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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Got a question about home improvement, DIY or home appliances? This is the place to get help from other MoneySavers.

Electrical bonding to lead water supply pipe
I've asked this on another forum, but hoping to get some more information. I also know its very unlikely that someone can give me a definitive answer on a web forum, but hopefully this can inform any imminent discussions with an electrician/plumber. I have had a small leak as the mains water pipe enters my house, a…
Battery for Solar Water feature
Hi all i I have bought a 2nd hand water feature which came with a pump and solar panel. The pump works when the panel is in direct sunlight but stops when it is not. It’s has a battery backup but it doesn’t charge not seem to be functioning at all in spite of the panel being outside for a few sunny days. So I’m thinking a/…
What Should I Look Out for When Buying a New Bath?
I'm in the market for a new bath and was hoping to get some advice before I buy. Most of the baths I’ve come across seem to be made from acrylic, and in all honesty, I’ve never encountered a situation where a bath has failed due to a quality issue—so I’m not sure what actually separates a good one from a bad one. I’m…
Faulty gas cooker valve fitted
Please can anyone help me. I have just been told, by emergency gas engineer, that I have a faulty gas cooker inlet valve, it was fitted four months ago by a fully qualified gas engineer and it needs changing. Would I have to pay for him to come back out and replace it? He told me on the phone that it was all checked after…
Internet in my cabin (120ft/ 40m from house)
Hi all, I’m running a cat 6 cable 50M from my router (in the house) down the garden to my wooden cabin. In order to use wireless Internet in the cabin, do I just need to plug the cat 6 cable into another wireless router? Will the network have the same name? Sorry for such a basic question.Can anyone recommend a cheap…
What type of bolt could be used to hold the bifold open?
Hi.When only one 'swinging' bifold door is being used, how can it be held in a partially-open position to suit different weather. Obviously it will be blown open and closed if left swinging.It has the magnetic bumpers to hold it in the fully open position - flat against the next door section - but there are many occasions…
Step edge trim?
We had our step lengthened as was too sh ort however the old trim is now not long enough and I am having trouble locating the same one as the old one is self adhesive pvc plastic and only like 1mm in thickness and 4cm in width and 100cm in length. I've looked though wicks and b and q websites but can't find one the same so…
Old unknown wire.
I'm shortly going to getting some of the pointing on my property (bungalow built in about 1960) and prior to this, I've been removing some old screws and nails from the brickwork. I have an old cable running up the front of the house and I was wondering if anyone knows what it would have been used for. It's very hard…
Skim or Replaster?
Renovating spare bedroom in our victorian terraced house. Taken the lining paper off and skirting/architrave. This wall separating front main bedroom and spare bedroom seems to be lime plaster and skimmed at top in gypsum for some reason. There's a fair old chunk missing at base. Should this be stripped back to brick and…
Boundary screening
Hi everyone, we have a low boundary fence at about 3ft high. Wanting some privacy between the garden and next doors, so I’m looking at putting up some screening. The type i was looking at was the wicker/willow shoots that come in a roll. I was wanting to put up 6ft high screening, will this be ok if i attach it to a 3ft…
How to hang this picture on solid plastered wall
I have this picture that is lacquered back and front, so I daren’t drill into it. The hook is too near the top, so any wall hook is going to show above the picture. What can I use to attach it to the wall? It is quite heavy, so I’m unsure if a nail will hold it.
Should a decorator be able / willing to remove a picture rail and make good?
1930s house with a wide (9cm) picture rail with attached architrave below it. I guess it was designed for displaying plates rather than hanging pictures. It needs removing as part of a revamp of the room. I’m having some fitted units built and so it is in the way of the units. The designer has got a quote from a plasterer…
Dinner plates to last a lifetime
As per the title, I’m looking to buy some new dinner plates for everyday use. We currently have 1 x Corelle set which has been going for 20 years+. They are dishwasher proof and seem to be hard wearing, so we will keep using those. But I could do with an additional 4 dinner plates, side plates & breakfast bowls. I looked…
external conservatory door - new door or new hinges?
Hi - please could someone give me advice on this? (photos below) We have a (old ish?) conservatory - the back faces south, and the side with the door faces west When it's hot, the door is a bit difficult to close, and really difficult to lock. We thought we could just have the hinges replaced - you can see that the…
Can I apply dye to an Oak veneered door?
Can I apply dye to an Oak veneered door? The door has already been treated with Osmo Door Oil. I have tested a small area on the top edge and it seems that the dye does actually soak in which surprised me. However I am more corncerned with whether the dye will affect the glue and cause delamination of the veneer? Also are…
How to turn off child lock on washing machine?
Hi all We have a Indesit My Time EWD71453WUKN 7kg Washing Machine with 1400 rpm - White - D Rated However, when I pressed some buttons by mistake I think I may have activated the child lock. Now I can't turn it off or open the door. I've unplugged it and left it for ages and pressed and held the on off button and the start…
How do I lift this drain cover?
I have not come across this type before. Is there a special tool? Thanks
Kitchen Sink Drainage Problems
Not really sure where to start with this, the whole story! We had an extension built in 2021, this involved moving the kitchen sink into the new extension and removing the old one. The new sink is about 10 feet from the old sink. I'd just assumed they would plumb the new sink into the old drain as it was fairly close, the…
Anything I'm missing with my proposed bathroom design?
Planning my first major bit of work in my home. Found a builder I think I can trust, though I'm getting the impression there will be little guidance and more just fitting whatever I get. I've tried to get the proportions as best as I could and want to get others opinions on the layout and whether there is something I'm…
Pulsacoil boiler replacement
Hi all, I have been advised by engineer to replace the Pulsacoil boiler as it is leaking (it is over 10 years old). I wanted to find out if anyone has dealt with (the only people I can find on line that do these boilers), https://pulsacoil.group/book-a-repair? Are there any others worth considering? The price given for…

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MSE News

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.
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 Payments 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.
Which NatWest and RBS branches are closing from 2025? Here's the full list – and banking alternatives
NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which are both part of the NatWest Group, will shut at least 108 of their bank branches in 2025 and beyond, after the Group announced a further 52 NatWest closures.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
Winter Fuel Payments will be reinstated to all pensioners in England and Wales this winter – but will be clawed back automatically from those earning over £35,000 a year, the Government has confirmed. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis.
Car finance mis-selling update: regulator prepares for compensation scheme – and warns against using claims firms
Payouts for mis-sold car finance could be another step closer as the financial regulator has set out the factors it will consider if it were to introduce an industry-wide redress scheme – though we won't know more about how this will work until after a key Supreme Court decision expected in July. In the meantime, the regulator has warned that you DON'T need to sign up with a claims firm to be included.
Winter Fuel Payments to be extended to pensioners earning £35,000 or less – here's what we know so far
Winter Fuel Payments will be extended to all pensioners with incomes of £35,000 or less this winter, the Government has confirmed. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up.
Winter Fuel Payments extension confirmed for this winter – watch Martin Lewis' instant response and his message to the Chancellor
Winter Fuel Payments will be extended to more pensioners this winter – though not to everyone – the Chancellor has today confirmed. However, exact details of who will now qualify still remain scant. Watch MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis give his instant response, as well as his key message for Rachel Reeves.
Nationwide Fairer Share: Free £100 bonus confirmed for 2025 – here's who will get it
If you bank with Nationwide, you could get a free £100 paid into your account in June or July as part of the building society's 'Fairer Share' scheme. The bonus will be paid to millions of its current account customers who also have savings or a mortgage with it.
Forced onto a prepay energy meter? You may be due money back as 10,000s to be compensated
If you had an energy prepayment meter forcibly installed or your smart meter was remotely switched to prepay mode without your permission, you could be entitled to compensation of up to £1,000 and may even be eligible to have your energy debts written off.

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