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Lawnmower recommendation please
Looking to buy a new lawnmower for the first time and would appreciate recommendations or failing that ones to avoid. I'm thinking a push mower with a petrol engine, preferably with an 18 inch(46cm) blade and a good size grassbox. Lawn is about 800 square metres at a guess; takes about an hour to mow with a 15 inch(38 cm)…
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Blimmin' Clothes Moths.. how soon to do a 2nd moth bomb? (and a toxicity question)
This is war! And I want to win. We finally did a moth bombing at the weekend, how soon should I do a 2nd moth bomb to maximise the effect? Also, my partner really hates the idea of the bombs and chemicals (it took quite a big argument discussion to even be allowed to do a moth bomb). How toxic are they after a half day…
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Bathroom Extractor Fan Help
I live in a Glasgow tenement and have one of those long-ish and narrow bathrooms (~1.3m x 3.5m). Currently I have an extractor fan mounted to the window. It's pretty loud and the room is still quite steamy after a shower but the fan clears it in a little while after the shower is turned off. The shower is door side, not…
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Party Wall and New Neighbours
Could I get some party wall advice please... We are knocking down our garage and rebuilding it. The new build will be within party wall act distance of the neighbour's conservatory. We've not much clue about what we need to do so... 1) Do you need to have a PW agreement when the building that could be affected is a…
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Paying to contractors
We are about to initiate a bathroom refurbishment project in
our house with my wife, and have now received quotes from three potential contractors to do the job. Their quotes range between £15k and £25k. All the contractors are asking us to pay a
deposit of c. £3k upfront. We are a bit scared to go ahead and pay this money…
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VAT on a quote
I've just had a quote (Word document attachment sent by email) for a kitchen installation from an installer that works for a nationwide kitchen company. VAT is quoted separately on the quote but there is no VAT number anywhere. Is this normal at quote stage?? (additional info: They are not a limited company, don't appear…
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Where can I get moisture absorber tabs cheap?
I have a couple of those Unibond Aero moisture absorbers that take a ring shaped tablet of calcium chloride. Before Wilkos were In Trouble I used to buy their own brand tabs, which were reasonably expensive, plain white and didn't smell. Obviously, now they have gone bust I can't get them. The Unibond tabs are really…
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Replacement of Worcester Bosch Greenstar 40 CDi Conventional boiler - system or regular - or what?
It's coming to the end of its life I suspect, after more than 16 years, but where to start with the replacement? It will be another Worcester Bosch - that's for sure - but which one? It's a sealed system with a Megaflo hot water 'cylinder' about 19 years old. No cold water tank. I'm guessing that the replacement needs to…
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UK - Boiler heat exchanger leak fixed in 10mins feasible?
Hi everyone Just wanted some advice, we have a Vaillant Ecotec Plus 837 combi boiler which developed a small dripping leak, I called a plumber and he visited while I was at work and resolved the issue, I had advised to call me before any repairs are carried out but he called me after it was all done. He said it was leaking…
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Remove socket and make wire safe for future use
Hi all, I have a double socket in my conservatory. I’m going to be demolishing it so need to remove the socket. But I’d like to keep the wiring in case we get an extension in its place in the future. The socket is on the end of a radial circuit, the wire is trunked down the wall from the loft. Can I simply take the socket…
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Neighbours guttering
Our neighbours are about to have an extension, and to maximise space were thinking about having the guttering hanging over the boundary with our property. We don't see a problem with this, as are happy to accommodate them. However, are there any reasons why we shouldn't let this happen? Would it be an issue if we ever…
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Tree Removal
Hi I have 2 very tall eucalyptus trees in our garden and with all these navy winds one of them is on its way out, the roots are popping out of the ground and u can see the soil popping out..... I don't really have the money to pay £200 or more (which is what a friend said) I was told that some councils can remove these for…
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render, repoint, paint, or run away?
Hi folks, When I bought my house, this wall had been hastily "built" around a huge pile of soil which had been excavated during re-landscaping. I just put down some weed membrane and gravelled over it. You can see how the previous owner started to build the wall with mortar and then just gave up and piled the bricks up.…
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Carpentry/ floor joist question.
I have major water damage to one wall of my house and the floor joists in the upstairs bedroom are rotted through with damp. I cant see the whole problem as Im looking at it from a hole in the living room floor! If its a worst case scenario (replace all the joists in that room and floorboards) does anybody know what kind…
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Tens of Hours Wasted! UV light, paint,etc
Been living overseas about 15 years. Bought a UK house last year- and started decorating. Lick of emulsion, but lots of gloss, white paint (Dulux Once)....13 doors and a few hundred feet of skirting. It's spring, so thought I'd finish off the white work. I couldn't believe how yellow the paint from Sep last year was…
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Parking space dispute
Okay, so the title may have got your attention but there is no current dispute (I'm not certain this is in the correct forum!). However, I'm moving soon to an apartment block, outside which there are a row of spaces, with one space each dedicated to the owner of an apartment. The place I'm buying has been empty for some…
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Spray foam removal
Just seen a bungalow that we like, however, it has spray foam insulation in the loft which was installed 15+ years ago. Can I remove this as a DIY project or does it have to taken out by a professional? Obviously, I would take the necessary breathing precautions etc.
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Deceuninck Flush Casement Install. Am I being too picky?
Hello! First time poster here. I had Deceuninck Flush Casement windows installed to replace my 90 year old pitch pine ones. I am a bit concerned about a few points, but having never had UPVC before, I don't know if I am being fair. Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Only noticed after then had their first…
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Party wall surveyor/lawyer advice please!
I’m currently trying to get a party wall award having served a party wall notice to my next door neighbour for a renovation project in a terraced house. They have dissented and we have agreed on a joint surveyor. Rightly or wrongly, we have completed some notifiable work whilst waiting for the award to be given - this was…
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Water Damage in an own property
Hi Everyone, Im looking for some advice regarding water damage and who is liable for the repair costs I own a top floor flat in a HA owned building who i pay a factor bill to every month, i have been there for around 4 years Back in mid February i noticed 2 damp patches on my living room and kitchen roof, i informed the HA…