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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for February 2019

Wallpaper problems, who’s at fault?
Just paid a decorator to paper my study 2 days ago with Laura Ashley paper from their recent 40% off sale. Covered in small blotches initially 50% of which have now gone. Many remain, will they fade/dry out or could it be a fault with the way the paper is made or wallpaper paste left on the paper? The marks are pretty…
Leaking wall and ceiling - Update
Hi all. Appreciate I posted this problem within a previous thread. Someone messed up the installation of my shower and now water is running down the kitchen wall and across the ceiling. Thing is, I haven't used the shower for a week or so and water is still slowly trickling down. I wipe it away and a few minutes later it's…
Yellow Stock Bricks
Hello all, I don't know if anyone could help, I am looking for some yellow stock bricks to marry up to my existing building. I can't seem to find any, and the ones i do, are £1 a brick, and recommendations on where i can pick them up cheaper? Kind regards, Rich
House alarm help
Hello, we have just moved into a new home and it has a house alarm. It is a FM4000E model and the battery and zone 2 is flashing. Does anyone know if it Is a case of just changing the battery in the detector in that room? Thank you
(wo)man and van type to collect large eBay items
Hi All, Any advice on a good place to find cheap collection and delivery of furniture bought on eBay and offered collection only? I've seen a few sites but have no idea which to avoid etc. Anyone had a good experience with this sort of thing?
Help! vinyl floor asbestos? does anybody know how to tell?
Hi all! Having my usual panic about something... this weeks drama: Potential Asbestos Were current;y renovating our bathroom ourselves. our property is victorian terraced but the bathroom is a more modern extension. We couldnt get any info on how old it is when we bought our house but I would take a guess at 70's/80's at…
Nothing plugged into "cooker" circuit
Hi We're getting our ceramic hob replaced with gas today. I just removed the old hob, which was wired into a dedicated "cooker" circuit with an on/off switch on the wall (our oven is plugged in with a 13A fused plug to a socket on the same unit. Is it safe to just leave the cooker switch in the off position with nothing…
Squirt bottles: save on dishwashing liquid!
I save plastic squirt bottles from hair colouring for other uses. About a month ago, I poured dishwashing liquid in one. We have only used up half the bottle. We used to go through a whole litre of detergent every two months or so. Yesterday, my husband said he couldn't believe how slowly we've gone through the detergent.…
Which washing machine do you buy?
I have absolutely no experience or insight of buying washing machines, however I use our current one regularly (thanks to the all too regular vomit from our 1 year old darling daughter). I'm about to move house and need a new washer! I'm looking at the 5 year warranty, good reviews and 10% off for these LG machines from…
Wood turner people help: Is this a good piece to start with?
Hi, and first off sorry if this is in the wrong forum but I don’t think there is a forum for crafts and home learning! I am going to be having a go at wood turning on a small lathe, and wondered if you wood turner people (there must be some on here!) would think this cheap eBay piece might be an ok piece to start with. I…
Changing light - no live at ceiling rose
Hi all, sorry for whats a simple questions probably. I opened the current ceiling rose ready to change to new light fitting and noticed it no live wires going into the loop terminals. Should I be concerned about this as im not sure how I should wire the current wires to the new light. Also, I notice the switched live hasnt…
New Neighbour & Extension
Good morning everyone , We have lived in the same house for 20 years now , we live in a quiet cul de sac with a mixture of approximately 12 , 3 or 4 bedroom detached properties . Sadly toward the middle of last year our neighbour of 19 years (a single lady) became hospitalised and shortly after died . Towards the year end…
Any Planners here? Neighbourhood Planning Consultation
I understand that the end date is 30 May. Is this likely to be extended? We are expecting a decision on our 5.5m extension next week. Does that mean we must get the final inspection done by 30th May or get our first inspection (footings) done by then. Hearing conflicting information
Cant shift oil stain on driveway
Tried a few things like path cleaner, a degreaser even left to soak overnight,deck scrubbing and the cheap coke trick but you can still see the stubborn oil stain. Any ideas on what else to try and shift it with good success? Thanks as always
Should I remove mesh material on Ceiling after Skimming?
Hi, Needed to fix a small area on ceiling where there was a leak. The plasterer has done a good job considering what he had to work with, when he did the skimming. Just noticed that in one corner there is a small area with mesh material he applied. Once Its dryed out, should I remove this mesh material or just cut off any…
How much to install central heating 2 bed flat?
I'm looking to purchase an upper ground 1 bed flat in a victorian house conversation. I plan to relocate the kitchen to make a lounge/dinner and convert the kitchen a second bedroom. There is no central heating so can someone give me an idea of what it would cost to instal a system? (inside M25) Worcester Greenstar Combi…
Cost to re-wire 2 bed flat?
I'm looking to purchase an upper ground 1 bed flat in a victorian house conversation. I plan to relocate the kitchen to make a lounge/dinner and convert the kitchen a second bedroom. The place needs re-wiring and I was wondering if anyone could give me a guide as to what kind of cost I could be looking at within the M25?…
Building regs or planning for moving kitchen to different room?
Hello, Planning on making a one bed flat into a two bed by moving the kitchen to make a lounge/dinner and the original kitchen area a bedroom. Subject to checking the lease permits this change, would this require planning permission or building regs? There will be no structural work and ample ventilation and access to…
Forgot to apply knitting before priming....
Hi All, Not a moneysaving question but looking for a bit of advice. I have a run of 4m x 1m pine cladding at work that we’ve just replaced and today I applied my usual water based primer undercoat and literally 5 minutes after finishing the coat I realised I hadn’t sealed the knots. Does anyone know if there Is there…
Neighbour issues - update
Hi everyone I previously posted on the site a year ago about our neighbour issues. We’d only just purchased the property and hoped that talking to the neighbour/settling in would help. But, i’m Now at the end of my tether... After hearing the music blasting from next door, we went round and spoke with the neighbour. They…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
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.

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