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    Building control - council or private?

    Hi all, My partner and I are planning a side extension, and were going to get building control done through the local council. However, one of the builders we're gathering quotes from advised against this; apparently in his experience the council will require several visits to the site and will...
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    Waterproofing joins in plastic splashback?

    I'm sure they should be, but when I previously replaced the sealant there was some water that came out from behind it, which suggests to me that water's getting in between the panels somehow. Possibly where two panels meet, possibly where they meet via that plastic join in the corner (which does...
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    Waterproofing joins in plastic splashback?

    My bath/shower is lined with plastic splashback panels. The sealant around the bath is getting mouldy and it seems like the gaps between the panels are as well (I've attached a picture). I suspect that water is getting inbetween the panels. If that's the case I can remove the existing sealant...
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    Thermostatic radiator valve doesn't work?

    Hi, apologies if this is a daft question, but the valve on one of my radiators doesn't seem to be working. The dial turns fine, but turning it doesn't turn the temperature of the radiator down. I've tested it by touching the radiator, then turning the dial and waiting an hour before touching...
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    Is it ok to use two washers in a shower hose connection?

    Excellent, thanks for the advice!
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    Is it ok to use two washers in a shower hose connection?

    Hi all! TL;DR - I used two washers, one on top of the other, to fix a leaking shower hose connection. Is this a good idea or not? Longer version: I just replaced my old rusty shower hose. When I fitted the new hose using a single washer for the connection to the wall, water sprayed out of that...
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    Soffits - spray paint vs roller?

    Does anyone know how much (if any) difference spray painting wooden soffits makes compared to painting with a roller? I originally got quoted £1.3k to get my soffits painted, and was told the paint should last around 5 years before I need to get it replaced. I thought that was a bit pricy, so...
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    Soffits - Paint or replace?

    Really? That's better news than I thought. Some of those black spots look like mould of some kind to me - am I wrong about that, or is it just that mould isn't as bad for wood as I think?
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    Soffits - Paint or replace?

    Hi all, I've bought a house and the wooden soffits have clearly seen better days (I've attached pictures of the worst bit, just outside the bathroom window). My question is: can I get away with simply getting someone to repaint them, or are they too far gone and need to be replaced? Any advice...
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    Is a dedicated air purifier better than a combo air purifier/dehumidifier?

    That would be nice, but that model costs the best part of a grand, whereas it looks like I can get a positively-reviewed purifier or combo purifier/dehumidifier for around £100-£150. I agree, but preventing mould doesn't do anything to get pollen or dust out of the air. I could keep pollen out...
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    Is a dedicated air purifier better than a combo air purifier/dehumidifier?

    Hi all. My question is pretty much what it sounds like - are combo units as good as dedicated purifiers or dehumidifiers, or are they mediocre at both tasks? For context: I have a nasty combination of asthma and hayfever, so I'm planning to get an air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove...
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    Rusty radiator - repaint or replace?

    Hi all, I have a radiator in my bathroom that's seen better days - the paint is peeling in places and I can see rust underneath. I've attached a picture so you can see. I know that at the very least it needs a new coat of paint. But I'm not sure if it's too rusty to get away with that. I'd...
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    Electric mower working intermittently (Qualcast Cobra 32)

    My electric mower has started working intermittently. Sometimes it turns on ok, but sometimes it either refuses to turn on or cuts out during use. It seems like holding the power cord at a specific angle can help get it to run, but that only works some of the time. The probem is definitely the...
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    Leaking valve under sink

    Thanks for the advice! Just a few questions please: 1.) If the white plastic connector is stiff, is it ok to use a monkey wrench to loosen it, or will this just crack the connector and necessitate a new hose? 2.) When I'm screwing the connector back on, how tight should it be tightened? I've...
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    Leaking valve under sink

    Hi, novice here. Yesterday evening I discovered that a valve underneath my kitchen sink is leaking. To give an idea of the leakage rate, I dried off the valve and the area underneath it last night, and a puddle a couple of inches wide formed over 12 hours or so. I've attached a couple of...
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    Damaged mixer tap - should I fix or replace?

    Thanks for the advice! What would getting worse realistically look like - is there a chance of the tap starting to leak in a way that causes damage if I'm still using it? E.g. leaking under the sink If I do end up having to replace it, is there any kind of tool designed for getting at nuts like...
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    Damaged mixer tap - should I fix or replace?

    Hi all, I have an old mixer tap. A nut around the central spout has a chunk missing from it, but I've been ignoring that since the tap will be replaced when the whole kitchen is refitted in a few months. However, when turning the spout today I felt something 'give', and it bent at a slight...
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    Does this mean there is a leak in my wall?

    Hi all, On Saturday I replaced the silicone sealant around my bath/shower. Neither have been used since, but when I looked at the sealant today a small hole has appeared with water around it, just under the shower (see picture). There was a small amount of water produced when I removed the old...
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    Dulux easycare emulsion over Zinsser 123?

    Hi all, quick question: I'm planning to paint a bathroom ceiling with Dulux's easycare bathroom emulsion paint. However, there's a bit of old staining that I want to cover with Zinsser bullseye 123 first. Do you know if these two products are compatible or not please? The ceiling is plaster, if...
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    Painting a mouldy ceiling?

    The house used to be a rented property, and the extractor fan was only upgraded to be powerful enugh for this sized room a couple of years ago. I suspect that mould formed previously due to excess humidity and the tenant or landlord just painted over it without actually removing it, which is why...
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