Recent content by Spook

Thanks all. In my own situation there is only one shortish run where cable is sharing the same notches as the pipes and I'd already decided to get that replaced and rerouted that when I next get an electrician in. From what I can see the problem is generally not one of cables and pipes...

Sorry if this has already been addressed elsewhere. In the process of replacing a couple of floors in my new place I've noticed that in some places cables supplying both the lighting and ring circuits pass very close to hot-water pipes. I understand that this must be fairly common where...

Thanks again Chri5. But regarding the earthed metal conduit option: is that a no-no, or just an overly expensive and/or awkward route to follow? Sorry to bang on about it, but I always like to get the options straight in my head before I take any action. Spook

Cheers Chri5. Given that my sparks is pretty anal (no criticism intended - not a bad thing in a sparks) I think I'll have to make sure the relevant boards are liftable so he can see for himself. What kind of costs would be involved in the earthed metal cabling behind the skirting option -...

Thanks. Just wondering if the fact that there's a void behind the skirting might make a difference to that. (Incidentally, the bottom section of skirting is fitted at the top to a rebate in the top section of moulding and at the bottom to a narrow batten run along the floor - there are no...

I'm just in the process of renovating the flat I've just moved into and found that part of the socket outlet ring circuit runs behind skirting board. The cable is unconduited and clipped to the brickwork. The sockets are in the wall above the skirting board. The flat is Edwardian and the...

Thanks makitaman - I've thought about going the router route but, to be honest, I'm being a bit lazy and, after all, time is money. After working out the cost of buying all the right cutters and the time involved in setting the job up I thought it was probably worth fishing around for an off the...

Does anyone have a source for non-standard architrave - something different to the ubiquitous torus and ogee? Specifically, I'm looking for something wider than average to suit the doors in an Edwardian house where the standard stuff just looks like a slightly pathetic afterthought. I've looked...

I’m about to install brushed aluminium splashbacks in my kitchen which, the big stickers on the face tell me, need earth bonding. This being the case, would the earthed metal faceplates of the sockets that will fit flush against the face of the splashbacks in effect create the required bond...

I'm doing a job using cherry veneered MDF which I want to finish a little darker than its natural colour. I've been told that veneered MDF can end up looking a bit flat using techniques that are okay on solid wood - any recommendations for finishes/treatments? Stain or dye? Do I use a sanding...

I live in a large flat in a Victorian building and am wanting to replace the floor in my kitchen with moisture resistant 8x2 T+G. The old boards are badly damaged in places - there’s obviously been water damage and subsequent rot problems in the past and its going to be easier, and neater, to...

I’ve just been given my mums old(ish) washing machine - a Zanussi Nexus FL 1082. I’m a bit mystified because although my mum thinks the machine drained into a standpipe there is a hose clip on the end which would suggest that its been fixed to a hose connector on the sink trap, which would be a...

I've never seen 10 amp - but then I suppose I've never looked for them. Screwfix sell 5 amp though.

Just been fiddling around in my loft replacing a section of damaged cable and I noticed that in the original installation, or maybe in subsequent additions, both 5 and 10 amp junction boxes have been used on the upstairs lighting circuit - which is a mix of loop-in and junction box wiring...

This is such an obvious question it must have been asked in some form already. If it has, sorry for the repetition. I need to replace a length of cable on my upstairs lighting circuit which was damaged when I had a bit of work done to the roof, and while I’m at it I’m going to move a switch...