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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.

Screwing into soffit / fascia.
We have a couple of vents that come out of our soffit. An old one has a cover that appears to have been cut down to fit solely on the soffit. I have just bought a couple of new covers and they will need screwing into the bottom of the fascia if I leave them full size. Am I ok to screw into the bottom of the soffit?…
How to get rid of weeds?
Hi all Please can I get some advice on how to get rid of weeds in my garden and stop then growing back? Ideally non toxic. They are mainly in-between slabs. Also my neighbour has a pine tree and loads of small pines drop into my garden and then start to grow so how do I deal with them? Thanks all
How Should I Go About Refurbishing My Wardrobes?
I've got a couple of weeks off work and I'm hoping to get some advice on refurbishing my wardrobe. It's a real eyesore, especially since the rest of the room has been updated recently. I'm not very skilled with DIY, so I'd like to know if this is a project I can tackle myself or if I should hire someone. The walls are in…
Can I get solar panels fitted for free?
Hi Folks I have seen some adverts that state you can get solar panels fitted for free, regardless of the fact whether or not you claim benefits. Is that true? Thanks
Acorn Stairlifts-Remote monitoring system
Is there anyone else , who has experienced the stairlift remote monitoring system (via mobile phone) being withdrawn by Acorn without any explanation. I would be interested in hearing from you.
Management company issue - am I entitled to compensation?
Hi I have owned a leasehold flat as part of 3 flats. I am the director of the management company together with the other 2 directors who own the other 2 flats. It has come to light recently that there is a damp issue in my flat. The other 2 directors did some work themselves on the garden prior to me purchasing the…
Repointing
My husband has cleaned our windows this morning and noticed some repainting needs doing urgently around some upstairs windows. He is adamant we can claim for this on our house insurance, I don't think we can as surely it's maintenance/wear and tear, can anyone advise? Thanks
Where to buy new part for door lock
As well as the key, my sliding patio door has a catch (inside and outside) that holds the door closed. You have to move the latch so you can lock it with a key. It has snapped off inside the house. Does anyone know where I can buy a new one? Thank you.
Shared chimney
I had a builder/worker from the property next door (working on rented property) asking me if they have any damp issues due to a shared chimney, i told them no. They asked me inside to show me the damp in the upstairs in rooms. He explained the landlord wants the chimney to be removed to below roof level to make it water…
New v old 15mm olive; different external diameters
I am about to reconnect a compression fitting. I was intending to replace the olive but the old olive (which I have taken off) is more substantial than the replacement olive I have bought from Screwfix (17.8mm external diameter v 16.8mm for the new one, as measured with calipers) and I am wondering whether it is safer to…
Combi boiler swap price
Just looking to get a rough price on how much a boiler swap would be? Parts and materials supplied, labour only. I'm guessing it's about a day or a day and a half to fully commission a new boiler. In my case I'd be reusing the the existing flue run so no major coring or engineering here. Literally, all a straight swap. Fyi…
Latest wooden floor trends?
I'm not really one for 'trends', but just interested if there's been a change in what folk find attractive with wood floors these days.Looking for a wood floor, most likely oak (engineered), but I don't like the fussy, enhanced woodgrain appearance on the vast majority that I've seen. Looking for something more laid-back,…
Skirting Board to Wooden Floor Gap
Hi all, Looking for some advice and guidance please. I have found a room where the carpet is slid under the neath the skirting board. Hard to say for sure but suspect gaps of between 0.5cm and 1cm between bottom of skirting board and floor. I am not keen on removing and lowering skirting board, but mindful of potential of…
Water softener
Hi I live in a hard water area and am getting a new boiler installed soon. I asked the engineer if they can also fit a whole house water softener he suggested Combimate. I just wondered if anyone has any experience of this. I am aware some softeners use a lot of salt but this doesn't seem to but I just wondered do others…
GAS ENGINEER REFUSED TO REMOVE OLD BOILER
Hi Folks I have had a new boiler installed at my property. However, the gas engineer refused to remove the old boiler by saying that it has got asbestos material in it, and can't touch it. How can I find out that he his telling the truth? Isn't it his responsibility to remove the old boiler? Thanks
Disconnecting a water softener
After a bit of guidance please. I am having the garage floor screeded and I have to clear the floor area, which is ok apart from the fact that our water softener sits on the floor. There are no shelves on which to put it. I wondered what the best way to remove it temporarily is. I could make a small platform for it, but i…
Mix and match radiators?
Just buying radiators for the house. Need 7 - 3 bedrooms, toilet, hallway, living room and kitchen diner. Was debating putting standard compact radiators in the bedrooms and toilet, then some fancy column ones in the other rooms. All rads from Stalrad, slightly oversized for future proofing. Cost difference is £1,600 v…
changing from storage heaters to radiator - carpet issue
I have just applied for the ECO4 grant and will getting radiators to replace my storage heaters - unfortunately I had new carpets downstairs and couldn't get anyone to remove the storage heaters so will now have feet shaped holes in the carpet - I do have spare carpet but is it going to look a mess if I get someone to cut…
Kitchen worktop sanding
Hi there, I'm looking to sand and re-oil my kitchen worktop. Our kitchen is not massive and the current oiled surface is pretty light - photos attached. It's in fairly good state it's more that the oil has worn away in places, although there are a few black marks around the sink. I could either use a mouse sander or a…
party wall notice not served
I live in terraced house and the next door property has been bought and is in process of being turned into HMO. I have and am enduring all kinds of problems, not least damage, noise etc, to my property that I am trying to get sorted but struggling to deal with the very evasive project managers. I now know that 2 chimneys…

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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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