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  1. phykell

    Remote Controlled Light Switch

    Hi, My electrician has just done the second fix after plastering my porch and realised that there's a switch in an adjoining room linked to the outside lights instead of the wiring in the porch. I did provide them with a diagram but it's been missed. I don't want to have them digging out the...
  2. phykell

    Extending an existing garage/outbuilding under PD.

    Hi, I have an existing garage/outbuilding (in greenbelt and a conservation area) that I wish to extend. The extension would: 1. Be under 4m height (dual pitch roof), 2. 2.5m at the eaves, 3. Take up (far) less than 50% of the property's curtilage, 4. Be more than 2m away from any boundary...
  3. phykell

    Carport(s) - Maximum Size/Number with Permitted Development

    Hi, I've submitted a planning application for a triple-bay garage to replace a two-bay garage and it's been rejected by planning because I'm in greenbelt (also in a conservation are but with no article 4 in place). As an alternative, I'm thinking of building the two-bay garage with planning...
  4. phykell

    Use of DPC paint for exterior engineering bricks

    Hi, I didn't want to hijack this thread: https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/painting-exterior-brick-work.392211/ ...but I've got a similar issue with a bit of a difference. My patio is raised up to the DPC but has been cut away to prevent surface water ingress. The builder has now gone and...
  5. phykell

    Garden/Patio Wall Height Minimum

    Hi, I have a patio which sits above my grass by about three standard bricks and I want to build a wall around the patio at around 8 bricks high so the wall from the patio side looks about 5 bricks high. Can anyone tell me what the minimum height should be to avoid a trip hazard and to meet any...
  6. phykell

    Renovating a hawthorn hedge

    Hi, My property has a 30m+ long hawthorn hedge running alongside a road. It's in a conservation area so I'm probably expected to renovate the hedge using native species but prioritising on hawthorn (no laurel allowed). The hedge is in terrible condition as large trees and shrubs have been...
  7. phykell

    Cold tap is warm when recirculating pump is on

    Hi, I'm having a problem with my plumbing - the builder responsible has long since "departed" and I've only noticed a problem when I've increased the time/duration of my recirculation cycle. It seems that the cold water tap is now producing relatively warm water and I'm concerned that warm...
  8. phykell

    Changing Juliet Balcony Doors to Window

    Hi, I've had French doors fitted to a first-floor bedroom in anticipation of having a balcony installed. However, due to a change in circumstances, I may not install the balcony after all (it might be something I do in the future though) and I'm looking for a way of making the doors safe and...
  9. phykell

    Wooden Garage - Concrete Base not Level

    Hi, A builder installed a concrete slab and assembled a wooden garage on it. Unfortunately, the slab wasn't level so it ended up needing a significant number of wedges to level the garage - please see the attached picture. The builder will not be returning so I'm looking for a way to deal with...
  10. phykell

    Garage in Conservation Area - Principal Elevation

    Hi, I want to build a new garage which will replace an existing one and, ideally, I'd like to do it under Permitted Developmet. However, my property's layout is a bit odd because the house is side-on to the road and the existing garage sits to the front of the property, which I've assumed is...
  11. phykell

    Downpipes - 63mm or 76mm

    Hi, I have some seamless aluminium gutters and they appear to have a rubber sleeve for the downpipe which measures roughly 63mm. Having spoken to the manufacturer, they said I can use either 63mm or 76mm downpipes but I can't get an answer out of them as to whether or not it makes any...
  12. phykell

    Limestone Skirting Options

    Hi, My property's ground floor is tiled in 25mm limestone paving - each piece is fixed in size at 600mm in one dimension and is variable up to 900mm in the other. It's a bit rustic looking with heavily tumbled edges, etc. and having tried a piece of timber skirting, it's obvious that limestone...
  13. phykell

    Security for an External Oak Door

    Hi, I've had a 55mm thick oak door made by my joiner and he's asked me what hardware I want to use. I want to use the best I can find so does anyone have any recommendations? The house is mid-1700s so I don't want to go for anything that's obviously modern - e.g. Banham locks or anything...
  14. phykell

    Opening an Ikea Bottle Trap

    I dropped an item in the sink and it went down the plug hole. Unfortunately, it’s an Ikea sink and is fitted with usual woeful Ikea bottle trap. Although the bottom of it looks like the cap should be removable, I don’t seem to be able to unscrew it. Does anyone know if it can be removed and, if...
  15. phykell

    Range Cooker - 3 Phase or Single Preferred?

    Hi, My property has a 3-phase CU and my new range cooker appears to offer the option of being wired as single or 3-phase (connection diagram attached). The electricians have installed two cables aiming to share the load for a single phase appliance (they didn't know the cooker would be capable...
  16. phykell

    Log Burner - Hearth Really Required?

    Hi, I'm having a double-sided log burner installed in my kitchen diner and I've been told I need a hearth. The appliance will sit in the centre of the room at least 2+ metres away from any furnishing, etc. However, the flooring will be 22mm limestone tiling throughout so I don't see why I need...
  17. phykell

    House Renovation - Water Issues During Project

    Hi, My house is currently being renovated and it's currently at the stage where the underfloor heating has been fitted and screeded over. In some of the upstairs rooms, the flooring has been fitted (22mm water resistant chipboard) and a small amount of studwork has been built. The roofing...
  18. phykell

    Options: laminated, toughened and tinted glass

    Hi, I'm currently in the process of renovating my property and I have been asked what type of glazing I want. I'm interested in using tinted glass for privacy, both upstairs and downstairs but I also want laminated glass for security, certainly on the ground floor anyway - the upstairs can...
  19. phykell

    Window Materials in a Conservation Area

    Hi, My house (built around 1750) is in a conservation area and currently has white UPVC windows. I'm in the process of renovating and extending it and have successfully applied for planning permission; sign off is subject to some conditions. I've satisfied all of the condition apart from the...
  20. phykell

    Pipe run from boiler to loft

    Hi, I'm having a (Worcester Compact) boiler installed and while the engineer suggested running the pipework down and behind the various kitchen cabinets, I wondered if it's possible to run them up into the loft area instead. The boiler will be mounted in a kitchen cabinet and the kitchen...
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