Draughty fireplaces If the fireplace is never used, it may be advisable to cover it and seal off completely. It is necessary to fit a “hit and miss” ventilator to provide ventilation for the flue. If you want to keep the appearance of an open fireplace, but do not intend to light a fire – […]
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Striking plate / Weatherboard Striking plates / weatherboards are necessary to prevent rain from saturating the base of the door and the sill. The special mouldings are shaped to guide the rain away from the base of the door. Fitting a Striking plate / Weatherboard Measure the width of the exterior door. A slight angle
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Washable Fabrics Fresh grease stains should be mopped with tissues, then sprinkled with cornflour or talcum powder. Leave to absorb the grease, then brush off. If grease has set, scrape off as much as possible, then, gently rub in neat washing up liquid. Using a cloth apply hot water to the stain. Any stain that
Fire blanket Fire blankets can be used to cover a small fire in order to deprive it of oxygen and smother the fire. If you do install a fire blanket, mount it next to a fire extinguisher and check that it meets the BS 65775 standards. Fire extinguisher Fire extinguishers are very useful if installed
Method Try to clean the area of surface dirt by brushing or spraying with a power hose. Make sure the surface is completely dry before applying paint. Cover any furnishing or fittings and use a dust sheet to cover the floor. If interior brick walls are being covered (conservatories, garages or cellars) use emulsion paint
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Chipboard A common product that is made from resin coated particles of softwood. The particles are evenly spread over a flat plate and heat bonded together under high pressure. The standard chipboard is available in various thicknesses, including 9mm, 12mm, 18mm. There are other types of chipboard available including flooring grade, melamine veneered (such as
Checking the condition of the existing exterior door frame The difference between an interior and exterior doorframe is that both frames have a head (the top) but the exterior frame also has a sill (the bottom) and the exterior door is fitted between them both. Check the condition of the existing frame. If there are
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Method When the WC pan is flushed the water level should remain the same level. If the level rises and is slow to clear there is probably a partial blockage near the trap. Fill a bucket (or a bedroom bin) with water and empty into the pan, throwing it down as quickly as possible. Try
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Method Holes and cracks are fairly common on a plaster surface. The main reason is due to movement in the structure or busy areas cracking corners or dented areas caused by moving furniture. Use a scraper to cut into the crack to allow the filler to bond. Use an interior filler, mix as a paste
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Caution Electricity is dangerous and can be hazardous. In doubt? Call a qualified electrician. Choosing the correct size flex It is important to choose the correct size flex when connecting to the mains. The wire has to be the correct size so that it can cope with the power demands of the device. The size
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