Recent content by expat paul

thanks

Would a very dilute solution of the infamous PVA work ???

Hi, I have just spent a good day sanding and cleaning the previously painted ceiling (plastered) and walls (plaster bricks) in my bathroom. Late last night I tried to apply an 'sous couche platre' (I live now in France I think its best translated as a primer undercoat for plaster) with a...

Hi, I'm renewing my shower-room which had a tiled concrete floor with all the water and waste pipes in the concrete. I have removed all the tiles and dug out the trenches and removed all the copper and waste pipes for the reason :- the tos*** who installed the copper, bent the pipes over...

Yes thanks, I have had my answer from one of the two forums you gave.

Hi all, I need some advice on a french electrical problem after reading the electrical book 'L'installation electrique' . The wiring on the first floor of my house is what I would call politely 'interesting'. I have 3 bedrooms, toilet, bathroom and landing area electrically fed from just...

Thankyou very much, all is clear now. I will make a quick fix this weekend and then a full repair when we get some sun.

Many thanks for the advise, I have one question if I may and excuse my ignorance but what or where is a "sink back gutter" regards from Chartres

Hi, I have a leak in my roof around the chimney breast which I assume is a problem with the mortar flashing. I would like to do a quick fix now, as the weather is not good either raining or sub zero, and a full repair in a few months. I was thinking of a coat of bitumen based paint...

thanks all just for info does anyone know what the other 6 wires are for ?? as on the 'LEGRAND' website for 'prise telephone' I found a wiring diagram with specific coloured wires going to specific terminals.

Hi, Does anyone know or knows where to find, a french telephone wiring circuit diagrams. I have the main french telecom cable (2 wires) coming in to a junction box, then a 4 pair cable leaving, going to the only socket/outlet. The socket has just 2 terminals used ie grey and white wires...

Hi, I've just bought a house which has a double garage built in to a two tier garden, so that the flat roof of the garage is ground level for the upper tier. The roof is made from reinforced concrete blocks over which there is only a thin skim. My problem is that the skim has cracked and...

thanks :D , my only thought would be to use silicon sealant, very carefully, unless someone can think of a better way.

Hi, I have framed 6 mirror tiles ( self adhesive) with ceramic wall tiles above a wash basin in my downstairs cloakroom. Can anyone tell me if I can use ordinary ceramic wall tile grout between mirror tiles ? I remember from somewhere that tile adhesive and grout can cause problems after...