Recent content by Archimedes

There is a reset button on the underside of the boiler (on the right hand side towards the front if my memory serves me). Try pushing that in and see what happens. If that doesn't work, I think that the problem is likely to be with the control board or possibly, the solenoid. Either way...

As Eddie M said, try a few applications of WD40 on the spindle of the internal stockcock. Leave it overnight to penetrate. If it still won't budge, as an alternative to hitting it, a bit of heat applied to the spindle may help - a hairdryer on a high heat setting held close for a few minutes is...

Now that the days of cheap natural gas behind us, the pendulum is rapidly swinging in favour of electricity. And if you factor in the high maintenance and environmental costs of wet systems, it is a fallacy to say electric heating is expensive now. In the last year I have had to replace a...

Many thanks for the details of the Chubb site. 'Fraid I wasn't too impressed with their site or offerings. I have tried side-fitting ERA 318 garage locks (decent-looking mortice locks sold in locksmiths and some B&Qs) but unfortunately they were too wide for fitting into the Cardale frame...

I'm trying to uprate the security of a garage door - a single 7' wide Cardale Futura Vertical (overhead trackless wood type in a metal frame) - which currently has a single top latch operated from a central 'T' handle lock. Apart from via the garage door itself, there is no other access to the...

Thanks for all your help chaps. Ollski. I don't have problem with soldered joints - I'm just hoping I can dry out the pipe tails sufficiently to allow soldering. Hopefully, I'll be able to avoid this if I can get the olives off without a fuss and just slip on new ones. Slogger. All the...

Many thanks for that Ollski. Do you suggest using soldered or compression joints for the straight couplers? I've got 7 rads to do, BTW.

I'm planning to replace several radiators. The rads throughout are connected to the system via 8 mm microbore piping, so can I get away with reusing the existing olives and valve cap nuts and simply reconnect these to new replacement valves? If this isn't a good idea, what's the best way to...

Very many thanks for the draining down tip Oilman and the advice on alternative radiators. Any thoughts on replacing the rad valves issue? Any input would be very much appreciated. Thanks, A.

Such as?

An expanding sealant would probably be the most suitable fix. There are three main variants of expanding sealant: polyurethane-based, polyisocyanurate-based and latex-based. The first two expand by up to 40 times the volume so will tend to displace anything loose and can sometimes distort...

Mercedes Benz Oxford charge £41 + VAT for an MOT. For a C-class petrol they charge £200 + VAT for service A and £400 + VAT for service B. And if you don't upset the receptionist you might get a valet thrown in (personally I'd rather have the receptionist thrown in).

It sure beats sniffing petrol!

Does anyone know where I can get hold of window fixings for Boulton & Paul wood framed windows installed around 13-15 years ago? They are a locking cast metal type in a yellowy/champagne lacquer finish. I've got a broken stay and as it's in a room with a lot of other windows, I'm trying to avoid...