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    repiring old putty in metal windows

    The putty is failing on metal casement windows (vintage 1930s). Most of putty is sound, but there are stretches where the paint over the putty is peeling and/or putty is cracked. In a few places, pieces of hardened putty can be removed exposing the metal of the window. Is it possible to patch...
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    preventing movement of granite worktop installation

    I recently had a large granite worktop installed in a kitchen. Looking at it now, I'm concerned that tiny movements over time will lead to cracking and am looking for any advice. The worktop layout is U shaped. The "vertical" legs of the U are up to 2500mm long. The "bottom" of othe U is...
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    Painting exposed tile cement at the edge of a run of tiles

    Hi all, any advice on this would be appreciated. I have a bathroom wall that is tiled up to half way up from the floor. The tiler used a very thick bed of cement (about 1 cm thick). Along the top edge, the cement is clearly visible and it is not very even. I'm painting the wall above and...
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    skimming versus patching/filling and stubborn cracks

    Four related questions: 1) At what point do you decide it's not worth filling and patching and it's better to skim the whole wall? 2) I've seen an "easifill" product recommended in other replies for patching because it's easy to sand. I bought some to try it out but see that it's labelled...
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    Design and build built-in wardrobes

    I'm interested in building several built in wardrobes in MDF. I need to achieve a professional looking result. I have reasonable DIY woodworking skills, but limited access to tools and wonder whether this is something I can undertake. I had imagined that I would have all the major cutting...
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    Painting indoor side of metal windows (lots of them)

    I am undertaking to repaint the interior side of metal casement windows made in the 1930’s by a company called Crittal. The frame is about an inch wide and quarter inch thick. The windows run floor to ceiling and have six panes. I have about 10 windows to do. Each contains four sections so that...
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    Is separate switch required for a cooker hood?

    I'm installing a cooker hood with a sheet metal chimney to cover the ducting. I don't want another unsightly switched FCU on the wall above the worktop. The hood has its own on/off switch. What are my options. I don't understand rules about having a separate switch and it being accessible (why...
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    drilling into hard porcelain tiles

    I have new 10mm thick porcelain tiles on the wall and floor. Standard tile bits make almost no progress through the tiles. Local tile shop suggested "Bosch Karat" bits, but doesn't stock them. Can't find them on Bosch's website either. Surely this can't be this difficult! Also, how do you...
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    Waterproofing plaster wall behind shower tiles

    Hi, I read somewhere that it's a good idea to waterproof plaster walls before tiling a shower or bath, particularly at the bath edge where someday the caulking and grout may deteriorate and let water in. The wall in question is plastered with "bonding" which is very very absorbent of water...
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    difficulty cutting tiles accurately

    Hi, I'm trying to tile with 40cm porcelain tiles. Using a new Screwfix snap cutter but the little tungsten carbide wheel seems to have a bit of play such that it pulls as much as 3 mm to either side as you score. There's also some flex in the whole structure of the cutter. In other words, after...
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    new tiles stain easily

    Hi, Just tiled a bathroom floor with matt finish porcelain tiles. Used a dry wipe marker (used for whiteboards) to mark the tiles while working and now it doesn't rub off fully - I am left with a faint mark. The plumber left some iron filings on the floor and they rusted and left stains too...
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    pipes to towel warmer through breezeblock/plaster wall

    Hello: I installed a chrome towel rail on a breezeblock and plaster internal wall. Pipes chased and tunnelled through wall from void in floor and emerge from wall to reach the radiator valves two inches or so away (coming straight out of the floor is not an option). All pipes are copper 15mm...
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