Temp

We use 47kg LPG cylinders for a 6 burner gas hob as no mains gas in our village. Works very well. Cylinder gas is expensive per kWH but a hob uses so little that the absolute cost is low. Even when we had kids at home and were cooking a lot a cylinder lasted more than 18 months. Say about £50 a year.

Thanks. Reason I asked is our oil boiler, TS and UFH all use same water that is vented. Not looking to replace the oil boiler yet just interested to learn.

Does NHBC also do Building Control these days?

Just curious.. can you run ASHP into a directly heated tank (eg one that doesn't have a coil on the input). I can't think of a reason why not. Edit: Does the loop between ASHP and a TS have to be pressurised?

Problem is council budgets have been squeezed for years. If you think planning departments are under resourced try mental health or social care both of which we've had contact with in the last 5 years. I'm afraid Berxit and the pandemic aren't going to make things easier as a lot of cheap european labor also worked in these sectors. We had issues in 2005-7 getting hold of planning department. I think the only way now is to hold them to the timescale rules on non- determination. I believe they apply to things like discharging conditions as well.

Sorry if obvious but you do need to make sure the bit/half you want to claim can't be accessed other ways (eg fence the ends as well). It should only be accessible via your garden. Do some research as well because the Land Registry have refused claims for lack of evidence or gaps in fences, possibly even not using the land? I'm not familiar with all the reasons they have given but I'm sure there are guides on the web. Look for latest editions as the rules changed not many years ago. You should also do a Map Search via the LR to double check it's not registered as it's almost impossible now to claim registered land. Perhaps also see if you can put a marker on the file so you get notified if anyone else tries to claim it. Not sure if that's possible?

Yup, Google suggests they have to be members of SELECT, NICEIC or NAPIT in Scotland.

Good catch. Think they call them Registered Installers in Scotland.

I believe the only way is to play by the rules... File a planning application. Do not agree to a time extension. (They will write saying they will assume you agree unless you respond). When the 8 weeks are up file an Appeal for non-determination. With luck that will concentrate minds at the planners. You might find they approve it rather than go to appeal or ask for changes. They may even wait until just before the Appeal Date. The appeal will take a long time to be heard but it will eventually happen. Perhaps make it clear to the Appeal Inspector you are willing to consider some changes but the planning department didn't have the resources to engage.

The more I think about it the more I reckon a fence down the middle would be a good idea. Let him have access to half. Teaming up with the neighbour might help provide evidence for the Land Registry. You can write each other letters now stating your intention to possess to the exclusion of others and confirming the date the fence is errected.

Assuming it's unregistered land you have to possess it "to the exclusion of all others" for 10 years before you can claim ownership. That normally means fencing it off with no gates others can use. The land registry are fussy, you will need to prove it with evidence. Whoever erects a fence continues to own the fence and damaging it could be criminal damage. Only the legal land owner can evict someone that has occupied land. The council can only do do if you are creating a statutory nuisance such as letting rubbish build up, pests etc. They can still enforce planning laws. So I would erect a 2m high fence either around it or down the middle so you each get half. Install cctv. Call the police if anyone damages the fence by removing it or cutting a gate etc. The police can and should take action for criminal damage. If there is a confrontation you can call the police and ask them to attend as you are concerned there might be a breach of the peace if a neighbour doesn't stop removing/damaging your fence. Keep calm and let the police find an angry neighbour ranting and raving. Point out you own the fence. Produce receipts. Note It would be no good arguing with the police about the land itself as that's a civil matter.

+1 Leave some slack/sag to match similar installations but not too much.

I haven checked but my understanding is that a bathroom is a "special location" according to Part P so a bathroom fan is probably notifiable. In practice that means you need an Approved Scheme member to do it and they should notify Building Control.

My understanding is they have to be a member of an "Approved Scheme" to do notifiable work under Part P. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200135/approved_documents/82/part_p_-_electrical_safety Not all work is notifiable. So it's a question of which organisations are on the list of Approved Schemes. See the "check" tab on this page to find out if the company you are using is a member of such a scheme. If they are then BC should be ok with it. Most electricians that are have something about Part P on their van but check anyway.. https://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/Choosing-An-Electrician There is a table of Approved schemes on this page and reproduced below... https://www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised#how-schemes-are-authorised

I don't think there is anything in Part H that requires an open vent. The nearest I can find is para 2.18 but read it carefully as it says only drains that have a water trap must have an open vent. Most houses don't have water traps anywhers in the drains. Some BCO want the furthest stack from the sewer to be open vented and all others in a house can be AAV. Also found this.. https://www.bpfpipesgroup.com/media/29598/Air-admittance-valves-for-domestic-properties.pdf That implies open vents aren't mandatory on every house.

Cutting bricks and putting lead on top (and partly down the slope) would work. Not sure about cutting a lintel though. My builder told me the NHBC don't like large unprotected flat tops due to risk of water/frost damage.

I think cutting a pocket for it to sit in is the correct method but.. You can get joist hangers with long tails that can be wrapped over the top of a beam and fixed to the other side. Have used these to fix joists to an UB. In that case the web was filled in with timber and these long tails were wrapped over the top and nailed to both sides. Only have chipboard floor on top of the beam not 9 courses of bricks.

The only thing our BCO checked was the pressure test of the drains. I've no idea if any of our taps are WRAS approved. Nobody ever checked. Our kitchen tap wasn't even fitted at sign off.

I planted 60m of hedge in our paddock. I purchased "whips" online and planted them by pushing a spade in to cut an L in the grass. Lifted the turf in the corner of the L, inserted the whip and pressed the turf back down with a heel. Probably took longer to fit a cane and rabbit spiral. Think I planted 250 over 2-3 days. Only about 5 or 6 failed to grow.

Has anyone used companies like this? https://www.crownenergy.co.uk/services/electricity-meters/ Does it have to be done by your local DNO

I would write to your MP and explain thats it proving difficult for self builders to get meters installed in some parts of the country due to a shortage of installers and the demands of the big house builders. Ask him to write to the CEO of EDF and the Association of Meter Operators ? to encourage them to do more to support self builders. Provide names and addresses for him so its easy for his secretary to do it for him/her. It's probably a waste of time but it only costs you a stamp and you never know.

I still have a cast aluminium G clamp I made when I was 16. I'm 62 today. Still gets used as you can never have enough clamps.

If the oil boiler is still serviceable I'm afraid I would stay with it. My understanding is a pellet burner needs a Thermal Store to act as a buffer because its wasteful if it fast cycles (like stop start driving in a car). Nothing wrong with a Thermal Store (we have one) but its another cost. I've also heard of the odd issue with Pellet boilers such as finding people to work on them, excessive pellet consumption, variable cost and supply of pellets, even pellets absorbing moisture clogging them. Perhaps they aren't that bad. Perhaps someone here that's got one would like to speak up for them?

Opinions differ but.. I reckon old houses lost more water vapour via ventilation rather than permeating through walls. So draughts are sealed up with double glazing and door seals the humidity rises. I reckon old houses might benefit from the constant ventilation provided by an MVHR system.

https://roofstores.co.uk/different-types-roofing-nail