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I'm looking for the best way to apply mortar between exterior paving flagstones. I have used both dry and wet mixes in the past. The dry mix is easy to apply - just brush in - but after a year or two the results are not very good. The mixture gets crumbly and never fully sets. The wet mix...

Help - I have a leaking tap - I thought the problem was a standard washer but it looks like something else. The washer on the plunger (excuse my words if not correct) is OK but it beds into another washer which sits around the outlet hole which has broken. In trying to source this item - I do...

I would like to replace my stair hand rails (pine to oak), but I do not want to go to the bother (and expense) of changing the upright posts (newel posts) as I intend to paint them. The existing hand rails are attached to the newel posts by mortise and tenon, the only way to get them out is to...

Help I am trying to source a plastic elbow connector from a sink drain hole. I broke the last one by over tightening a central screw in the plug hole. I have discovered that there is a central threaded column in the outlet pipe which allows it to be pulled tight underneath the plug hole by use...

I am about to receive delivery of an electric built in (built under) cooker. Do the regulations require that I get a qualified electrician to install it or can I go ahead and wire it in myself. I live just across the border in Wales. Thanks.

I am not a qualified electrician - do the reulations allow me to fit a 32 amp rcbo or must this be done by someone suitably qualified? Thanks

Hi - I have a varnished back door that I want to paint. Stripping off the varnish seems too much like hard work. Does anyone know of a suitable primer/undercoat that can be laid down on top of the varnished surface please? Thanks.

Help - I have concrete birdbath bowl that split into two. I don't know if I can stick the two pieces together again. Using mortar would make the gap too big plus I don't think it would be strong enough to hold the pieces together; they are heavy. Perhaps there is some sort of resin or acrylic...

I would like to use Farrow & Ball exterior eggshell paint but the colour is just slightly different to what I need. It just needs a little bit of black to darken the colour slightly. With F&B being expensive I don't want to spend the extra on F&B exterior eggshell black. The 100ml tester pots...

The mortar between my patio slabs has cracked due to age. I would like to replace it with some light coloured mortar/cement. The mix I have tried uses builder's sand with the cement - but the colour is too orange for my liking (due to the orange sand). I wonder if I could use playpit sand which...

Hi - I have a fridge built into the kitchen units. The outer door is part of the kitchen paneling whilst the inner door is part of the fridge. The inner door is attached to the outer door which in turn is hinged (3 hinges) to the inside of the housing cabinet. The bottom hinge has started not to...

Hi - I just want to put in a double glazed unit in my back door (top half). On the internet when I look to purchase such a unit I always seem to be directed to trade installers. Do the manufacturers only sell to trade? Or is there a chance a humble DIYer can source the units directly? If so I...

Hi - my front doorstep has 15mm x 15mm quarry tiles exposed to the elements. Some are now cracked and I am going to order some replacements. I was going to set them in using quick drying waterproof cement (Cementone). However I wonder if I need to use specific tile grouting. perhaps I need...