £125. The strange thing is, when it was…
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Neighbour's replacement roof
Hi Don't really know where to go with this now, it would be so easy just to ignore it, am being quite girly now (and am 32 weeks pregnant). Mid terrace house - 1930s red rose tiled roof (think that's what the tiles are called), nextdoor neighbours had had theirs replaced in March. I am really concerned about the join with…
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Do you really need Primer to paint a painted shed?
I have a shed that has been painted a couple of times. It's a sage greeny colour. I am going to paint it Cream, but do I need to get a primer first to 'grab' the paint, or can I save the costs of a primer as well, and just go straight with the paint?
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How do a remove a concrete washing line post
I have two concrete posts in my garden, over 2m tall, sunk into concrete. I have removed the concrete from the base of one, using a cold chisel and mallet. It was over 2 feet deep. It took ages. Is there an easier way to do this, without spending too much? I'm happy to spend ~£50 on a tool, which might wear out on this…
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Multi-fuel stove - chimney liner needed?
Looking to have a multi-fuel stove installed, to replace an existing gas fire. This is a 1940s ex-council house with a brick-built chimney on top. We haven't had a smoke test done, but assuming it's okay when it's done and there are no leaks, my question is: do we need to have the chimney lined? I've heard differing…
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New Bosch washing machine
Hi We have recently taken delivery of a new washing machine, Bosch WAQ28460GB, and we have noticed that during parts of the washing cycle there is a lot of noise, it sounds like some kind of pump. Is this a characteristic of these machines? Thanks
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What is the best way of sealing cracks in tarmac
I have a tarmac drive which over the years has developed modest width cracks, but the sort that could be filled with a silicone sealant gun and tube trimmed to width. However silicone sealant is too shiny. I have thought of the tubes of roof sealant which are less shiny but have not tried that. I bought a solid block of…
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Serene Kitchens.net
Hi All, I was wondering if anybody had heard of a company based in Kent called Serene Kitchens.net. A developer who is a friend of mine bought a kitchen from them and it has turned into a living nightmare for him. I am new on here so think it wise to tread very carefully but to put it very mildly these people are not very…
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Crown Kitchens - any good?
Hi all, I have searched this already and see some rather old posts appearing to give the thumbs up. Does anyone has any more recent experiences? Are Crown Imperial good kitchens? Cheers
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Hollow sounding external walls?
Dear all, Me and my girlfriend are fortunate to be in the position to buy our first house. We have seen one we like but I'm curious to the construction. We believe it was built in the 60s, 70s. Most of the external walls have a hollow tap to them, the joining wall to next door sounds very solid, and the wall between the…
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To Combi or not to Combi?
Just bought another bungalow as,I hope, our last move and final home. Complete renovation job but as I've been out of the re-furb trade for a few years would like some views on new Boilers. Are Combi's any better now as they used to always be playing up? I want to site it in the roof space,plenty of head height . All…
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Building Notice and Build Over Public Sewer - Waltham Forest
Hi, Please advise me, I have already got the planning permission to extend my house for 3 meter at the rear and on the side. After making the building regulations, my architect confirmed from Thames water for any Sewage pipe coming within the 3m area of extension but they said (on phone) that there is nothing coming up in…
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Chimney breast removal (or not)
Hi. For reasons of space, I need to put my cooker where a chimney breast currently is in the kitchen. I can’t remove the chimney breast from both the ground floor and the first floor (and support with gallows brackets in the loft) because it would disrupt a lot of piping on the first floor around the water heater. With…
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Revive my fence, how?
Hi, My fence looks abit worn out and i need to stain it? Im thinking of getting some of Ronseal Fencelife. Is it a simple case of using a brush and paint over the fence with it?
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Which kind of gas fire for home without chimney?
I'm currently going through the process of buying a home without a chimney and would like to have a gas fire fitted. It wouldn't be on an outside wall, so I don't think a balanced flue is suitable. From my internet searches I see that there are 2 other different kinds available; flueless, and catalytic and I am wondering…
