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    Recent new bathroom - sealant already mouldy

    We had a bedroom converted into a bathroom about 5 months ago, professionally done by a local firm. The sealant around the bath is already going mouldy, but only in the wettest part where the shower frequently wets it. The mould is beneath/inside the sealant, so we can't just clean it off. The...
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    Boiler overheating after isolating F/R?

    Main Combi Eco 30 boiler. I have some work planned changing radiators and pipework, so decided to drain the central heating system down. Could take me some time to finish the work and we need hot water in the meantime, so I decided to move the selector to hot water only and isolate flow and...
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    Patio pattern generator?

    I am recycling an Indian Sandstone patio that has already been lifted, approx. 48m2 of four different flag sizes. Does anybody know of a generator that would allow me to input my surface area, plus the number of each individual flag sizes, in order to generate a suitable random pattern? The...
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    Re-using slabs with old cement on them

    Somebody local to us is having a new patio done and has about 50m2 indian sandstone to lift and dispose of. I am planning to use the lot for a raised patio in my garden, but many of them are coming up with a thick layer of cement and sub base stuck to them. Removing this seems like it would be...
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    Old black cable - possibly rubber?

    In advance of extending the upstairs ring main in my 1930's house, I have pulled up some floor boards to see what the state of play is. To my surprise, it looks like one side of the ring main at the CU is possibly old black rubber cable? It is stamped "250 VOLTS B.S.S.7 MADE IN ENGLAND". I found...
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    Adding a radiator - tee off 22mm F&R with 22 or 15mm?

    I have a garage conversion and would like to install a radiator in there. The house has a 30kW Main Eco combi boiler fitted in the kitchen. There are 22mm flow and return pipes running the length of the house with all of the rads teeing into them in 15mm. The easiest way I can see to connect...
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    Consumer Unit RCD question

    Hi all, I have a question regarding the RCD protection in my consumer unit, photo attached. My understanding is that the MCBs in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 are not protected by an RCD, as per the regs of the time. I would like to protect these circuits, in particular number 2, as we've recently...
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    Interceptor trap rodding hole cap replacement

    1930's interceptor trap - rodding hole "tea pot lid" went missing after some cowboys worked on the drains. Depending who you speak to, these aren't necessary on a vented system, as mine is, but I have noticed the occasional sewer whiff in the garden since it went walkabout and there are no...
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    Where have all the integrated vented tumble dryers gone?!

    Where have all the integrated vented tumble dryers gone? Ours is 20 years old and has recently begun making a great impression of a cement mixer! I could have a crack at repairing, but given its age, it's probably time for a new one. I am absolutely flabbergasted than I can't find a single...
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    Soil pipe access branch questions

    About five years ago we had a toilet fitted under the stairs. The builder put in new pipes for the toilet and sink waste. The sink waste is teed into the soil pipe via 32mm and a strap boss, but there isn't much of a fall on the pipe and I've had problems with standing water freezing and...
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    Thinking of doing a loft conversion

    Can anybody tell me what type of attic this would be called (apart from a messy one) and whether it would be suitable for converting into living space? I can stand up comfortably in the centre and there's plenty of room above my head. The floor semi-boarded out by the previous owner but I have...
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    Will 48mm PZ UPVC door handles work with a 47mm sashlock?

    Replacing handles and lock on a composite door. It has a mortice sashlock and lever on backplate handles that I am replacing with a euro profile sashlock and UPVC handles. I've located a euro sashlock of identical dimensions to the existing lock, and it has 47mm PZ (some claim 47.5mm). I've...
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    What type of brick is this?

    Few years ago I had my garage door bricked up in advance of a conversion project. To my surprise, the new bricks have a grooved face on the internal side, while the exterior is a very good match to the original brick. They are also not quite as deep as the originals. I am curious as to what...
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    Self-levelling over liquid DPM questions

    I am applying liquid DPM (Wickes own brand) to an old internal concrete floor with no DPM. Once it has fully cured I'm planning on putting down self levelling compound and eventually wooden flooring on top. Having never done a liquid DPM before, I have some questions: 1) Do I need to use a...
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    Manhole re-benched - Is this acceptable

    I've been having some work done for ground movement on the home insurance. One of the recommendations of a drain survey was to re-bench/channel in a manhole on the driveway as the existing terracotta channel was cracked and leaking. When the insurance-appointed contractors were finished (who...
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    Old concrete floor no DPM - options

    The garage in my 1936 build house has an old concrete floor with no sign of a DPM. It looks to have been extended and patched over the years, so it's a little rough and wonky in places. While I haven't ever seen any pooling water, there is a damp feel in general and anything that gets left on...
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    Garage wall insulation - thinnest I can get away with?

    I am converting my attached garage into a gym space. The three external walls are single leaf brick. with no render or plaster on either side. Garage door has been removed/bricked up and double glazing being put in. In order to save space, I have decided to go down the treated batten route...
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    Garage conversion air gap ventilation

    I have a little project planned to convert my garage into a gym. It is single brick construction with a flat roof. To save space, I am planning to batten foil-backed insulated plasterboard directly to brick. I am led to believe the foil stuff will act as a vapour barrier. My question is, will...
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    Ongoing issue with boiler losing pressure

    Hi all. Getting a bit feed up with my combi boiler which keeps losing pressure. It's a Main Combi Eco 30 which is around 14 years old. When we moved into the property about 6 years ago, it would occasionally lose pressure, eventually getting to the point where a plumber discovered the expansion...
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    Downlights vs pendants

    I am converting a garage into a gym space. Size wise it's somewhere between a single and double garage. It has a horrible old artex ceiling that I'm going to have skimmed. There used to be a couple of old CCFL lights, which I have replaced with temporary pendants. My question is, is there any...
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