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Hi all, I’d appreciate some advice from people who know more about window/door installation than I do. We had new REHAU Rio patio doors with sidelights fitted earlier this year by a small FENSA-registered company. We are getting very noticeable cold and draughts around the bottom of the...

Hi everyone, I’m working on a house built in the 1950s and have an exposed opening where French doors (with two side windows) used to be. The wall is currently a mix of cement-based products and exposed blockwork with a metal grid (likely from the old dwarf wall). The wall itself is 280mm...

I have a leftover 50mm insulation Rockwool sound insulation slab RWA45 that I used in floor insulation like this one: https://www.wickes.co.uk/Rockwool-Sound-Insulation-Slab---50-x-400-x-1200mm/p/234857 Can I use it to fill in 50mm cavity wall or it is not a good idea? I cannot use anything...

Hi, I am working on a door opening and have a question about DPC. As you can see on the attached photo I have a few bricks removed and one near the DPC remaining and am unsure whether to replace it or just fill it in with mortar :unsure: I have a replacement brick but the problem is with the...

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on the best way to extend my house to create a 4th bedroom. Based on the floor plans (attached), the staircase is in the middle of the house, with the kitchen/dining room on the left and the living room on the right. I have around 7m of land to the side of...

Hi, I have an issue with my OV system and was wondering if anyone can help. When I set the programmer to CH and HW constantly on and check the 3 port diverter valve I do not observe any hot pipes although the Grundfox II pump seems to be operating ok on CCIII showing 45W and on CCII showing...

Hi, I am thinking of installing two 2 x 6 beams that would support short inspection path above insulation. They would be supported in the middle by 2 x 4 ceiling binder that rests on the inner and outer walls. The path would be constructed from two 2 x 6 beams about 1.6m long each and would be...

Hi, I am thinking of installing a rafter tie that would support short inspection path above insulation. The path would be about 1.6m long and would be suspended on internal wall one side and on this new 2 x 6 rafter tie (4m span) on the other. I was considering raising the floor from ceiling...

Hi, I've got an external I beam (I know it is the wrong beam but was specced like that by structural engineer) that is supposed to sit in line with internal. The problem is the bearings would have to be cut to accommodate 30mm drop to have it inline with internal. How would you go about that...

Apologies if this is a silly question as I've never owned a ladder before. I have lent my new tripod ladder to a neighbour to help with cutting down a small tree. While I was in another section of the garden I heard a loud bang and upon returning I saw a big scuff mark on one of the legs likely...

Hi, I am trying to prepare the space for new cill and sliding doors. It used to be a one level surface before connecting living room with conservatory. I am trying to establish how to finish it ready for the cill and doors - should I be taking out the concrete with an angle grinder and exposing...

Hi, I've had a reputable and recommended building company who installed additional external leaf steel lintel next to already existing internal concrete lintel. I've this job certified by council building inspector. I have also sourced the company from recommendation. Since then I had a brickie...

I need to understand whether I should be repairing (if so how?) or taking out bricks that are damaged for replacement that are positioned close to the ground on the edge of the wall that meets the 2.4m wide opening below the 2.7m steel to make it ready for sliding patio doors (photos attached)...

Hi, I have an open vented system with Cylinder and F&E tank in the loft. I have noticed for about 2 weeks now that the hot water has been gradually getting less hot and currently is only luke warm. I tried raising the thermostat on the cylinder which does not seem to take any effect. I do not...

Hi, Just about to agree on a payment plan with a contractor to replace wooden windows, doors and install a Prefix Hybrid Warm Roof instead of polycarbonate and wood construction in my garden room (+ they will be installing FSG to the back of the house and I beam on the external leaf of the wall...

Hi, I wonder if someone has experience as when I contacted my council they did not know and told me to research online (I know - it's bad but I think they are not obliged to give advice over the phone?). I have an old rotting conservatory with a polycarbonate roof that is opened up to the...

Hi, Excuse me if this request for advice is beyond silly as my knowledge of structural works is low at the moment. I am at the planning stage of building a two storey side extension. Before engaging SE I wanted to double check if anyone has experience on knocking down part of the walls (assume...

Hi, I've been planning to put external door between conservatory and living room (the opening is 2.5m wide) and recently uncovered a concrete lintel with bowing brickwork. The latter is bowing downwards (see photos). I've noticed from upstairs window when looking downwards that the brickwork is...