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A friend down the road had a tripped RCD on the kitchen circuit. I went down to try to do the usual thing of unplugging everything etc. before resetting the RCD and then re-plugging one by one to see if I could find the culprit. Except that we couldn't get to the dishwasher plug as it was...

Does anyone know how many households in the UK don't have a broadband connection? To me, it's like gas and/or electricity these days. I can see why some very elderly people might not have it, but surely we're getting to the point where a broadband line is indispensible. There is a myth that...

I have tried to convince numerous companies/organisations to ring me on my VOIP landline (BT's Digital Voice) but they insist on using my mobile number. Reception here is not good and so for anything important that involves a return call I ask for a landline one. This rarely happens and one...

I think that there is at least one VOIP provider that won't let you dial a foreign number - can't remember which one. As I dial Spain quite often and France occasionally that would be a big disincentive. Check before you sign up if this would be an issue!

Bernard - I think that some telecoms companies will provide a power backup to vulnerable customers who will be cut off during a power cut and can't/don't use a mobile phone. The move to digital telecoms is not a bad thing - I bought a couple of BT phones when I was upgraded to fibre (although...

Thanks, everyone. I got Zep 'Sticky Stuff Remover' from B&Q and it worked a treat.

I haven't tried any liquids yet as I'm waiting to see if anyone here has any bright ideas. I'll put acetone on the list, so thanks for your suggestion. I dare say that there's some wonder potion that I've never heard of to do this kind of job, so let's see.

Some months ago I decided that my pedestal mat around the loo needed fixing to the floor tiles so I bought a roll of carpet fixer tape which is supposed to secure mats etc. This had a sort of glue on the back and worked well, so I renewed it each time we washed the mat. We finally decided that...

No, that's in the cellar.

Thanks, Harry. There is a switch in the airing cupboard for the electrics - just checked. I'll clear a path to the tank in the loft just in case and get the ladder ready.

My gas engineers are coming this week to replace a three-way valve which is allowing the boiler water through to the hot water cylinder when the CH is on. Apparently the valve should shut when the HW thermostat closes it, but it isn't shutting properly. The valve is in the airing cupboard next...

So will mine still cut off the supply if the water gets too hot (boils?), but then can't be used again and will need to be replaced? How much water needs to be drained from the cylinder in order to replace it? I have tested the gate valve where the cold water comes down from the loft and that...

I've had this since about 2018 and have never thought to check if it has a cutoff which prevents the water from boiling if there's a fault. I have googled but there are several models and I'm a bit confused. Can anyone help? Many thanks.

I use the Hippo bags about three times a year and I agree that they are pricey, but the service is excellent and the drivers are very good. I once put an old duvet and a couple of pillows over the top of my load of garden waste. Luckily, I went out to chat to the driver and, as he was fitting...

Just wondering if that leaking tar/pitch would compromise the connection to earth.

Thanks, I get it now. When I had a new CU the electrician (at my request) set it up so that I could have a charger sometime in the future if I wanted one. He said that the DNO might insist on an upgrade from my 60A fuse though, as I also had an electric shower; I called UKPN and they did an...

Sorry if I got it wrong. Do you mean that the supplier (DNO) would assume that providing there was no electric shower, it wouldn't matter if the fuse was 60A or 80A even though labelled 100A?

So anyone who has an electric shower and a 100A fuse can't get a charger fitted? I don't think that's correct, is it?

Thanks, everyone. You've confirmed what I had already been told a few years ago but I thought I'd double check with the experts on here once again. Is there a limit to the amount of oil in these cables? This happens every year when it's hot and the part of the road going up from my house is...

I've mentioned this several times over the years and once again it's hot outside and my cutout has started to ooze oil. Nothing feels unusually hot and the electrics work well. It's a new cutout (2022) installed by UKPN engineers (100A). Before we went on holiday I put a small plastic tray...