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Done lots of single-skin blockwork before but want to build my own small extension cavity walls. Should I build the outer or inner leaf first, what centres should the ties go and what's the best way of avoiding 'snots' on the ties? Thanks for any advice.

I have an area about 3sq.m Tyrolean to patch up on the front of my house where I've taken an old porch down. My question is, should I scratch the undercoat before applying Tyrolean or leave it smooth? Any other tips greatly appreciated. Thank you

I'd like to paint a concrete block garden wall black but I can't find any black masonry paint listed anywhere. What should I use? I don't see the point in applying a full render treatment before painting so I'm thinking of filling in the little holes in the blocks with a wettish mix 4 sand...

I'm building an extension at the back of the house. I'd like to have the ffl almost at ground level, to allow elderly mum to get into the back garden through french doors without having to negotiate steps. Anyone see any problems with the arrangement in the picture, or suggest...

Is there a website that explains (e.g. shows samples) of different types of render finish and how to achieve them? I read all sorts of descriptions - tyrolean/pebbledash/roughcast/sponged etc - and I'm sure that people are not all using the same descriptions for the same finishes. barry

I want a shallow pitch slate roof on an extension but can only get about 10 degree angle. I've read somewhere that shallow as this is can be done but needs to have "fully supported waterproof membrane" and the slates are then for aesthetics only. Anyone shed more light on this and/or...

I was planning to tongue and groove (fixed to battens) full height to ceiling on a bathroom wall but a friend says that the void behind has to be flame-proofed in some way according to building regulations? Anyone able to tell me anything about this? Thanks in advance.

When I try to open adobe attachments to incoming emails I get a blank internet screen with "Restricted Sites" at the bottom right-hand corner. I've tried changing privacy settings on Internet options-security-zones but no joy. Any ideas? It's really frustrating having these docs on my...

I have old, glazed ceramic tiles in my dining room and would like to install engineered wood floor on top. The tiles weren't laid very well originally and have differences in height between individual tiles up to about 3mm. Do I need to screed or self-level first, or will normal wood-floor...

I installed "hotbar" free download to add greetings/emoticons to my emails. Worked ok but seemed to slow down my pc and I got loads of popup ads. Uninstalled but now when I open outlook I just get a toolbar and no messages showing (although at the bottom of the screen it lists how many...

Considering the number of posts and high level of interest/problems relating to "rising damp" I think this site might be of use. http://www.handr.co.uk/eiliterature/damp.html (Note to moderator: I have no connection with this site. Came across it during google search looking for answers...

I've got some good quality "carpet" underlay 9mm thick with foil backing, left over from carpeting other rooms. Would this be ok to use on top of ceramic tiled floor, underneath wood/laminate flooring?

I've just installed google toolbar with pop-up blocking and it's working a treat (85 blocked in just two weeks!). My problem is how do I get rid of two pop-ups that arrived before I installed the google thing, and appear every time I connect to the web? Thanks in advance.

I have a ceiling light attached to the underside of a wooden beam. Cable comes through hole in the beam. Fitting is secured by a steel bar attached to the beam, to which the fitting is attached by two screws. I've read that wiring should be encased in a non-combustible enclosure (BESA box?)...

Living room in my recently purchased 150+ year old cottage has bare concrete slab (which I suspect was laid in the last few years). From reading forum and other sources it seems ideally I need to lay screed (50mm+?) on top of polystyrene insulation, before laying underlay/carpet...