DIY Questions and Answers in The AnswerBank

Fireplace Inset

Hi, I have just removed my old 1970's brick fireplace, and would now like to fit some sort of insert into the hole. The plan is to just have a nice clean neat hole where my wife want's to put some...

oldexpat

Doing a kitchen

Hello please could someone tell me the steps you should take in the correct order to take out and put in a new kitchen i.e. 1. strip everything out 2. plaster the walls 3. put in cabinets etc I am...

Tweed

Hot water taps cease to flow after 10 seconds or so.

I had to drain the plumbing system (cistern only but I think this syphoned half the cylinder?). Now after refilling the system the hot water taps flow for about 5 - 10 seconds before stopping. It...

KellyKlark

Does anyone used something like this?

Are you eco fans? I have found recently a self-watering flower pot and I am amazed with its simplicity. But haveb't used it myself - does anyone tried something like that?

rhinoinyork

We have taken a gas fire out and reopened the fireplace. Since we did this we have noticed what looks like damp on the chimney breast. The house was empty for about 18 months before we moved in. Does...

EEZABLADE32

Double glazed window bolts

Just after my Yorkshire Windows guaruatee ran out, the locking bars attached to the handles decided to play up. On one which has a vertical bar, it won't move when the handles turned so I can't open...

malana-3

Bath Sealant

Having removed the old sealant from around a bath (as best as I can) what is the best way to prepare the bath top and tiles before applying new sealant? In previous experience the new sealant has...

philkool

noisy bathroom extractor fan

anyone know of a quiet fan as a i feel like im having a bath on the M25 hard shoulder

AKMild

Scale watcher

Anyone have an opinion on scale watcher - an electrical circuit that loops round the cold water pipe which is supposed to reduce limescale? Do they work?

llamekuf

CRACKS ON PANE OF GLASS

I have a glass door with steel frames surrounding the glass. There are two sheets of glass, one of which seems to be toughened. Unfortunately the toughened glass has developed deep cracks because I...

Kathyan

Does anyone know where I can get

some shower clips to hold the fascia on our shower? We had some but when we had the leak in the bathroom the plumber took them when he left! As I don't want to have him back I need some more clips. I...

philkool

plastic door hitting shelf

can i cut the shelf sill thing at bottom of window as door hits it when it gets caught by the wind ? if so the door would lay flush with window

spellright

Help, can't remember the name of these clips?

Hi, I'm looking for the name of a type of fixing, they are metal, with a hole in the centre and rotate like a propellar through 360 degrees. When fitting you don't screw in tightly, to allow movement,...

codswallop

Cracks

My "workshop" at the bottom of the garden is mainly of Celcon construction.Cracks(vertical) have appeared recently in the walls and seem to be widening.Can anyone suggest a way of tieing...

kittywoo

baxi back boiler removal

I have had warmfront come and put a new boiler in, (airing cuboard) they have removed the gas fire and capped the gas. However the back boiler is still in situ how do I remove it?

kia cat

Builder and the crew: that kitchen makeover!

Morning team! that ongoing kitchen. Door are looking fine to the store cupboard, despite having to make my own, I'll post a pic when the paint's dry.. Next task I have & need your inspiration for...

codswallop

Drilling holes

Do any of you DIY's of a certain age remember when an electric drill was a luxury and tungsten tipped drills were very expensive there used to be a "Rawltool" that was used to make holes in...

koiman

wooden pond top material

I have a pond built above ground. Its currently topped off with 10" x 1" varnished mahogany. I have never been able to get the varnish to hold for any length of time, it always peels off....