In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for May 2018

electrician needed? wire
How about the wire in the pictures? are they fair new wires? or need re-wire?
Getting started with DIY and woodworking
Hi all, It's been quite some time since I posted on MSE and have recently started lurking again - great to see it's still as much an excellent resource as ever! :beer: I was hoping some of you experts could help out a DIY newbie like me - I've just bought a house so am keen to learn at least the basics of DIY and…
Replacing uPvc window with a uPvc back door
Hi, I've been looking to get my dining room window changed to a back door for a while so that it is a direct route to the yard. I'm planning to keep the door the same width as the current window (1060mm) so it will just be the brickwork directly under the window that needs removing. With that in mind so I need to take any…
Self-Level over Ply? Or rip it up?
I've just chiselled up a load of broken floor tiles from our bathroom....so I'm down to a plywood subfloor with a fair amount of adhesive left on (which I could scrape off). The toilet, sink and shower are all installed over the tiles, so I haven't done anything about them yet. Question for you please. Is my best bet to…
Neighbour's windowsill
We moved to a new house 2.5 weeks ago, and have seen the neighbours a few times – always very friendly and seem nice. I was painting the black stone windowsill at the front of our house yesterday afternoon, and in the 20 seconds that I nipped into the house to get another paintbrush, the same neighbour’s cat managed to…
Downpipe not connected properly to drain
Good afternoon, We moved into our house (purchased) 2 months ago. It is a 13 year old house on a medium sized estate. Unfortunately the house move badly triggered my anxiety, which I've been struggling with since. The guttering downpipes are connected to the drains by slotting into a rubber adaptor, with chippings…
Pressure Washer
We have been thinking of getting a pressure washer for some time - for car and patio cleaning - and need a long pressure hose. http://www.nilfiskoutlet.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=5403 - appears to be a good buy What concerns me is the fact that this is a refurbished model - any experience welcome ... Thanks
Damp Patch outside my back yard?
I have noticed a damp patch at the base of my side wall just where the black liner is. It's left a fairly long damp patch along the floor and I can't see why. It is about 12' away from any kitchen plumbing and I cannot see any leaks under the kitchen sink, so I'm at a loss.... Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Painting over painted wallpaper
The previous owners in our house lined a room with paper and painted the walls. One wall was painted dark blue, the others were painted white. I've no idea about paint types and suitability but just want to paint the whole room the same white colour (no feature wall as it's a small room). Can I paint over the existing…
Suggestions for Radiator brands?
I'm replacing radiators in my house so am looking for good value for money brands to be recommended
How easy is it to fix plasterboard?
I'm considering fixing plasterboard to a room that's been stripped back to the original brickwork, is it possible for this to be done as a DIY job?
Leak on FF of a House
Hi All - London had a battering of a hail thunder and rain storm this afternoon. As a result, we noticed there is a leak somewhere either on the roof or external wall, something which is not visible to the naked eye. The front sie of the house, in one of the bedroom is affected and the leak can be seen running all the way…
DIY wooden punch bag frame advice needed!
Hi everyone I'm planning on starting a little project to make a punch bag frame out of wood and I need some advice as I'm a complete DIY virgin! I wish to create a simple frame, 9ft wide and 7ft high which will hold 2 30kg bags and not fall over when hit. Im planning on basing the frame design on the kids football goal…
Does traditional copper pipework have a shelf life
I'm in the process of refurbishing a Victorian/Edwardian house and several plumbers have suggested that it would be worthwhile considering to replace all of the copper pipework. Is there a shelf life of copper pipe?
White walls with yellow patches
I’ve just purchased a house I plan to let which was in great condition when I viewed it several months ago. I’ve just got the keys and found a minor problem. The house was freshly plastered and all the walls painted white. In a few rooms, the white walls have yellow patches. If I rub my fingers across the wall, white paint…
Install soffit lights
Hi All, Im looking to install some soffit lights on the lowest level of soffit on my house. I'm trying to work out the best way of wiring it into the circuit. I want to install 4 x IP65 downlights. I also want to wire in a dusk until dawn sensor with timer built in. The 4 lights will the run off this sensor and there will…
What's in your cleaning cupboard?
Will be moving back to my house after it being tenanted by a friend for a year and it will be thorough cleaning time for me. The grouting and sealant in the bathroom is very mouldy and I've been told HG mound spray from Bobby Dyas is very good. Got some Cillit Bang as well , and sugar soap for the walls. What items work…
Dulux Diamond Matt on new build walls
We are thinking of planning on painting our new build as soon as we move in (yes I know it’s not recommended) but do you know if Dulux Diamond Matt is breathable?
Toilet 'squeaks' before refilling
Our upstairs toilet used to take an age to refil, 20 minutes or more. Since we had a new combi boiler fitted to replace the old gravity fed ststem, it refils within a minute (as it should). Now, sometimes when its been flushed, after about a minute or 2, it makes a loud 'squeak' noise (like when you pinch the end of a…
Removing an extension from a BT socket?
I have a master socket which goes off to an extension in another room. I want to remove the extension. Am I able to remove the two wires on the extension cable going to 'AB' and connect two wires from the master cable in to 'AB' instead? Although the cables on the extension cable are different colours. The two wires…

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Co-op Bank customer? You could be moved to Coventry Building Society in future – here's what's happening
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