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Fabric for a 'sling' chair
Hi all I have a bentwood armchair which has a 'sling' of material (somewhat like a deckchair) and this supports the cushion and the weight of the sitter. This has ripped and I want to replace it. It's wider than a deckchair, so deckchair material whilst it would be most suitable, is too narrow, and anyway I just want plain…
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Outbuilding height more then 2.5 metres - 4 year rule?
Hi I have a work colleague who's just purchased a house, in their garden there is a outbuilding (about 35 sq metres he reckons) right against his back fence, its got a pretty much flat roof with a slight slope but its about 2.8 metres rather then the limit which is 2.5, it looks like its been in place for years however. My…
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Preparing an oak Kitchen worktop
I've had an oak worktop (small blocks all glued together) for quite a few years now. I think I made a mistake at the start by using too many coats of Junckers Rustic Oil. This made it look like a varnished surface and it did well for a while but then certain areas wore down or little cracks appeared, water got in and would…
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Roofer issue
We have a leak through the bathroom extractor fan and called our insurance who came round and told us it was a gap in the stack pipe in the loft, and water is coming through when it rains (although its not been raining) Called a roofer out today to take a look. He arrived, looked at the fan but didn't go in the loft,…
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Hourly labour rate changed
I am hoping you could help me here, please. I have tried to search for this, but no luck. I am working away from home, and the wife needed some taps fixing, she called a plumber, who told her the hourly rate was £40, which she was happy with. The plumber turned up, with an apprentice, and did the work. She has just got the…
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Loft advice
Hi, Hope someone can advise or had similar experience. We have recently moved into a new build property and noticed over past couple of weeks a scratching noise coming from the loft, We haven’t heard it every day and think last time we heard anything was a few weeks ago, however it was very apparent this morning so we…
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Transforming cellar to a living room
Hi guys completely new to this forum so please go easy on me. We are in the process of getting a quote for our cellar to be studded, plasterboarded and then skimmed. The room is only 10 square meteres and the height of the ceiling must only be 7 foot. We are short in our family 🙂. My question is what would be a reasonable…
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Window Replacement
We are completing on a property in a weeks time. House will be long term place so looking at long term decision here. It has double glazing already but old and tired and need replacing. Want to get triple glazing fitted. Had a quick search online and there are the 3-4 big firms out there. some smaller ones in the local…
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Electric Under Floor Heating
Hi, my situation is a little bit unique. I currently live in a 1 bed maisonette and I plan to fit under floor heating to the living room as a main heat source. The reason for this is that I have an electric only flat with no gas supply, and electric heaters (not storage) on the walls and single glazed sash windows. Last…
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Boiler replacement in renovation
We currently have a gravity fed system and are looking to install (and move to the utility room) a combi boiler to replace the old vented boiler that uses a chimney. So far two plumbers have come around to quote. Plumber A has recommended running 22mm pipes back to the original boiler cupboard to connect to the original…
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Dynorod caused big leak in ceiling, asbestos query-urgent plse
I am at my wits end. Dynorod caused a leak through my ceiling 4 days ago, which is about 5ft in width and approx. 2ft depth & I'm currently waiting for it to be sorted. My house was built in 1980-81 and I have asked British Gas (I have service care with them so Dynorod was sent out) if they can arrange an asbestos survey,…
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Back to bathroom fans..
Hi all, I'm one of those not-so-lucky renters who have a bathroom fan on whenever the light is on and it won't stop for a while (5 minutes) after the light is switched off. My case is aggravated by the fact the noise is really bad. The building was built in the late 1980s and I'm not sure bathroom fans were replaced ever…
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Possible dampness under laminate floor
I’m hoping somebody can give me some advice about a potential damp issue. We had laminate flooring laid downstairs throughout our living and dining room (it’s all one open room) about two and a half years ago. It’s laid on top of fibre board underlay, which is on a vapour membrane on top of floorboards. About a year ago we…
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Rust removal
Can anyone recommend something to remove rust on a chrome heated towel rail? I am using a combination of brillo pad, peek, astonish, and some bicarbonate of soda abrasive cleaner. Is there anything to get rid of it quickly?
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Testing Artex for asbestos?
Hi everyone, Has anyone had their Artex tested for Asbestos before? if so how did you do it as I am finding it very hard to find the correct procedure. I have seen a few websites which offer self testing kits but I am slightly worried about doing it wrong and contaminating the room/carpet from cutting it away... is it easy…
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Fault in Sheltered Accommodation
Hi I am hoping someone can advise me here. My 87 yr old Mum in Law lives in an MHA sheltered housing scheme, she and her husband (who sadly died in April) purchased the apartment new in 2011. Over the last 2 weeks we had arranged for complete redecoration and new carpet, but when the fitters arrived they discovered and…
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Billed, paid, now asking for more
Got an electrician around to quote for rewiring our small house (London 115sqm). He quoted 12k + VAT - we said ha no that's way too much and left it. Then we asked him to quote for a quick job (isolating the power and putting in a safe 2-socket). He said "£160 +Vat" written in email, no breakdown of costs, that's all. Got…
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Did anyone elses temps drop far lower than they expected last night?
I moved into a new house in the Stoke On Trent area early this year and the heating has been as expected so far. It's 3 bed detached property, 80m2, grade C EPC, cavity walls, pitched roof, fully double glazed, mains gas. When I go bed the heating thermostat normally changes to 12c, it's about midnight and the house…
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Chimney liner
Dear all, I posted here a few days ago with a question about chimney liners and got some useful advice. I do have a folllow-up though. Essentially, we're replacing a woodburner with a gas fire and the engineer says that we need to replace the flue. Not because it's in bad condition (it's nearly new!) but because gas safe…
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Replacing Gas Hob in Granite Worktop
We have just moved into our new house and love the kitchen except for the fact that the gas hob looks to have been purchased as the last item when all the budget has gone! It's small and ugly, basically. I'd love to get a bigger 5 or 6 ring hob fitted, but the worktop is obviously now in place, and I've tried the original…
