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More progress. Still need to go another twelve inches down yet. Its slow work, but getting it done two hours every evening after work.

To get through the hard cement and bricks in the base I'm thinking to use an angle grinder. Is that a bad idea?

OK. Thanks. Will leave it a few weeks then. The panels are the thin overlapping panels so at the thickest point only 7mm or so, so hopefully won't take long to dry now that they are up.

Thanks! Good spot re the damp. The left hand side has had damp in the past, but then the chimney had no air vents of any kind so it may have just been condensation. I've carried on chipping away and can now see the arch properly. It seems to be in fairly good condition. What do you think...

Thanks. Still going down. It's solid bricks put together with a concrete mix harder than diamond! This will take a while. I've gone back to the brick and still can't find where the gas comes from.

Sorry - two more questions? - What's FFL (ree)? - Do I need to remove the plaster above the fire (to see the lintel bricks)? I basically want to get as much as possible done before I call around the HETAS guy, so then he knows what he is quoting for.

Thanks. There is a brick arch lintel all the way across just above where the current opening is. I can see it from inside. If i keep removing plaster and skirting and hacking away (below the current opening I will hopefully find something that looks like the old constructional hearth? The...

I want to open up the fireplace in our lounge and install an lovely old Victorian open-fire. Yesterday I opened it up, expecting to find the builder's opening, but instead I found a much more recent hole in the wall type opening. Now I don't know what to do next? This is it before: And...

I've bought B&Q feathered fencing to make some repairs to an existing fence. I read somewhere that pressure treated wood shouldn't be stained or painted for several months so that the treatment has time to dry out totally. Is that correct? Would the wood you buy in B&Q normally be ready to...

Thanks. Yes, that's what I was thinking would be easiest. Have you seen any design or advice online anywhere on how to do that? I am fairly competent but don't want to make a schoolboy error! Not sure if I just make a box and pour it in one go, or layers? How best to fix it to the joists...

Thanks. I will take some pictures as soon as I have removed the rest of the opening and see if that helps with ideas. Will also ask my supplier, as suggested. There's definitely no remnants of the old hearth. I've been under the floor there and checked.

Ok. So no replies - which I take to mean this guy is so dumb that this doesnt even merit an answer. You're right. So I am definitely going to do this properly and have a contsructional hearth built. but to save money I'd still like to do it myself. I've read up on the building regs, plus a...

Great idea cjard. I'll take a look on preloved and my local facebook group

I have a loft room built many years ago that has no insulation at all. It gets very cold in winter. To insulate I was thinking to place solid insulation boards between the vertical beams (if that's the right word). Should I pay full price? There's an enormous price difference between the...

I hope I don't get shouted down for just suggesting this... I'd like to install an open fireplace in the lounge to replace one that was bricked up many years ago. The original constructional hearth inside the fireplace remains, but the one that reaches out into the room was smashed out when...

Wow. This thread has some inspiring ideas. Looking forward to seeing the final pics Halitosis. Keep em coming!

Oh no! I hadnt even thought of that. Next door has a raised patio already, built three years ago. So if they got permission I guess I would too? Or perhaps they never even asked. Now I dont know what I should do

I would like to create a balcony / patio so that I can sit outside the kitchen and then take a few steps down to the garden. It's to replace where the steps are in this photo: Everyone I've asked says just build some raised decking. But I would prefer it to be done in proper rendered...

Actually it does have flagstones over the concrete now. It's about 15 years old, crazy paving, but its in good condition. I would definitely leave it all in place apart from the fact I really want to grow more vegetables and that is the perfect spot. Building beds on top of the patio would...