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Hi I’m trying to combat damp under my floor as it sometimes smells musty in the house. House: 1930s semi. Street level higher than house. History: MDPE moled to replace lead pipe in 2020. Renovation 2021, including UFH. Houses nearby get water in suspended floors. During renovation we...

I’ve ventured into the crawl space to investigate ongoing musty smell. There was damp ground at front of house despite 5 airbricks along the front. This is the source of the smell. I’d like to increase cross ventilation because at the back there are only two air bricks and other building work...

I need to make a pantry door. Wife wants it covered with 6mm cork to stick kiddies' pictures up etc. I was thinking of using 12mm MDF and then glue the cork on the top but have realised I can't drill for a cup hinge. What would be a suitable hinge for this? Or is there another way? Door will be...

Hi, I have a suspended floor throughout most of downstairs in 1930s semi. Most of it has floor insulation, screed, wet underfloor heating and engineered wood floor - except the cupboard under the stairs where a damp smell is rising. We have a water meter which shows it is very unlikely to be a...

Hi, Retaining wall rendered 2 weeks ago but this patch is not drying out. How can I fix this? Was thinking of attacking with a core bit and putting another weep hole in…or shall I just try to prime and paint? Thanks in advance for your advice

A month ago, had 4 upstairs rooms skimmed and insulated plasterboard dot and dabbed to external walls. The box room has smelt like very strong cat wee since it was done but the others don’t. It’s definitely not a leaking soil pipe (this is far away from it). What could be the cause of it...

Had walls skimmed 4 weeks ago - curved wall (1930s house) to ceiling has these patches which I think is where it hasn’t dried. Mist coated today and it’s not adhered/soaked in to these patches. Should I just wait much longer? Is it worth going in the loft and putting insulation right into the...

Hi, Small bedroom is about to be plastered. One of the walls is external and am thinking now is the perfect time to insulate this in some way. Can anyone recommend the best way to balance insulating vs loss of space? Battens and insulation plasterboard? Good thickness? Brand? Stud wall and...

Hi, I have a bathroom extractor fan connected a long run of ducting and it's not doing the trick. Can anyone see it causing a problem if I split the ducting and added an inline extractor - or a duct extractor booster - to give it enough oomph? Not sure if there's going to issues with...

Hi, Landscapers have built a new retaining wall, steps and raised beds. Retaining wall is lined with DPM and weep holes at bottom. It’s going to have K Rend. I’ve got a few questions before they get started with this stage to ensure it lasts as long as possible. I will ask them too but I know...

Hi, Id like to make alcove cupboards to look like the example attached. I like the style and know that the door might cover any issues from my lack of skill! I’ve seen a guide here. But I want to put the tv on top but slightly concerned it won’t support the weight. Is this a good plan or not...

Hi, I want to restore this table so the middle extending leaf matches the other two. I’ve hand sanded and put on a few coats of Danish oil but looks different. should I use an orbital sander? should I then stain it? If so, what stain is recommended to look similar to chairs? thank you...

Hi, Looking for help identifying type of wood - is this furniture made of teak? Chair in the picture not sanded yet - table top is. Should I only use teak oil on this? Or will Danish oil have same effect? I will probably just use an oil to bring out the same colour but I f I chose to darken...

Hi, I have three dodgy spots upstairs in my 1930s semi which I’m hoping someone can offer some advice for. looking for renovate this area soon. Only lived here a year and did not come up on damp survey. 1) on bedroom ceiling. Could be from incorrectly installed loft insulation? 2) inside a...

Hi I was determined today to start prepping bathroom for microcement but have run into a problem with this shower mixer face plate. it has two metal rings that go between the plate and the control but I can’t fit these through the plate! Tried fairy liquid, lever, squeeze, whacking but can’t get...

Hi, I’ve got these long ball latches from LPD doors. What would be the best way to install them on a new door? https://www.lpddoors.co.uk/ironmongery-manhattan-ball-latch/ thank you

Hi, Back of house rendered and rendered took back mortar on roof verge. Any ideas on best way to fill this gap and make it look tidy? Was thinking expanding foam in the gap and then attempt to cover over with sand:cement mix (3 sand, 1 sharp sand and plasticiser?) I've never done this sort of...

Hi, Midway through refurb with some heating concerns. I’ve had UFH put in. Part of downstairs is concrete, insulation with screed over UFH. Nice and hot. However, 75% of downstairs is joisted. I was worried by builder and plumbers plans to put UFH in here. They’ve put insulation between...

My builder forgot to place a wet room shower tray and waste tray (downstairs) before having self-levelling screed poured over UFH-DPM-insulation. Is it now possible to remove the screed in that area and place the wet room shower tray there? UFH pipes not underneath area for shower tray. Builder...

Hi, I've read lots of threads with similar problems to this issue but still struggling to find a solution. Context...I live in a 1930s semi on a hillside. Some neighbours have reported have soggy gardens/water under floorboards and one neighbour has a pipe in their garden which gushes...