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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.

How to restore a flaking / peeling concrete step before painting?
Hi, please could I have some advice? I'm restoring my elderly mum's front door and step. The area is in a bit of a state of disrepair. There are quite a lot of things needing done to her house so I tackle them myself and learn along the way whilst aiming to save her the cost and interaction with tradesmen. I would like to…
Straightening BT socket
Hi I'm decorating my hallway and this BT socket is not at all level and would like to get it straight. Just not sure if it's ok to take the backplate off. Need to do this to try and reposition the box. The two wires shown aren't connected to anything so the connection is made when the faceplate is in place. And help…
Damp / bendy floorboards rotting
I'm in process of buying a house via auction (have paid £8k fee) but now regretting it as I've found out there is damp in the living room / unsafe floorboards. There's a faulty gutter that the neighbours had complained about for awhile so maybe the culprit. Would it need a damp proof course? Would the floorboards be…
Relaying old Patio slabs after extension
Hi All, We have had an Extension to our property; prior to this I pulled up the paving slabs with the intention of relaying them and avoid them getting damaged during the building works and extend the paving into a previously grassy I have laid small sections of paving for things like a greenhouse but I have two Queries…
Terrible Week Neighbours Builders!
Apologies in advance if this is the wrong section although it is to do with builders it is sort of legal as well. I was on my break at work last Monday and glanced at my cameras at home only to notice something did not seem right. My hedge which borders my back garden fence had been cut down and thrown on my side of the…
Hot water supply has suddenly become very slow
A couple of days ago our hot water suddenly started to slow to a trickle. There's not been anything change, or any sort of shortage or anything. When you turn the tap on it starts OK, then gets less and less until there's practically nothing. We have a fairly common, albeit old, gravity setup as in the image. Header tank…
Replacing Gas Fire
Didn't know if this should be on the Energy board but here goes! I am wanting to replace my Baxi Bermuda gas fire and am looking at options. The fire has been brilliant and still is but it is years old and I don't know how much longer it will last. I will be replacing Hearth, fireplace and Carpet etc and don't want to have…
Smoke alarm mains power
Hello, So recently I noticed my landing light bulb had blown and my aico ei3016 smoke alarm has lost mains power presumably both at the same time but I cannot be sure of that. I replaced the lightbulb and that works fine but the smoke alarm green LED light remains off and it's just started beeping because of low battery.…
Fridge freezer with large freezer and small fridge?
Does anyone make one? The best I can find is 50/50. But we want one to go in the garage with 75% freezer and a small fridge just for cold drinks.
Moving a stopcock valve: 1st Fix or 2nd Fix Plumbing job?
Hi All, The old kitchen has been ripped out. It's a bare room literally. The stopcock valve and connected pipe are visible. For some reason the stopcock was never positioned below the sink. When we removed the old set of kitchen drawers, it was behind them! It's a small kitchen and the new drawers will need to go there.…
What to do with TV with damaged screen?
Hi there. I have a 55" Hisense TV that has suddenly developed a single vertical line (green) right down the center (just a single pixel wide). It it is not really noticeable until someone points it out (I wish I hadn't mentioned it to my family now) but we are all aware of it, now. Luckily, I bought the TV from Richer…
Can I fill a hole and hang a TV
Hi all, hoping to get some advice! Yesterday I was trying to hang a TV on the wall. I drilled the holes with a 10mm mason drill, to the depth of the plugs provided with the TV bracket. However once I started drilling the bit was just tearing chunks out the wall. I therefore took a chisel set and took out material (find out…
Problem with hot water and heating
My boiler which is a standard sytem was installed 3 years ago. Recently heat abd hot water stopped. New pump fitted now works intermittently recently diverter valve head gets very hot outside casing very hot to touch opinions received are I could have it repaired but there is problably sludge in system which will cause or…
Washing line pole
My garden is currently being completely revamped, and I'm hoping to put in a double-washing-line post - I'm not 100% certain I have the right name: it's a tall pole with two lines on different levels attached to the back of the house, the lines are attached to the pole in way that means you can drop them down (to put the…
Builder's Diagram?
We need to get a brick chimney breast removed in a bedroom & kitchen below. There's no chimney above it or any structure in the loft, but we've been told by the bank (mortgage) that they need a builder's diagram. We have 2 quotes but neither with a diagram. For reasons I won't go into time is of the essence and the bank…
Curtain for base of roof lantern?
Hi, I have this roof lantern at home In pure devilish style, it has the pot (the glass) but lacks the lid (a curtain). Being east facing, in summer the kitchen becomes hellishly hot and bright. I can enter the kitchen only from 3pm, when the sun has moved away. I suffer the bright light as much as any temperature above…
Internal wall insulation - as thin as possible?
A relative was asking about how to make a single wall warmer. There's a small bedroom in the corner of the house (1 wall above the garage) and in winter time, that wall is very cold on touch. As it's a small bedroom, there is nowhere else for a bed to be positioned except against that wall (sideways). I suggested something…
Solid core internal door brand/seller recommendations?
Hi I'm looking to replace all my terrible internal doors for solid core ones. I've been looking at Deanta as a brand as someone years ago mentioned them and it stuck with me I'm looking to get fairly simple looking shaker ones, in natural wood finish Any recommendations on food beans or sellers? Thanks
Boundary Fence
We bought our property 2020. Since then our semi was empty between June 2021 until late 2022. The boundary fence between us and our semi, was put up by our previous owner in 2 different levels ( patio area right next to the house 6 foot fence then next 15 meters or so 3 foot fence, however last 12-15m there was no fence.…
COMBINED WATER FILTER SOFTENER MACHINE
Any recommendations for a combined water filter and softener for a residential property (4 people) Many Thanks

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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 Thursday 1 May. For most, this means little will change for now as the Sainsbury's Bank 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, it's worth considering moving any excess elsewhere to ensure your cash remains protected.
Martin Lewis: Is the £20,000 cash ISA limit about to be killed off? What savers should be doing now
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.
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.

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