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I’ve used Isoflex liquid rubber to paint a parapet. When first applied a year and a half ago it had a nice shiny finish. Now, the whole painted area has turned dull and matt. On very close inspection, there is slight crazing/cracking. I used half a tin of 0.75L Isoflex Special Primer, followed...

Hi there, the paint on the kitchen ceiling is peeling off in some areas. What would be the best way to deal with this? I was thinking of scraping back the loose bits and priming with something like Zinsser BIN before filling the bumpy areas and then applying a topcoat. I just want to make sure...

You see them all over the place. Are they the ends of reinforcing bars or something like that?

I'm replacing the ¾" steel pipe that currently runs from my small cold water tank to my central heating circuit because it's blocked with sludge from top to bottom and won't let any water pass. Should I replace with 22mm copper pipe?

Question in the title. I want to remove this bleed valve from the radiator in the first picture. It appears I need some kind of long slotted tool. Any ideas? Diameter 1/2"

I'm looking at replacing an old radiator in an office/bedroom (see attached photo) with a modern convector radiator. I've been trying to work out the BTU/Watts requirement for the room but there is a large discrepancy between the various calculators available online (with some suggesting as low...

There are two locations in my house where damp is occurring near to copper pipes. I have an intuition as to the cause in each case, but I'd appreciate a second opinion from you more experienced chaps before I call in a plumber. 1: Salty efflorescence emerging from the plaster (wallpapered over...

Hi, just wondering if anyone could advise on the following. I am restoring a fireplace, and am onto tiling now. The hearth tiles are dull and worn out; the glaze has lost its shine. The tiles are old, circa 1880s. I am planning to replace the badly cracked tiles, but for the others I want to...

What is the traditional substance used to join sections of cast iron downpipe together? I had to take one of my downpipes apart to clear a blockage, and I need to put it back. I have attempted this with Plumber's Mait but I am not sure it is the right thing.

I have an acoustic tiled ceiling in a bedroom. See the following image: Photo of acoustic tiles Is it possible to skim over the ceiling to get a smooth finish?

There is a trench next to my house that was put in by previous owners to reduce damp, I want to fill this with 20mm pea shingle. In local builders' merchants and DIY stores, the shingle comes unwashed – there is evidence of sand/silt in every bag. Does this negatively affect drainage?

I've constructed some softwood shelving in an airing cupboard. I now need to apply a paint system, but the wood is not primed. I can prime it in situ, but some surfaces will be inaccessible. Should I dismantle the shelving so I can coat all the hidden surfaces with primer?

I'm after a few lengths of timberboard for skirts and boxing in pipes. Wickes are doing 200 x 2350 x 18mm lengths for £15.48, is this a fair price? http://www.wickes.co.uk/Timberboard/invt/110044

I've taken down a louvre(?) vent like this while decorating the bathroom: The air brick is near the ceiling and the vent was facing upwards when I took it off (i.e. the other way round than in the photo). Is this the correct way round?

Hi, just wondered if the following problem is a common one: My bathroom sink's wastewater pipe (looks lead-based) has been 'chased' into the base of the wall and runs to the back of the house exiting into a drain. The wall is a bit damp along the 2 metre run of this pipe and it has affected...

I was just wondering if it's possible to get a curved (or curvable) rainwater downpipe? This is because I am looking into bringing a downpipe across the house to meet an existing drain – but the wall that it must cross has a bay. Also, does downpipe have to be angled towards the ground (as...

The story begins in an 1880s flat conversion in Richmond – my parents' home. I'm in the process of helping them sort out their bathroom, which has unfortunately been in a dire state for years. Here's what's happened inside: The lime render has fallen off the brickwork, due to moisture...

Vertical or horizontal? I'm talking about those old Victorian brass ones.

There's a light switch in my bedroom which doesn't do anything (but is live), as the original light fitting is long gone. I'm thinking about the best way to neaten up... Can I safely shorten & push the lighting flex back under the floorboards and terminate with a 3 core connection box? There...

What is the better choice these days for replacing sash window cord – waxed cotton or nylon? I think 8mm diameter is right for my windows, how do I make sure?