-
Photocell unit.....
Hi I bought a Lightronic photocell kit to allow me to leave an outside light switched on, and operate when it was light/dark. When it was fitted it would not work with the led bulb fitted, however it worked with a low energy bulb. Does any one know of a work round to solve this , or a photocell switch that will work with…
-
Flickering lights
Our bathroom light, which I think is a d2 bulb (about the size of a dinner plate on the ceiling), flickers on and off like a strobe light for 30 seconds when we turn on the switch. Having no window in the bathroom, it is incredibly annoying (glad I don't have epilepsy or I would be dead it's that bad), and yes, we have to…
-
Slate paving
Hi We are going to have a new patio laid and have decided on slate. We've had three prices from local builders merchants in Cardiff whose prices do vary. I've been looking at prices on the Internet- has anybody bought their slabs online or can suggest a reliable company? Thanks for any advice
-
Colleague's home flooded - responsible for neighbour's costs?
Hi all, A colleague of mine has had her house flooded by a leaking pipe in the utility room while she was away for a weekend... She has come back to severe damage to her home, but worse, it's leaked into next door and caused damage to the flooring there too. She is insured, but her neighbour is not, and the insurance…
-
Kitchen floor advice please!
Hi there I need some advice on kitchen floor options. We are about to start renovating our kitchen into a large kitchen with dining table, which leads into a loungey area with sofas by some bifold doors overlooking the garden. It will all be open plan so will need the same flooring throughout. I'm exploring our options and…
-
Anyone totally dug up "lawn" and laid fresh seed before?
As it says on the tin :D I own the ground floor of a maisonette and upstairs (which is rented out) owns the garden to the front of the property. As it's a mess I've started to clean it up (with the permission of the owners:D) and was thinking of totally pulling up what little grass there is and starting fresh. Therefore if…
-
Advice on the new type of Storage Heaters please
My dd has bought a flat with an old hot air heating system, which is not at all efficient and very expensive to run. She can't afford the £3,000 she's been quoted for GCH and is looking into the new type of storage heaters. They have ceramic cores and are have digital controls and according the bumf they give out lots of…
-
What detergents work well for cleaning laundry with cold water only?
My washing machine has recently stopped heating up the water which means our clothes are not coming out as clean as they used to. We are renting so our landlord is not in a rush to fix the washing machine. I am therefore wondering if there are any specific detergents that I can get in the UK that work well for cleaning…
-
Electric only heating and hot water
I'm hoping to convert a 1 bedroom house to 2 by moving the hot water tank and re configure the layout of the house. I have been considering an electric boiler in place of my immersion and storage heaters. Since I moved in 3 years ago I have insulated the loft had double glazing and doors fitted just looking for a better…
-
how much sand cement to lay slabs
hi, I am putting slabs down for a driveway, and need to find out quantities of materials to use. the Area is 4.3mtrs by 5.2 mtrs, I am planning to put down 4 inches of hardcore, and 2 inches of sand/cement, and then 40 600x600 slabs (50mm thick). I am not slabbing the whole area I am doing strips of slabs and stones (20mm…
-
Installing a bath in a bathless bathroom
Just wondering about the range of cost in this job. I know there's going to be variables, but just to get the job done with a basic bath - any idea of a range at least? We're shortlisting houses to look at & we've 3. One of them has a garage & is no chain, but it has no bath in the bathroom. Not really an issue for us as…
-
gas cooker switched off during cooking, smell gas!
gas cooker, 6 months old professionally installed i was using the oven and standing in front of it, i could hear the oven go out, and immediately i could smell gas, which shouldnt happen as you need to hold in any knob to get it to ignite i switched it off and opened door and windows when the smell cleared i tried to light…
-
Need to but all kitchen appliances for Buy to Let
as above, any tips on good places for decent quality but decently priced appliances? I'll need a fridge/freezer, Oven and Hob, and Dishwasher, and possibly a microwave too... This is on top of a replacement kitchen and money already tight.
-
want to build a single storey extension and not sure how to start?
We would like a single storey extension to the back of the house- 3 of the neighbours in our street have similar (varying ages) extensions, and I am happy that I need to find out about permitted developments/building control etc. Basically, I don't know how to start the process... Would I get an architect to draw up some…
-
Covering up marks in varnished skirting
In my head I can see what to use but not sure what they are or where to try to get it. I've recently stripped the skirting up a set of stairs and varnished. Looks really good however there are a few places that have parts of marks in them such as paint and touching these up in a darker colour then varnish over would take…
-
Is Buildings Inspector liable in any way?
Hi all, I was after a bit of advice please. I recently had an extension built at the rear of my house, after plans were approved by Building Control at the local council. This was to make some more room for my ever increasing family! The extension is a single story with a low pitch roof, with three Velux windows.…
-
Baumatic built in oven
I have one of the above which I have had for about 10 years. For a while now the drop down door has stayed ajar at the top, which means, of course, that the heat is lost. Has anyone had this fault and do you have a solution to the problem please?
-
Tap repair
Hi all, I am trying to remove a tap, the handle is held in place by a M5 x 0.8 grub screw which is out of sight round the back. (I downloaded the manufactures manual) I have tried a 4mm and 3mm Alen Key but nether seem to fit. Now I don't think that make a 3.5 size... Could those with knowledge let me know what size alen…
-
Paint on floor
Any idea how to get paint off a kitchen floor please? I have tried white spirits and my steam cleaner to no avail. problem is, I dropped a tin of paint a while back and I thought I had got it up. I have just sold a huge welsh dresser and there is a rock solid pool of paint underneath it. It is stuck like glue to my floor.…
-
Bathroom/shower tiles - gaps/loose, how to solve?
Sorry if this seems a stupid question... just moved into first house and clueless with DIY issues! So: there's 2 bathrooms - main one and en suite. The main bathroom has good tiling round the shower (which is the above-bath type) but the floor tiles need re-doing. The grouting between them is coming away, one is broken in…
