Recent content by isley76

Hi, My father-in-law's drive is tarmac over a concrete base and it looks like the concrete has started to crack as the tarmac is split and crumbling in a few places. He doesn't want to pay to get the job done professionally and is planning to DIY it by stripping off the tarmac and then...

Just moved into a 1950s house. Heavy rain last night so went to check the loft and found water running down the outside of the chimney breast within the loft. Can't quite see up to the top of where the water is coming in but assume there is some lead flashing on the outside that joins the...

Hi guys, One of the polycarbonate panels on my lean-to conservatory pitched roof has slipped down a couple of inches leaving about a 1.5 to 2 inch gap under the lead flashing where the pitched roof meets the house. No water is getting in as the flashing is covering the gap but it's bloody...

Hi cjh, Where abouts in Herts are you? I'm in Hemel and have a 1950s house. I've got a patch of felt missing and the back of my tiles reads: Redland 50 862055 A quick google says Marley and Redland were 2 of the main tile manufacturers for post-war houses. Do you know who your...

Thanks guys, I hope it is condensation but the house is quite high up on the peak of a hill and it gets very windy in our street. I wouldn't be surprised if the wind was blowing the rain up under the tiles in which case wouldn't the felt be needed? datarebal, please could you explain why...

Hi, The house I recently bought had some diy insulation put in by the previous owner in the form of rockwool between the rafters held in by hardboard screwed to the rafters. My surveyor recommended this be removed as it was a condensation risk (no air circulation behind the felt)...

Hi scrapbook, It could have just been the surveyor covering his a*se but the full survey report recommended removal of the mineral wool as there is no air gap between it and the black stuff behind the tiles. The black stuff behind the tiles is thin black plastic strips (2-3mm) in a tightly...

Hi 2funky, Definitely check out WoodYouLike's website. I did a lot of research there before choosing to go for engineered wood for my conservatory: http://www.xyloflooring.com/index.php/General/X-treme-collection.html It has 6mm real wood with a 15mm plywood back (21mm total thickness)...

Hi, I've just bought a house built in the 1950s and the previous owner had "upgraded" the loft insulation by lining the inside of the roof between the rafters with mineral wool and then holding it in place with hardboard screwed to the rafters and purlins. The surveyor report recommended...

Ok, I'm going to sound really stupid now, but what's wrong with neon screwdrivers? I'm guessing they're not safe / don't light up when circuit is still live? I've used them on light sockets in the past after switching off the main switch on the fuseboard :shock:

Thanks guys, I found a useful flow chart here that describes the rules for notifiable work http://www.competentperson.co.uk/files/consumerbooklet.pdf Cheers, Isley

Hi, Sorry if this is an FAQ but I can't find the answer. I am having a new consumer unit fitted (notifiable work under part P) by an electrician and he is going to test and issue a part P certificate. Is this all that is required or do I need to obtain permission from LABC before the...

Good spot. The electrician also noted that the wiring to the shower is 4mm so needs to be upgraded. Plan is: New RCBO CU Rewire shower 6mm+ going from CU up through ceiling into landing floorspace then through bathroom wall into back of shower. That way shower wiring stays out of the...

For my family's safety I'm planning on having every piece of electrics he touched ripped out and replaced to 17th edition standards. This will probably mean: New CU (am thinking RCBO) Complete removal of all wiring from bottom of waste pipe to loft (via bathroom) Rewiring of bathroom...

Thanks londonboy, The shower problem was a stuck valve which I managed to clear by removing the hose and turning to max cold to flush out the clinker. Will ask the electrician about wiring in a new shower as I know the previous owner put this one in and I bet it's not safe. Isley