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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for July 2019

What is triage of home contents after fire or flood?
Following on from the major fire next door, many of the items in our cellar were damaged by water and in our loft by smoke. The loss adjusters for contents tell me that these belongings will be triaged to determine what is salvageable and where it is will be conserved. Repaired restored etc as appropriate. . It is however…
Online made to measure angled/sloping cupboards and wardrobes
So I came across this company and I think their online tool to build what you want and price it is excellent. However, and most important, I don't know whether the cupboards are any good ! Does anyone have any experience of them and are there any alternatives? Googling around leads to quite a few companies that will do…
4Bed Rewire gone bad
Hi all, I recently contracted an electrician to do a complete rewire on my house. We went on holiday whilst the work was undertaken and was told all would be complete before we returned home. We were told it was complete the day before returning home. It would be impossible to list everything here but its safe to say we…
Dole Gusto Coffee Machine help needed!
Hi, Before I start I just want to offer the disclaimer that I know nothing about coffee or coffee machines!!! Bought my elderly mother a Dolce Gusto as a present and my brother recommended that I get a 'bag of pods' as it would be cheaper so I got these from amazon…
How to Install Plastic Clip Bracket Floating Shelf
Hi there Money Saving Expert forum users! Floating shelves add a stylish look on top of its utility. A plastic clip bracket is durable against steam and moisture in a shower enclosure. If you are looking to install floating shelves in your bathroom for extra storage space, here are the steps. To install the plastic bracket…
House alarm - pet friendly PIR
Hi, I'm looking to get a house alarm installed, but have 2 cats so normal PIRs aren't an option. One option a guy has mentioned is 'pet friendly' PIR which is apparently 99% effective for not being triggered by pets. My cats do jump on windowsills and the back of the sofa though, does anyone have any experience of these…
Drains in back yard
Hello. I live in a terraced property (approx 1920s) with small back yard. There is a soil pipe that comes out the toilet and into the ground. About a meter or two away from that is the open drain, which has pipes going into it from the gutter, the sinks and the bath. Does anyone know if these 2 join together and then go…
Teak garden furniture treatment
We have just invested in a relatively expensive Teak garden table and we do not want it to go grey as it will without treatment. Instead we want to keep its rich honeyed colour. It is only a couple of weeks old but already the colour has dulled a bit. I have done a lot of research and discover teak oil and teak sealer.…
Diy decking project question
Hi all im about to undertake a decking project and just have a couple of questions for those in the know. The decking is around 8metres x 3.6 metres. Joists will be 450mm spaced with noggins every 500mm or so. The base I'm working off half an old unlevel patio from council blocks 600mmx 900mm and half soil. The whole area…
Can you use tablet or granular salt in a Harveys HV3 water softener?
I am about to have a Harveys HV3 water softener installed. All the literature provided and online states that block salt is required, but I have also read that you can use tablet salt (by companies who sell water softener salt) On Harvey's website they push the point that block salt is lighter and less bulky, but in their…
Communal area needing new door and plastering
Hi all My wife and I are shortly to move into a new Victorian tenemant flat (5 apto's in the block) :j. There is a factoring charge but the main door into the communal area is shockingly awful and should be replaced. There is also damp - easy to rectify and should do as there's a lot of mould build up. I don't mind paying…
Building work affecting water supply/ impact of neighbours extension
Hello I hope someone can help on this. I’ll try and keep it fairly short. My mums neighbours are building an extension. She is at the end of a water supply that supplies 3 houses starting from the house at the other side of her neighbour, through them and to my mums, then back into the mains. Since the work began it has…
[Another] new kitchen who to choose help/ advice request!
Hello! I've done so much reading of reviews/ threads about new kitchens over the last few months...I'm kind of at the head spinning stage... We need a new kitchen- (house we're moving into doesn't have a useable one!)...As novices, we wanted a design service too, though we know broadly what we're after (eg higloss, curved…
Engineered floor offcuts
Hi All, After laying new engineered wood flooring last weekend, I am left with quite a few odd length offcuts. Any interesting ideas as to what could they be used for?
How do we buy/adopt a strip of land please?
Hello everyone. Please does anyone know who we ask to see about formally adopting/buying a strip of land? We would like it to become part of our garden. Between our property boundary and the pavement is a strip of land about 1.5 meters wide. It runs the length of our house, front and back garden. My plans show that our…
Should I get Plastered in the Kitchen???
Quick question I am having my kitchen replaced and the old plaster has been removed and its back to brick. Basically new wiring will be installed. New plasterboard will be dot and dabbed on and my kitchen will be fitted to this. Does the plasterboard actually need to be plastered? Once the kitchen is in none of it will be…
Gas works disruption!
Hi All, I've had gas works outside my house that was scheduled to run for circa 3 weeks but has now overrun to at least 8 weeks. The company have blocked half of my driveway for most of this time, and on some occasions, the entire driveway. When I have been able to park on my driveway, getting in or out of it (sometimes…
Do I need a Gas Safe engineer to extend boiler flue?
During the downpour at the weekend I had occasional bursts of water dripping from my Glow worm 30 cxi boiler. Thought at first it was the boiler but now rain has stopped the drips have stopped so I assume it was rain related. Looking outside the length of flue projecting horizontally from the wall is very short, at least 4…
SIP Air Compressor
My SIP Air Compressor has been working ok then suddenly when I start it to refill the air tank it surges instead of being continuous as it should be. Can anyone please tell me what is wrong and how do I fix it?
Using an existing lean-to as utility space?
I recently purchased a property with an old lean-to conservatory on the side of the house (1.2m width x 4m). It is built onto an external brick wall and its only entrance is via an external door. It looks like an outdoor space but is water tight. I had an idea of moving our washing machine, dryer and sink into this space.…

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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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