Recent content by hemelhandyman

I've just had a conservatory built and need to raise the screed floor by a minimum of 12mm to be flush with a waste manhole surround that had to be installed at the same time. I will then lay sheet vinyl. Can anyone recommend a sheet material which would do the job (not too expensive!) and...

Many thanks Pewit; a bit late for my problem at the time but the link has been really useful for future jobs. Shame about The Ashes, eh?!

I want to repaint a door frame without removing the old paint, some of whch is flaking but this can be removed without exposing the wood. This will obviously leave an uneven surface, even after smoothing edges with sandpaper. Is there any filler type product that can be applied to restore a...

I have a 2 gang dimmer switch controlling a) a ceiling light (which works) and b) 4 wall lights (2 each on opposite walls). The 2 lights on the wall opposite the switch mysteriously stopped working at the same time. After checking the wiring on the dimmer and the lamps themselves (current...

Thanks xr4x4. I guessed that would be the route but didn't want to take the job on unless I was sure it would work!

I've been asked to repair (ie reglue) areas of wallpaper that have 'curled back' along various sections of seams. However, the paper has turned quite stiff. Can anyone advise what I should do. Soak the paper with water to soften it enough to stay in place while adhesive sets? Also, would a...

I want to use Wickes Space Blanket but it only comes in 400mm width. My joists are 300mm. Can I use it (ie compress it to 300mm) or would it likely pop out. Also, would the insulation properties be adversely affected by the compressed fibres?

I've been asked to white woodwash a chest of drawers but B&Q & Homebase no longer stock it. Also, no mention of it on Dulix website. Does anyone know where I can get it or suggest a suitable altenative?

I've been asked to repaint all external wooden windows and french doors; problem is, existing putty is stable (ie not loose) but has hairline cracks every 25mm or so along its length. I think that cracks are too shallow to apply filler but also too wide for coats of undercoat and gloss to fill...

Thanks Joe & Robbie I get the message! Having seen other comments on the paint pod, it seems that even the mighty Dulux can't find a good and easy solution to slapping paint onto a wall or ceiling ... after God knows how many years of civilisation since the Greeks and their Parthenon. There...

Are these any good? I know that the paint is much more expensive but wondered if this could be offset by quicker application (especially the benefit of not having to reload traditional rollers). Any feedback very welcome.

Thanks all ... I've decided to buy 3 new downlighters which will (hopefully) eliminate faults in these if the problem persists.

Thanks guys, I take on your comments about cheapness / handling etc but they don't answer my core problem of why the same lamps blow but others do not (all lamps, those that blow and those that do not, are bought from the same place and handled in the same way!).

I have a problem with 2 lamps blowing (often within a week of fitting new lamps): One is on a 4-lamp bar ceiling fitting in a bedroom and the other is one of 3 recessed ceiling lights in a kitchen (all 3 are wired via junction boxes). Can anyone tell me why this could be happening, and, even...

Thanks Mac But how would Uniclic (I don't know what it is) solve the problem of being unable to make a good tight fit around the profile of the other side of the door frame? (Am I being thick?!)