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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for September 2012

Cost of double glazing sash windows! Please help!
Hello guys please, Im panicking FTB and currently in the process of purchasing 1 bd flat in a typical Victorian house. Im young lady so have never dealt with any house work, especially windows replacement! I need help! The 1 bd flat has (rough guidance) 6 single glazed sash windows roughly 175*125 size each, one of the…
mould on interior walls how do i short it
hello everyone ive got mould in one of my walkin built in cupboards in my bedroom the cupboard cant be moved two of its walls are on the corner of the house but the cupboard has got black mould on the walls and now my bedrooms walls has started to get it aswell whats the best treatment for this i know il have to strip the…
where to buy mfi kitchens
hi all does anyone know where you can buy MFI kitchens? i have in the past seen various web sites selling mfi stock after they liquidated but can't find any concrete leads right now. We had a quote from howdens (through our builder) but even with 70% discount off the cabinets it still falls outside of our budget, hence…
Indesit condensor dryer. Is it worth fixing it?
My condensor dryer has stopped heating. Is it worthwhile fixing it, or is it a false economy?
Double Glazing - DIY or Company
Hi Need to replace windows and doors on a bungalow and I really want to keep the price down. Here's my dilema: A company have quoted £4000 for cash - front door, back door, and 6 windows - one of the windows is a bay with 6 panes. The price includes £700 for fitters. but, I know a good window fitter - who can do the…
Damp smell in one corner
hello, Wonder if you can help.. Ever since we moved into our semi (3 yrs go) there has been a damp smell in the corner of the living room. This corner is on the wall which is attached to the neighbours, plus goes onto the outside too. I've no idea about damp proofing etc. There are no mold patches, though in the room above…
How to change bulb in motion sensor light
hi stupid question but am struggling to change the light bulb in our security light. light is at front of the house and controlled by motion sensor. am attaching couple of photos. i have tried whatever i could but didnt use too much force. any ideas? ta
Possible leak - but how do I find out?
So downstairs, right by the light fitting (I know) in the middle of the living room, a small (approx 2-3 sq cm total) patch (well, three small patches) have turned slightly yellow. It's wallpapered (previous owners). It's not wet, yet I think it's damp from a slow leak or drip. This is possible as the shower was leaking…
What's this called DIY tool called?
Hi All Just a quickie. I need to know what a particular tool is called in search/order one online. What I had my laminate flooring put down the installer used a tool it was a similar size to an Argos pencil (length and width) it was used between the hammer and the pins holding the beading, so that when the hammer was used…
Oven Door - what's the foil I can see?
Hi folks, I was wondering if somebody could help? I have a rangemaster gas oven (probably about 15 years old) and today I noticed that I can see something that looks like foil between the two sheets of glass in the oven door. I have no idea what it is, and other than it looking awful am not sure what it means in regard to…
Neighbour's drive floods my garage
Hello all I'm hoping for some advice on what could turn out to be a nightmare, My neighbour's drive way is built right against my garage wall, about a foot higher than my garage's floor. This, I believe, is causing rain water to seep into my garage. When it rains a lot there is literally puddles of water along that wall of…
Wiring heating control box
I've worked this box before but since we renovated our kitchen and in reprocess of wiring it back up,I can't for the life of me figure out what wire goes where Here's what it says in the instruction Blocks Mains fused 6a = N L 1. hw off 2. Ch off 3. Hw on 4. Ch on Can anyone help?
My shower is cold!
I have a bar shower system, that runs of the boiler (not electric), which is separate to the bath taps. It has the temperature dial one side and on/off dial the other side. All was fine with the shower, up until we tried to fit a device sent through from our local water company which you fit in the shower to reduce water…
Cost to replace a door frame
HI All, I am just about to embark on redecorating my kitchen and one of the worse items is the door frame - I have no idea why but for some reason there is massive gouges (sp?) all down the wood from previous owner which has been glossed over. They cannot be sanded away as there would be no wood left so I am wondering how…
Downlights in bathroom not working
Hello, I have four downlights in my bathroom, installed by the previous owner. Two of the downlights, in a row, have stopped working. I have swapped one of the working bulbs into one of the non-working holders and it does not work. I have ordered new bulbs but feel that they will not work after doing the above test this…
washing hoodies safely?
I'm always scared buying expensive clothes, especially hoodies as they tend to get dirty very quickly (at least for me), because I don't know how to wash them safely let alone how to use a washing machine lol Are there any tips you could give me such as what products or temperature etc to use? Or even not use washing…
Question regarding loft insulation/cavity wall schemes plse
I am currently waiting to having my home assessed for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation with the M & S scheme. I know nothing at all about having this done and wonder if you could help me out with a query: If my home was deemed to be suitable, roughly how much would I have to pay, considering I wouldn't be…
Tiles on old plasterboard no one will take it
Have just finished new bathroom but we are left with 4 sheets of plasterboard covered in the old tiles, took it down the tip but they refused to take it unless we separate the tiles from the plasterboard, but the problem is that it is so difficult to separate and will make such a mess.We cannot even hire a skip as they…
Dulux is the anti-christ: Sikkens yellows
I had to take a handle off a door, as it needed another coat of paint for reasons that are too tedious to go into. Anyway, I was shocked to see that the area beneath the handle was yellow, not just off white, but an obvious pale yellow. So much for Dulux customer services telling me they had never had a case of Sikkens…
Chimney breast problem
I am currently getting white fluff on my chimney breast just above the skirting boards. The chimney is fully vented and has a cowl on top. I have cleaned some of the chimney out and it's not damp. Any ideas anyone

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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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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

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