Search results

Thanks, I’ll have a go!

Hi, having just moved into a new (to us) property we are renovating the kitchen. We’ve removed the old ceramic tiles, and have removed the remaining tile adhesive using a wallpaper steamer. The walls aren’t bad, but have patches of old paint on them which will show through when we get round to...

Sounds like it’s very difficult to measure anything with any certainty. I’ll just see how it goes.

Hi. Right then …! Electricity consumption from 4th June to 4th July 2025 was 173.4 kWh. From 4th June to 4th July 2026 it was 268.83 kWh. During the first period I was running an electric double oven and induction hob, which I’m not doing at the moment as I’m using gas for cooking. All other...

Now I’m getting emails!!!

Oh dear, 2 pages! I feel a right plonker! Give me a day or two to read through everything - and thanks to everyone who replied.

Sorry! I’m sure that when I posted the original question I ticked the box that said something like notify me of any replies by email. I’ve had no emails, so thought I’d asked a really stupid question that nobody wanted to comment on! I’ve used diynot before and think it’s a great resource, and I...

Hi, We’ve just moved from a 2 bedroomed flat to a 2 bedroomed bungalow. We use exactly the same day-to-day appliances and gadgets, except for an immersion heater that we run for 1 hour per day between 5:00am and 6:00 on Economy 7. We’re currently cooking on a gas cooker, whereas we used to use...

Hi. Could you guys give me some advice regarding the following please? My wife and I are looking to move home and have found a property we really like. However, it has no downstairs toilet and we were wondering about the possibility of installing one in a partitioned section of the attached...

Brill! Thanks very much!

Just had a thought which might be important! My flat is on the first floor so the cutoff valve is considerably higher than the tap. I need something to let air into the pipe on the tap side of the valve to get rid of the “finger over the end of the straw” effect and allow the pipe to drain...

Thanks, Terry!

Hi, Could someone advise on this, please. When I moved into my flat there was already a water supply to the garden teed off the main feed. I assume this was probably done by a professional as the fittings are end feed, not Yorkshire. The outside pipe bursts every winter even though the pipes are...

Thanks! I’ll have another go.

Trying to repair a split outdoor 15mm copper pipe. Naturally my 5 minute job is turning into an epic ‘cos the pipe has been forced out by the pressure and the coupling joints won’t fit. Is there a way to “take a bit” off the diameter of the pipe to get it back to 15mm or is it a case of cutting...

Yes, thanks for that. I’ve just got corner and stop beads from Rendit and just got back from picking up some Pinkgrip from Wickes. Perhaps get some on tomorrow and do a bit of rendering (weather permitting) on Monday. Oo-er!! I’ve got an old, steel metre rule with a handle which I intend to use...

Thanks for your help!

Hi. I’d like to have a go at rendering a blockwork planter I’ve built in my garden. As I am a complete novice when it comes to rendering I thought I’d use Tarmac ready mixed one-coat render which seems to have quite a lot of good reviews on the Wickes site. I understand that 1 bag covers 1.4 sq...

Outside wall is the wall of our staircase of our maisonette so wouldn’t think wayleave is required, but understand the need to check with freeholder. Most of our power sockets seem to be fed from the loft. Good idea to get the electrician in first though. Thanks for your comments

Hi, I live in a first floor maisonette with a substantial, private back garden in which I'd like to install electrics. The electrical connections etc I will leave to an expert, but is there anything I can do which will make his job easier (ok, and less expensive!) I thought I could possible...