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Hi, just had my bathroom done and our carpenter said he could also tile the shower area. He is a good carpenter and I (wrongly) assumed he would do a good job of the tiling. A month in and now the shower leaks. We fitted hardie backer board and he used Bal tile adhesive. Problem is, I...

We had the Wilo Gold 50 pump fitted about 7 years ago and it's worked fine, until Saturday. The heating came on as usual and went off when programmed to. As it was cold I switched it back on again but the pump wouldn't start. I had to go out so left the boiler switched off. Came home to find...

About 3 years ago our electrician used an immersion heater timer to control our outside light. The timer is wired into the light switch, which in turn powers the outside light. The light switch remains on all the time and the timer effectively switches the light on and off in the evening...

Hi I've had a small glass sink fitted with a chrome trap underneath. When the plumber fitted it, it leaked from the top of the trap. The plumber tightened everything up and it seemed to stop. We went away for a few days and when we returned and used it, it leaked again - same place...

Just when I though things were going OK we had a new radiator added to the system. Plumber drained it all down, fitted the rad etc, and then he went to get the inhibitor from the plumbers merchant. Despite me asking that he use Fernox he came back with Altech. I think Grahams supply it...

Hi Another problem. yesterday the joiner put a screw through a pipe - I think it was a radiator pipe. His apprentice plumber son was with him and he stopped the leak by fitting, what looks like either a service valve or an isolating valve. The CH now works fine but we have no hot water...

Hi Just had a new downstairs toilet fitted as part of an extension. The toilet flushes OK but just after it has flushed it makes a kind of popping noise, and the water level is low in the bottom of the pan. We've lifted the outside manhole cover and the drain appears to be clear...

Hi Just about to put floor insulation down prior to screed going on top. Does anyone know which is the better - Kingspan Kooltherm K3 or Kingspan Termafloor TF70. I've looked at the website but can't tell a lot of difference other than cost. Should I assume that if it costs more it's...

Hi We are extending the kitchen and would like to add another radiator. The nearest CH pipe feeds two double radiators in the lounge. It comes down through the ceiling so I assume it feeds other radiators upstairs. All the pipework is hidden under floorboards so not sure where it all...

I'm replacing all of our light bulbs with energy saving bulbs. Some of the lamps say 'maximum 25w', but can I use an 11w energy saving equivalent (which would give me 60w) ? Same applies with light shades - some have a maximum limit but can I go higher with energy saving bulbs ? I am...

We planted a pear tree a couple of years ago - last year it was attacked by pear midge, and this year it hasn't produced any blossom but it looks healthy. Yesterday I noticed the tallest branch had drooped right over - is this normal for a pear tree ? I'm worried it will snap - is there...

The previous owner of my house has painted the render below the front bay window and managed to paint the bricks either side as well. I think it's either emulsion or masonry paint. Any ideas how I can get it off ? Would pressure washing work ? It would probably be too costly to get a...

Hi After 4 years hard slog in the garden we've finally reached the last part. It's about 10 ft by 40ft and is stuffed full of nettles, weeds and briars. I know the best way to clear it is to dig them out but earlier in the year I suffered a hernia and this will now be a difficult job...

Oh blimey, my decorator recommended that I use Tetrion for filling holes in the wall prior to papering - now I see that not many of you like it. Is it really horrid ? What are the main drawbacks with it ?

Hi I've got two questions. I've just removed the paper from our landing wall (house is about 60 years old but this bit is over plasterboard). The plaster is fine apart from one area where it appears to be pitted (deep grooves and dark in colour). It's dry but I wonder if in the past it...

Hi My mother has just had a new combi boiler fitted. The plumber promised to fit a 'top of the range' model and mentioned a Worcester. However, when I called round last night he's fitted a huge Sabre. Not sure what to do about it - do any of you have any experience of Sabre boilers ?

We live in a hard water area and I've been thinking about fitting a Scalewatcher device to reduce limescale. I've looked at a few previous posts on the Forum but it still seems unclear whether they really do work. Has anyone got any experience of them - any views on whether they are...

Could anyone tell me what the difference is between an expensive panel radiator and one from say Wickes ? The difference in price seems to be quite steep but they look like the same thing to me - same style and shape , powder coated, same BTU output per size, etc. Is there any difference in...

I think I may soon need a new boiler. I currently have a Halstead and also an emersion heater, which has proved useful for hot water when the boiler has failed. Don't know whether to ditch the emersion and go for a combi or get an ordinary central heating boiler and keep the emersion - any...

My toilet started to fill very slowly after flushing. I checked the Inlet Valve into the cistern and found it was faulty. I replaced it with exactly the same thing - a Torbeck Bottom Entry Inlet Valve. The toilet filled properly but now when the float reaches the right level to shut the water...