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I'm looking at installing an electric instantaneous water heater, as sold by Galaxy, Redring, etc; I've read that you can't plumb these straight into a thermostatic mixer shower (which is a shame cos I just fitted one last year, only to find out my DHW system is cr*p). So, instead, I'm...

So, a quick glance at current building regs for Scotland shows that things have changed a bit since I last looked! I helped my Dad with a self build in the 90s and at that time the standard way of putting up a house involved 100mm stud walls with exterior cladding of your choice. No worries...

I've installed a thermostatic shower which is plumbed in from the header tank and hot water cylinder. Head on this system is about 3m from the showerhead height. I installed a straight new run of pipe for both H&C, rather than tapping into the bath taps etc. I used 15mm and full bore isolators...

OK this is more of a brickie question than a window one, but hey. I have a very small window that needs to go, due to an internal layout change. I've removed the old wooden window frame and now it's time to brick up. The house is made from two leaves of concrete blocks with a cavity (which has...

Looking to install a screen and I'm amazed at the range of prices. They seem to start at about £50 (or sometimes less), going up to about £150, and then there's a massive leap to about £400. They all look the same to me! Obviously I want to end up with something that is fit for purpose. Any...

I'm looking at purchasing a house whose tank and soakaway appear to have failed. If I replace the tank and soakaway, will there be any need to involve the council? I'd really rather not get bogged down with permissions and fees if I don't have to. I have a friendly civil engineer who will...

My house has just been surveyed prior to going on the market. I have been told that I must confirm whether or not I have a fire valve fitted to the oil central heating, and to install one if necessary. The heating system is relatively modern (late 90s) with a gravity-fed tank and an internal...

I'm in the process of selling a house and the surveyor has told me to fix the back door, which has a blown DG unit and a knackered (corroded) handle. I think the door is welded together so I'm unable to fix either of these problems on their own. Obviously the fastest/easiest thing to do would...

'How long is a piece of string'... I'm looking at buying a house, there are two very similar ones on the market- both late 1980s bungalows. One has an open fire and clay lined flue, the other has no fireplace or chimney at all. In each case I will be wanting to install a woodburning stove. I...

My house is a converted bungalow, one half of the loft space having been made habitable. A small door connected the two areas, but due to some other work I have plasterboarded that opening up and insulated behind it. I have now cut a new access. Apart from U-values, is there anything I should...

No photo at the moment so I'll try to explain as best I can. I have a set of spots in an upstairs bedroom. The switch is a slimline type installed on the architrave. Due to lack of space there is no back box, just a hollow space behind the architrave (about the thickness of the plasterboard)...

My Matsui cooker hood has stopped working, the problem seems to be with the motor itself, which will make a humming noise but not actually turn- maybe as if it has stalled or something. It's a 100w 240v motor. I've had no luck finding the motor as a spare part, so I was wondering if I might be...

A few years ago I found Lidl were selling 1.2w LED tilt downlight kits- set of three lights inc bulbs, all wired together, for £12. Installed two packs in a small bedroom and whilst the light is a bit cold they have been absolutely fine. I know that the going rate for a set of three downlights...

A few weeks ago I got a very cheap mitre saw and was using it for firewood duty when it began to make a horrible noise and, on taking it apart, I found that the ballrace between the motor and gearbox had crapped out- bits of chewed metal everywhere. My firewood pile is slats from palletes, no...

Hi- first post here. Had a quick search but couldn't find anything that was quite the same situation. I'm doing a loft conversion and one of the buildin warrant conditions is that I should ensure adequate ventilation to the roofspace. This includes an air gap between the sarking and the...