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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.

Can someone read this old meter please.
I have been billed over £2500 for the month of September for electric🤯. I know it’s wrong I would love if someone can confirm the reading🙏🏽
LVT, pins coming through the floor
Had some lvt fitted 1 March 2024, it come with a warrenty for floor and fitting - anyways move to now and they have been back twice to fix pins coming through the floor, second fix solution was to remove these pins totally in effected tiles, this was done 27 Aug 2024. Since then had 3 more new tiles with issue and raised…
Replacing old brick 1960s garage
My detached brick garage was built in 1960s and over the last few years big gaps have appeared between the bricks on a large part of one long wall and on a shorter wall. A builder I got to look at it got out his spirit level and thinks part of the foundations has cracked and the garage has sloped. He says that he thinks…
Where can I get this window catch
Bathroom catch came off on side whilst having it renovated now struggling to find exact type
Have you a Lidl Parkside Extendable Hedge Trimmer-could you check this for me please?
Hi, I would be very grateful if anyone who has a Lidl Parkside Extendable Hedge Trimmer such as below, could quickly check as indicated in the picture below, if you have have two screws, where it seems to be missing in mine, leading to a fault. Many Thanks.
Blinds for composite front door
Hi, I have a door simlar to this, it is composite. During the winter months, people outside can see if I am in as the light from inside shines through the two windows. Has anyone found or could recommend suitable curtains, blinds or similar that can be pulled down/rolled down from inside over the glass at night? Thanks in…
Reattach bathroom tiles help.
Can anyone offer advice on the best way to reattach four fallen bathroom tiles? Initially, there were a couple of loose tiles separating from the wall. When I tried to check them, two more tiles came off with what looks like some of the wall , exposing some bare brick behind them. It seems like water has been getting…
How to hang bathroom cupboard on stud/plasterboard walls?
Recently had our loft extension finished and now have a cupboard we need to hang in the bathroom - it's mirrored and quite heavy. Do we have to find the studs behind to hang from or can we hang on plasterboard (if so how)? I am hopeless at DIY and sadly DH is too but have no one we can come ask to help either
Internal wall archway damp patches
Hi we’ve just got round to decorating our downing room after moving in a few months ago. When we’ve painted the dining room archway these damp lines have appeared all the way round the square arch. They are inside and around the edge. It’s an internal wall and above it is a bedroom.
Electricity Circuit Help
I have a query. We currently have a 32A circuit dedicated to the cooker. However, in our kitchen refit, we need to install our Induction Hob - and this is 7.2 KW. The electrician has suggested using the cooker circuit for this, and to then plug the cooker into a normal socket. This makes me a bit nervous. The cooker,…
How to seal up gaps?
Hi all Can I ask, what would be a good way to fill up the gaps along where there flooring meets the skirting board? Ie just a filler or foam etc?
Broken patio jointing
Hey guys, My folks patio, of about 15 years old, has some issues with the pointing. Some parts are missing and some parts have cracks. (See pictures below). I'm wondering how I can fix this for them? I've considered.. 1. Some mortar in a tube that my Mum got from Wickes, looks okay (Express pointing mortar) 2. Small tub of…
Neighbours extension has window into attached garden
Hi, Is this extension legal and will it prevent us doing a full width single story extension across the back of our house (if we buy it)? If not legal, what do we need to do to ensure we can build? I don’t want to have to cover any of neighbours costs to fix something that I don’t think they should have done, and I don’t…
Ventrolla - has anyone replaced the weatherfin pile
Think I need to replace these weatherfin piles, does anyone know what they are called or type. Don’t want to go back to Ventrolla, did ask them couple of months ago along with quote, they replied to the wrong person with the wrong quote, think their business model has changed they are more into replacing the whole window.
How to repair this sandstone door surround?
Taken from thread on House Buying forum: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6555328/have-the-choice-between-a-newer-build-and-a-victorian-terrace-help#latest
Want to extend attic hatch
Hi, I would like to extend my loft hatch as it’s only a foot wide. I have a standard truss roof and I’ve taken a photo shown below. I fear this won’t be possible without significant roof structure alterations as the hatch is nestled between the beams. Does anyone know the possibilities here? Thanks
Heating control ideas?
The diagram below illustrates my setup: * I have a Megaflo solar-compatible tank. * The boiler outlet is directly connected to the tank, and as far as I can tell, there's no dedicated control for hot water or heating—both are supplied via the Megaflo. * On the ground floor, I have Neostat underfloor heating with zone…
Windows Condensation
Hi, Looking for some advice and thoughts please. With winter approaching I have been paying attention to and noticed condensation on the inside of my house windows on a couple of days when the temperature dropped. Most of the windows in my house are double glazed and all of them replaced around 3 years ago so have good…
Mould resistant paint
Hi, We've recently had our spare attic room plastered and plasterboarded in places. It previously did get spots of black and white mould at times. We're therefore considering using a mould resistant paint rather than what we regularly use. Normally we use Johnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt but instead we're thinking of using…
What to do with old solid oak flooring?
Guys, If things go to plan then around 25 sqm of used solid oak flooring to do something with. It's tongue and groove, lacquered and solid - not engineered. About 15 years old at a guess, with some planks the laquer has gone, others it's fine. I looked and I'm not sure it's worth selling, probably too much hassle for a…

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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.

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