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Hi there, I've removed some old skirting which has left a void, this has been filled with plasterboard and patched with bonding coat plaster. I now want to have the wall re-skimmed prior to adding the new skirting (which will be at a lower height). A problem is that the walls have been...

Hi there, I've a combination of copper and speedfit pipework for my CH system, I've DIYed some, and had different plumbers for other parts. Is there a 'standard' set up in terms of elbows etc for coming through a floor to connecting radiators - Personally I've always used a 90 deg...

Hi guys, I've removed some old skirting in my 1930s semi and there will now be a gap between the new lower height skirting and wall, which I intend to get a pro in to skim. I've PVA'd the engineered brick and added a couple of coats of bonding plaster (not fully dried and PVA between...

Hi. I’m looking to replace wooden corner beading with metal corner beading around the external corners of a chimney breast and window reveals. Advice on this forum seems to suggest its better to remove entirely and make up with bonding plaster and adding the beading. Is this correct? Is...

Hi, I’m replacing old skirting in an upstairs room, the new skirting is not as high as the old skirting I’m removing. Behind the skirting attached to external walls there is a void – the skirting was attached by a wedge between the bricks and then nailed on. It is a similar set up for a...

Hi, I've had an extension above my garage on a 1930s semi, resulting in a new hipped roof. The slats (I.e. the horizontal small batons used where the old roof tiles used to sit) from the old roof are still in place preventing access into the 'new loft'. Am I able to cut through these to...

I have just removed the cellophane covering from 2 x Howdens 4 panel 2 light glazed doors (http://www.howdens.com/doors-joinery-collection/internal-doors/internal-hardwood-doors/4-panel-oak-2-light-glazed/). The cellophane needed cutting around the edge of the glass otherwise untidy bits were...

Hi all, I'm in the process of reconfiguring my bathroom and I've hot a 'little' problem. I have a fixed mixer shower head with a secondary outlet for a handheld shower, which is connected via a flexi-hose to a 'designer' elbow. After tiling it seems that the thread isn't quite long...

What material is the wall on the right made of, its grey in colour? This is within my shower area, an external wall. I have removed the wall tiles and was thinking that I would have to re-board with aqua panel, not realising it was a apparently cement based wall, smooth solid wall. Does...

can I get away with not filling these gaps at the top and edge of new drywall, which I shall be tiling directly upon (after priming). What is the usual procedure for tiling up to the ceiling, use caulk? (as grout would disappear through the hole!) or edging strip - which I think can look naff...

I'm in the process of re-configuring my bathroom. Part of this project involves replacing tiles on a wall that 'only' has the wash basin on, and the back of the bath width. A couple of questions: - Should I tank the bath area? (I will the shower area, which is in a different location) -...

I'm fitting downlighters in my bathroom and in order to comply with all the regs and to get evenly spaced light I have to replace the central light with a downlighter, the only problem is that directly above is a (notched) noggin to which the old ceiling light fitted to. Can I just add a new...

Hi, I'm looking to move a toilet in my bathroom by a foot or so. I realise regs may be needed for some of the work I plan to do but.... As currently the WC joins the main, vertical, soil pipe at 45° join, but if I move the WC to where I want; it will be almost directly 'against' or inline...

Hi I wonder if someone help me answer a question regarding bathroom downlights...? I understand the zoning, and requirements, but can someone help me select an appropriate downlighter. As I can gather the 'fire resistant' type prevent fire from spreading (as quickly) by expanding and...

I am looking to divide my long garage to make use of the space as a utility room. I already have a washing machine and taps plumbed in. The door from the house into the garage seems to be an old external door (house built 1937), with a step down into the garage. Basically I want to...

Hi folks, had a look and cant really find an answer: I'm about to skim my hall walls with multicoat, I've removed wooden panelling and replaced it with plasterboard. The upper section of the wall remains as painted plaster, the lower being the new plasterboard. Should I use a PVA...

Hello all, Apologies if this is in the wrong place I couldn't really decide the best place to put it. I'm looking to replace wooden panelling with plasterboard, skim and paint and add spindles to the stairs. I have discovered that the panelling is actually the only surface of the wall...

I have recently remove a terrible fire surround and am going to replace this with a new fire, surround and hearth. It looks as though the original fire was removed and the resulting hole was reduced using bricks and mortar to leave a tight enough space for the new (i.e. current) fire. A...

I have just had a new pump fitted to my Baxi Bermuda back boiler. The previous pump, according to the plumber the faulty pump was very old, probably original circa mid 70s? The problem is now the heating pipes make banging and clanking noises when heating up, and periodically when switched on...

Hi, I'm looking to install a dishwasher taking a cold water feed somewhere after an isolator on route to my kitchen tap. The pipework goes from 15mm copper to grey plastic with HBP 15 written on it (and then back to copper via 2 elbows and alength of this plastic pipe). The elbows from here...