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In My Home MoneySaving sticky
Please be aware of the MSE Forum rules, notably that you mustn't post personal information. Take extra care when uploading photos and make sure that they don't contain personally identifiable information. 🏠 Here are some Forum threads you might find useful: * Please ensure your electrics are up to date * Find Instruction…
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light switch replacement - keeps tripping electric
replacing light switch, keeps tripping. i put wires as they were in previous switch its a two way light switch, on top of the hallway and at the bottom of the hallway there is another switch/light fixture and it is linked to that. i put the wires exactly as in picture on the new swittch, but it keeps tripping any…
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Worcester Bosch combi replacement
I've an older (19 years at least) Worcester Bosch Greenstar CDi that needs replacing soon and I'm looking at suitable replacements. Should I replace it with a more modern WB Greenstar such as the 4000 or stick with another CDi. It does say something about the model that WB still manufacture them and I've always found them…
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Spray foam loft insulation removal, likely cost?
We live in a 1930's semi which had spray foam applied to the underside of tiles nearly 30 years ago as there was nothing under the tiles. Open cell and nothing to indicate any problem with timbers which are solid if probed.I'd like to get a very rough idea of likely cost for removal before contacting any of the firms…
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Being asked for 50% deposit before any work is done
I’ve accepted a quote to totally renew my Conservatory which is an eye watering 15 K from a local firm that seems to have a decent reputation (although yet to find anyone who they’ve done a conservatory for) Having very badly burned by a local builder previously I am very much more careful and they say the job will be…
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Converting garage to make space for pool table
Hi Would appreciate some advice on whether i can convert my garage to make space for a pool table and what the costs might look like. I am thinking i can remove the bricks from the side of the wall (pictured) and then put bi-fold doors in it, so i can open the doors to allow sufficient space to utilise the cue properly.…
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Matt pure brilliant white paint
What are your recommendations for painting wall and ceilingd including links to best brilliant white paint that leaves no streaks and minimal.coat required. One that is not off white but pure brilliant white Thanks!
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New interior door & Casings
Hello, I am after having new interior doors fitted. I live in a property which was built in the early 2000’s. They come with why I would say are the standard interior white, boring doors. I would like to swap these and get the light brown oak internal doors to modernise the house. There’s nothing wrong with the ones I have…
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Isolation valve type
Can anyone identify this type of isolation valve? I can't get it to budge and the grooves are too wide for a standard flat head to get any purchase.
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Old TRV - how do I remove the end to access the pin?
Hello, my parents have this old TRV which has jammed shut. I’ve googled how to try to free the pin but can’t get at it. The metal ring keeping the TRV on doesn’t unscrew, plastic barrel doesn’t come off, the metal end piece turns but doesn’t come off. Any ideas?
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Bathroom refurb, ideas please
Im Looking for ideas, so i sound at least vaguely knowledgeable when I talk to a contractor. I have an en suite bathroom, that needs refurbishing. It has a shower enclosure built in. It's currently tiles with 6in tiles floor to ceiling, circa mid eighties. I want to keep everything in the same place; shower, bidet, loo,…
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Skirting board options
Due to having to have a ridiculously thick layer of screed in our new kitchen (don't ask) there is now no room for a skirting board under the radiator. WWYD? Options I have thought of so far… Get plumber to come and raise the radiator. Get normal skirting and cut out a big section where the pipes are too close to slip it…
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Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay a builder's VAT bill months after the work was done?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks… I’ve been sent a £1,584 VAT bill by a contractor who did work in my garden over a year ago, and more drainage/building work in August. At the time, he didn’t charge VAT for either job as he wasn’t VAT-registered. He now says he had to register from 1 May and needs to charge…
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worried sick , cracks in house
i have seen stepped cracks on outside wall and noticed same place inside as well. initially i thought inside was just blown plaster. blown plaster in other parts of house as other walls need re-plastering as well due to cracks. also noted a crack outside in straight line where bay window is attached to house. also , cracks…
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How do I remove these curtain tracks? (sorted)
Hi ………….too late……. I applied my expertise at breaking things, and broke it………… I intend to paint my walls, and want to remove fixtures from the wall. I'm not sure how to remove the curtain tracks to get access to the screws. Conscious not to break it. It felt like there was a moving part underneath one, but the other 3…
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Cavity wall insulation causing cracks on render - Insurer/Installer AWOL
Hi! Nearly 10 years ago I benefitted from a government scheme to have cavity wall insulation on my semi-detached property. In the last 2 years, the outside render has been cracking along the bricks (and some internal damp which I don't necessarily attribute to the work carried out) so I decided to raise a claim as the work…
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Poor roofing work
Hi, I was quoted for a flat roof replacement and this was carried out this week. The roofer had to come back twice as they did not finish the corner in the photo correctly and again because they had scorched my guttering and downpipe. My concern now is that the photo I sent to him shows that the osb is rotten at the joint…
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1960s garage roof
I've noticed for the first time that the underside (inside of garage) has what looks like papery cement peeling off in a number of areas. These multiple areas are around 4cm by 0.5cm. It's a timber garage with corrugated sheets for the roof. I had the house (John Lawrence semi) roof tested a few years back and came back…
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Washing Trainers
Hello all, I hope the hive mind of the forum can advise about whether I can wash my trainers and they'll remain useable afterwards. My normal trainers for just non-event running (Nike Pegasus 40) are smelly. It all began when I did a waterlogged ParkRun 7th February - this is one of the drier parts of the course that day:…
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Advice regarding a builder on a second day of work.
Hello all, I have started work with a builder regarding new foundations for a porch (2 + 1.5 meters) and foundartions for 2.3 meters of garage door infill. Bricking up a garage door and leaving space for a window. Replacing flat roof to lean to roof and a drainage as per thames water consent to connect (to a 100 mm public…
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Layout advice
I’ve lived in my 3-bed mid-terrace in South London for 10 years. Thought I’d grow into it, but it’s still just me. My kitchen and upstairs bathroom are getting tired and the boiler is very old, so I’m planning to replace them. That’s got me thinking about reworking the layout, taking some space from the garage to create a…
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348 discussions
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Most recent: Crack in party wall after neighbour building work by silvercar
2 February at 9:36AM
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