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Unhappy with our tradesman - shoddy workmanship
We are currently in the middle of a bathroom renovation. We found our bathroom fitter on MyBuilder. Our bathroom is on the small side at 2.1sqm (2.4m in height) We made it clear from the start what we wanted and that we were supplying the new suite and majority of the materials (shower tray, waste trap, wall hung WC,…
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Semi detached sound proof
Hi, it’s my first post! We live in a new build semi detached with very loud (and unpleasant) neighbours attached. We have put a stud wall in our adjoining living rooms to block out TV noise (which has worked really well the majority of the time) but we hear impact noise (footsteps) all the time. We have a steel framed…
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TRIMMING TREES WITH A PRESERVATION ORDER
Hi Folks I want to get 2 trees trimmed which are in my back garden and have a preservation order. However, I need to apply to the local council in order to do that. I invited a tree surgeon to have a look at the trees a few days ago, who offered to fill in the application form and says that would cost £150. He went on to…
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DIY budget method to cover tiles behind toilet
Good morning all, I'm looking for advice for what to do to cover the tiles behind the toilet in my downstairs WC. The room has been redecorated (blue on top and grey painted wood panelling on the bottom) and the cream coloured tiles (shown below) really stand out and look dirty. I have white tiles elsewhere in the bathroom…
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Woke to a wet patch under a TRV - potential cause and possible fix?
Good morning. I woke this morning to a wet patch under the bathroom radiator and wondered the potential cause and possible fix, before I call anyone out - if it's hopefully a one off or I can sort it myself. I had a new boiler fitted at the end of November and the system was supposedly flushed and treated at that time. It…
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Is there a better time to buy a kitchen?
Is there a better time of the year to buy a kitchen? Quite often if you want to get a good deal on a TV for instance, you can pick up decent deals towards the end of the year. Is there a similar sort of thing for kitchens?
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plumbing repair advice
Hi all, This follows on from an "is this quote fair" post regarding an emergency plumbing repair I had done, and would really appreciate some advice as I don't really understand plumbing, or that much about CH systems, as evidenced by the below... Yesterday I was trying to secure a squeaky floorboard and unbeknown to me…
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Realistic flame effect - electric stove
Hello I've just moved into a new house that has a log burner installed. I would like to do my bit for the environment (and for my own health!) and have this taken out and replaced with an electric fire, ran from renewable energy. There really is nothing like the calming effect of a real fire on a winter's evening though.…
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Moss/algae on bottom of pebbledashed bungalow wall
Has anyone any suggestions on how to get rid of moss/green algae which is starting to appear on the bottom of the bungalow wall next to the brick patio drive. I was thinking of washing it with a bleach solution but am worried the bleach might affect the pebbledashing.
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Best wall covering for en-suite or bathroom?
What is the best approach for an en-suite or bathroom wrt wall coverings nowadays? This would include a shower (with tray, door) as well as the wash basin etc area. I have always had tiles, which eventually get discoloured grouting. I have seen LVF mentioned for floors, but what about the walls? And what about the…
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1950s Ex-council semi, single breeze block wall, how to insulate
Hi any advice on the best way to insulate the walls? Built from single skin of hollow 9" concrete blocks it's a common type of semi around west norfolk. I think you can inject the hollows with foam (saw a usa guy doing it on youtube) but worried that it will not work well as it won't be a complete insulation layer. On the…
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Repointing stone - patch or full repoint
Hi all Following my research and forum post about our guttering, looking up at our house made me notice a few areas where the pointing looks a little "amiss". There are a few areas where you can see it's gone too much, maybe a couple of centimetres. But this is in a couple of areas of the front and back of a 1890 Victorian…
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Forced To Accept Water Meter
Hi, I have just received a letter from Affinity Water stating that they are going to be fitting a water meter within the next few months. I really don't really want to have a water meter and was wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation. Do I have to accept it, or can I refuse to have one put in?
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Right of Access - Private Road
Hi, I live on a private road with two other houses, and we own the rights to the road. Both houses have a driveway, however one of the houses has taken down their garden fence at the side and it looks as if they would like to create a second driveaway from the road - they have had a significant amount of stone delivered..…
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Boiler question - very slightly corroded flue
Looking for anyone who knows about boilers. I have had a Homestart policy with British Gas for around 10 years and now pay over £30 per month for boiler cover. The Ideal boiler is 14 years old and serviced annually - excl Covid times. The engineer who visited today was trying to sell me a new boiler from the minute he came…
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Changing a lock with no key
Evening All I've recently(ish - 5 months or so) moved into a new house - I've got "double" patio doors in one room, the "main" door I've got a key for and opens, but I don't have a key for the second door - The house was vacant for several years prior to purchase and getting info from the vendors is essentially a no-go.…
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Is this lawnmower and battery compatible?
I invested in a bosch GSB 18 V-155 drill and 2 18V 4.AH batteries in a good deal some months ago. I now need to buy a lawn mower for a very small garden of 3 meter x 8 meter and thought since I have batteries already I might as well go cordless for the convenience. I now see however that my drill is 'professional' and not…
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Worcester Bosch Style 8000 Combi Boiler Steaming from the Flu and Whinning Sound?
Hi Everyone, I have a Worcester Bosch Style 8000 Combo Boiler and its steaming from the flu, ( Its 2.5 years old) It has also started to make a whining sound when the hot water tap is closed ( it used to make a sound when the hot water taps are closed but that whining is an additional sound) The boiler was serviced 2…
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Parents renovations for a warmer home
Hi there, My parents live in a cottage built before 1900 with a shared outside cesspit. Their house is in need of major improvements (just been given a D in the EPH) I want to move them out into rented accommodation for 6 months plus (they are happy to do) whilst I organise the repairs. I have rang their local authority…
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Are taps from Screwfix/Toolstation better than Wickes own brand? Or are Bristan better?
My bath shower mixer taps were dripping and can't be repaired as the screw has corroded so I need to buy replacement ones for when the plumber comes back next week. I purchased Wickes own branded taps based on the 4.9 review rating however the reviews don't seem to reflect the quality or how long they last, it's more the…
