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We live in Scotland and our electric is supplied by SSE. We have THTC tariff which is common in remote areas. Essentially we have two meters, a bit like Economy 7, but instead of cheap overnight electric we get cheap rate for certain ‘heating’ items eg storage heaters/immersion heater/electric...

We have a coffin style fibreglass septic tank (approx 4m x 1m x 1.5m deep) installed we guess about 30 years ago. When emptied last week it was apparent that the internal dividing wall (very approx 1m x 1m) had become detached and was now floating on the liquid surface. We suspect this may have...

Top oven and grill working but can't get main oven to work - no oven light, no fan and light on temp dial (the one that goes off when oven is up to temp) not coming on either. Have checked that oven is not set to auto. Any ideas on what the fault could be please? Thanks

We have just bought a Toshiba TV to replace an old TV that’s dying. The signal to the TV is currently via a coaxial cable and the new TV does not recognise the signal (I now read from the manual it needs to go into a scart socket on the TV). We are not in a Freeview area and our Sky box is in...

We have recently plaster boarded a room and had a plasterer in to put on two coats of multi-finish plaster. The room is warm and ventilated and now, after nearly a week, we want to finish off putting in the back boxes for the electrics. Having a problem getting a neat edge using a dry wall saw...

Have searched the forum but can’t find exactly our situation so sorry if the answer is out there somewhere and I’ve missed it! We want to increase the amount of insulation in our loft space but are concerned about just increasing the insulation at joist level because of the increased risk of...

We have just replaced the syphon in our closed coupled Doulton WC so we can have an internal overflow. The original syphon was marked Caradon bathrooms Ltd and came with the WC which we bought from B&Q 10 years ago. The replacement is an Opella Delchem Multiflush Syphon. Both are 9.5". The...

Our water comes from a private supply through 63mm MDPE pipe. Most of this is buried but some lengths (about 100m from our house) are still exposed and vulnerable to freezing. Currently we are wrapping with bubblewrap secured with baler twine but, although it seems to be working, it's a bit...

Does anyone have any experience fitting Schock cristalite sinks? We are refitting our kitchen and I have seen the sink at a friend's house - looks brilliant. I suspect it will need careful handling until it is fitted and am particularly concerned about drilling out the tap hole. We are in a...

I am about to replace my condenser dryer with a vented model. I am trying to get a general idea where to position the vent for the dryer which is going to be stacked on the washing machine. We haven't chosen the exact model yet but wondered if there are any general guidelines eg max hose...

We have had quotes for repairs to our lead valley guttering. The work will involve welding lead patches over damaged areas of the lead. The valley is basically sound having been completely replaced only 8 years ago. The quote is not cheap but what is of most concern is that they are only...

We are renovating an old stone barn which was originally converted in the early 80s. There was evidence of damp due to a leaking roof which has now been resolved, there were no extractors in the bathroom and kitchen which we have also now installed. There is no evidence of rising or penetrating...

I cast a 6" step about 3 months ago made up of 5 parts quarried aggregate (type 2) with dust to 1 part cement. During the recent prolonged icy conditions this step was salted and the surface in the centre of the step has broken down to about a 1/2" depth. The sides and other areas of the step...

We have just had a pine staircase fitted. The wood was given one coat of waterbased acrylic varnish prior to delivery. There is some green staining under the varnish on one part of the staircase which we understand from asking around could be mould. We have managed to reduce the intensity of...

We are having an extension built and will be running the heating from LPG which is being installed with the extension. We will be using a Gazco heater (heat input 3.65 kW) and also will be running a pipe though to the ceiling above our kitchen to serve a gas oven and hob which we plan to...

We are having an extension built. The uPVC windows ordered by the builder already have cills. Do we still need to use the precast concrete cills that have been included on the plans approved by building control? I will speak to building control direct but just wanted some background advice...

Our slate roof is connected to our neighbours roof with a long, wide lead valley. The valley was completely replaced about 6 years ago but unfortunately it gets damaged by falling slates. We are looking for some means of either catching the slates before they hit the valley or lining the lead...

We need to move our two electric meters. We will be getting the electricity board to move them and an electrician to reconnect to the consumer unit, so we're intending to do everything by the book. I just want to know if there are any regulations which cover where electric meters can/cannot be...