Recent content by redcurrant

Had to have cloakroom redecorated following loo breakdown. They removed loo holder to repaper. It's strangely complex and I can't work out how to refit it, though screws are in the wall ready for reassembly. The loop thing obviously screws on behind the paper-support-and-flap, and hold it a...

Great! Many thanks for prompt reply.

Bottom of front door has had varnish worn away. The wood seems hard enough but on the fixed threshold bit there are grooves. Can this be filled with filler before painting? Or would appropriate paint be enough after sandpapering? I'm not a DIYer but money is tight at the moment so I'm hoping...

OK, similar coving appears unobtainable - I had seen it in Homebase years ago. It's far deeper than average. So I decided to fill holes in, and got 500ml no nonsense lightweight filler, not yet applied. Then someone suggested stuffing with newspaper - ok so far as it filled the huge gap...

Yes, I came back from a previous weekend and whole coving has crashed onto sofa. From the state of the house (underneath fancy decor) I suspect previous owner was a not vg DIYer. I will let you know how it goes (or possibly not depending on what it ends up looking like). Thanks for advice so far!

No, coving fell off ages ago. Could I do wallpaper first or should I wait till coving's done? Thanks for helpful tips on blending in the paper. I'm aware it won't look perfect - just less of an eyesore than now.

Some time ago length of coving, including round corner of window, fell off. It was replaced with plain panel, but has left bare ceiling which needs repairing with woodchip, and also the coving has now stopped at an odd angle. I'm not a DIYer but friend's offered to help. I need to paste...

I moved into my house 20 years ago. There was a dog rose as a standard on thick stems. Last year I gave it a really hard prune. This year I notice a shoot with red rose on it! Assume this was original which got overtaken decades ago? I never realised. What do I do to encourage it? There...

Nige - they have plenty of everything, believe me. Doggitt, their cage is so big (with opening roof) I have trouble carrying it. But they still need to fly round. The wallpaper is plain. Repellent spray doesn't work. I looked at bird spikes for outside wall but they're for large pigeons -...

Firstly I got new expensive wooden blinds which they nibbled to lace. Then I covered the blinds so they sat on top and nibbled walls to plaster. I've covered with cardboard (which they're nibbling. They'll soon get back to chewing wallpaper.) Not sure how to mend the wallpaper. About 7cm...

Thanks Rob, it's just embarrassing when guests visit, or when I try to clean what appears fairly clear basin and it's suddenly mud! I suspect it's a 1970's loo which is when previous owners refurb'd. Maybe I should remove the bottle thing I was told to put in both cisterns!

Downstairs loo doesn't always flush away solids, or sometimes it appears to, then solid floats back into view, or water discolours, but I only see this a few hours later when I return. A plumber came round and said it wasn't the flush it was a blocked pipe so get Dynorod. I got Dynorod who...

That's a helpful perspective, thanks. The wiring up there is all over the place. I was going to give him the job but looking for someone else now. Thanks again.

Man came to look at loft to refloor. I saw him tug some wires but didn't think much of it (as it's his trade). That evening I found all upper storey lights stopped working. I can't see that anything has tripped in junction box, there's nothing to reset. I mailed next day and he said he'd...

Time to replace the PVC gutters, must be at least 25 yrs old, probably older. I was thinking of aluminium, but they're quoting 10 yr guarantee same as PVC. I'm 64 now, so not bothered about it lasting an entire lifetime! Also have been told that seamless aluminium can block more easily due to...