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Thanks for your comments and advice. Will wait to speak to SE and get him to advise and recalculate with regard to using RSJ. Only actually spoke to him once and he seemed helpful so hopefully no need to incur any extra costs !! Thanks again

I am due to start an extension above a double garage. Our structural engineer has advised us to use an IG Lintel L6/100 Extra Heavy Duty Lintel to span above the double garage door opening (length approx 4.8 metres). The cost of this Lintel is approx £700 !! My builder feels that using such...

Thanks oilman for your reply. Regarding the size of pipes - downstairs my radiators are fed by the thin microbore piping and upstairs standard 15mm copper pipe. Not sure why they chose to use different size pipe ?? The extension will only have three extra radiators - there will be no...

I currently have a camray oil-fired boiler which is working fine supplying hot water and heating to my four bedroom house and one bathroom. The boiler is approximately 20 years old and regularly serviced. However, we are extending the house to add a further two bedrooms and another bathroom...

Hi all I am having an first floor extension (above a double garage) done and my architect has included the use of I Joists (Silent joists). I am not familiar with this product and although browsing the web has shown me that it seems a great product to use - I cannot seem to find any prices...

The Structural engineers have no concerns about settlement or the ground condition. They want it widened so that the it extends outwards two feet the same as it does the rest of the house. I can only assume that it is so that the weight distribution is spread evenly over the whole raft...

Thanks for your reply. No I dont live in a mining area - I live in the same county as yourself !! Just outisde Kings Lynn - Norfolk. Looking at the engineers drawings a little more carefully - it looks as if the raft wil have to be extended 600mm laterally and 300mm in depth.

Thanks for your reply. The existing raft extends about 2 feet from the house on all three sides except on the garage side wherei want to extend. Structural engineer basically wants the raft extended by two feet along the length of the garage. He has given details of steel to useand drawings...

Hi There I am in the process of extending above my double garage. My existing house and garage have been built on a raft foundation. The structural engineer involved in the design of the extension has advised me to extend the perimeter of the raft foundation to compensate for the additional...

I've fitted quite a few solid wooden floors over the years and as with most solid wood flooring the doors do need cutting. I had the same problem recently when laying 18mm thick oak flooring - I had to remove and trim 5 internal doors which is a real pain in the ass ! It is a shame to change...

I have just created an opening between two rooms and I am intending to fix arch formers before I get a plasterer in. At the moment the opening is framed with timber (existing stud wall). Do I need to line the timber frame with plaster board before I fix the metal arch formers or can they...

Great - HardWood Oil it is - any particular types recommended or any tips aon applying it ?? Was also interested to know if anyone has any experience with sanding - hand or machine ??? Want the easiest way but dont want to 'bugger-up' the appearance of the grain etc etc !!!!

thanks for your reply. I have never applied anything to the wood as a maintenance product. The floor aint going to need much sanding as it is back to bare wood in most places. I am planning to sand by hand before applying a finish. Which is easier to apply the Hardwax oil or lacquer/varnish -...

I laid solid oak flooring as a floating floor over concrete about two and a half years ago. It was laid in my kitchen and unfortunately has not worn very well. It has lost its colour and finish in the areas where there is heavy 'traffic' and also where the kitchen table and chairs are...

Thanks for your replies. The socket is on its own circuit and has its own fuse in the garage with all the other circuits. Im still a little concerned that the timer and plug are getting warm. Think I wil take your advice and get a sparky in to fix a permanent mains operated timer.

Can anyone help me??? My immersion heater has a standard 13A plug attached to it - is it safe to use standard plug in 7-day timers so that the immersion can switch on and off at cheap rates. I have been using one but I have noticed that the timer is getting warm to touch and so is the plug...

I recently fitted a torbeck toilet valve and with it came a plastic flow restrictor which I also used. For a few months I have had no problems but just recently I have started getting a terrible grinding noise from the pipe. This noise stops when I flush the toilet or run the cold tap at the...

I have laid solid beech flooring , maple and shortly laying some oak. I have laid all of these floors as a 'floating' floor. This was from the advice of a professional with 30+ years experience. All of the floors were laid directly onto the concrete floor (using an appropriate underlay). A...

I have laid a lot of different laminate flooring - and as with most things you really do pay for quality. In general the more expensive the better it is. Try to find a laminate that has a thick top layer - look carefully at the side of the board. I am not keen on this new 'click' together...

I am intending to lay some oak hardwood flooring in my kitchen. I have had experience in laying solid wood flooring and my intention is to lay the wood as a 'floating floor' with expansion gaps etc .. etc.. My concern is what to do with the floor when I get near the kitchen cupboards and the...