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restoring old floorboards?
we have just bought a house and i was looking forward to pulling up all the old carpets and sanding down the floorboards to restore them. Having started to pull them up, it seems they aren't in great condition... In some places there are chunks missing and some areas look almost filled in with concrete. Does anyone know…
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Experience of corian worktops
Hello all Does anyone have a corian worktop? What is your experience and how durable is it? Does it scratch easy. I’m looking to get new worktops and saw some corian in a showroom and looked great but feedback from people is mixed !!! So confusing with quartz / granite etc etc. I have a 5 and 9 year old so need something…
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How can we install a window to the side of the house in a first floor bedroom
We are hoping to do a first floor extension to the rear of our house to give us a further bedroom. The extension will be sited at the back of one bedroom which has one rear window in it. As a result of the extension this rear window will need to be boarded up. However this then means that the bedroom will have no window.…
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Backlogs of work
Just a word of warning to anyone waiting until we come out of lockdown to begin arranging to have work done in their house. I have been planning to get water heating system changed - electric boiler to indirect water heaters. Workmen aren't allowed inside just now unless for essential repairs and maintenance - changes here…
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Stripped off wallpaper now what?!
Hello Just after some advice on what to do with these walls before redecorating. We've stripped off wallpaper which had been put on top of 2/3 layers of paint including some unknown Black paint. Bottom half has been replastered due to damp work already. Wondering if to polyfilla, sand or completely replaster (or something…
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External wall insulation..Waterproofing edges?
I've just had EWI done on my terraced house. The guys have done a good job but also a little rough around the edges. They work really quickly! My concern is where the insulation stops at the edges and joins on to the next house. On one side it hits some bare bricks, on the other it's just a 90 degree angle. They have…
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Help! What tradesperson do I need?
Sorry in advance for being a bit clueless! The door to my conservatory has a 1980's fake grecian moulded architrave 🤢 which i want replacing. In order to replace it I think some brickwork will need to be done, the brickwork is currently curved at the top and has bricks cut out for the fake pillars. Wall then obviously…
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Dormer loft extension
Hi,We are thinking about getting the loft in our house converted. Plan is to have two extra rooms in the loft with an ensuite. Total area will be 46 sq m.As we have no prior experience of build work, so need little help to begin with. Plan:* Dormer extension * 46 sq m approx * stairs needed * extension to have 2 rooms *…
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Issues with newly fittted windows
Hello everyone. About 5 or 6 weeks ago, I had two new windows installed by a well regarded local company. As its a Victorian house, I chose vertical sliders (plastic sash) windows. Basically, the fitters turned up and wanted to measure, I think because the windows which were ordered by surveyor are slightly different sizes…
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Rising Damp
Hello, I bought a 1950s semi detached ex local authority house last summer. It's is fair condition old couple had owned it since the 80s but had flooded 10 year ago (everything made good by insurance) . When I bought I didn't get a survey due to the timings and having to move fast. A decision I'm sure many will comment on.…
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IKEA PAX wardrobes - brackets/skirting board
Hi guys, I am in the process of putting up some wardrobes in my new flat. They are IKEA PAX wardrobes with sliding doors. So far I have assembled the frames and they seem very sturdy, but I've got to put on the sliding doors next (if I can ever get them assembled!) and as they're very heavy I want to affix the wardrobes to…
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Neighbors gravel/French drain next to wall.
Inquiring on behalf of a family member. Her neighbour has built on their pathway, which is against her wall. It seems that next to her wall, there is a gravel ditch that looks like a French Drain. Had a quick, cheeky peek and can't see where the drain goes to, but it looks like it goes nowhere. Also can't see if there's a…
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Nest thermostat compatibility
Hi guys, We have a pretty old Vaillant gas boiler and wired thermostat situation. The Google Nest site says we are compatible, but I wanted to know if anyone has experienced any challenges, particularly with older boilers? Thanks! Z
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Roof top terrace leak - whoses responsibility
I live in a terrace townhouse where the neighbor (left) has a private/exclusive access to a roof top terrace on top of my property and the adjacent (right) I had a leak in through the ceiling, and the neighbor had to give access to get a roof assessment , but isn’t assuming responsibility for the cost of repair/make good…
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Stripping paint from white painted floorboards (img included)
Hi guys We have just walked into our new place and after removing the fridge caught a glimpse of what the floors once were - and we like it. Can anyone advise how much effort this would be for two DIY-newbies? And for comparison - how much this might cost in terms of a tradesman's labour for a small 1 bedroom flat? Thanks,…
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What does "No Call Out Charge" mean?
Hello, if a plumbing / gas company tells you they don't charge for call outs, what does that actually mean? Does it mean they will come to your property and do a basic diagnosis of your issue without charge? Or does it simply mean they don't add the cost of traveling from their site to your home to the fee? Thanks
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Where would you put a downstairs toilet?
Afternoon all :-) This is our ground floor floorplan. We plan to eventually convert the rear of the garage into a room and allow for storage at front for bikes etc. Would loo fit into the cupboards under the stairs/utility cupboard.? Or better using the utility cupboard and go into garage? Total novice and looking for…
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Extractor fan advice, kitchen and bathroom?
Hi, I've just had my house externally insulated. They have made holes for extractor fans, a larger one in the kitchen. It seems they have just bought the cheapest fans you can get, no timer, no brand, probably very noisy once they hook them up! So at some point I'll change them, but they've already fitted these so I'll see…
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Damp problem in wardrobe
I have some wardrobes (from a well-known store) fitted along an interior wall right up to the exterior wall. Damp has been a problem in the cabinet next to the exterior wall (there is approx 2cm air gap), so I have used dehumidifier pots to counter it. I suspect the radiator (opposite and by the window) is not helping.…
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Escrow arrangements for building work deposits?
There are many threads on here and elsewhere, arguing about whether or not it's reasonable for builders to ask for deposits up-front - payments before any work has started.One potential solution to this might be to use some kind of escrow service. But is this ever practicable or workable for small scale building works?I'd…
