Recent content by LongEars

Good Spot, there was 2-3 month period where we ran a 2.4kW fan heater daily for a few hours. Outside of that nothing more demanding than a laptop.

My spark fitted a box style double wall socket about 6 months ago. Worked fine until a few weeks ago, now the left socket can't be turned off. The switch can be set to the off position but anything plugged in remains live. Is this as simple as buying a new outlet switching off at the mains...

I need approx 4 bulk bags of gravel for my patio project (pedestrian traffic). On a budget so I can't shell out the 70-80 a bag most places are asking. What are your thoughts on the cheaper stuff...

Couldn't give you a retailer, its a reclaimed job, from my builder neighbor.

I have a stone fire surround, marble back panel and hearth to install on a plastered chimney breast. The surround and hearth are approx 5" wider than the breast so I would like to widen the sides of the chimney breast to the height of the surround. Question: The fireplace will be purely...

I have an area in the back approx 8mx4m that I want make into a gravel patio. I picked up 14 600mm x 600mm granite slabs to lay individually, the area is a former patio so the grounds a well compacted mix of sand, aggregate and heavy clay. The slabs should be level with 200mm high sleeper...

Thanks Madrab. The rad is upstairs so hopefully minimal water loss. When you say What's the correct fitting that it can be replaced with?

I need to conceal some towel radiator pipework, pipes are microbore (10mm) to speedfit 90 degree compression fittings. The wall has been dry lined so its approx 12.5mm plaster board, before we get to plaster/concrete etc. Currently, the microbores going into the rad don't have sufficient...

Trying to find out how compliant with regs and/or feasible this set up will be. The toilet will be a floor stander back to wall with a concealed cistern hidden inside of the false wall. The idea is to go from a 90 deg connector on the toilet outlet to a long flexible connector running at 45...

I have three defunct light switches to remove from downstairs, is this a job for the pros or can this be DIY'ed? (with your expert guidance of course) Pic 1 and 2 are of the same switch and outlet combo in the kitchen, pic 3 is of a different switch outlet combo in the living room of which...

Pressing the button does not cause the power to shut off, only setting the switch to off has this effect. So, it looks like the a new CU will be needed. Do you have any advice on the what would make a decent upgrade spec/model? Also, what are the reporting requirements to building control for...

You'll have to bear with me RCD, MCB's etc aren't familiar terms. Can I assume the that the RCD is the left most switch labeled "on/off" with the small white button labelled "Test" beside it? "press the button and see if that works" What result will this action produce if it does work?

Yes, the kitchen is on the "Down" MCB, I'm not sure if it is RCD protected or not, how would I find out?

Thanks for the input guys. I'll be getting on to the power company about the earthing situation. In the meantime here's a bit more info and pics (kindly, note the wallpaper upgrade) Spark 1: "CU must be upgraded before any works" Spark 2: "CU must be upgraded, and I won't start until the...

The kitchen is in need of some rewiring (sockets moved, old light switches de-comissioned etc) 2 of the 3 electricians I called out said that they wouldn't touch the work until a my current CU has been updated. Questions: Is it necessary to replace the consumer unit? What spec/ make of model...