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Can anyone tell me the likely reason 3 different brand replacement toilet fill valves arms all won't stop slowly dripping? They are the ball float type on a high level cistern. I've tried the water level at different settings. I'm getting a bit bored of getting up on the ladder and fiddling...

I'm looking for suggestions on how to clean the cloudy mess on our "black" limestone patio. It's not been sealed. I was happy with the fact it wouldn't be black unless it was wet. I've no problem with it being grey. The thing is I think the installers left the grout stuff sat on it when it...

Does anyone know of any alternative options to use for a membrane behind open joint cladding timber rain screen walls? The only thing I've found so far is Tyvek UV facade which is probably great but not cheap. It needs to be black, little or no markings, breathable and waterproof. Thanks!

A few years ago we had a combi boiler put in. About a year later the bloke who did it mentioned to me in passing that they hadn't put a non return valve on it and although it isn't important I might want one.. Now I've got a kid I worry about it a bit as I've heard the water can be...

Just looking for opinions on deck board staggering. This is 6.3 meters long by 1.9 wide. I'm using 3.6m boards, 120mm wide. Is this staggering ok or will it look naff? I can use the offcuts .8m long elsewhere. Or should I be looking at more differing lengths of boards so the joins are...

I recently ordered 2x6 c16 tanalith treated wood for a decking frame but what i got was listed as "joists" and looks golden not the green I'm used to with tanalith e. Anyone know if it could still be ok outdoors or if it should be sent back? Nothing on the markings clearly tells me what...

I want to use smooth decking for a new project. Is there any reason not to just buy sawn and treated 2x5 timber? Turnpike

I'm preparing to run decking around the edge of the back of my property, at ground level. I'm in Yorkshire and the garden is heavy clay which doesn't drain well. I had thought I'd just use paving slabs but the places where I'll have piers pools water sometimes. So I'm thinking I should pour...

What sort of lock (if any!) would secure a faced fixed external sliding door? I imagine it would be something fixed to the jambs like a bolt but which hooks into the door frame stiles? Thanks!

Hi all, I need to clad a small area (2mx1.5m) of an otherwise fully glazed structure. I think the way to do it is cladding, breather membrane, insulation, vapour barrier (ply/plasterboard). The thing is where do I get breather membrane? Especially difficult it seems if you dont want a...

I'm rebuilding the side of an attached "sun room" and the timber windows are full length 1m wide x 2m. It won't be long before I'm looking to get the glass for these but I'm not sure what I need. Just from what I've heard I expect I'm going to be looking for toughened 7mm double but is it...

I'm in the process of repairing/rebuilding an outbuilding "sun room". It's a very low mono pitch. I'm using onduline (corrugated bitumen) but I'm wondering what is the best way to finish/flash the top edge overhang and sides? So far I've thought I'll use a fascia board which is as high as...

I set a stand-off post anchor base in postcrete yesterday and after a day came back and put a 100mm square 2m post in it. The whole thing sways. The anchor seems to be loose, with movement about 3-5mm backwards and forwards. I thought postcrete set in 10 minutes. Have I tried to use it too...

What sort of nails or screws can I use to fix softwood joists into an oak top plate? If it wasn't oak I'd be using good strong shear nails, but with the tannins and staining in oak I'm not sure what the best choice would be. Cheers! turnpike

I'm replacing the roof on a "sun room" but it's nearly flat 5%. I'm not using firrings, the ceiling will slope as it did. The thing is, cutting birdsmouths that shallow is fiddly as it's barely even the kerf of the saw blade. Can I use shims instead? If so can I buy them and are they...

I'm wondering and confusing myself with too much thinking about what is the best way to fix flush beams on top of my new lean-to/sun room. If I was just using blocking between joists then I'd offset them to make it easy to nail or screw each one, however, every other one of my joists is being...

I'd like to use some galvanised restraint straps but it will be fixed into oak. Would sticking some plastic dpc between the strap and wood be enough to avoid the oak staining? Cheers! Carl.

I'm replacing a clear plastic flat roof, which was on a lean-to, with timbers and onduline. What's the best way to attach joists to the top of a single brick wall when there isn't room for a wallplate? Can I turn the wall plate vertical like this and use metal straps to hold it in place...

I've got an old attached garage with a very low pitch roof going away from the house to a single brick wall (with piers). The 2x4 rafters seem to just sit on the top of that wall, with just a fascia nailed on the outside. I can't see how they are fixed if at all. They don't sit on a timber...

Hi all! If I build a lean-to out of construction dry graded softwood (spruce) and treat it with cuprinol, is it going to last or will I be replacing bits and/or having to treat it again every year? Cheers!