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Hi, got a newly-dashed house, in 6mm stone which I have to paint. The plasterers recommended spraying with a sealer or diluted paint using an ordinary garden spray and then using a roller - this to stop the stones coming off and make the paint go on more easily. No offence to them, they've...

I'm aware that running cables in caviites is generally a no-no, but... I have a short section of cavity wall between two soon-to-be sections of stud wall. The cavity wall is now internal (extension put up ages ago) so no realistic prospect of any water. It would be convenient to run cable...

Trying to get a MK 6400S 100A RCD (100mA TD) - any ideas where from? Everyone just seems to have the 80A ones - which I assume is a bit dubious with a 100A main fuse? Thanks in advance, Neal

Hi, Just had a gas pipe moved from the side of the house to a trench - it's plastic-coated copper. The main gas incomer (plastic - not bonded) enters the house then exits again (via meter) and dissapears into a trench for about 8m before re-entering house. Would you suggest a main bond...

Hi, I'm considering an 18V cordless reciprocating saw for cutting firewood, up to about 150mm. I'd prefer to avoid a chainsaw (cost, faff, noise). 'Fuel wood' blades seem to be available so I guess this isn't a completely mad idea - but in practice is this likely to be workable? Am I likely to...

Hi, am rebuilding a flat roof and have just found the existing joists are sitting directly on the blockwork - there's no timber wall plate. Also, they're sitting on the outer leaf, which presumably means the fascia is just nailed into the joist ends. I'm assuming that this is not good? I was...

Got a flat roof (about 2.5 m by 2.5 m) to rebuild - new joists and boards - firrings and flashing would be good this time too :? Am I correct that the usual way to build a warm flat roof is to use insulated boards? Is Celotex/Kingspan etc. between joists appropriate instead? The reasons I ask...

Hi, currently renovating/extending, and will need a new HW/heating system. The heating is not a problem, but HW may be. Currently, we have 4bar mains pressure and a basic flow rate test (tap+bucket) gives us 27l/min. I was intending to get an unvented cylinder put in, as we will have two...

Hi, I've got a flat roofed extension abutting a pitched (concrete tile) roof. The, er, "person" who built the flat roofed extension (no planning, no BC) just removed the bottom row of tiles and continued the flat roof under the tiled on. It doesn't leak (at least not there) but both have to come...

Have just taken up a carpet (well about three carpets...) to reveal a hardwood floor - which was tenting a bit in a couple of places. One bit was easy to fix - close to the edge so just relaid it. But the other is fairly well out in the room. It's a bit loose so was thinking of screwing...

Hacking away at a bricked-up fireplace trying to sort out some damp, I find this: The span is 1.2m, and at either end are 40cm by 50cm brick piers. There is also a curved steel bar (not visible in pic.) about 5cm wide and 7mm thick under the arch. Rusty but intact. As 'original features'...

Hi, I'm intending to fit an electric element in a towel radiator, and I need to fit a flex outlet plate in Zone 3. The stuff I've read is rather vague as to the 'allowability' of this. Also, although it is in Zone 3, it is facing a shower door about 1m away. In the circumstances, I wonder if...

When we moved into this house, there was this dubious looking socket - and it didn't work. Well, never mind it looked a bit dodgy and it was in a stupid place near the cooker. Finally got to take if off yesterday - and it was spurred off the cooker point in telephone cable. I think I know why it...

Hi all, have an approx. 80yr old house, with one wall very damp. The adjoining drive was higher by about 10-15cm, and the cavity was (and in places still is) 1m deep in compacted (presumably) old mortar that's fallen down over time. (At least, that's my interpretation - I guess the whole...

Finally worked out that I'll be able to make our remaining windows in less time than I spend on the phone to the joiners - they're good but very busy (first batch close to a year late by the time everything was sorted). My ancient B&D 1/4in router was just up to the test pieces to convince...

I've got a nice new stack of oak floor aclimatizing for a couple of weeks, and have conflicting advice on what to do with it. It's 20mm thick and the final floor level needs to come up 70mm total, so obviously I've got to put 50mm of something underneath. Suggestions have been: float it; nail...

Apologies in advance for being a bit less prepared asking this - sudden change of plan... Also this is a bit long :( In the process of renovating and extending an oldish house, and replacing all plumbing (and most else but that's beside the point). The main issue is the showers... Attic has...

OK, there I was with an electrician all lined up to put a new CU in (many thanks for the advice and comments BTW) when he disappears... Turns out he's gone to Spain to look after his (very elderly) parents who've been taken ill. And I can't get another electrician (that I trust anyway). I...

Many thanks to those that replied to my question about a new consumer unit on a TT supply. Sorry about the delay in replying - work just got insanely busy for a bit. Will probably go for the RCBO option (and as it happens yes I do have to dig a trench alongside the house :)) Two other...

Hi, have a TT supply, am in the middle of a complete rewire (part of extension/renovation) and need a new CU. Believe I need a 100mA time delay RCD as main incomer? Then 30mA RCD(s) where appropriate? Have seen a split RCD board from Rexel Senate but this is only 10 way (5+5) which is a bit...