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    Is FTTP (Fiber to the premises) really the future?

    After getting fiber installed (FTTP), I'm now wondering whether copper would have been better I accidentally broke my fiber as it is really fragile, and some installations (through flower beds) can make this problem worse. Unlike copper, it's also not possible for DIY fixes/changes to it...
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    Noisy roof tiles in wind

    I can hear tiles lifting in strong winds on my pitched roof. I built the roof myself (on a new extension), and every tile has a nail, so they won't come down completely. Is this is normal and is there a way I can reduce the noise? The tiles are Redland Regent.
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    Packing around glazing

    I've been trying to heel and toe a UPVC door with double glazing. I'm finding that the packers keep pushing to the back and it's hard to grab hold of them again. When they go to the back they don't cover the whole double glazed unit, which I believe will cause it to fail eventually. Is there...
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    Expanding tape and packers?

    I'm fitting windows with expanding foam tape and I'm wondering how I use the packers and foam tape. Packers usually stick out the front and then get cut off when finished, but then the tape wouldn't seal. Should I put some packers in with sealant at the same thickness of the cavity closer, and...
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    Bricks for retaining wall?

    I need to build a small retaining wall (about 300mm above ground level). I have loads of bricks left over from building my extension, so they wouldn't cost anything to use, and match the extension perfectly. They are rusticated bricks and only ratted F1, S2. If I use these, are they likely to...
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    Measuring windows with cavity closers?

    I need to get windows for my new extension (DIY). I'm wondering what measurement I need when there are cavity closers? My understanding is there should be a 5-10mm gap each side of the frames. The cavity closers are a minimum of 3mm each side, but they are a slightly curved shape, which leaves...
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    How can I strengthen my roof?

    I've just finished a truss roof. I used queen post trusses so that I could store loads of stuff up there. I've now discovered that it won't actually take the weight. Plasterboard + chipboard may just about leave me with enough weight to support my garage door, which makes the storage area...
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    Tube washers - fill with foam?

    I've used the plastic tube washers for my flat roof and I'm wondering whether the holes should be filled with expanding foam (or sealant). I've seen somebody say that the air can expand in hot weather, but I have doubts about whether that would cause problems. Of course, a little more insulation...
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    Water trapped in flat roof?

    I'm building a flat roof and think I have some water trapped in it. There is water dripped out the lowest point (on the outside), which is probably going through my vapor barrier (which should have been water proof). It's hard to tell how much water could be in there, but will this be a problem...
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    Insulation for warm flat roof?

    I'm wondering what type of insulation is required for a warm flat roof? I looked at what my local merchant stocks, and they only stock one type of PIR insulation, which seems to be what everybody uses for roofs. It's the 'floor' insulation, and after speaking with the tech department, the...
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    Fixing timber on top of bricks?

    I'm wondering whether there is a better way to fix my timber. I'm building an extension and currently doing the flat roof. I'm screwing the deck to the edge bricks and then other timber will also be screwed through this. I've been using 60mm concrete screws so far, but if they hit the mortar...
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    Fixing top deck for flat roof

    I'm building a warm flat roof with 200mm insulation sandwiched between two sheets of 18mm OSB. I'm wondering whether the top deck needs to be screwed into the joists or whether the screws only need to penetrate the lower OSB deck? I thought I saw somebody online say that they should go into the...
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    Flat roof lateral restraint

    I'm trying to work out how to provide lateral restraint for the angled wall on the left (if it's required at all). I'm using metal web joists and it's only single storey. On the TRA site (page 13 at in https://www.tra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/tra_metal_joists__single_final.pdf)...
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    Should I put firring strips on my bricks?

    I'm doing a flat roof (brick and block cavity walls) and I'm reaching what is potentially the final course of bricks. I was planning to cut the last course of bricks at angles and then fix the OSB deck to them. I've realized that this will take a long time. I'm wondering whether I should use a...
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    EPDM edging

    I'm doing an EPDM roof (Resitrix) and it looks like there are two common types of edging. There is the "Sure Edge" and the metal edge trim. My roof isn't square, so a couple of corners aren't 90 degree angles. This means that the plastic edging would need to be cut and glued, but I think I...
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    Flat roof - cutting OSB T&G

    My extension flat roof is L-shaped ('wrap around extension'). I have T&G OSB for the roof, but I can't think of a way to use the T&G for every joint as some of the joist spacings aren't 600mm. I think I will need to cut some and just leave an expansion gap (3mm IIRC). Is this what people do in...
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    Cleaning yellow UPVC?

    My UPVC has gone yellow where I sprayed the activator for Mitre Bond. I've tried Isopropyl, UPVC cleaner and water, but they don't seem to make a difference. How do people usually deal with this? I could try using a cream cleaner, but that will be a polish and will change the finish, so that's...
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    Blocks between joists

    I'm doing a flat roof with joists sitting on a block wall. I'm planning to put blocks between each joists i.e. almost 600mm between the joists. I was wondering how high the blocks should go and perhaps what their purpose is? Are they just there to prevent twisting of the joists? Is it best to...
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    Fixing joist on steel beam

    I have a timber joist that will sit on a steel beam and will support a flat roof. It will also meet a pitched roof as shown in the picture below. I was wondering whether a screw would be adequate to prevent uplift or whether something like nails would be required? I would also put some blocking...
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    EPDM flat roof transition to pitched roof

    I can't think of a good way to transition from a flat roof to a pitched roof. I found this article https://www.rubberroofingdirect.co.uk/training-hub/pitched-roof-slopes-onto-the-flat-roof-fleece-backed, but would this design seems to have lost the gap between the trusses, so surely water could...
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