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I'm looking at replacing an old radiator in an office/bedroom (see attached photo) with a modern convector radiator. I've been trying to work out the BTU/Watts requirement for the room but there is a large discrepancy between the various calculators available online (with some suggesting as low...

The pipes are connected to the cold and hot water supplies, fed by the header tank and hot water cylinder. I meant that as it is a bedroom, there is no activity in the room that would cause an unusually high level of moisture in the air, as you would typically find in a bathroom or kitchen...

In the case of the first, the wall here is interior and the damp patch/efflorescence is very localised. From looking at the damage to the wallpaper, it seems moisture is running down away from the pipe. How common are pinhole leaks in copper pipes in straight runs? Edit: The first is a bathroom...

There are two locations in my house where damp is occurring near to copper pipes. I have an intuition as to the cause in each case, but I'd appreciate a second opinion from you more experienced chaps before I call in a plumber. 1: Salty efflorescence emerging from the plaster (wallpapered over...

Hi, just wondering if anyone could advise on the following. I am restoring a fireplace, and am onto tiling now. The hearth tiles are dull and worn out; the glaze has lost its shine. The tiles are old, circa 1880s. I am planning to replace the badly cracked tiles, but for the others I want to...

Would linseed oil putty be better as it sets hard? (More robust joint.)

Rainwater.

What is the traditional substance used to join sections of cast iron downpipe together? I had to take one of my downpipes apart to clear a blockage, and I need to put it back. I have attempted this with Plumber's Mait but I am not sure it is the right thing.

Thanks for your advice. So my next step is to remove one of the tiles and see what's going on above.

Well OK, point taken. I appreciate your help, and I'm not trying to be difficult, but sometimes it's not obvious which variables are relevant to a query until you actually start discussing it. No need to come down so hard on me! The only details I might add are that there isn't a problem with...

It's definitely lowered, not sure about suspended as the tiles are securely fitted to something – they won't budge when you push up on them. I suspect there's sound proofing material in the void. What I want to do is find a way to keep the acoustic ceiling intact (this is a ground floor...

Right, so plasterboard would need to be screwed into the joists and not simply glued to the acoustic tiles? The original ceiling and joists are about 40cm above, I don't know what these tiles are fixed to. Is the issue with plastering directly on to them that it won't bond properly?

I have an acoustic tiled ceiling in a bedroom. See the following image: Photo of acoustic tiles Is it possible to skim over the ceiling to get a smooth finish?

The side of the trench is actually a concrete retaining wall. Only the base is earth. Can I do without terram?

There is a trench next to my house that was put in by previous owners to reduce damp, I want to fill this with 20mm pea shingle. In local builders' merchants and DIY stores, the shingle comes unwashed – there is evidence of sand/silt in every bag. Does this negatively affect drainage?

Oh sorry, I misunderstood you. Well, the hidden surfaces wouldn't look better but I'd be concerned about the wood not being sealed properly and whether this would result in warping?

Looks better? Protect the wood?

I've constructed some softwood shelving in an airing cupboard. I now need to apply a paint system, but the wood is not primed. I can prime it in situ, but some surfaces will be inaccessible. Should I dismantle the shelving so I can coat all the hidden surfaces with primer?