In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Discussion List

• Repainting glossed built in wardrobes

  Hi The house I've recently moved into has Victorian style built in wardrobes....I'd like to keep these but they're currently painted in gloss paint! I'd like to paint them in a matt paint...do I need to remove the gloss paint completely or can it be painted over? Any hints and tips welcome!

• Flat Roof and Guttering

  Hi All, we're in the process of selling our house and our buyers have mentioned the their survey has come up with damp on the garage. I believe I know why, water run off from the roof slips between the facia and guttering. It looks as though somethign needs to be applied to the facia to direct the water into the gutter.…

• Windsor trap/drain

  My Windsor trap/interceptor trap is smashed at the front, resulting in blockages as the foul waste gets snagged on the broken bits. I need it replacing, but have no idea who would carry out such a job. Many of the unblocking services claim they can do, I'm sure there would be an added premium for this. Can anyone advise on…

• Bathroom toilet cistern replacement???

  We've been away for 6 months and on returning have wacked the CH up to full, to warm the house. This usually takes about a week and we do the same thing every year. For the first time in my memory and I've lived in the house for over 60 years the bathroom cistern which is ceramic is appearing to leak. I've checked the seal…

• John Lewis for tradespeople?

  Anyone used John Lewis for tradespeople? I've had recurring bad luck with tradesmen, will never be using checkatrade again. John Lewis claim to provide a solution for customers who've had enough of hit and miss tradesmen. If anyone has had experience with them, would be good to hear.

• Full / partial integral garage conversion

  Just looking for advice now how to proceed with an integral garage conversion. The house is a 2005 build. Many houses on the estate have done something similar. The garage is fully insulated on the outer wall, however I'm not sure what damp proof course is underneath the floor, if any. It currently houses the boiler and…

• Harvey's code?

  Long shot but I'm looking to see if anyone has one of the Harvey's vouchers that can be used in Benson's for Beds, the one you get when you spend over £500? Hoping someone has one that they're not planning on using!

• Tinting windows in the home?

  We're in need of new windows & this has come up in our discussion. Now i'm not talking fully blacked out limo tint in case anyone is getting visions of that. We get the sun blazing in through the front of the house all day long. Some may think that's wonderful and that's fine for those people, but i'm not those people. It…

• 1.5 bowl kitchen sink recommendation

  I have a max budget of £200 to spend and have narrowed it down to these 2 sinks. https://www.johnlewis.com/clearwater-zumba-1-5-bowl-inset-kitchen-sink-stainless-steel/p3262625 or https://www.screwfix.com/p/franke-ascona-inset-sink-18-10-stainless-steel-1-5-bowl-1000-x-510mm/37197 Needs to fit in a 600 unit and be of good…

• Gutters and Fascias replacement costs

  Hello, I need to get the gutters and fascias replaced on my house. I have a standard three bedroom semi-detached house with a hipped roof and a large conservatory at the back. The scaffold at the back over the conservatory will be fairly complicated. I'm going to get some quotes but could someone guide me as to how much is…

• Kitchen fitting - Gas hob, floor tiles

  Hi all, We're having a new kitchen fitted, and I need to clear up a few things. I was prepared to remove the units myself as I wanted to tile wall to wall before the new units were fitted in. However, after the inspection by the fitter yesterday I have a questions. 1. Can I remove the current gas hob without any 'gas…

• Best place for loft insulation

  Hi, Im getting underfloor heating in my cottage and want to add new insulation in loft. Some questions: 1) Wheres the cheapest place for loft insulation? 2) Is it 300mm for building regs? 3) I think the insulation thats in there has been there for about 40 years. Should I replace it or just add new stuff over the top of…

• Glow worm cx 30 update ..and questions

  Howdy! Some of you may have seen my previous thread regarding the above. I have update : Managed to fix the pressure last night This morning I receive a call from gas co. telling me an engineer is in the area, and would it be ok for him to pop round. Of course I said yes. Well, he has been and gone . The company charge £74…

• House purchase - loft space and building regs

  I have recently had the building survey completed on a house I a looking to purchase. A few minor issues but one I am concerned about. The survey states the "loft conversion" does not conform to current building regulations. Specifically the joists are under size although a steel reinforcing joist has been installed to…

• Flooded cellar finding water source

  Hi I have a cellar in a Victorian semi-detached house which often floods when there is heavy rain- as it has been raining and snowing quite a lot recently it has been quite a regular occurance. The cellar floods approx 1-3 inches of water and it seems to be clear water. Just wanted advice on how I can check what is causing…

• Neighbour's overbearing extention

  I'm looking for some advice please regarding the overbearing extension my neighbour is currently having built. My neighbour was granted planning permission last year for a double storey wrap around the side and back extension. I objected at the time because I believed it would overshadow my property, limit sunlight in to…

• Muchrooms growing out my floor

  I have notice muchroom growing out my floor, my bathroom is on the other side of the wall...it looks like a cream “pasta shell” type Any ideas? It smells pretty bad when inclean it away :(

• New purchase conversion roof leak - Options for guarantee

  Long story short but basically purchased a property in October last year which was a 3 storey property converted into a ground floor and top 1st and 2nd floor maisonette (we purchased the top flat). The conversion and build work was done by the previous owner/developer. The flat consists of a flat roof conversion in the…

• How to fund house upgrade?

  I’m not quite sure where to put this - here or the money board? Lets try here..... It may be a silly question but I’d like some input I inherited my house a few years ago. I’ve done some (small) repair work on it and have used my savings. It’s now got to the “big” repairs. The Kitchen and Bathroom need updating but I’m not…

• Fridge Freezer problem

  Somehow the freezer door on my Zanussi ZRB32212WA fridge freezer was left ajar overnight. The contents were still frozen in the morning, but it was making a noticeable buzzing sound, much louder than normal. 24 hours later and its still making a noise, although it does appear to be working - I suspect the motor may have…