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I’m about to lay some granite flags and wondered if I need to seal the tops before I start. Granite “generally” is non porous but I’m unsure how it reacts with sand & cement. I was planning on sealing them once they’re down anyway (as it’s easier) but wondered if I need to do that pre laying.

We have an external thermalite block wall on our side extension which we have been told by building control needs to have an expansion joint retrofitted as it exceeds 7m in length. Can someone advise me how wide the gap needs to be and what to fill it with between the blocks. It will then be...

I’m trying the change the barrel to one with a thumb turn on the inside. I’ve removed the screw but there’s a guard that’s stopping me from removing the barrel. Anyone come across a lock like this? Thanks.

Hi - trying to work out maximum floor spans for 6x3 floor joists to blend in with existing floors. Looking at NHBC and other ‘free’ calculators based on BS 6399-1 the spans for 400 centres seem really small (using NHBC recommended dead load assumption of 0.25 to 0.5 kN/m2) at 2.6m in C16 or 2.9m...

My parents live in a listed building in north wales and have an incomplete sprinkler system which needs finishing. The contractor took payment and left the job incomplete. The sprinklers are in-situ however it needs a tank and pump to complete the job. Are there any guys out there willing to...

I’m about to add some decking at the back of the house (see pic) and I’m after a bit of advice. Seeing as there’s 2 x air bricks under the sill, if I left about 1 1/2” gap would that be enough for air flow? The gap would then be hidden by the sill. Or would it be ok to fix the frame to the...

I have a low garden wall which I want to add mosaic tiles to but the bricks are quite bumpy so It will need smoothing out first. Should I render it or use plaster bonding? Thanks

I’m about to install a deck at the front of a terrace house and have a couple of questions. The deck will be 1.8m deep x 3.3m long which will be fixed to the house and the front garden wall (below the dpc). I was going to leave a gap of 10mm around the deck frame on the house and wall side and...

I’m about to install a deck at the front of a terrace house and have a couple of questions. The deck will be 1.8m deep x 3.3m long which will be fixed to the house and the front garden wall (below the dpc). I was going to leave a gap of 10mm around the deck frame on the house and wall side and...

Me & my next door neighbour have decided to go halves on a new fence running down the back garden which is about 22m long. We've both opted for a 7ft fence as their side is a bit higher so it gives us both privacy (its a big garden so the high fence wont look out of place). I was happy to go...

My house was repointed a few years ago before I owned it and there’s an area next to a new window which needs some attention. Basically the window fitter disturbed loads of bricks, the pointing has come out and now it looks a mess. It wasn’t ground out when it was done and I believe the pointing...

Hi. I’m looking at buying a double bevel mitre saw and would like some recommendations. I currently have an old erbauer which will cut through railway sleepers all day long but it’s accuracy isn’t the best now for mitres/angles etc due to its age and size. Just looking for something small...

Hi. I’m looking at buying a double bevel mitre saw and would like some recommendations. I currently have an old erbauer which will cut through railway sleepers all day long but it’s accuracy isn’t the best now for mitres/angles etc due to its age and size. Just looking for something small...

Hi. Im just about to remove a radiator prior to plastering and have come across this odd rad valve (pic attached). The left side is a standard thermo valve but this is on the right. I’ve gone to turn to it off (fully right) but it’s already fully right and the radiator is on. Is it likely the...

I've just laid a new patio using sawn sandstone. I pointed it using a semi wet mix (3 to 1) and brushed away any excess as it was drying. On previous patios, i'd leave it a week and then give it a final clean up with the jetwash although this time its hardly touched it. This time its stained it...

Ive recently added some Grade 4 Red cedar shingles to an outdoor shelter (2.8m x 1.4m). Only now have I realised that the gap between each shingle should be more than I’ve already done. Ive only done about 1 or 2mm. Seeing as its just a small area and not meant as a permanent structure would I...

Can someone tell me what the exact internal measurement (Horizontally and vertically) of a 2ft 6 door casing should be as I'm making my own. Cheers

I'm in the process of doing a bungalow loft conversion and am almost at the stage of first fix electrics. I've had to pack out the rafters to a 6" so I can get 100mm of kingspan in and have some air circulation too. I was wanting to add LED spotlights in the ceiling but was worried about drafts...

I have a kitchen through diner 3.5m x 5.5m which I need plastering and wondering on an approximate cost. The room has been re-plumbed and re-wired so will need bonding/browning in places and then skimmed. I also need the ceiling over boarding and skimming. It will be an empty blank canvas with...

I've recently bought a 1965 2 bed semi detached bungalow which needs a full re-wire. Can someone give me an idea of price using standard fittings. Currently the upstairs hasn't been converted but will be at a later date. Im in manchester btw. Cheers