Search results

We have a single skin blockwork wall between our utility room and integral garage. I want to add insulation to the garage side of the wall to bring this up to Building Regs. From research the method of insulating externally is to bond PIR insulation to the wall, then add a mesh and finishing...

I am planning an extension above my garage, gone through planning but now sorting BR approval. The garage wall is two skin (brick/block) but with no cavity. When I build above this what is the best option? I have been advised that I can achieve the required u value by installing a two skin wall...

All, I am about to embark on an extension and was looking at using engineered floor joists (such as Steico) instead of solid wooden joists due to ease of installation of services. Does anyone know of the kind of costs before I specify these joists and blow my budget! Looking to use 200mm deep...

I have just replaced a light switch following decorating and the circuit breaker will not reset. The switch is correctly wired as i have checked. Even put the old switch back to check the new switch wasn't faulty. After about an hour of doing other things i returned to the problem and the mcb...

Got a weird problem, the phone answers itself. It rings once or twice and without picking up the phone it is answered. It is ok at the master socket but the minute the extension socket is reconnected it happens again. Dont want to rip out the cable to replace it if i dont have to. any ideas

I am refurbishing part of the house and installing coving, the existing PIR wire comes down through the corner of the ceiling. When I install my coving this is going to be in the way. What is the best way to install a new PIR and where should the wiring be put? Can the new PIR be installed on...

Just had our gas fire removed and therefore the vent in the wall is redundant. What is the best way to fill the redundant duct? It is a cavity wall which has been filled so dont want to pull the duct out in case all the filling comes out (also it wouldnt budge when I tried). Doing the work from...

I am about to install a telephone extension and LAN network module (separate boxes). These will be sunk into the wall, but should I use the standard metal back boxes or plastic ones to reduce any chance of interference? Would be interested in peoples thoughts. I have copied this post in the...

I am about to install a telephone extension and LAN network module (separate boxes). These will be sunk into the wall, but should I use the standard metal back boxes or plastic ones to reduce any chance of interference? Would be interested in peoples thoughts. I have copied this post in the...

I have an open fireplace which I am boarding over and installing an inset electric fire and fireplace. There is a recess one brick deep around the area where the new fire will sit. Is it acceptable to fill this with a wooden frame to bring the front face level with the other brickwork prior to...

All, Our upstairs floor does not feel stable under foot (3m span) and removing the ceiling downstairs for another job I found there are no noggins or struts between the joists. Am I best to install solid noggins or steel herringbone struts? I cannot install the struts on top of the joists as...

Can anyone advise on what products to use to finish hardwood doors? The manufacturers instructions for the hardwood doors (XL joinery) show one coat of preservative and two coats of finish. My problem is I am not sure what constitutes a preservative and where to get it from! We are looking at a...

Can I simply replace my mechanical stat with a wireless stat? Dont want to touch the boiler so was planning on installing the receiver where the existing stat is. Question is can I do this as my existing stat only has 3 wires (as follows) and the wireless receiver needs 4 wires! Is it possible...

All, Looking to replace a mechanical room stat with a progammable one, does anyone have any good or bad points about the Drayton Digistat +3 or the Honeywell CM901. Cost wise the Drayton is £15 cheaper and prefering this one at the moment. Any advice greatfully received.

I am about to install 3 new radiators with a single drop feed, and I know I need to install a drain cock at the lowest point. But do I install a drain cock only on the inlet section of pipe to the radiators, or on both the inlet and outlet sets of pipe? Not sure whether the water will run out of...

Can anyone advise on the installation of top hung bi fold doors? I am worried about drilling holes into the lintel or is this acceptable with modern steel lintels? Also is this a DIY (fairly experienced, just put my own steel beam in which has been signed off by building control) job or only for...

Is there any special way in which Fireline plasterboard should be joined when butted up against each other in a single layer? Need to encase a 3m long steel beam and can only get 2.4m long sheets and dont want to use 2 layers as this will reduce the headroom. Also what should be done at the...

I need to move 2 motion sensors and their fixings to an adjacent wall so the wall can be knocked down. The sensors are only going to be opened to move the fixings not the wiring. Can anyone outline the process I need to go through to ensure I dont screw up my alarm! It is a Veritas alarm...

Hi, Does anyone know how to get the cover off of the pictured thermostat? It is a Honeywell model and has a single screw in the top right corner, but undoing this didnt seem to release the cover. Is there points at which I need to prise the cover off the backplate? Thanks

I have an existing Ferroli boiler which has the small round programmer (1 day only) with a mechanical room thermostat. Is it possible to replace the room thermostat with a digital programmable thermostat to enable better control of the boiler. In essence I want to set the boiler to be on...