We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

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.

Meter cupboard key
I've gor a meter cupboard in the block of flats where I live, and someone has locked it. What key do I need to open it? I like to take meter readings twice a month, so need access.
Boiler and main gas valve
I have for the first time in my terraced property had to replace my boiler. I am concerned that where the gas meter is, there is no sign of a gas shut off lever or small square knob. How do I go about finding it? It is a 1900 house and have never needed to shut off the gas so far from the mains.
Induction cooker circuit wiring
This is just a warning to anyone thinking of getting an induction hob or range cooker. Our cooker circuit, which was installed 6 years ago as part of a kitchen refit, has 6mm cabling. I understand this is the standard size for most cooker circuits. Our dual fuel Rangemaster has been running on it no problem for years. I…
Dehumidifier with multiple timers
We've got a Meaco Arete. It's pretty good, but it doesn't have a timer. We have solar panels and cheap electricity during the night, so I'd really like to limit run times to 0900-1700 and 0030 and 0530. I've back a look around, but not found anything that does this. Before I give up, has anyone seen such?
Awkward Gas Situation - Advice please!
Brief as possible! Last year we had a new gas fire fitted. This year we had a different gas engineer come in to fix a small control fault and then service it. (Both engineers are qualified and came from checkatrade/trustatrader highly reviewed) However he stated that it had not been installed in accordance with…
Are '80's Marley tiles prone to porosity?
The roof on my house is leaking and I need to get it fixed. It was built in the early '80s, using Marley 16" x 13" concrete tiles, with a shallow roof slope.As far as I can see, the main cause of the problem is that the felt installed under the tiles is of poor quality (bitumen impregnated hessian?) and was badly installed…
New kitchen required
I've got a small galley kitchen in my 1 bed flat Alart from painting the doors of the cupboards & putting some new ceramic tiles in, I've not done any other work on it in 21yrs of living there. I therefore want to completely refresh the kitchen. The cupboard carcasses are in ok condition but doors definitely need changing.…
Help - screws not catching
We have attached a kitchen pole to our wall, it’s going through tiles and then a dot and dab wall to brick. There are 6 brackets and 12 screws but about 4 of the screws aren’t catching and are just spinning when they are fully in. These are the screws I got - just wonder if anyone has any idea what it could be or what we…
Internal door lock latch can’t be screwed into door
So this might a bit of a pathetic DIY question but I’m wondering if anyone has any tricks up their sleeve for this small issue I have. The wood where the latch used to screw into has disintegrated so it no longer secured in causing it to stick out and catch the strike. I could use filler to build it up but I don’t think…
To prime or not to prime
Just started a rip out to refurb our bathroom. The walls had 3 coats of paint that came off nicely to leave bare plaster that is in pretty good nick. My question is, do I need to prime the walls before I apply the two coats of bathroom paint? If so, what product is good and not too expensive?
Plaster repair lumps
Just had some plaster repairs done but they have not been blending in well so are lumpy. How is the best way level this down alot of sanding?
Imperial Bathroom Mahogany Toilet Seat
I have got an Imperial mahogany toilet seat. It has got water marks not on the seat but on the actual lid. To replace it costs £400 unbelievable so so expensive. Does anyone have any ideas of how I could treat it to remove the marks. Could it be sandpaper. I am sure that it is solid mahogany. I would appreciate any…
Which Vacuum Cleaner To Buy
My Miele vacuum cleaner has I think burnt itself out. Turned on the other day a burning smell and a bit of smoke so reckon it is caput. It is a Miele cylinder and has served me well for about 8 or 9 years. I am looking at buying the same brand again as it has been the most reliable brand I have owned. They no do a bagless…
Tapworks NSC9PRO Metered
I'm looking to get a new water softner and as there are only two of us I want one that's metered rather than on a timer like our old one, to hopefully use less salt. Looking at the Tapworks units, the current one that will fit under our sink the NSC9PRO doesn't mention anything about being metered. I've come across the…
Jammed multipoint locking system
The door to the garage has a multipoint locking system and a key operated lock. To operate the multipoint system the handle should be pushed up beyond the horizontal to engage the locking system, but it isn’t doing that, I can’t move it up beyond the horizontal. The key also doesn’t work, as when I try to lock the door…
Replacing an integrated dishwasher
Not sure if this is a completely stupid question, but I’ve never replaced an integrated dishwasher before so don’t know exactly what to look out for The existing one is old and needs replacing. The wood panel on the front has a long horizontal handle on it. When I look for replacements, the picture show handles in…
Which nails to tack rail to domed fence panel?
I have got some domed fence panels however they arrived without a capping rail on top so i got some bendy wood to add on however, does anybody know what sort of nails to use because feather edge boards are quite thin and I'm worried about splitting the feather boards if they are too long or fat.
Internal oak engineered doors
I had new oak internal doors fitted a few years ago but I put a dark stainer on them. Apart from removing them and rubbing them down, is there any other way I could remove the dark stain to make them lighter. I have heard that i could take them to the garden and jet wash them? I'm not too sure about that. Kind regards Jeff…
Flooring - can't decide
Hi Realise there are a lot of posts about this but? Moved into my new home last year and trying to decide which flooring, hallway, lounge, dining room. When I visit flooring shops they seem to want to push me to LVT which I don't want. Hardwood flooring - expensive but also flooring companies talk me out of it saying it's…
Blown render
Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has experience of this. Our house render has blown and we've been told that this is what is causing mould and water patches on our interior walls. The render looks so poor that it looks like we could easily knock it off. We currently can't afford the quotes we've had to replace the render but…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
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.
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.

View All

In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Category List

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free