Recent content by KarenN

Getting quotes in for replacing lead water pipe which runs down under concrete driveway. I have 3 different plumber's advice: 1. Leave existing pipe under driveway and trench from water meter across front lawn with new connection pipe, dig down under foundations and up under floorboards...

Can anyone tell me where to buy an electric scraper? I am removing the plaster off walls and currently doing it manually - quite a laborious job! The plaster is thick in places and thin in others! I need a DIY style electric scraper NOT an industrial one. I can find accessories for them on the...

Having removed old plaster from internal walls (1920's build) I have been repointing where the mortar is powdery. I have been using the ready made just add water mortar - as I wanted correct strength. However, I am pleased with results so far, but sometimes I look at the repointing and feel it...

Thanks NikkiZ - looks very similar to my wall problems .... but I'm not sure whether you're an "expert" yourself or if you need advice like me???? :? :? :? Come on builders / plasterers give me some advice here PLEASE! :roll: Do I buy: ready made mortar for the re-pointing...

As per your advice, I have removed the plaster from whole internal wall sections where the plaster was blown in various areas (rather than just removing the cracks) in order for the new plaster to be applied. However, since revealing the brick work I can see mortar joint voids (ie: either no...

I am assuming you have black mortar rendering with a white top coat? I dont think your house will be made of brreeze blocks either. The plaster that is coming off is about 1/2" deep and beige coloured. The residue left on the grey 'breese' blocks (that's what they look like to me - the...

Any advice would be good.... My 1920's bungalow is going to be plastered. Most walls are solid so I guess will just need a skim over. However, in places the wall feels hollow and if I tap that area the plaster falls away. In order for the new plaster to last, and I want it to last a...

The area being used is all clay! I'd not thought of porous pipes, but we're talking alot of water off the roof and although anything could help, I don't think it would have enough of an impact! Thanks for the idea though - any others??? :idea:

Can any one help me? I am having a soakaway dug at the moment - the aim is 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m & I've learnt all about how to fill it with rubble etc... My problem is that the hole seems to be all CLAY and the water that keeps filling it at mo (it's currently an open hole) is NOT seeping...

I am thinking of not having a conventional oven, but am looking into a countertop oven (as its only me to cook for). Does anybody have experience of these - do they cook roast veg, jackets and casseroles etc... Do they work like a conventional bigger oven? And lastly would I have to have a...

I'm currently having a bungalow renovated and it's been noted that the water supply is coming into the property via a lead pipe. Although people say there isn't too much to worry about with lead pipes....whilst I have building works going on I may as well replace this pipe at this stage. The...

The property has no gas supply. The hassle of fitting water pipes and radiators throughout. The cost of maintaining a gas system/boiler. The possibility of water leaks from radiators....just afew things that don't appeal.

Whether I use gas or electric is beside the point. Can anyone tell me how the wiring / sockets / switches are re-located on the different wall surfaces (walls which are to be plastered over and walls that will be 'dry lined')? I need to know this info before my electrician quotes me, so I'm...

Thanks for the advice... The property is 1920s build and only had a storage heater and coal fires prior to purchase. There is no other form of heating! I don't do GAS! and I plan to have storage and electric heaters installed. The walls will be either plastered or dry lined after the...

I hope this entry is in the correct place this time! My electrics are in good order - so no re-wiring needed. But, light switches and sockets are in the wrong places and there are currently no electric heater sockets. So, I will be getting an electrician in to re-locate sockets etc... and...