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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.

Replacing storage heater insulation
Our semi detached house has 4 older dimplex storage heaters each on a single supply, because of the design of house/electrics it's going to be cost prohibitive to fit Lot 20 Quantums. I know that the insulation in the heaters is cracked in parts and as they are 30+ years old I wondered whether replacing the insulation with…
Garage Conversion Over Public Sewer
I am looking to buy a property with a garage - the garage is not a standalone structure, but it does have a sewer running directly under it with waste water from five neighbouring properties running through it. There is a manhole cover on the floor in the garage at present. I would ideally like to convert the garage into…
laundry dryer : heat pump vs regular : running cost and reliability
I am looking at buy a bosch heat pump dryer £629 or regular Bosch dryer £449. The heat pump version is stated to run at 236 kwh and the regular dryer 560 kwh. I calculate this using current electrify unit cost 22.36p to mean that the heat pump runs at 72pence per per hour cheaper. Is it really as straightforward as this ?…
Opinions needed on possible changes
I would be really grateful for any suggestions on improvements to our house. This is our downstairs floor plan: I hate walking through our lounge and would love a hallway straight to the kitchen. Moving the stairs is not an option; do you think we could convert our garage and walk through to the breakfast room from there?…
Insulated Conservatory roof - load test
I have had my conservatory roof 'upgraded' from a polycarbonate roof to a lightweight insulated roof, makes a big difference. Very pleased with the end result - but - I have made a massive mistake, the builder was keen to be paid so I did although I need him to secure the building control paperwork and instead he just did…
What are these items?
Hi All, I have been clearing out a shed for an elderly friend and found the following. They asked me to sell them for them but I'm not sure if they're worth anything. 1. Nuts bolts and washers - do these have any value? 2. I'm unsure what that item is or if it has any value. 3. Appears to be car parts, scrap? Any help…
No heating for over two weeks
I previously posted a thread on my mum's behalf as she recently moved into a council home and was without heating. After a lot of head scratching about the cause of the issue, it turned out that she needed a new thermostat. Unfortunately, after being in the property for nearly three weeks there is still no heating. The…
routine replacement of boiler parts
Just had an annual service on my Vaillant Ecotec Plus. I haven't had any problems and the engineer didn't raise any issues. They have now contacted me to say that the G10 seal was last changed in 2018 and recommend it be replaced. I checked my records and can't find anything about it ever being replaced. Can any of you…
ISSUE WITH NEIGHBOUR PUTTING UP A FENCE
Hi Folks My neighbour has put up a small fence around his front lawn. Nobody in the street has done that, and the neighbour's property seems to stick out from the rest of the properties in the street Are there any rules as to whether you can put up a fence around your front lawn, or any height restrictions? Where could I…
New boiler, TRV's and weather compensation monitor
I'm due to have a new boiler installed, it's not possible in my home to have a heat pump so we're replacing a very old combi boiler for a newer one, but I'm very confused with some conflicting information, I was told that with new regulations that TRVs have to be installed with new boiler installation where TRVs haven't…
More water pressure... but only for showers and only for one user?!
OK, so I'm just a little unhappy about our water pressure at home. The shower is little more than a trickle and I think an electric pump could well help with that. But :-) more pressure means more water usage and there are elements in the house (read, my OH) who don't like that and anyway are happy with the way things…
Planning Permission Refusal and Permitted Development
We have had an email from the council saying planning permission will be refused for an air source heat pump (ASHP) at the side of our property as, we applied as it's close to our property boundary. The council seem to saying that if we don't withdraw the application and it is refused then we'll not be able to change the…
Blocked down pipe with council house
Hi all, just after some advice. I privately own a semi detached ex council house with a council house next door. At the back we've got shared downpipe for the roofs as part of the guttering. Am I able to have my own downpipe which goes into the drain on my side? It's blocked completely to the top which meant I've had to…
BOXT - any good ?
Our boiler needs replacing (it popped this morning and is now dripping water)Are BOXT any good ?Do they work on Saturdays ?
Restrictive Covenants on property
Hi all We recently purchased a house with restrictive covenants in place. They weren't ideal, but they also weren't deal breakers. The original covenant was dated 1994 when the property was purchase as a Right To Buy from the local council. The first was a proof of local connection etc - all fine, our solicitor dealt with…
Victorian terrace - loft conversion - structural calcs
My plans have just been submitted for a loft conversion on our victorian end of terrace and the work is due to start early next year. The loft plans had structural calculations which included adding new steels which will be fitted across the top of the gable end wall across to the party wall at 3 points to support the…
New Fridge Freezer or Repair ??
So my 2020 Beko frost free fridge freezer has stopped working, for some reason it is making a lot of noise and is not getting any colder than 16 degrees for the fridge and 8 degrees for the freezer no matter what the temperature dial is on. The motor is always on. The fan seems to be running. I phoned a helpline and was…
Asbestos
So the house I grew up in had pop corn artex ceilings and my first home and current home have it. I googled and on forums they said it’s a risk. My entire street has it and I can name lots round here and towns near me which have it. I have anxiety about this sort of stuff but lots of other houses have similar ceilings? My…
Pointing bricks in garage
I posted recently as i was having a floor laid in the garage and i had found a leak in the utility room that affected the wall between the garage and utility room. Leak repaired and floor laid with no problems i am aware of. The bottom rows of bricks, up to the area around where the leak was, have lost their pointing and I…
Burglar alarm
I have a a CR123 battery kept failing in the sensors every year. I was being charged alot of money for all ours to fix a simple battery how much would I expect to pay locally I was being charged £60 to replace battery and £120 for a yearly service. Perhaps I’m happy to service it now and again but would any local companies…

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MSE News

NatWest to complete takeover of Sainsbury's Bank this week – here's what it means for savers and borrowers
Sainsbury's Bank's savings, credit cards and loans will be taken over by NatWest from 1 May. For most, this means little change for now as the Sainsbury’s brand will remain, though it's expected to be phased out towards the end of this year. However, if you've over £85,000 saved across both banks, you'll need to move any excess elsewhere to ensure your cash remains protected.
NatWest to complete takeover of Sainsbury's Bank this week – here's what it means for savers and borrowers
From Thursday 1 May, Sainsbury's Bank credit cards, loans and savings accounts will be run by NatWest as part of a deal between the two banks. You'll be moved to NatWest in the future, likely towards the end of this year, but for now the Sainsbury's Bank brand will remain and you can continue to use its products and services as before.
Martin Lewis: Is the £20,000 cash ISA limit about to be killed off? What you need to know
Plans to cut the £20,000 cash ISA limit later this year are being considered by the Government. In his latest video, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains what's likely to happen, what the changes would mean for savers and what you should be doing now.
Warning: 'WASPI' women affected by State Pension age rise should watch out for 'steep rise' in scams
If you're a woman born in the 1950s affected by changes to your State Pension age, be on high alert for scams offering compensation for this. Campaign group Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) and charity Independent Age have warned so-called 'WASPI' women to be extremely careful, as there's been a reported "steep rise" in the number of scams targeting this group.
Martin Lewis: 'WASPI' women affected by State Pension age rise should beware 'steep rise' in scams
If you're a woman born in the 1950s, be on high alert for scams offering compensation for those affected by changes to their State Pension age. MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has warned so-called 'WASPI' women to be extremely careful, as there's been a reported "steep rise" in the number of scams targeting this group – with some even using Martin's name.
Small pension pots to be automatically combined in future under Government plans – here's what it could mean for you
If you have a number of small pension pots you've built up over years of changing jobs, they may be automatically combined in future under new Government plans. This could make it easier to stay on top of your pension savings and reduce costs – but it's still very early days, and we don't yet know exactly how the scheme will work in practice.
Martin Lewis: Aged 20 to 25? Trick to get a FREE four-year railcard worth £100 from Santander
If you're aged 20 to 25, there's a trick right now that can get you a free four-year railcard worth £100 via the bank Santander. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis takes you through it.
Went to an employment tribunal between 2013 and 2017? Can you reclaim £100s?
Tens of thousands who overpaid employment tribunal fees are now due a share of £13 million, which could be worth £100s. But refunds aren't automatic, so you need to act to get your money back. Here's what you need to know.
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.

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