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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.

Dodgy Light Switch - Lights Flickering in Other Rooms.
Hi I have a light switch for the bathroom that needs replaced. It controls the extractor fan, and the halogen lighting. I pressed on it today, to turn the extractor on, and lights in other rooms flickered. I do not know if this is an over reaction on my part, but I then turned the electricity for the house off at the…
Vado DX thermostatic shower
We have an intermittent problem with our Vado DX thermostatic pumped shower. It was installed a year ago as part of a total main bathroom makeover by a small independent builder recommended by our architect (we had another ensuite bathroom that needed drawings and Building Control sign off). The builders had installed many…
What to put behind beadboard for moisture control?
I want to cover parts of my conservatory in beadboard. My conservatory has dwarf walls for the most part, built onto the (painted) brick of the back of the house. One whole side of my conservatory is like faux-windows or blanking panels I guess - it’s laid out like the same frame as the windows but where glass would be is…
Seeking recommendations for kitchen extractor fan without external vent
Hi everyone, I recently discovered that my kitchen extractor fan does not have a vent to the outside. My flat was built in 2017, and I'm concerned about whether this setup is compliant with building regulations. I've been struggling to find any specific laws that address this issue. I'm wondering if anyone here has faced a…
Shower trap/waste question
About to fit a new ‘hi-flow’ Mcalpine shower waste which comes with a thicker bottom seal that goes ‘under’ the tray and a thin top seal that sits on the top facing side of the tray directly underneath the screw in part. I’m really not keen on these thin top seals, so what are people’s views? Leave the seal out and replace…
Units for small kitchen
Hi I am renovating a small flat I bought and struggling what to do with the kitchen , It’s very small about 9ft x 6ft . ideally a galley style would work out best but that would on leave just over 2ft space in the middle if I use standard size units . Would using smaller depth base units be the answer ? I believe you can…
German Kitchen For A Small Space
I would really appreciate your experience and opinions on the following: We have a tiny kitchen in a large(ish) flat. It is currently a 20 year old galley shaker-style in a 4.2m x 1.9m space. I care for my mum in the flat but we used to have carers who did the bulk while I was at work. I am trying to get back to work so we…
Repair or replace Samsung washing machine?
Before I start I'm not asking for anyone to diagnose anything here and it's a gamble on an unknown fault (although if you can diagnose please do! ;) ) I'm just asking "what would you do". We've had a Samsung Ecobubble washer dryer since 2015 and yesterday it now sounds like a bag of spanners. As the drum turns there is an…
Foundation type and effort estimate 8m x 4.8m cavity wall outbuilding
Hi Everyone – first post here. Been looking at your forum for a while now and its given me lots of really useful advice. The specific advice I am after here is around the footings and oversite element of the proposed build below. Situation I’ve gained planning permission to build a 8m x 4.8m block cavity wall, single…
Agggh. Frustrated. Someone please suggest a container so raw Onions don’t stink fridge out.
Hi guys & Girls. Maybe this ain’t gonna save anybody any money, but it will save a lot of stress. We have a mobile Caravan. Obviously, it’s not the same as a kitchen but we still enjoy cooking in the van. The big problem we have is Onions… we love em. However, we like to prepare them before we leave and we often put them…
Property Boundary / Planning Permisison for a shed
Long story short, we've bought our house in 2022... We've recently built a shed in the back garden but our neighbour doesnt like the fact that we have a dog so complained to the council that we didnt have planning permission.. they said we need one because she shed lies in front of the front of the house.. We are a corner…
Could you box in these stairs?
I'm thinking of making an offer on this house. Just one thing, I'm not a big fan of stairs in the lounge, but I'm trying to think in terms of things that can be changed and things that can't. I think it would look much better with full wall up behind that sofa to box it off a bit. Could that be done, or anything else to…
water damaged artexed ceiling
I have a 1980s terraced house i let which unfortunately incurred a leak from the bathroom which created a small amount of damage to the artexed ceiling in the living room below. I sent a plasterer round to test it for asbestos and i suspect it will come out positive so i am wondering what the best course of action would…
Curtain Conundrum
I need to get new curtains for my lounge which has a 2.3m wide bay window with a seat (curtains sit outside the bay), a door to the balcony and a side window (approx 1.75m high). I’m going to get door curtains for the door and side window as they won’t need shortening but I can’t decide what to do with the bay, my options…
Install Helifix or not?
I have an exterior vertical crack in my wall (heat expansion), the loss adjuster pointed me in the direction of Helifix. I also did a structural survey and was told to "rake out mortar and fill with flexible acrylic filler". I asked for additional clarification from the surveyor as the loss adjuster and a lot of blogs…
Loft extension price in Redbridge, Hainault
Hello all, My family of 4 ( 2 young ones ages 3 and 7) are outgrowing our small and cramped 2 bed mid terraced house in Hainault, Redbridge (Greater London). We are settled where we live and keen to remain in the area. However to move to a new property in this area would mean increasing our borrowing and taking on a larger…
Oven Advice
We have an electric oven and gas hob which both came with the flat nearly 8 years ago and didn't strike me as being particularly new at the time. Some time ago the inside glass in the oven door came loose but it still functioned OK. Then in the last couple of weeks I gather the element has gone because it's taking much…
Crack either side of bay window
I'm interested in buying a house which has cracks either side of bay window. It looks like it is upstairs and down. Is this likely to be a serious issue? I'm not sure whether to offer or not I don't know if it is relevant but there was a massive Christmas tree just between the bay windows. It was in a raised bed about…
Soundproofing internal rooms
Hi, I’m considering using a downstairs room as a bedroom however there is noise leakage through the party wall from my next door neighbours. I can hear muffled conversations when they are using their room and the TV when it is on. I was wondering if it would be worth soundproofing the party wall on my side or whether a…
Small crack, external Bay Window.
Afternoon all, Perhaps I'm being concerned about nothing here, but I've noticed a small, vertical 'step,' crack to the external bay window. About 1mm wide. No corresponding crack on the inside. As it is a bay window (3 bed semi), I'm being extra cautious. Surface drainage and gutters are all good. No idea how old the crack…

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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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