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I wonder what the old timers have to say on this issue. Whenever I try to balance radiators heated by old cast-iron boilers, I'm trying to attain the mythical 11°C across the radiator. In practice, this seems to be a search for the holy grail because the boiler is invariably running at below...

This is for my mother's house shortly up for sale. Buyer wants new washbasins fitted in rooms that are currently toilet only and she's foolishly agreed to get it done for him :roll: One toilet has horizontal branch of iron soil stack, the other toilet is plumbed into (presumably) clay drain...

Would be grateful for anyone's experience of these pipe benders. http://www.benditnow.co.uk/index.php/plumbing-machines/bhb-15-22/product/show Anyone bought one? Are these any good? Never had a pipe bender myself (always annealed and used spring) and want to learn on something...

This is the bathroom extension. It abuts the outside of an 1890-built cavity wall with slate DPC 2 bricks below the finished floor level. On the left, in what I can only call 'horrible bond', is the extension wall. Having removed the old shower tray to replace it, everything was wet because...

Hi there, I realise a decent adjustable spanner will usually work, but I wondered whether anyone knows if there is a tool specifically designed for the square section radiator valve tails that are now so popular. Today I removed some old internal-hex-type valve tails using a radiator valve...

Hi gents, Thanks for your help with the RCD question. This one is trickier :( This is in the same rented property, so all has to be 100% legal and through the proper channels. I have an illegal loft room the tenants are aware is to be used for storage only. In practice, it is too...

Hi there, Have just had a Period Inspection and PATs done to a house I rent out. Have been advised by the guy doing the inspection that it is no longer permitted to have a non-RCD Freezer circuit and I should change to an RCBO, but he seemed unsure. The freezer socket is clearly...

Copper tube (Wickes retail) 3m 15mm for £7.74, so £6.45 excl. Local plumbers' merchant: 3m 1/2" Black iron pipe £16 excl. 3m 1/2" Galv iron pipe £20 excl. I thought copper was supposed to be expensive? I know there's trade and retail cost, but these are both retail prices so...

Hi there, Just wanted to pick brains. I am replacing a length of VIR cable at home from an existing junction box to a batten lamp holder. The lamp holder is screwed to the wall, and the cable is and will be clipped direct. Previous cable was connected behind the lampholder, but as...

I just thought I would bore you all with a recent experience I have had with a Triton shower spare - a heating can with a failed element after 7 months. By way of background, I replaced the original due to severe kettling after 4 years of use, and had no problem with having to do that. This...

At least it can be unplugged... (No, I didn't do it, in case you were wondering)

Hi guys and gals, Wanted to pick your brains if possible. Just been doing some work on my flat roof and had to remove some Renown tiles from the 2 pitched sections that run onto it so as to get the new covering under the sarking felt. Question: One pitched roof section had the lowest...

Thought you might find this helpful in some time, if I remember to update it... South-east fascia: On old (possibly C19) softwood, stripped bare in places, in other places just rubbed down hard: primer (Permaglaze (as required)), 2x Glidden trade undercoat, 2x gloss Dulux trade Weathershield...

Hi, I have a 2003 6/4l flush toilet in my house that is probably a B+Q special or similar. In the last 7 years, I have had the following fail: 1. Toilet seat 2. Flush valve (only one the plumber could get to fit was the Fluidmaster flapper type, and that needed replacement again...

Hi there, I have a 1980s(?) hinged aluminium door between my lobby and lounge. It is generally in good condition, double glazed, and painted. Not precisely 'lifestyle', but should do well. BUT. The brush pile seals are old and worn, and someone has got paint on them so they aren't...

Hi, I know this is notifiable, but friend's brother is gonna do this [edit: in his house] anyway, so we might as well get it right. Please don't advise on wiring from the CU to outlet - I know how to calculate and check all that, it's just the last bit that puzzles me. Beko recommends the...