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Hello DIYnot-ters I have a mahoosive pile of old bricks I need to get rid of - can they be reused? Would there be e any point putting them on something like Freecycle? Cheers Jelly

Disclaimer: I am not a competent DIY-er... but even I can usually manage to drill a hole to hang something on the wall! I am drilling into the chimney breast to hang a mirror. The drill goes through the plaster fine, but will not drill through the brick behind. I have tried starting with a...

Hi there I need some advice please. I am planning on having some alcove cabinets made to fit either side of an upstairs chimey breast. Something like this: https://www.houzz.co.uk/photo/51805994-fitted-alcove-cabinet-fitted-furniture-traditional-living-room-manchester-uk The cabinets would...

Hi there Are washing machine power cables a standard length? If so how long are they please? Cheers for any info.

Apparently the heating element in my washing machine has "gone". As the machine is only just over three years old this is annoying. Is it reasonable to expect the element to last longer than this, especially given it's only used a couple of times a week, or is this pretty much par for the...

Hello all my stopcock not longer works and I think I need a new one. I have found this product which seems to be a really good idea to me. http://www.surestop.co.uk/data-page.asp?PID=35 Is it a good alternative or just a gimmicky thing that isn't as good as a traditional stopcock?

People often seem to post looking for info on best boiler to buy. Which? magazine has a report on this, so thought would post findings here in case people find it useful. These are the scores on the doors for reliability and customer satisfaction: Gas Boilers Worcester-reliability 79%...

So... Hideous 80s stone fireplace removed from 1920s house. What I really wanted was to get a reclaimed fireplace put in so I can have a real fire now and then. But HETAS chap came and had a look, said v likely chimney would need to be lined and may even be a problem as flue is v narrow...

Hi DIY-ers My aerial has come loose and is banging against the chimney when it's windy. Do I need a roofer or do I need a TV aerial person to fix it?? Sorry if stupid question, I know I ask a lot of them on here!!

Hi there I have an ongoing battle with damp patches on the bottom of both sides of an interior wall. Got an independent surveyor in, who thought most likely caused by condensation due to the house being unoccupied for a long while and lack of ventilation etc. I also noticed staining at...

Hello DIYnot-ers Grateful for your advice! Have just had hideous old stone 70s/80s fire surround removed. I would like to to instal a new fire surround and hearth. This will probably be decorative only initially, but I would like the option to later on to use the fireplace either as solid...

Hi there I have just ripped away some ugly hardboard to uncover a lovely fireplace. The surround is black marble, but it has been painted with cream paint! The paint comes off easily if I just scrape it with my fingernail. What's the best way to remove the paint without damaging the marble...

I'm looking to get some rewiring done. I know that I need to hire a Part P registered electrician or go the building regs route. But while I've been doing some research and talking to friends who've had work done, it seems to me a lot of people are ignoring Part P or don't know about it...

I’m in the middle of having a bathroom fitted. Old (very very old) bathroom has been taken out. Much of the piping is lead (plumbers knew that was the case). No-one has turned up at all this week. The more experienced plumber of the two involved in the job is supposed to be sorting out...

Hi there I'm looking for a decent bath, either a steel bath or an acrilyic shower bath. Budget is quite tight, but I don't want to buy something too cheap and nasty, so I'm thinking around £250. Can anyone recommend good brands for steel baths and showerbaths? Thanks.

Can you help with a novice question? Do I need to make a building regulations application to re-tile a roof, even if replacing like for like? From what I can glean on the web, the answer seems to be that this used not to be the case, but now an application must be made because of new...

I'm having roof re-tiled and guttering repaired. There are no fascia boards - do I need them? The guttering's been there for a long time, at least 40 years without them. Will cost an extra £700 if I decide to have them put up. Any advice? Are they essential? I'm happy (well not happy, but...

My mum recently died and I decided I wanted to keep her house on even though it needs a lot of work. Hired a surveyor (FRICS) so I could get a better idea of what needs doing to try and minimise risk of getting ripped off. Surveyor said evidence of extensive rising damp affecting the ground...