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I’ve been renewing CH drops in bungalow. I’ve got some drafty gaps that need closing where the 15mm copper pipes come down from loft. What’s the best material and technique to close them up. Thanks D

I’m in process of restoring a Central Heating system in my (old) bungalow. I’d like to improve my pipe insulation in loft - presently pipes are lagged with a felty looking sleeve. A quick measure up; I’d need about 80m of the thicker pipe insulation (25mm/pipe/25mm) I was a bit surprised to find...

I bought some Danfoss TRVs (RAS-B2). They are (dynamic) valves with a preset numbered dial to save faffing with lock-shields to balance a system (lock-shields are all left fully open). The spec states suitable for a flow rate 10-135l/hr; Danfoss kindly provided this formula to check flow rate...

Has anyone experience of using OB1 for caulking ? Or a recommendation for interior caulking that won’t shrink / crack fall out when I turn my back. Thanks D

Hi all, I’ve been using Dulux Trade Supermatt and I like the opacity and Matt finish; it covers well in a really old house with many imperfections. I appreciate that it’s very low vinyl content means it’s not tough and washable and that it will mark being ultra Matt. That aside, is there any...

I’m in process of moving from vented to combi…… I’d like to put a new towel rail in the airing cupboard where the old HW cylinder was removed from. I’m pondering a low wattage electric element for when the boiler is on summer holiday. The alternative (grateful of thoughts); I have a...

I’ve been having some mixed results with the various on-line radiator sizing tools. Appreciate it’s not an exact science - but they seem a bit inconsistent and a leap of faith. So I thought I’d attempt a manual check to give me a bearing (or even use as an alternative if it works ok). I’d be...

I’m looking to replace my rads; preferring where possible to use a type 22 convectors. I’ve got my heat output requirements and am now looking at size and fit in rad locations. What is good practice to allow extra for pipes and TRVs. My rads are all drop feed on 15mm copper. Thanks D

I’ve got a run of about 20M from combi-boiler to (utility room) hot tap. It can take about a minute to get full hot water to the tap (warming after 30secs). I’m on a water meter so a bit wasteful. I’m wondering about an under sink heater like one of these Aristons . Are they worth a try - our...

I’m in process of replacing my old vented system with new combi system. The old original system had a couple of auto air vents on the 22mm flow/returns in loft. They don’t look in great shape so need replacing or deleting. By the time I’m finished the 22mm flow/returns will be all the remains...

Hi All, At first glance, I thought I had an Ideal Standard Close Coupled Cistern/Pan. On closer inspection, I’m wondering if it’s a Low Level Cistern/Pan with a (cut) very short flush pipe and mounted very low. Am I correct ? D

I’ve been using on-line BTU estimators for some radiator sizing. I (perhaps wrongly) assumed that the input of room dimensions (LxWxH) was simply to calculate a volumetric area. After getting some inconsistent results - I reversed my L and W dimensions; keeping the same numbers / same room...

I’m renovating an old bungalow; fitting new rads and new/additional mains sockets to rooms. Is it okay from regs / good practice point of view; to box in 15mm copper heating pipes and my wiring (for new sockets) in same box. I’d planning to add the (dry lining type) socket into the same box -...

I’m looking to patch repair some cracks and holes in an old solid wall. I recall being told not to use a Gypsum based filler as it would attract water /damp. On other walls I’m using ‘Gyproc Easyfill’ - but it’s Gypsum based. I’d be very grateful for a recommended alternative. Thanks in...

I’ve got an IDEAL STANDARD WC - sits on the concrete floor / not rear concealed. It has two Phillips / cross head fixing screws about an inch up from base. They screw into nylon inserts, through the ceramic. They screw in horizontally - not downward into the floor. Does this suggest that there...

Hi there - I’m looking to purchase some DANFOSS TRVS. The range is quite confusing and I wondered if anyone would be kind enough to recommend. I’m looking for angled valve set pairs (inc lockshield). Plumbing is standard 15mm copper and new rads will have 1/2 connections. I quite like the look...

Hi there - I’ve recently switched to a combi (ecoFIT pure 825) and it’s installed in my airing cupboard after removal of the old hot water cylinder. Presently, it’s only running a small zone of UFH with the main flow/return for nine radiators not connected; so it’s not really being fully...

Hi there - not sure if this is a heating or building forum question. I’m looking to replace some old rads (circa 50yrs) and I’ve been using a couple of on-line BTU calculators that provide broadly similar results. My question is about how I describe my outside walls in those calculators. My...

Hi there - I want to close off / delete an old fireplace and grateful of some advice. I’ve removed the brick surround, mantle and firebox. It’s had some damp - the lime base mortar is very soft.. The bricks are (very) Soft Reds and are quite fragile. I’d like to fix in a frame to support some...

Hello All, I’m looking at a project where I’d like to make use of some surplus’s 2’x2’x2” concrete slabs as support pads. Grateful of some advice if I’m on the right track….. I’m looking at making a base (about 4m x 2m) that will sit on six evenly spaced raised paver-pads. Should I dig out...