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What tools are best for cutting copper pipes in tight spaces? I have a small hacksaw and something similar to this, what would you recommend?

Penetrating damp can be caused by the outside ground being higher than the internal floor level. Something as simple as digging soil away from the wall may help in the long run. If you do need a new DPC and decide to go ahead with the recommendations you may be able to save about 1/3 off the...

I've changed my original post, as I was trying to point out that installing a DPC will not solve penetrating damp or condensation problems. Implying that a DPC will fix rising damp was wrong, my bad!

I'd ask a damp proofing company to come around and do a survey for you (may cost around £30). They have a device which allows them to take moisture readings in various areas of the wall, so they can tell you if your problem is rising damp as well as penetrating damp or condensation buildup...

Am not quite sure which topic to post in, so I'll try here to start with :) I'm interested in spending some time working on building/rennovation/finishing projects (in the UK) to gain experience in exchange for my time. Any ideas on how to pursue this? Quick google search turned up...

I can't offer any advice on your problem, but you should update your photo link to remove the ). off the end, as not everyone will realise how to view the photos otherwise.

The chimney sweep should be able to offer some advice, but you'll want to get the chimney checked by someone that knows what they're doing. They will check it vents adequetly and that the lining is sound. I'd imagine the chimney will need to be relined if it's not been done before.

The limitation seems to be you need bricks of a standard width and they need to be flat. Otherwise the bricky will be of no use laying down the mortar. Thanks Marty, I'm now convinced it will be of use! Just hope it doesn't work too well or I could get carried away and end up building a 5m...

If it helps, this is the piece of ground I'm trying to fence across http://www.tilion.org.uk/images/ground.jpg (very wide pic, so linked instead) Left hand side has a post concreted into the ground, right hand side can be attached to the house wall, but I need to fix two metposts into the...

Not a real life situation, but a random question! Is there a limit to how high you can build upwards on fresh mortar before the weight causes the mortar to squash out of the joints below? For instance, if you're building a wall 5m wide, by the time you get 4 or 5 bricks on top of the...

If I'd have known that beforehand I'd have not bothered to buy such long bolts considering I'll have about 3" of thread sitting below ground doing nothing useful! I looked at throughbolts, but thought they would leave an untidy finish above the bolt, even if I did cut the excess thread off...

My cat has jumped on to the ceramic hob before while it was in use and it soon reversed and jumped off. No great damage to the pads, but I'd like to think it learnt a lesson. I doubt you'll stop your cat getting on the hob as it will learn to do it whilst you're not around. You can try to...

I may have no idea what I'm on about, aside from owning a house of a similar age so be warned :) but, if your house is anything like mine you will have single brick gable walls to which the chimney breast will be providing a degree of structural support. Are the fireplaces blocked in and...

I've no aspirations of being a bricklayer, so any gimmick tools that help I'm interested in :) If it enables me to build a BBQ with decent looking joints I'll be quite pleased, as I'm sure I'd make a dogs dinner out of it first time otherwise. I can understand how a bricklayer will be faster...

Can a skilled bricklayer work faster without such a device? I've never laid a brick in my life, but it looked pretty quick in their DVD! I'm suspicious of the so called innovation if none of the professionals actually want to use it, but I don't understand what's wrong with it ...

When I'm drilling holes for these bolts should they be just big enough to get the expanding section in? If so, then I can see the hole will provide enough grip to prevent the expanding section turning. As I wind the nut it will pull the wedge upwards and everything makes sense.

Umm, what's the wedge holder? How does the wedge get a grip? Doesn't it need some resistance against it (or to hold it) otherwise the expanding section just rides up the thread instead of being pushed apart?

I'd like to put a fence up, but on top of a concrete surface. I bought some 4" bolt down metposts and M10 bolts (see photo). I've never used these expanding bolts before and wanted some clarification before I mess it up! I can see that when the expanding section can no long travel up the...

I experienced that cursing and rage moment, but mainly with the leaking tap! It was so corroded I couldn't get to the screws and when I did it was in such bad snape it rounded more than unscrewed! I think I'll go to the plumbing shop tomorrow then as I wanted to replace a few of the seals I...

I ended up removing the whole cistern and pipework as it was connected to the actual toilet :( Below is what I found when I managed to get the syphon out. To me it just looks like a piece of plastic that has now ripped? Can I replace it with a well cut piece of plastic, or am I looking at...