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This is an exterior wall in an inglenook fireplace, now with woodburner installed. Solid brick wall with cement based render exteriorly. The brick and lime mortar appears dry but is flaking in places and some efflorescence as per photo. In some areas the face of brick has fallen away by up to...

Hi all, I want to lay 600x400mm limestone floor tiles on a newly laid concrete slab. It's laid flat so no need for screed. The room needs to be used asap so I don't have time to wait for the usual 28+ days before tiling. Therefore I'm going to use 1) Decoupling membrane on S2 adhesive 2) Stone...

Hi, We have a disused chimney which has suffered with damp problems caused by a lack of ventilation. The top is now ventilated via a c-cap but I believe it's also good practice to ventilate the bottom. This would actually be at 1st floor level as on the ground floor there's an alcove over...

Hi, I'm removing a old flue from a chimney that's no longer used. The other issue is that the current cowl let's water into the flue during heavy rain. As per the photo there's no pot only the thing that holds the flue. I've removed some of the mortar which had all crumbled anyway. What would...

Hi, I'm installing an electric range into a chimney breast and need a solution for extraction. I've removed an old piece of cement board and the old flue from an Aga. Due to the chimney brickwork the aperture I have to work with is only about 150mm deep and there isn't even room to install a...

Hi I need to make a connection into old 1990's grey polypropylene 22mm pipe to add a new radiator to the circuit. I generally use JG speedfit. Is it possible to use this and would I need to use a pipe insert in the old pipe Many thanks

If you've got an old house, or if you simply want to avoid damp walls then the mantra is Breathability. Which translates as lime plaster on the internal side of exterior walls. BUT - it's hard to get hold off, eye wateringly expensive, difficult to use, and if you can't DIY it then suitable...

I need to find someone to install some emergency lighting in a rented flat that sits above a commercial property. The flat is registered as a separate address and has it's own electrical supply. My usual electrician is not sure if he is insured to do the work as he only does 'residential' Does...

Every oil based paint I've used since the new EU regs a few years back have turned a nasty cream after a few months of sunlight exposure. Taken to using acrylic water based paint for all interior wood which is great but I've now got to do some exterior painting and would normally have used...

Our porch has an old fiberglass roof which seems to be leaking in places It's only about 5M2 so I'm looking for something to paint/roll on. There seem to be a lot of liquid roofing products available from SF/TS etc - can anyone recommend something suitable? Many thanks

I'm a bit confused r.e. the use of batons to ensure an even finish as have read conflicting information. I presume this is the correct order: 1) Fix 19mm thick batons at 900mm spacing 2) Apply scratch coat to estimated 10mm thickness 3) Apply top coat and then use straight edge to level against...

I'm happy with the construction of the actual deck but there's a couple of thing I would like to check: 1) The fascia board arrangement - specifically is there any advantage to bringing the board out with batons to create a cavity behind it. It would be simplest to just screw it to the end...

I'm working one a one room extension which will join onto a room with existing pine exposed floorboards. I need the floor to be continuous so need to lay new boards to match. The extension will have a concrete slab which I'll get as flat as possible. Do you think the following floor setup will...

We have combined drainage and want to put a downstairs loo in and connect it to an old system at the back of the house. Currently there is a clayware gully taking kicthen sink, washing machine and condenser waste. I've planned the underground system in the attached picture to replace this and...

I've given up trying to find a solution to get a 32mm sanicompact waste pipe outside so am going to commit to finding a route through the house to the 110mm soil pipe. Problem is the only access point is a 60mm high vertical portion of pipe and only one side of the pipe is accessible (the...

Currently looking to convert a pantry into a downstairs washroom. There is already 40mm pipe for a washing machine and no possibility of connecting to 110mm waste so a macerator (sanicompact) is the only solution. Is it possible to connect these 3 units up and prevent backflow from the WC i.e...

I've just found out that our cooker hood is only recirculating and there is no ducting to the outside world. We're getting a lot of condensation on the walls and mold so this situation obviously needs addressing. There's actually no possibility of getting ducting from a cooker hood in it's...

Basically need to make some cheap repairs to a driveway with some fairly big potholes (nothing more than 50mm deep). Can't afford a full resurface. I've been looking at different solutions: 1) Fill with type 1 mot, perhaps mixed with cement and compact 2) Use post-fix / post cement 3) Use...

Bathroom is approx 10m3 and currently doesn't have a fan. Only option is ceiling mounted and I'm going to vent through a tile vent: >Airflow QuietAir Fan 100mm 2 Speed + Timer >100mm in line condensation trap >1.5-2m of flexi tube will run near vertical to tile vent Not going to bother...

Our new house has a portico with a line of pillars. I think these are made of some kind of reconstituted stone. They are quite exposed to the rain which can be driven against them by the wind. The paint on the base of central pillar has been running off (see pics) and is now nearly bare...