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I need to fit an overcounter ceramic sink in a few days time. Looking at the instructions, it says use a centre punch (a pointed tool) but shows a blunt tool in the photo - looks like a 1/4" socket set extension bar. Any advice here? I called Howdens but they were not helpful - I am thinking...

How are these normally fixed, assuming hidden fixing? In our case, an Electriq extractor, also sold as Innocenti, has brackets which assume that it would be fixed to the ceiling structure, with a false ceiling about 300mm below. Trouble is, it assumes that there is access to the false ceiling...

I have been helping my son with an EICR. The EICR was a "fail" with a number of C2 codes. We got them all fixed them anyway, all worth doing for safety sake, but I wanted to ask for curiosity whether we got the right codes - I was surprised. 1. Missing seal on the supplier fuse. I would...

Just looking for opinions on which way to run the ducting. In our new kitchen the hob is now in the middle of the room and taking joist direction into consideration the duct could go: 1. About 3m to the back of the house; but it would come out right over the the bi-fold doors; sounds not great...

Our kitchen design has an island with one side mostly open to sit at. So the worktop needs to span this area, 600mm deep and about 2m wide; supported by units at the back and each side. We don't really want legs, the floor is LVT so would need to be cut through, with expansion joints. Across...

We are planning to tile over a large (about 7m x 7m) area that was previously three adjoining rooms - the old kitchen and dining room with an extension built across the back. All three have been recently re-screeded to get them to the same level. Planning to use large format tiles and looking...

What recommendations for finishing a solid chestnut floor? I have read that because of the high tannin content, not all products are compatible, but I haven't found any specific advice about Chestnut on manufacturer websites. Hard Wax or another Matt finish preferred...

Hi, I am putting in a false ceiling in a room about 4m x 4m. happy with most aspects (plasterboard on metal frame fixed to new joists at 1m centres) but have not been able to find anything specific about fixings for the wall plates. M12 studs at 400mm centres as for a floor would seem...

I need to paint some mahogany window frames, previously finished with Sikkens THB (that's a solvent based translucent woodstain). I will be painting some white and some cream, probably satin based. What's the best way to prepare and should I use a primer or undercoat? Would the preparation...

A question about earth wiring in France: I am trying to bring the wiring more in line with regulations. If there are a couple of adjacent outlets, e.g. for washer and dishwasher, which need their own mcb and wiring, do they each need an individual earth? The wiring is all conduit based: there...

A friend of my wife asked my advice on this topic: I was not sure of the answer but said I knew a place to ask... Problem is that her kitchen halogen downlights (50W) were installed buried in insulation and consequently overheat badly; some are now brown and several transformers have failed...

We have a couple of windows in a conservatory that leak regularly in heavy rain, just two units out of many. The water leaks in near one mitre in each case. The windows are of the type where the sealed unit can be taken out from the inside, plastic bars with rubber wipers provide the seal...

In process of replacing a first floor bedroom floor - primarily to increase sound insulation. Have discovered just one set of Noggins across 4m of span which seems a bit light and thought I might add another two. the floor - 7" x 2.5" joists - has always been a bit lively. Any advice of the...

I have read some info that standard PU foam is not compatible with PVC-insulated cable; and elsewhere contradictions that intumescent foam IS and IS NOT compatible. Anyone shed any light on this subject? I need to seal as best I can where cables go through some fairly big holes in the wall...

I am looking for the best low-cost solution (if that's not a contradiction) to improve the acoustic insulation between the kitchen and our bedroom above. Any suggestions? At the moment there is just 12.5mm plasterboard (taped and filled, not skimmed with plaster) the joists (175x75mm) and...

Today our incoming water main sprung a leak, fortunately discovered quite quickly and fortunaterly just to the house side of the service valve. When I disassembled the leaking compression joint, I found the copper inside the fitting to be corroded away, and more corrosion just outside which had...

I need to reline a ceiling because the surface - previously covered in polystyrene tiles - is so bad. The shape of the room, hallway, would suit laying the boards long edge along the joists. Not the best way to do it but I wonder if anyone has any advice? Should I go ahead or just accept more...

I want to relay some damaged parquet flooring. I have some matching wood bocks, but am wondering what adhesive to use nowadays. The existing floor is glued down with a bitumin-type adhesive, I assume there is a modern equivaent? What should I use? If it is relavent, the blocks are about...

I want to replace my oil pipe which goes about 2m under the kitchen floor before going out the house. It is unprotected copper and since my cold water pipe burst under the floor recently (also unprotected copper) I thought I would replace the oil line before it too corrodes away. My OFTEC...

Our Bosch WFT2800GB stops regularly near the start of the main wash, or during the rinse. It shows the error "PREWASH - ANTCREASE - 3" which is described in the manual as: "Water tap not open or blocked inlet filter". It is definately not the filters, as I tried running without them, and the...