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Just out of interest, what would 2.5mm cable be derated to if completely buried in insualtion rather than clipped to a solid wall (such as in the centre of a partition wall)? Thanks.

Thanks EFLI, just checked - it's on a 20A mcb so no problems then. Tim.

I've got an extension which has been dry lined with timber stud work and plasterboard and the gap between the wall has been stuffed with loft insulation. The electrical cable for the sockets is running down from ceiling level and clipped against the solid wall but the insulation is ontop of...

That is interesting noseall, I would have thought it was the person actually doing the work that should be responsible. After all, how would joe public know the latest building regs - they just ring a builder and go with what he tells them. Seems like a system open to abuse !!!

Thanks for all your replies. I will speak to the builder and let him know it's got to go through building control if he wants the job. I'm sure he must know this anyway and thinks it's just easier not to bother as no one is going to find out but I want to do it properly so there are no issues...

Just had a builder round to quote for removing an internal load bearing wall. Told him I want it all done properly to regs etc. and he said that they don't need building control to do the job if they use a Catnic lintel. He said if using a standard RSJ then you would need structural engineers...

Thanks Dan, that is a good idea. There is no central heating at the moment and the windows are really bad for condensation. Both of these will be addressed soon so maybe taping up the vent is the best plan and see what happends after the other changes.

Not at the moment but the windows are old Aluminium framed ones. We are replacing them with new upvc ones but that is interesting to know - I can make sure there are vents fitted (they were not going to put them on). Thanks.

Thanks SittingBull. It looks pretty old like it's been there since the house was built. I've since read lots and found that other people also have these in rooms where there is no fireplace fitted. They assume it's just to provide some ventillation that is not necessary when there is a...

I've got a vent in one of the bedrooms of a 1920's semi. Can anyone enlighten me as to why it might be there? It has a closeable grill on the inside (although there is still a draught) and has an airbrick on the outside of the cavity. It's the only one in the house apart from the under floor...

OK, didn't realise the render was so bad ! SBR is mixed with cement and painted onto the walls (really thin) to act as a bonding for the render. They call it a slurry mix. It's also waterproof. You then mix SBR into the render mix to make the render waterproof and it also strengthens it...

Thanks Joe, I agree that knowing what is required is half the battle - then it's lots of practise. I think being shown the ropes as it were will really speed up the learning curve and I can pick up tips and advise that I wouldn't ever work out just going it alone. Just had the plasterer...

Thanks everybody for all your help (especially 1john's detailed post). It's interesting to hear that even the pros have different techniques. I've decided to just use one room for testing and will just give it a go based on the information I have got from this web site. I'm fully expecting to...

thanks cotswoldbuilders. Can you just add more SBR to the scratch coat instead of a waterproofer? I bought some SBR for a different render job and I'm sure the instructions were to paint on a slurry mix then first coat with SBR included. Haven't got around to doing that yet but would be good...

You can send pm's but only to people you are friends with. I've sent you a request if you want to pm. What is the reason for taking the render back so high? Is it to fix damaged bricks? I was only planning to go to just above the dpc. Below the render line on my house the bricks are painted...

I'm not the man to answer your questions but I have a similar problem and would be interested to hear the answers. Has the render bridged the DPC causing the water to soak up between the render and the bricks? This has happend on mine and I've been advised to cut the render away to above the...

I've done a bit of taping joints in plasterboard which eventually looked ok but took me a long time and quite a bit of sanding compared to a pro but I would like to learn how to plaster properly. I'm renovating an old house and it's going to need loads and loads of plastering (skimming and...

Ah yes, I've never even noticed that was there. Thanks ! I've found another post now that sort of helps answer my questions. Cheers. P.S. Perhaps I'll learn how to use this forum properly sometime soon !

Yes Dann, I remembered reading something similar a while back so I spent quite a while looking for it or similar posts but couldn't find it (hence the 'again' in the title of my post) ! Perhaps I'm just not very good at searching or am searching with the wrong words. I'll have another go but...

I've removed a 1930's fire surround and would like to open up the fireplace for a small stove, however there doesn't appear to be a lintel. Is this the case or should there be one hidden somewhere? I can't believe the two arches of bricks would be strong enough on their own. Can I remove...