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Only thing I am not sure about is how to screw in a hollow screw?

RandomGrinch, you're a genius. That looks to be exactly the right part. The diameter of 12mm corresponds exactly to the M12 bolt I fitted as a makeshift repair. Thank you!

Do you mean you replaced the whole waste kit, or did you find a compatible hollow bolt somewhere? The sink is actually in my brother's flat. While he's grateful to me that he can now use the sink, he pointed out that can no longer use the sink plug after I replaced the original bolt with a...

It's just a standard combi waste kit. I don't need a new kit. I replaced the screw with a nice solid M12 bolt and it has made a good seal.

Believe it or not this screw/bolt was used to connect a kitchen sink drain to the waste pipe below - that is until the screwhead abruptly sheared off causing a mini flood. The sink was fitted about 10 years ago I think (not that the sink manufacturer can be blamed as waste kits are sold...

The guy who put it up was an alarm installer by trade. That explains the weird fixing.

I might have to resort to that in the end. It is evidently some sort of anti-tamper mechanism. I have seen anti-tamper screws before, but never anti-tamper slots!

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried sticking several different screwdrivers into the slot and turning them to 'unscrew' the cover but nothing much seemed to happen. The slot itself doesn't move.

This should be a simple enough job. The new sensor has a screw in the middle. Unscrew it and the front cover comes off to reveal the wires. But in the same place on the old sensor is a narrow slot and no screw; in fact no obvious way of removing the cover. Any ideas?

Interesting. I thought that the middle switch/spur must relate to the washing machine but if I turn it off the washing machine still has power, as does the kettle above the sink. So now I don't know what they are there for, or why all three are attached to a cupboard and not to the back wall...

Hi I am thinking of switching round a dishwasher and washing machine because the steam from the dishwasher is seriously corroding the adjacent radiator. However the electrics have given me pause for thought. The dishwasher is connected to a standard single plug socket on the back wall. The...

It would certainly be possible to change them although the above knobs would still require inserts. As for worthwhile well it would be a shame to have to throw away perfectly good handles. I think I can fix it with the help of some epoxy (and a hammer!). I'm just surprised these inserts are so rare.

The spindle/valve is stiff. In fact it was pulling off the handle to replace it that caused the split in the insert. I don't know much about 3D printing but the matching insert is wedged inside the cold tap handle and difficult to remove. I may try gently hammering the broken one into its...

The insert for the Armitage Shanks porcelain hot tap handle on my bathroom sink has split and now the tap handle sits loosely on top and cannot be pushed in. It would be trivial to fix if I could find the part. It is a 6 spline insert and is not compatible with the 8 spline design found in...

Tap spreader for Armitage Shanks ceramic tap handle

Plumbing Fixtures

I encountered the exact same problem when trying to revive my stiff kitchen mixer taps with new glands. After unscrewing the retaining screw the cold handle pulled off effortlessly, but the hot handle absolutely would not budge. I looked around on the internet, tried various suggestions...

Got it working! First I tried the third terminal. No change. The light remained on. Then I tried the second terminal. It worked! The attic switch is working normally now. I can only guess that accidentally pulling out the wire caused it to remain permanently in the ON position (it couldn't have...

There is nothing condescending about electrical safety. I have no wish to be shortlisted for a Darwin award!