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Much of our house has had the glazing replaced with modern pvc. Two original windows have been retrofitted with thin double. One on our landing has single glazing. I don't really need the window to open, so I was wondering if there's any reason I couldn't replace the pane with a modern double...

I'm installing a 2kw solar array on my garage roof; I won't be getting FIT or have a battery, so I'm looking at making the most it. I was planning on putting a diverter in place so that the immersion heater in our hot water tank kicks in when there is a suitable surplus. You can get 1kw...

Our house still has a few of its original windows and all but the landing have clearly been retrofitted with thin double glazing. The landing window is a simple tall pane with a small top-hung opening at the top. Is there any sane reason not to replace it myself? Surely it's just a case of...

I'm using lime putty mortar for repointing and I'm going to be adding some pozzolan. I assume you add it to the knocked-up mortar just before use in smaller batches, rather than when knocking up?

I'm going to join a 25 gallon tank to our existing 25 to accommodate our power shower. The roof members are approx 50 x 100 with ~400 centres across 4m. I don't have a supporting wall. The existing tank is sitting on ply, resting on 2x4 across the joists. I assume it would be alright to do...

Our cold water tank isn't large enough for the power shower; I was going to add an additional tank, join with two 22mm links and move the fill/overflow to the second tank. Would adding a second fill valve (off the 15mm feed) increase the flow to the existing tank? I can't imagine they are that...

Our shower pump is on the way out, so I've got a Stuart Turner showermate as a replacement. The old pump was on a makeshift shelf halfway up a stud airing cupboard, so I'm moving it to the floor. The pipe feeds are all 22mm but the new and old pump are 15mm. The old pump has 22-15 hoses and...

I need to repoint the front of the house; it's a 1900 house so it's got lime mortar, which I plan to use when repointing. I'm going to dump some hydrated lime into a dustbin and fill it with water to give it at least a few weeks to mature. I can work out how much mortar the wall will need -...

We've a Nabis shower pump (D12091) that seems to be leaking from beneath one of the end covers; it's not an inlet/outlet so I'm assuming it's a seal. A replacement pump for 22mm pipework looks pretty expensive at £250 for something like a Salamander RP75PT. What are the chances of me being...

Very occasionally, maybe once a day when the heating is on, there's a banging noise like someone knocking loudly for a second. The only thing that's changed is that we reinstated a radiator after about a year of not getting round to it. I'm assuming that there's some air in the pipes and it...

We've an old Potterton Kingfisher boiler with a pumped open-vented (I think) system. I was going to install a Magnaclean as I know the CH isn't the cleanest from radiator removal during decorating. I'm not 100% sure on the function of all the pipework: 1&2: This is obviously the shower...

Model FAB30QRO. The freeze (unadjustable) is around -15 to -17; the fridge is 10-12. Adjusting the temperature dial does very little. I've done a full defrost; the unit has no vents or fans. I assume there's no coolant leak or it wouldn't be working at all. Could anyone suggest things I...

As per an earlier thread, I'm removing the old unattractive boards and replacing them with reclamation. I'm undercutting the original skirting as the new boards are thicker. Any tips on laying the boards? I'll obviously leave a gap behind the skirting, and I guess 1mm between each board. I...

The other half fancies traditional boards for the bedroom; the old boards are a bit naff so I've been looking at salvage. Our existing boards are 15/16mm deep, but most of the reclaimed boards are 20/22 up to 30. Our original skirting is not going to come off without taking half the wall with...

This might sound a bit mental, but bear with me. Our house has a loft conversion, which upon moving in I've repurposed as a home cinema. I studded and boarded the window as I had no want of light in the room. It's fine, but it's a little warm in summer; it obviously gets warmer still once the...

Our power shower starts making a whine and then the water goes cold after an average shower duration. Average for me, not the missus. I legged it upstairs after the last time, and although the water wasn't at the outlet level, it was within a couple of cm. It must be the tank size, because if...

We've got a conventional heating system; and while I've only had combi boilers up till now, I like the system. The only thing that bugs me is that the system will heat hot water on its own, or heating and hot water, but not just heating. It's not really a problem because we only ever have them...

We don't use our open fire very often, but I'm going to get a fireback to go against the brickwork. Most don't have legs, so what's the normal procedure for affixing? I figure I could either just prop it up behind the grate, or drill a couple of holes at the top to screw it in place. I'm not...

I tested the heating yesterday and it was fine, but this morning I noticed that the house was warm and the heating was turned off. The thermostat stayed illuminated and heating carried on regardless of the temperature. The MPV was stuck at heating; I killed the power and it stayed there, but I...

I've got a lot of wall and ceiling to cover at the weekend, and I was thinking about using Dulux trade paint. I recall reading that it should be thinned slightly before use - but is it necessary? I figure that if it's not too thick for the roller and brush then I'll just get more opaque...