steveoelliott

I'm planning on having a safe installed and bolted to a concrete floor downstairs in our house. The challenge however is identifying if any pipes run within the floor. These should only be radiator pipes if so but with there being a radiator close by on the other side of the wall, it's of course a possibility. What can I do to check this? I have heard of thermal imaging cameras to check for heating pipes on the basis that you run the heating and then verify from the heat emitted on the flow and return. Just wondered if there were any other suggestions as I don't have access to one.

I have had no issues but it does drive me nuts. @Nickfromwales did give me some good advice which was to just leave it alone as it wasn't going to leak and messing with it might cause further issues.

I have the same issue with a flat roof of mine... General consensus was whilst it's infuriating, it is not an issue insofar as leaking / integrity. I was advised by many on here and independently that playing with this after is unnecessary and I am best to leave alone. I struggle with this knowing that under the slabs laid on top is ~40 liters of water.

Discoloration / Staining. I appreciate it is fairly minor.

I hadn't noticed the staining prior to jet washing the wall... Maybe I drove the water down when cleaning the copings. I'll live with it

The pictures don't really show it as much as in the flesh. Here are a couple of better ones...

Hi Folks, After jet washing my patio and wall, I have noticed some staining to what I suspect is a sandstone or mock sandstone wall (excuse my ignorance). I am not sure what these stains might be… I did use some white vinegar to remove rust stains from some of the copings but these aren’t stained so I can’t see that the blocks would have been by this. I have tried jet washing the area, using washing up liquid, water and brush together with spraying a moss remover product but neither appear to have touched the staining. Any ideas? Thanks in advance…

Hi, I have an IKO Polymeric flat roof which I believe is a PVC membrane. On top of this I have promenade slabs on pedestals. As the slabs are discolored and have some mould / green growth on them, I was thinking of spraying with Patio Magic or something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jarder-Spray-Leave-Concentrate-Cleaner/dp/B017PD8S3U/ref=sr_1_6?crid=218O5NQNRD1V5&keywords=jarder+moss&qid=1665480224&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjc5IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=jarder+moss%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-6 Is this likely to damage the membrane underneath the slabs? I guess I could brush it on the slabs rather than spray to avoid overspray going between the gaps and onto the membrane. I know Jet washing is an option but I don't really want to risk Jet Washing pavers on a flat roof! Thanks in advance...

I've decided to just replace the quadrant / trim...

Hi, So it would appear that for reasons only known to the previous person that decorated this room, that they decided to paint (gloss) not just the window sill but also the UPVC trim between the sill and window frame including the silicone. Question is what do do about it... Stripping the old gloss paint off is going to be a nightmare and replacing the trim perhaps excessive. One option would be to cut the silicone out, replace with paintable caulk and then paint the sill and trim again in water based satin (Scuff-X is my choice). Just wondered if anybody else had come across this? Seems bizarre to me as to why it would be painted. Thanks in advance.

I've e-mailed Bristan to see if I can buy the rod, washers and nylon ball. Hopefully I can replace these and not the entire waste.

OK, so I removed the nut, cleaned around it and re-tightened, applying the jelly to the ball. The little ball appears to have split which is likely part of my problem. Are these replaceable? After putting back together it might be marginally better but still leaks.

Thanks I did try tightening it a turn or two but didn't remove completely or try any petroleum jelly on the ball. Will give that shot.

Hi, I noticed today that I have a leak from one of the pop up wastes on our en-suite sink. This is a minor leak; a few drops following emptying a sink full of water. I don't often have a sink full of water to be fair so this might be why I haven't noticed previously but I emptied a full sink and removed the plug completely allow the water to drain more quickly than if the plug was in situ. Immediately after I got something from the cupboard underneath and the shelf was damp / wet. Further investigation has led me to identify the leak is coming from the mechanism of the pop-up waste where the rod meets the nut that goes into the waste (excuse the lack of correct terms. I've attached pictures below. Looks to me like the mechanism is worn and it has visible rust so presumably I need to replace these wastes or part thereof. I don't have much luck with DIY plumbing so will likely get somebody in to do it. Thanks...

Although these are overkill for a pleb like me, at least I know I would be using good quality kit. I can't blame my tools Each have got 3-4 sets that will cover everything I need.

That looks so cool.

Wise advice gratefully received. I'll continue with my drill. I used an impact driver once when hanging a TV bracket with my electrician; he passed me it to drive the screws into holes in a block wall. A few pulses and they were in, made it seem very easy but I can see that it would be easier to overdo it!

Thanks folks... The space aspect of a full traditional handled screwdriver set doesn't bother me. Of course for torx and other special bits, you normally have one of those driver handles and numerous other bits. I guess names like Bosch and Makita are well known staples... I know in the motor trade Snap On have a very good reputation although expensive. My next follow on question is as to whether I should also purchase an electric screwdriver or impact driver. I understand there are some circumstances where particularly impact drivers can cause issues. It may sound odd but I've always liked manually screwing into wood (as painstaking as it is) because for somebody inexperienced like me, you know when something feels right and can correct it before causing damage. That said when hanging a load of hooks in the shed on the studs, I drilled pilots and then used my drill with a screwdriver attachment but went slowly...

Hi Folks, I am not the most practical person in the world but do have the odd go at DIY etc. Over the years I've had fairly basic cheap and cheerful Stanley screwdriver sets etc but they don't really seem to be all that good. I am looking to but a screwdriver set together with bits for torx bolts etc. I'm not too worried about the cost, I'd like to buy something that will essentially last me a lifetime (or many years). Many Thanks Stephen Elliott

Makes sense, thanks.

I am probably wasting my time getting Virgin to deal with this so better doing this myself (or getting somebody to do it). The manhole part is on council land but the area to the right is my land. So digging down and encasing is an option.

Hi, At the side of our garage there is a Virgin cable that goes under the garage / driveway and into the main house to supply services. This was done by the previous owners when they did the garage, drive and extension. However, as you can see the cables are slightly exposed and liable either to vandalism (unlikely where we live) or being cut by a strimmer etc. I'm after advice on what to do about this. I guess one option is to install slab next to the council slabs to effectively bury it, cutting into the slab and / or concrete but interested in other ideas. I did call out Virgin once to resolve and as you can imagine after some grunting they said nothing they could do. Thanks in advance.

Any recommendation of specific products? I know it's a minefield.

I get that it would be difficult if doing the ceiling though as it would be very difficult to not have some splatter off the roller etc. I would probably look to tape some polythene over the covering from the coving down.

I did find this and seems to have good reviews... https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/ronseal-ultimate-protection-decking-paint