Recent content by thompster

Hi woody, that's exactly what they have proposed. The additional insulation is in the eaves only to increase the U value where there is only 4 inches between the top of the ceiling pb and the undersides of the tiles. There is no suggestion of using it across the whole roof.

Hi everyone, thanks for continued advice. I spoke to the roofer today. The story is he is a member of something called 'Competent Roofer' (www.competentroofer.co.uk), which is a Government-backed scheme under which suitably qualified roofers can self-certify their work instead of having local...

Hi Woody, I did think it was notifiable from reading the regs. I'm not 100% sure whether the U value is meant to be 0.16 or 0.20 but either is more than 50mm celotex. The job spec lists a breathable membrane so that's covered. As far as insulation goes, if it's a case of 'consider...

Thanks Tony. It seems odd to me too. The schedule of work has come from a reputable local firm who I would have thought would have known what they were doing. I'll have a chat with them and ask why they think its necessary go to this length. Cheers, James

Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear about the battening. The 50mm timber will be fixed onto the outer surface of all rafters to increase the thickness of the rafters from 100mm to 150mm. The reason given is so that they will accommodate 100mm insulation plus a 50mm air gap in the eaves.

Hi Tony, According to Planning Portal, replacing less than 25% of a roof doesn't need approval but 'You are replacing/ repairing more than 25 per cent of the roof area, in which case, the roof thermal insulation would normally have to be improved.' So does that mean the roof itself...

Thanks all for the helpful comments. I'm pretty certain a complete like for like re-roof does need building control sign-off, though I suspect that stage is often skipped. I've seen this roofer's work and it's very good. The trouble is our neighbor wants to use a different roofer who is...

Hi experts, I've been getting quotes on a replacement roof on a 30's semi and wanted to check something I've been told. We have 4" joists and ceilings that are vaulted round the edge. To meet building regs and stop condensation we need Celotex between joists in the eaves. All ok so far...

So, despite the warnings about this being a really difficult job I went ahead and bought a new diapraghm and fitted it this morning. I have to say it wasn't difficult at all. Getting some of the retaining clips back in during reassembly is a bit fiddly but thats about it. All in, it took...

Thanks Namsag.. found a load of stuff on that now and sounds like the problem. Presumably the Diaphram was just about coping with low pressure but not with the higher pressure now. That will give me somthing to do next weekend.. cheers, T.

Nope, since apart from anything else I didn't lay the MDPE. Supply pipes prerrty much either work or don't work. If water comes out of the end at a pressure/flow rate commensurate with the size of pipe it's working. None of the plumbing in the house has changed and it worked before...

Hi, Since changing main lead supply pipe for 25mm MDPE my combi boiler doesn't fire up as it should. I now have to turn the kitchen tap on fully before the boiler fires and have one basin tap (10mm braided hoses) that doesn't get any hot water at all. Previously even a trickle of water would...

Hi all, I'm about to paint my freshly re-rendered house. Am I better off with Dulux Weathershield Trade, or the Weathershield consumer version? I'm not planning to do it again so cost isn't important but want to get whatever will make the job easier. According to the Dulux Website I need...

You're right that it's more like mixing cement. Rendering is normally done in two coats using 4:1 sand/cement, 5:1 sand/cement or sand/cement/lime mix - others will argue the various merits of mixes. If you've got a lot to do it might be worth hiring a mixer. First off you PVA the wall, or...

Thanks telelec, I'd read that the crimps wouldn't work but assumed it was because of the difference in conductor size, not just the insulation. I'll follow your advice and keep the housing but use gell crimps inside and if I see a friendly looking OR engineer I'll see if I can get the...