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How to stop MDF sag?
Hi all, I’m starting to build some wardrobes in our bedroom. It’ll comprise of three carcasses made up of 18mm MR MDF. Bottom, left, right and top. There won’t be a backer board. The panels will be scribed to the wall. Each carcass will be 440mm deep by 1060mm wide. The whole thing will sit on a plinth scribed to the…
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Pipe leak behind plasterboard?
I've noticed a drop in boiler pressure in the past few weeks ( topping up every 10 days or so) The only thing I have done recently is put up a small lightweight shelf above a radiator. Just one screw either side of the radiator not directly above. I cut down the rawl plugs and used very short screws but obviously I'm…
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Stain on faux leather
Hi, any ideas how can this stain be removed? Sort of greenish blemish on this beige headboard, it happened because I used green pillowcased cushion to sit up in bed. Washing doesnt do anything. Thanks!
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Boiler -why does it fire up so long after demand?
My system is Drayton Wiser trv's and hub, and a conventional Greenstar 8000 (s-Plan) separate zones for Heating and hot water). My issue is that when I call for heat (and the heat element on the boiler starts flashing) there is a variable delay before the flame kicks in. Sometimes this can be as much as 4 minutes. The…
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Will I regret getting a combi?
We need a new boiler and have been considering a combi. On paper it gives us lots of benefits over our old gravity fed boiler: ✅ Better shower pressure ✅ Instant hot water✅ More storage However I have found plumbers appear to either love combos or hate them. Depending on who we've had round, it's either 'combis are the way…
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Some guttering advice required
Hi, during heavy rainfall water pours through the drainpipe/guttering, that exits onto our kitchen roof, gets collected by another level of guttering and through a down pipe into the drain. But the rainflow is faster than what the guttering and pipes can cope with so water is flowing over the side of the roof and all over…
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How can I get the top off this tap?
Hi folks, I have a leaking cold water tap in a bathroom basin. The brand of the tap is 'Bristan', but I am not sure of the specific model. Can anyone advise how to get the top off so that I can access the valve inside? I can't see any holes where an allen key could be inserted.
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Underfloor Insulation
Hi all, In the interests of saving energy in the long term, we have opted for underfloor insulation throughout our ground floor (suspended timber floor). Insulation is mineral wool on netting suspended between the joists. However... post-install, and we're still getting draughts coming up through the sides of the…
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No TV signal, options for Mum?
Hello all, My elderly mother is currently without any TV. She currently has a communal aerial this line is connected to her Samsung smart tv. She cannot get a signal using her smart tv Freeview. It cuts out constantly. She was just using apps via the tv. Now the apps have vanished and she has nothing and can't get them…
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Home ventilation after internal insulation
Ok having internal insulation but have been told I have to have a ventilation fan out the front of my house. My house is small terrace 1820’s not grade 2, nearly directly on the very busy main road. I live within a conservation area as not allowed to have plastic double glazing( didn’t want plastic anyway but could not…
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Neighbours roof possibly causing a leak. What’s my recourse?
I bought a property in June 2022 and since December 2022 I’ve been fighting a leak. I’ve got roofers coming out tomorrow to finish what they describe as a botch job on the lead and sealing. The roofers have also mentioned that next doors roof (terrace house, sloped roof into a shared box valley which we replaced) is…
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Victoria Plum situation
Hoping this is an acceptable place to post this! Looking for a bit of advice. Earlier this year I arranged a new bathroom with Victoria Plum. They were supposed to start a few weeks ago, but the shower base and some fixings were missing, so the installer ripped the old bathroom out, but I was told I would have to wait for…
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Should I be worried about this?
I appear to have a large-ish damp patch on some some of the brickwork on the side of my house. It doesn't appear to be coming from above or below. The house if built on a slope, so getting to that raise part underneath the house would mean ripping-up the downstairs bathroom's tiled floor. Does anyone have any idea as to…
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Bodged up plasterboard fixings when trying to put up a shelf
Am close to tears (and tipping 'over the edge' if you get my drift) as non-stop frustration with DIY , broken stuff, etc in my new house and I need someone to help me think straight, please! I have been trying to put up an Ikea shelf (2 wooden brackets) and have spent hours (I have dyscalculia so I mean hours!) measuring…
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French doors and cold bridging.. advice needed
Hi. We have a timber frame house that is brick skin on the bottom half and block and cladding on the top half. The windows are all set back in a recess assuming within the timber frame or the cavity. We have 2 sets of French doors, one in the kitchen and one in the lounge and both are getting wet plaster where the sides…
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Latest House issue; boiler replacement/Ohms from plugs sockets issues!
In the latest instalment in new house saga... Boiler dead. 13 years old, main red round pressure-stopping bit broken, too expensive to fix for age. Call-out plumber got drenched. Tried to get 3 quotes for replacement (Worcester boiler with non-smart tech clock/timer due to visual impairments, 3m long flue etc) 1) Local…
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Door hinge screws
I need some screws for a bedroom door hinge. The length of the screws should be about 1 1/2 inches in length. I've looked online a lot, but I can't seem to find suitable ones. Either the screw head doesn't seem the right type for a door hinge or the length of the screw is wrong, or they are sold in big boxes such as 100…
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What are these cloudy spots on dishwasher interior?
Dishwasher is 5 years old, I've lived here for a year. These cloudy spots started to appear around 6 months ago on the stainless steel interior. They are completely smooth, and cannot be removed (have tried vinegar and Barkeeper's Friend). Around 6 months ago I re-filled the dishwasher salt (the light came on indicating to…
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Kitchen appliances changed after quote
Morning all. We are in the arduous process of having a new kitchen fitted. The initial plans (which we signed and paid based on) quoted for all AEG appliances. However on checking they’ve fitted hotpoint for the fridge and freezer (incorrectly too,doors won’t fully open on ice box,top freezer shelves). They don’t seem to…
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Building regs, new roof, loft insulation compliance.
Just in the middle of having a new roof fitted. Council building regs inspection finds that the loft insulation is only 170mm and say we have to have 300mm to comply. Our loft is boarded over. Do we have to lift the boards to add insulation or can we add insulation over the boards? The loft isn't used for anything, not…