Search results

A few years ago I replaced all the radiators in the house with new ones, the type that come with a 3/4in bleed valve and blanking plug, sealed with a rubber o-ring. Last summer, with the radiators off for so long, I saw a couple of them were weeping from the threads. My question is, do they...

I'm going to have our old Rehau upvc front door and sidelight replaced. Things seemed to have moved on a bit since it was fitted. Can someone explain the difference between composite and uPVC, and any pitfalls/brands that are good or should be avoided? There are tales on here of peeling...

A friend has just had his combi routinely serviced (worcester) by a new RGI. It was installed around 4 years ago by an eastern european guy who is no longer in the trade. The new gas guy has isolated the fire in the lounge as he says it's dangerous. It's a Baxi Bermuda with back boiler. The...

I've had to dismantle the loo, a 70's twyfords syphonic close coupled pan. It wasn't flushing properly. No syphon action and a good few yanks just to get the flush to work. What I've found is the remains of the aspirator bomb washer floating in bits under the cistern. The syphon...

I've fitted a few of these as I've progressively replaced radiators in my house. So far I've used PTFE tape into the radiator and then PTFE from the valve into the extension. Although the valve tail is a taper thread, the one on the radiator end of the extention appears parallel, and I've had...

I'm having problems adding a second keypad to a castle euro mini. I've never done it before though I've installed several euros and the similar pyronix PCX systems without trouble. I installed the original system a few years ago without a problem using one RKP. Now I need to add another. I...

My boiler is late 70's floorstander, an Ideal E-CF60. It works fine but it's time for its service. Everyone I've spoken to (outside the trade) is horrified that a gas boiler this old is still in use and tells me to get it changed. However my father has a boiler from around 1972 that is...

I've just ripped up my foam rubber waffle-backed bathroom carpet and am looking for some more. I picked the colour from the local shop, got measured and quoted, and ordered it only to be told a week later that the supplier had gone out of business. I've since spoken to another supplier who...

My parents have a downstairs room with a fireplace that smokes. The house was built in the mid 1980's and has an external chimney stack with clay liner. Originally the builders installed a baxi underdraft grate, but this smoked into the room from new and was soon abandoned for an electric...

I'm trying to upgrade my front door lock...it's an 80's style uPVC door with a 4-point-plus-latch (roller only) lock (made by Ferco) that extends the length of the door. I fitted an anti snap cylinder a few years ago. I want to fit a complete new lock with a shootbolt or hook, I don't trust...

A friend wants 20W, 12V downlighters in his new bathroom....the same as he's seen in mine, which he likes. He already has them in 2 bedrooms. The plumber will be fitting them as part of the bathroom installation. I say I will get them with my account from the electrical wholesalers. The...

I'm hoping to follow the trend and make a kitchen diner by removing a stud wall between the small rear kitchen and small rear dining room to make one long room across the entire back of the house. The house is a 70's square detached box with all upstairs rooms divided by stud walls. The loft is...

I'm trying to match some interior plywood to existing. I have measured it and it is heavily painted so I'll have to guess a bit...either 3/8in or 10mm are the round figures closest. Any ideas where i can get something to match? Is it a common size?

I've just had my quarterly metered bill, usually £80, this time it's £700 :shock: I've turned everything off, and checked the meter, which is in the pavement outside. It's whizzing round like a good 'un. :roll: There are no leaks in the house, my plastic supply pipe enters the house in...

Hello, got a problem with the boiler. The temp leds 30/40/50/60 are all flashing. According to the manual this means the CH sensor, DHW sensor, outdoor sensor and low pressure are all faulting....unlikely!!??? Any clues? Cheers :?

Can anyone recommend a supplier of a cheap 6-panel door that comes in 21inch width? I have one odd door that needs replacing. The only ones I can find are online and are collect only from far away. I'm in north staffs BTW and can collect. I've tried the usual local DIY places and merchants.

I'm going to refit the kitchen, but don't simply want a prettier more modern version of the 80's chipboard cabinets that are slowly disintegrating here at the moment. Can anyone recommend a reliable kitchen unit supplier that has both good quality and ease of fitting ranges?

Hello. In 10 years, my mother has had 3 mixer valves on her shower. The first a Topliss, then 2 Mira thermostatic things. They are flush mounted ones behind a tiled wall and a PITA to replace because each time they've changed the design slightly. The problem is that the valves keep getting...

Ive been to my mums today, she is complaining the kitchen mixer tap is dripping. It is, badly! The tap was installed by MFI along with the kitchen about 10 years ago. I have no idea what make tap it is, looks like any generic 1/4turn mixer. I've had the handles off and there are...

Hello, just wondered if these are any good, ITT Lowara circ pumps.