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Mower manufacturers do wax and wane with their machines, sometimes because of a change of ownership. I was talking to a technician at the Masport importers the other day and he verified this. Masport have always been a very well made and very well performing brand but ten years ago they were...

AndyAndy2, Don't know why I didn't think of excavating first and having stuff ready alongside. For some reason I just assumed that I'd have to turf the lot out all at once, earth, pipes and all. Think I'm getting more stupid in me old age.... I could probably even do it in two halves...

Hi, I have a Pittosporum garnettii in my garden. This is a nice variegated variety which I unfortunately found wasn't frost hardy in its first year. It suffered a lot of top damage but started to recover in the second year and its been fine since. Just letting you know in case you choose...

Well, Noseall, I've considered that. The trouble is that the sewer pipe is about 35 yards long, has a brick inspection chamber a third of the way down, and terminates in another very deep brick chamber in front of the septic tank itself. Also the bath, basin and kitchen sink pour in to the...

By gum, this can go on, can't it! I'm grateful to you all for taking the time to reply so well. I don't mind shelling out for the Fluke T50 if it's what I need. It seems to have the proper optical and audible indication, as described by holmslaw - my only question is over how difficult it...

Thank you Bernardgreen. I wouldn't have realised that. And I will chuck my neon driver. Best wishes,

Hello Alistair, I spend some time googling for clay pipe rectification, foul water pipe repair, etc, but never thought of the simple 'sewer linings'. Stupid of me. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Hi, My stench pipe is in a bit of a state. The paint is flaking off and the white pipe looks like asbestos to me. So ideally I'd like to replace it rather than repaint. However, I also have something of a problem with the drain from the SVP to the septic tank. It's the old fashioned...

I've just found that the search engine 'Twenga' lists about a dozen voltage testers from the cheapos to the other end. I'll get myself a reasonably priced one, one grade up from the neon screwdriver. Thank you Spark123 for your reply.

A very interesting but somewhat mysterious thread! What does the average DIY fella need to safely tell if there is current in a wire - or not? About all I do electrically, for instance, is to replace a broken wall socket or a failing light bulb holder. I don't need much more than that - and...

Sorry JohnD, I should have mentioned I have a bungalow with a ventilated void. I'll chew over the idea of underneath insulation. (Don't know why I didn't thing of it myself). The thought of virtually nil heat loss is attractive even if the work involved isn't. Thanks to you both for your...

JohnD, Yes, it is draughty. There's a fair void under the boards. I could take up the boards but I think it would have to be really worth while in terms of heat gain. If it's relevant to what you may be going to suggest, I have four inch skirting boards in the room.

Of course, I should have been able to see that. I suspect that this would be an expensive business for a domestic purpose so I'll stick to underlay and carpet in the normal way. I've been cruising the Web about thermal underlays and it seems that good quality felt would be my best option. I...

Hi mattysupra, Unfortunately the floor boards are in poor condition and will need boarding no matter what carpeting I choose. I'll look around for the plastic mats you mention. What is the twin stick system? Does it draw the carpets up tightly or what? Thanks for your reply.

Hello, If you want your shed in a place that could be reached by a crane, I'd go for a used shipping container. They come in various sizes, including 20ft, and you can get insulated ones that don't condense inside. They are as strong as hell, lockable, and would be a lot cheaper than a...

Hi, I have a room I use for a computer den. It has a wooden suspended floor, an old carpet with no underlay, and it faces north. It's pretty cold. There must, I imagine, be carpet underlays with a good thermal rating? Some advice on this would be appreciated. If the answer is yes, then...

Thank you Zampa. I'll act on that straight away. Best wishes.

Hi, I've constructed a 65 foot long, 4 foot high trellis fence in my garden, bordering the road outside. I will be planting a hedge to grow through it but this will take about five years or so to be effective. In the meantime, I'd like to take away the raw look of the fence. It's made...

Will do!. Many thanks for your advice. I appreciate your trouble.

Okay, I'll give our local BCOa ring. Thanks for letting me know that. Having said that, it's just occurred to me that it may be possible to bring the waste pipe out of the external wall and then swing it across about 8 ft to the base of the existing stench pipe. A connection at just above...