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Tube Starter Switch
Hi I have a knackered tube light in the garage. After weeks of thinking it was the tube (and replacing that) someone told me that the starter switch may have gone - the what I said?... Anyway I found the switch and it states 4-80W / 220V-240V - looks like its been in there for years. I was looking for a replacement at B&Q…
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Washing machine repair or throw
I have a 13 year old Zanussi washer/dryer. It has these faults 1) Doesn't dry - not a real problem because we have a drier 2) Leaks 3) Doesn't always drain. Any ideas about what is best repair or replacement?
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Suggestions for insulating a boarded loft
Our loft is boarded, with about 100 mm of insulation below. Due to difficulty of access to loft it is very unlikely we will ever use it. There are some areas where there is insulation between the rafters, but this is very DIY and will probably get rid. Would laying an extra layer insulation over the boards work? What type…
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Speedfit Connectors
Just a quick question: we have a washing machine cold feed problem and the connector on the plumbing has a very slow leak (that comes out along the screw that holds the blue on/off handle) We have a Speedfit appliance connector and I am told I can just remove the old valve and push this into place? Really? Don't I need to…
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Mattress free trials (Eve/Trmpur etc)
I would like a memory foam matres, but will be moving abroad relatively soon, so don't really want to buy one. I was thinking of trying the Eve 100 night trial, paying £40 a month in installments, then returning before the 100 nights is up for a full refund, sleeping a night or two on my existing matress, then moving on to…
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water leak
Hi, Has anyone come across this before? Water leaking up from the concrete on the side of a Victorian end of terrace. I'm on a metered individual supply which isn't showing abnormal usage or spinning crazy, water leak still there if the external stop tap is turned off and no pressure loss inside the house. Water company…
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Staining a pine table grey
I want to stain / dye a pine table a mid-grey from Ikea to match my new kitchen but finding it quite hard to find the right thing to do the job in that colour. I want to be able to see the grain of the table - all I find is outdoor fence stains or grey furniture paints. Not sure if outdoor stains are suitable for a dining…
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Washing Machine Recomendations?
Morning All Does anyone have any recomendations for a decent quality washing machine? My cheapo £120-6 year old is on its last legs, I've patched up the best I can but now the motor is on its way and a new one isn't cost effective. With a 4 week old baby my washing levels have gone up significantly, and this time around…
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fridge water supply
I'm planning to move my fridge from the utility room to kitchen. We are putting down a new floor, so old floor has all been taken up exposing the concrete floor. I was planning to cut a trench in the concrete and lay the plastic water pipe in it. Is there any reason why I shouldn't do this? There won't be any connections…
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Two master sockets
Just thinking out loud here but is it possible to have two master sockets running from same line downstairs? Would there be any benefit to having this as PC is in the bedroom and Android box is downstairs in living room and would prefer to cut down on running wiring everywhere? Like I say just curious as to how to run two…
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Change from integrated washer/dryer to freestanding?
We have recently moved and it has an integrated washer/dryer. This was great as we need both (would of preferred separated but no room for them in the property). The washer/dryer here is really on its way out though. It's at least 12 years old and a normal 40 degree wash takes nearly 3 hours :eek: it sounds like a jumbo…
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Planned development - access road
This is a long shot I know, but perhaps somebody can advise me? There is an appliction for a development on the land behind our house - about 90 dwellings. The proposed access road, running over the existing cycle/foot path,will be roughly 16 metres wide. My concern, and hence my question, is if this width of access is…
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Suspicious quote
One of our neighbours has had their drive block paved. Today we had a man round saying they had leftover material and could do a good price for us if we chose to have the same. He's quoted us £3000 for something that would normally (according to him) cost £5000. My husband is tempted. I'm a little suspicious. Surely a good…
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Scaffolding over boundary
Because your advice has always been top notch I thought I'd query this with you. Background: My neighbour is having a 2 storey extension around his property - long story short it leaves hardly any space between our boundry and house. Anyway, scaffolding going up for second storey today (some went up yesterday but we were…
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Washing machine blocked with white stuff
I noticed my washing machine was making a strange noise, mostly on rinses but not while spinning - it doesn't seem to be the bearings, it was more of a rattling sound. After some investigation, I looked behind the pump cover and found lots of white stuff - like mashed paper. This is a mystery to me as I haven't had any…
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Vinyl wrap in shower
I am looking to do something with the stainless steel splash backs currently fitted in my shower unit. I was originally looking at replacing the splash backs with panels. But I have been thinking of possibly using vinyl wrap to cover the stainless just to give the bathroom a fresher look when decorating. Would the vinyl…
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Second bathroom......or not?
We are twenty months in to a renovation of our current house and plan on selling when the work is completed next year. It is a quirky property comprising an original 1850s three storey (plus cellar) main house, with Arts & Crafts style two storey extension. To take advantage of the view, virtually all of the twenty-odd…
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Damp Proofing - Ripped off?
Hi folks, A year ago a friend of mine bought a house. She had it surveyed for Damp and a report found evidence of damp in almost every wall. She then spent £6,000 on having the damp treated and the house damp proofed. This involved someone removing the whole kitchen so they could get to the wall. A little while ago, she…
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Engineered wood flooring
I'm currently awaiting a quote for engineered wood flooring. The brand I've been offered is called Elegance quality hardwood flooring, and I understand the top layer is 3.2mm. Does anyone have any experience of this, or is there a brand you would recommend? I will be having it through most of the downstairs so don't want…
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Radiator valves stuck (not TRVs)
Hello, Wondered if someone might be able to advise. Fired up for the heating for the first time the other day. All hunky dory except one rad was really slow to heat up (though it did eventually get piping hot). Thought I'd just check the valves to confirm all was OK assuming the flow was restricted for some reason. So…
