We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for February 2015

Howdens - extractor replacement
Hi guys. Those who know or trade Howdens I hope might be able to help. just over 3 years ago I had a Howdens Tenby kitchen fitted. My tradesman is now retired and lives abroad. I had a Lamona Integrated Turbo extractor fitted. I was warned the opening and closing mechanism was made of cheap plastic and thus take care. Sure…
Best energy saving light bulbs?
Hi, Need to purchase 4 energy saving light bulbs. The old one's we had were the twisted tub ones but they took ages to light up to full strength and there was a delay when you switched them on. Any recommendations? Thanks, MR
Architect from hell (or worse?)
We are about 1 weeks off from getting our planning and before the building work starts on or property. The Architect has been paid in full and has been for some time getting slower and slower at responding to any emails, calls or sms. Has previously snapped a couple of times asking as to why we were chasing him (when he…
Mystery leak
There is a leak in my bathroom and I cannot find the source. I have checked the plumbing there is no leak around the joint. I have looked at the bathtub plumbing everything seems to be ok. When I do have a bath later on there is water round the sink pedestal and it is doing my head as I cannot find where it is c9oming…
Carron Phoenix taps- any good
I know their sinks are meant to be good quality, but what are your thoughts on the quality of their taps? Seem to be significantly cheaper than similar Grohe versions. Any thoughts welcome
Possible Conservatory Subsidence
This is worrying. :eek: In the conservatory behind my converted garage, the roof of conservatory looks to have a bigger and bigger gap at the place joining the back of garage. The UPVC conservatory as a whole will flex and won’t crack likes brickwork, so seeing a gap opening up would surely mean the outside edge is…
Lever taps on bath....your views?
We're finally replacing our ancient bathroom suite and our plumber has recommended a set of Nero lever mixer taps, as he says that he has fitted loads of them and not had any complaints. We will be getting rid of our old electric shower and just using the mixer taps (combi boiler, downstairs bathroom, good pressure) but…
Blomberg dishwashers
Please does anyone have experience of Blomberg dishwashers? I had never heard of them until recently, but the spec and warranty seem impressive.
Confused over size of integrated dishwashers
We have a built-in kitchen. The floor-standing cupboards are 500mm wide. We want to install an integrated slimline dishwasher, which we assumed would just slot into an existing cupboard. However, most slimline dishwashers are 450mm wide, not 500mm like our cupboards. Is a 450 meant to fit into a 500 carcass? Any advice…
Fixing uneven wall
Please take a look at this photo: http://m.imgur.com/g14KpEa As you can tell, the small wall separating the two rooms is pretty wonky! The fireplace is too but I'm not bothered about that as im going to be building a frame around it. Is this something that can be straightened up by a good plasterer, or is it beyond that?…
what is this orange and pink stuff ?
Has anyone have any idea what this stuff is staining my bathroom ? it looks terrible its pink and orange stuff , any ideas would be appreciated?
Maximising small kitchen
My kitchen is quite small and am in the process of having a new kitchen fitted. I live in a rented property so had little choice over design ect. I have lost a cupboard as I wanted a dishwasher. Due to the design I've lost another cupboard and this has been replaced by drawers. Just wondering how I can maximise the space…
Cheap ways to build an outbuilding?
Hi guys... hoping this is the right place to post. So, my husband and I have bought a new house, and it has a huge garden (which is great!) One of our longer-term plans is to put some sort of outbuilding in the garden which will be a workshop-come-office (which will hopefully double as a rarely used bedroom if we ever have…
Door rim lock need key
Hi, I purchased an old 1920s door which has a rimlock on it which I would like to keep. Problem is, it has no key. Is it possible to get a key cut which will work? Many thanks, MR
Air brick grill finally corroded to nothing.
The air brick grill of my c1945 house has corroded to nothing, so I have an open, brick-sized hole in the wall. Can anyone suggest a temporary "fix" until I do something permanent? A grill, heavy duty wire, etc. I will be having building work done in the medium-term, but don't want anything getting in before then, rats,…
Radiator Trv's have been replaced but not working properly
Just had home breakdown cover company out to some rads that could not be controlled with the trv's. The original trv's & valves are 10 years old and made by eca, he said the mounting clips had snapped so this is why they were not working as they were no longer sitting properly on the pin. He's replaced all the heads to be…
Architect Fees for small side-return Extension
My partner and I are wanting to extend the kitchen in our Victorian mid-terrace (east London). The original plan was to fill in the side return and also extend the back wall out: http://www.bpkersey.com/images/big-k.jpg But due to budget we may look at a simpler option of just extending into the side-return:…
Water under floor...Please help!!!
This is quite a long post please read thank you. We noticed a strange smell coming from a small room off our kitchen a few weeks ago.. This week we decided to pick up the floor boards and investigate...we did and found 10 inches of water ....we rang United Utilities...they discovered our drains blocked and neighbours drain…
Roofing ideas
Hi, I am planning to extend my existing 3 meters extension which has a flat roof a further 3 meters. However, I want to minimize the work on the roof of the existing one to cut cost, but not sure how I can do that. Basically, rear wall of the existing one is going to be removed, and ceiling and flat roof will like one…
Plaster coming off in chunks - what's the fix?
I'm having a 2 bed victorian mid terrace (circa 1880) renovated. The builders have opened up the walls to install radiator pipework and electrics and a lot of the interior plaster is coming away in HUGE chunks on both internal and external walls. According to them whoever did the last refurb (80's we guess) didn't prime…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

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.
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 Payments 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.

View All

In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free