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Thanks for that. Unfortunately, I don't do a job that really offers me the opportunity to reciprocate the favour in any way. Furthermore, his van has recently packed up so payment for the job would be really helpful at the moment. This is one of the times that I really am going to insist on...

Hi, My mate is a qualified plumber and gas installer and having done some work for me, is now refusing any payment for it. We argued like a couple of old ladies in a tearoom and he refused to discuss it. I really want to pay him back (especially as it is just before Christmas) but cannot...

Thanks very much for that - I wish I had popped on here for advice before starting the first room now. That Timber Tech 2 Silver looks miles better and, to insult to injury, it is cheaper than the stuff I used before! I am going to go with that. Do I need to do anything with the floor boards...

Hi there, I put down some laminate flooring in my bedroom last year and did such a good job that my other half wants me to do the living room. The floor was completely concrete, so I painted it with damp seal http://www.wickes.co.uk/Polycell-One-Coat-Damp-Seal-500ml/p/227974 and laid this...

So is there any reason why you could not use the round cable for a ringmain?

I would be grateful if anyone could explain when I must use flat cable as opposed to the round type. I know that you would always use the flat type for your ring main and the round for an applicance but does this have to be the case - i.e. according to the building regulations? Does it...

Completely agree - a quick project for the weekend. Thanks again.

Sorry, should have specified in my original post. I was either going to run the extension lead along the skirting board and up the wall and then cover the wire with trunking or buy separte plug, wire, backing plate and socket faceplate and do exactly the same - i.e. run it along the...

Many thanks to you both for that - I have long suspected that they are just a gimmick and you have helped put my mind at rest. One other quick question if I may: I have a flat screen TV, mini computer (raspberry pi) and a hub on my bedroom wall that I am trying to tidy up a bit. I have...

Hi I would be really grateful for any advice on how important surge protection really is (the kind you get on extension leads). I have a few extension leads in use in my house (for computers etc.) but I do not use them for the surge protection, but only because you can plug lots of low...

Hi there, I would be really grateful for some advice on putting up a wooden security gate down the side of my house. The gap is about 8 feet between my house and nextdoor's fence. I was hoping to stick in two horizontal gates posts and put a vertical one along the top for extra...

Hello, I am in the process of decorating a spare room that has some manky old artex on the ceiling. It is dark in areas and I suspect that a damp problem a while back caused some of this. I would be grateful for any advice on how best to prepare for painting (and also what to use for...

Hi there, I, unfortunately, suffered a burglary last month and the detectives dealing with the case have strongly suggested that I stick a DIY alarm system in. The problem is that there are so many brands and types and also wireless and wired that I am not sure really where to begin. I...

Unfortunately, we worked out that it was not economic to make a claim, so I am going to have to make sure that I get things done cheaply. As you say, once I have made the backdoor secure, I need to consider some extra mesures like an alarm. That is exactly what the police said by the way -...

Hello, We recently had a burglary - the little **** kicked the bottom half of our stable doors in. I have since secured the backdoor with five massive bits of timber, so it is secure for time being but I need now to replace it. I rang the insurance company for advice and all they said...

I have had another fiddle with the pump (which is a Myson SD53) and note that if I unscrew the little bolt in the middle and pull it out to engage the pump, I can swivel it fairly easily in either direction. However, if I turn the pump on, I can feel that that the bolt is not moving at all...

Hello, I think you might be on to something here. The pump is making a slight wine - I am not sure, however, if it has always done this but I am just aware of it now. It is also very hot - almost too hot to touch. However, there does seem to be some vibration coming from it? Is...

Just had another look at this further and note recommendations for either ernox f3 or sentinel x400. However, is this going to work if I am having problems getting the boiler going in the first place? I.e. is it enough just to drain the system, pour the liquid down and hope that it will...

Hello, I have an old Barlo Balmoral gas boiler that started to make a very strange banging noise and then suddenly cut off. At first, I thought it might be trapped air and drained and refilled my central heating but this did not cure the problem. I have managed to pull off the facia...

Morning, I would be really grateful for some advice on buying an extractor fan for my bathroom. I know that the usual versions come on whenever you turn on the light switch and run off a timer from the time that the light is switched off again. I was hoping to find something a little...