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Hi, I've decommissioned cooker socket as old kitchen is being converted to bedroom. However, I need a new 30 Amp double power socket not far from the old cooker point. I see that the cooker cable wires are much thicker than the standard power circuit cable - can I re-use the cooker cable...

Hi, Don't ask me how, but wifey seems to have knackered our back door locking mechanism. It's one of those where, before turning the key to lock, you pull the handle upwards to engage the (3, I think) bolts. Anyway, whatever I do, I can't now push handle down to release the bolts and open...

Hi, One of the six 50W recessed ceiling bulbs (GU 10) has gone, but, as far as we can tell, the dimmer control went at the same time, so that we now just have on / off. Having just fitted a new bulb, the dimmer still won't work. Is this a normal consequence of blown bulb and, if so, how do...

Hi, Wouldn't mind any advice out there re. the following: 1. The attached image (which I'm hoping the Administrator may be able to attach shortly) shows the pipework under my sink. The flexihose to the right is the dishwasher waste. Over the last few weeks, we've noticed the bottom of...

Hi, Over last few years, I've had various work done to flush CH system / unblock pipes and it's been working fine for over a year now. The other day, I had reason to check the header tank and was surprised to see not just murkier water than I'd seen in the past, but also a kind of rust...

Hi, Recently re-papered upstairs bedroom. Before papering, I had to do a little plastering on one particular wall which had clearly had earlier plastering done by previous owners. Within a few weeks, the paper on this wall began to feel slightly damp and today I've had to remove paper...

Hi, Being sick of having to clean an awful hard water inspired orange bloom from shower, I've decided to treat the water supply. I thought that this would be straightforward - investigate water softeners and choose / install one. Then I started seeing articles suggesting that water...

Hi, Room re-jig means that I'll need to re-position Panic button on my house alarm system to a different wall. Having taken cover off, there are three wires although much thinner than, e.g., the house lighting circuit. Do I need to power down before undoing these wires or is it all quite...

Hi, This is going to sound odd, I know - but bear with me...... For the last 6 months or so, we've noticed that the white tiles / grout inside our shower cubicle attract an orange 'tint' over time, leading to our needing to continually clean the stuff off. Initially we put it down to...

Hi, Daughter's loo is above our lounge and the noise of the cistern re-filling is appalling - the noise seems to be the water coursing along the pipework which must be lying in the cavity between lounge ceiling and bedroom floor. Any ideas as to how / what to change to alleviate? It's...

Hi, Being a DIYer, I've always carried out my own (basic) electrical work, having done some studying beforehand. After my last piece of work, a mate said that some new (?) Regs meant that I now need to get certain things either Certified or tested. Can someone point me to a simple version...

Hi, Looking to buy 3 pieces of reclaimed oak to replace a simple arch on my front path which has had to be taken down. Reclaimed wood will best suit as I think this will be more in keeping with look of house than new. However, I'm getting crazy quotes: £300 for two 8' x 6" x 6" supports...

Hi, As a layman, I'm guessing that my TRVs will have to be mounted on the inflow side of my rads. However, for one particular rad, this will be a far more difficult job than mounting it at t'other end. I've bought Drayton TRV 4 which say on the box 'reverse flow'. So two questions: 1...

Hi, I'm aware from previous posts that in the room with my system thermostat (the hall) I need to ensure that I leave the hall radiator without a TRV. In a couple of other rooms I have two rads. In this situation, is it recommended that I only fit one of the rads with a TRV? Thanks, Mike.

Hi, Am having trouble finding a local (Croydon) supplier of older profiles for 6" high skirting. Can anyone direct me to a local (or national) supplier of older designs? Many thanks, Mike.

Hi, The 'Find an Expert' part of this site only brought up one local plumber (who I will contact). If anyone (local) on this site can share any good experiences, please drop me a line. And if you are a local plumber please feel free to suggest yourself! Many thanks, Mike.

Hi, In the hope that I'm not being too daft here, is there a simple way of finding out whether my system is one or two pipe? (I see from various threads that the particular type can influence certain actions / outcomes, etc). Cheers, Mike.

Hi, I'm about to have TRVs fitted throughout the house. Earlier advice received suggested that one radiator should always be left without a TRV. Good advice / bad advice? Thanks, Mike.

Hi, Couple of questions arising as I try and get my system to heat all the rads: 1. I've checked that each rad does actually work by making each the only 'open' rad. Now trying to balance system. Is it vital that I do this from cold as I'm not having much luck doing it from hot? Whilst...

Just wondered if there is an 'average' lifespan for boilers? Mine is a Potterton Profile 100e and looks like it was fitted sometime between 1991 and summer 2002 (and I'm guessing nearer the former date). Thanks, Mike.