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Hi, I need to render some external block work, I plan to use sharp sand, cement and water in a 4,1,1 mix. I was planning on wetting the wall first and applying the mix in a 10mm layer and then scraping lines in it. I was going to then wait a week, and apply a finishing coat, and then sponge it...

Hi, I'm trying to change the switch which controls my heating; I took it off the wall and it's got five connectors (L1,N2 and L2, N2). The switch isn't broken it's just not very appealing so I know what's there works. I was going to use a light single gang light switch, with COM, L1 and L2, but...

Hello, I need to render some blockwork retaining walls in my garden. There are some drainage points in the wall, but it does get damp in winter and I can't tell whether it's coming from behind or it's just been rained on, which is why I want to use Lime render. The blocks are standard 7N laid...

Hi, In my garden, I've some old slabs and I'm planning on pouring a concrete slab to make a new patio. I was thinking of putting the old slabs on top of some dpm (after going over with a whacker), pouring about 50-75mm of concrete, dropping in some rebar and then putting same amount of concrete...

Hi, I've some external retaining walls that have been built, but it is now no longer possible to get behind them. The majority of them have several drainage ducts. I've been told that it's not possible to render the walls as the moisture would cause this to blow. Is this true even of lime...

Hello, I need to get some blocks to build a 500mm high retaining wall in a garden. I plan to lay them flat (on the largest area side) but which would you recommend? The blocks we've got elsewhere in the garden are about 100mmx200mm*400mm. A building merchants were talking to me about heavy...

Hi, I need to screw my plastic light fitting to a ceiling which is 12mm plasterboard overboarded over old lathe and plaster. I'm not really sure how to go about doing this, and I'm worried about drilling through and hitting the electrics (don't worry power will be turned off, but I'm worried...

Hello, I'm trying to work out how to clean up after we've had a lot of dust created from going back to brick and lathe and plaster removed. A friend of mine mentioned that you might be able to hire a fan collector with a HEPA filter attached, but I've spoken to a few hire companies and no-one...

Hi, I've just been told that slamming strips around a door should be fitted after the carpet, when the actual door is fitted. Is that correct and it seems bizarre from my perspective. Thanks, James[/u]

Hi, I was wondering what type of screws/rawlplugs I should use to fix 20mm thick pine skirting board to a wall. The plaster's a bit wavy so I want to screw rather than glue to the wall and the bricks are too solid to nail anything through. Google searches seem to suggest a 7mm dia, 3"...

Hi everyone, I have a part of a room space, 3x3.5m, with 21mm chipboard T&G flooring and no skirting. The floor is secure and solid. which is raised above another part of a room, connected by a L shaped step. I want to lay solid oak flooring (90mm wide, 19mm thick). I'm planning to screw...