Recent content by GwaiLo

I am always sceptical about products that haven't either stood the test of time (traditional fixes if you like) or haven't undergone any recognised independent testing (meeting a relevant BS or having an agrement certificate). On the occasions that I provide expert witness testimony in...

ban all sheds. I have clearly ****ed you off and it seems your intention now is to look for real or percieved errors in any post of mine you see. My reply answered the chaps question, whichever way you chose to interpret it, and I am here to offer any help I can. Yours appears to be to...

ban all sheds, Of course all that assumes that your post was addressed to alexnic. However it followed on from mine and, not being psychic, and you not mentioning that it was addressed to him, I didn't assume that it was. There really isn't anything I can add. I think I have explained...

Velux type windows are not designed for shallow pitches (if I recall correctly the minum pitch used to be 22 degrees, although 20 degrees is the minumum now) and the flashings are not designed for use with roof membranes. You might consider using a dome type rooflight.

Having your house rewired does not require you to fit smoke alarms. At present the building regulations do not address electrical instalations at all. The requirements in respect of smoke alarms are to be found in part B which can be read in full here The significant paragraphs for you...

I wouldn't expect anything that comes out of a tin to last more than a season personally. I'd aim to get some proper permament reapirs done over the spring/summer. It sounds as though the flashing is the problem, but if you renew it in lead it will last for decades.

To be honest if you can feel a good draught in the loft that is probably fine. As I said earlier, the cracks in the ceilings are probably due to the age of the lathe and plaster ceilings (which at 70-80 years old must be nearing the end of thier practical life). The only thing you have...

Yes, Roofing felts are degraded mostly by the effects of UV light, which brings about chemical changes which I am loathe to go into. A layer of chippings helps prevent the UV light from being absobed by the felt and so prolongs its life.

See this for sockets, but bear in mind it is not a requirement for extensions to dwellings, just a good idea if it is convenient. There are no regulations about worktop heights in kitchens in dwellings.

ban all sheds, Ah, well I did say that I am always happy to admit a mistake, it on reflection I can see how "Do you understand now?" might appear condescending and I could have phrased it better. However, I promise you that it was not intended to be condescending. It really would have been...

ban-all-sheds, I am sorry but my post did say "I have no idea about Scotland, but I can clear up the "competency" issue and Part P." I wasn't attempting to address anything else. You raised two questions "That raises a couple of interesting questions. If you don't have to be a member...

Ghostbusters? I don't know. Unfortunately I don't think you have the equivalent of a Chartered Building Surveyor in the US. A Building Surveyor is essentially a Doctor for buildings and is able to diagnose most problems.....however, your one might even stump me. Being in the US I presume...

I obviously can't tell you what your problem is without doing a survey, but I am happy to give you some clues as to what to look for. Firstly what is subsidence.....Subsidence is what occurs when support is removed from beneath foundations. This can occur for numerous reasons, for example the...

What, Wacko Jacko's chimp?

ginger, Are you familiar with The British Board of Agrément? If not look here. When I have to specify a building product and need to be confident that it perform as I want and be durable enough I almost always end up specifying a product with an Agrément certificate. They are utterly...