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For any reader's benefit, I have been told by the chimney sweeper that I don't need special fire bricks or mortar when using a stove/log burner. That being said, he wasn't he most reliable/trustworthy person in the world, but I will go with that.

I have read a few similar posts on the forum but none seem to answer my question: I am re-instating (opening) a fireplace and I intend to use a woodburner stove (5-8KW). I would like to use an oak beam mantel, render/paint the outside and lay bricks on the inside, kind of like this...

Can anybody share any experience of these? Any goods or bads, things to look out for? Also, any cheaper supplier than B&Q? Has anyone come across the "NuVu / Smoothfold" range? Thanks

Hmmm That might have something to say about the builder. So would a "normal" builder be able to tell if it is a load bearing wall or do I need a surveyor / engineer / architect?

Hi Sorry, another stupid question but I had some builders in to give me a quote for knocking down a wall and I thought they could investigate and tell me if it is load bearing or not, but they said I should get the house plans from the council instead. I googled this and I only found links to...

Thanks. I got the pros in :)

Thanks for the answers. I will send a sample to a lab to check if it is asbestos. I will probably buy a cheap palm sander then, as I can use it on some of the walls as well. How difficult is it to skim the ceiling? Is it a skill that could be picked up by watching a few youtube videos? or am I...

Good points. Thanks. I bought a test kit and will send a sample to the lab. If I do skim the ceiling, how long do I have to wait afterwards before painting over? Also, how difficult is skimming? (for a person who didn't do much diy before) Is it worth trying or should I not even consider...

I bought a house with horrible textures on ceilings. I think the ceilings are about 10-15 years old. How can I check if it is asbestos, to know if it is safe to sand it down? Thanks, Dan

Disclaimer: I know this is a stupid question and I apologize for that. I am rubbish at DIY but I promise to get better. Now, can I use a power sander to sand down stupid textures on the ceiling, and maybe to prepare the walls for painting? If so, which is best, the disk or belt? Also, could...