Recent content by Padraig Clarke

Hmmm I know there are no pipes in that wall, which is odd. JohnD - are you saying that by the time the wall absorbs the water, it is evaporating out? Hence why there is no water pooling in the floor? Are you sure it’s not the render sucking moisture from the old stone as there is no DPC?

Hi. I have an old cottage, turn of century old. The photo is of an internal wall, but it is the original stone wall of the house (different extensions now make it internal). I can safely say there is no DPC here as it was likely just built on on the rock bed. It was re-plastered and painted...

Thanks. Will Osmo be okay on pine? Or is that more for hardwoods? I understand marking/dents is more likely as pine is soft. But don’t want the ‘plastic’ look of varnish.

They are only resting in the cabinet plinths at the moment. So can easy be lifted up. Why do you not oil/seal the cut edges? Any advice on the right products?

Hello. I have just had pine kitchen worktops installed with a belfast sink. So now I need to finish them with the appropriate oil/stain/varnish/wax/lacquer etc, etc. Can someone please point me in the right direction? - Should I oil first, then varnish or seal? - Is oil alone enough? - How...

Not sure if I have an odd shaped, old bathroom rad, but trying to find a new modern towel heater radiator to replace it. Does anyone know where I can buy a radiator, where the values point outwards (not down like regular rads). You can see the pipes point inwards.

Thanks both. And what would you do if some of the pipework has already been plumbed in? The photo is not mine but will do for illustration purposes. Do you chase that into the insulation so the insulation sits flush?

I am renovating an old stone cottage and am about to fit the kitchen. Someone suggested I add insulation before I fit new units. Would you agree? Kitchen is very cold! Would this work: 1. 25mm celotex sheets on the wall with grab glue. 2. Plywood then glued onto the celotex. 3. Kitchen units...

I have just had a set of patio doors installed into and extension. It means the old door on the other side needs closed up, either with brick or timber solution. I know i could do this by taking out the frame completely, then bricking this up with brick/blocks, then render. Not keen on this as...

Thanks Gazman. I can fill in the wee holes with a bit of sealant. Yep, as it’s so old there is no DPC. Drainage and guttering and roof has all been improved recently. Outside tarmac is high but has been done well as there is a good run away from the side of the house. Would this cause the...

I am renovating an old cottage, 1890 or something. The wall under the window (internal) was slightly damp to touch, which drew me to the window sill. The window sill was clearly rotten as per the picture. As it happens I ripped it out today. It was MDF and was totally blown. Looking outside I...

After reading and looking at some other posts and blogs, I think I have a good understanding. I’ve seen other suggestions of DPM, then batons, filled with insulating boards, then on top plyboard. Finishing with floorboards. Do I need the airgap at all?

Thank you. Is 50mm insulation boards okay or would you recommend 100mm?

Thanks! So if I understand correctly, I put down DPM down first, insulation boards on top of the DPM, joists on top of the insulation, then floor boards?

I would say a concrete floor with large tiles. What would you recommend?