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hi Had an extension built last year, however discovered that due to ponding, the roof is getting green much and growth where the water is. I believe the reason is the builders put in furring that are too short, 100mm to 0mm across 4 meters in a 5.5m roof. It was assumed the water would run...

Hi All Just had 16 LED downlights fitted in a new kitchen extension. However 2 have fried within the space of 2 months. On pulling them out, I noticed that the diffuser/lens has a ring of water around it. I also noticed at the very top of the LED downlight, there is some cardboard/paper...

Hi guys I’m struggling to find what is used for these exterior cornices For example attached picture. Pretty sure it’s not a plaster cornice considering plaster disintegrates in water. Would it be Duropolymer; Or upvc I don’t think it would be timber as they would be very exposed to the...

hi guys Just had a new extension shell done and apparently builders says it’s all water tight and have now deemed the project as complete. Recently had a plasterer come to plaster the walls and we noticed a wet patch in a corner of the wall which the plasterer will not plaster as the plaster...

hi guys Just screeded a 16m sq room last weekend and just covered it up to help slow the drying. I had also sprinkled it with water to help slow it down I also read about sealing it with cement/pva slurry to keep the dust down. Is this something anyone recommends? If so, is this a good time to...

hi guys I’ve found a lot of info about fitting joists which are conventional, however I don’t think I have come across an answer to my particular situation. I’ve just removed an old concrete floor. It was too high with 0 insulation and no space to insulate above without messing up floor...

hi I’m doing a small diy project to build a smallish pond. Pretty much got the walls up now and ready to render. Walls are a combination of poured concrete and 3 courses of hi 7 aerated blocks on top. (Blocks were a left over from an extension project) I was planning to go a typical render mix...

Hi guys We have an RSJ installed into a ceiling. We had some builders quote for a new ceiling and some that said the ceiling doesn’t need to be replaced and the RSJ can be just wrapped in plasterboard. We went through with an installation quote where they didn’t need to replace the whole...

Hi guys I’ve been reading about DPC and that we should be bedding it on fresh mortar so that it could key and prevent water ingress into the voids and have no risk of penetration as per British standards. During my build the builders have laid the inner leaf DPC on fresh mortar, unfortunately...

Hi guys, If I get an electrician to wire in a 24v transformer suitable for about 5-10 downlighters and led strips. Can I then install said 24v downlighters without part p or are they still considered part p eligible electrical work? I also plan to connect a 12v step down transformer to...

Hi I have fitted underground pipes and just had it all signed off. However as there was less than 300mm between ground level and the crown of the pipes, and my subsurface is concrete, I was asked to sandwich polystyrene as a compressible material on top of 100mm of earth and pour the 100mm...

Hi guys I am planning to use 1:6 cement to ballast for a concrete sub base for a patio floor. As I have lots of pea gravel left over, does anyone have any recommendations for throwing it into the mix? Maybe 1:1:6 (cement: pea gravel:ballast)

Hi guys I am planning in the future to build an outdoor bbq area with sink. As part of an extension I am putting in a new bottle gulley. I am thinking I might as well add additional connections whilst I’m at it. The gulley is 3-4 meters(direct) from where the anticipated sink is. The area...

hi guys, I’ve currently been let down by a steel supplier after they have quoted for steels and are no longer honouring their price and delaying the delivery of the steels The builders unfortunately are unable to continue building the inner leaf of the extension as they need to tie the blocks...

Guys, sorry for creating a new post about foundation hight. However I am feeling uneasy about the height of the foundations which will be poured on Monday. I am looking to get a suspended timber floor installed so that the floor is the same throughout the house and thus allows passage of air...

Hi We are getting an extension built and the builders have specced 100mm insulation. I originally thought it was going to be 100mm PIR Insulation, however seems it’s going to be a 100mm cavity slab. I understand that PIR has higher performance rating than slab. However I believe if it was PIR...

Hi guys, I’m looking at DIY building a timber cabin approx 3x5 in the back of my garden to use as a man den :D I’ve attached a picture of the space. It will be in the raised part, maybe coming out slightly more. The 4 trees at the back are staying as I think it makes it a good feature. I’ve...

Hi guys, Has anyone come across this? And is it structurally stable? My house is a 1900ish house, and the existing foundations have held this house as well as many others in the area for coming up 100yrs. The soil is clay, no trees. My current foundations are 700mm below ground level and are...

hi guys My builder has quoted a flat roof, and based on how he has described how he will build it, looks like he is aiming to build a cold flat roof and put insulation between the joists. Looking at recommendations, cold flat roofs are no longer recommended for new constructions due to...

Has anyone used aerogel insulation mats before as a thinner alternative to PIR insulation boards? I have a steel column which I’m considering insulating to prevent thermal bridging, however as I cant use PIR as it’s too big, I could try wrapping it up in an aerogel sheet/blanket. Something...