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Hi This wall could probably do with some TLC! Do all the gaps need (lime?) mortar put in? Theres a few gaps where stone has fallen out. Unfortuantely money is very tight. Can I ask a builder to 'just do the worst bits' or will that look odd? How much per metre do you think it would be to...

Hi all Ive been doing a house renovation. The inside is fairly finished. Im now turning my attention to the outside. I want a low maintenance garden, but with lots of green and some colour. Im also on a very very limited budget. As you can see from the photos, the garden is currently a...

I went up to the loft the other day and noticed damp patches on the chimney stack: What could be causing this? The pointing in the chimney stack above the roof line? The chimney pot has a cowl on it. All the cob around the stack is dry - its only the dark bricks you see that feel slightly...

We've removed all the plaster from this room (it was gypsum plaster so was 'bottling up' damp). Im going to get it replastered (using lime plaster!) but thinking about leaving the whole wall around the fireplace exposed. Is this a good idea or is there likely to be some downsides? I have...

Hi guys I have a big towel rail in the bathroom and a smaller towel rail in the ensuite. Each one has two lockshields. Id like to turn both towel rails down as they make a bit of noise and get hot (I basically want to save a bit of energy!). Is it a simple case of removing the lockshields and...

Hi We had the rear elevation rendered earlier this year and left a portion of it exposed stone. The stone was repointed using (non-hydraulic) lime. There looks to be a damp patch which is there permanently, no matter if its sunny or raining. It doesnt look like rising damp does it...

Hi all Ive just finished painting the inglenook black. Just looking for a second opinion. Would it look better in calico/off-white? Thanks

Hi We've had a new floor screed put on. We will be having engineered wood boards over it. The carpenter has just put on all the skirting boards, but shouldnt the flooring go in first, and then the skirting goes on top of the flooring?

Hi Ive been quoted £120 for an internal door architrave and to hang the door. Does this sound about right? Cheers

Hi I asked the electrician to fit a new pendant light. I got back from work and found he's centered it in the room (which is to be expected), but hes fitted it to beam! Is this normal? I would have fitted it just off the beam (ie from the ceiling). +++++++ moderators note some pointless...

Hi, we've got to paint the entire interior of a cottage which has cob walls and has been recently plastered. Whats the best brand/type of paint for the walls which will allow the cob to 'breath' and can also go on stud walls? We've already done a mist coat with very cheap, watered-down, white paint.

Hi The extractor fan in our bathroom has worked for a few years. The electrician set it so that you turn the fan on - if needed - and off using an isolation switch. Then over the past few months it works for a bit and makes grinding noises and then stops. Or it stops for a bit and then come...

Hi all We've had new windows fitted. What does this purple button do? (the image shows the bottom of the window). There a purple catch top and bottom. I presume its so the window can be angled out so as to clean the exteriors? How does it work?

Hi, We've had windows installed. Some replaced the old windows; others were put into new window apertures. What do we need to do regards getting them signed off? The building inspector needs to sign off the building works, so will he sign off the windows too? The installer is FENSA registered...

Hi all Whats the biggest a window sash can be before its too heavy to be swiveled/hinged? I want a big window, but also one that can be opened to allow ventilation. Thanks

Hi all, The new casement windows and vertical sliders have been installed. Theres dust and bits of render and plaster in the mechanisms that the installer said Id have to clean out or it will break the mechanisms. Whats the best way to do this? Vacuum cleaner? Is there any lubricant that can be...

Hi all, We've just had a new kitchen installed. (Not the most expensive, but certainly not cheap). A couple of the drawers you have to push really hard to get them to 'soft close'. Theres also a spice drawer (tall and narrow) which you have to really pull to open, it feels like its stuck. Are...

Hi all, I have a small cob cottage which has been re-plastered using lime plaster. Do I need to use breathable paint? (I presume I do so moisture doesnt get trapped). I dont have the budget for Farrow & Ball. Are there cheap alternatives? Thanks

Hi all Is the below a standard height for a basin? I have it setup ready to plumb, but it seems too low!

Hi all I order some big pvc windows which were meant to look out into the garden. The chap said they would have a thin astragal bar going down the centre which I agreed to. However, these were installed yesterday and they look awful! The bar is very wide and ruins the view! I dont have the...