saveasteading

Financially, you seldom increase the value of a house by as much as the cost. To which add the disruption. However, the costs and hassles in moving are even greater. It's going to be your choice obviously, but BH can do a lot in helping with the extension route and hence the decision. And later the detail if you go for it.

I've heard a lot of stories from bcos about incompetent work from self builders....and people expecting a free design service, Deliberate bodging and cocealment, usually by contractors Rubbish work by supposedly experienced builders. Promises to remedy a problem, only to find it ignored or concealed on a quick return. I don't fancy the job.

plumber coming Monday. I will report back. meanwhile if only we had an open fire. Ahhh we do, but I cleaned it out for end of season. It is all good reclaimed stuff. Mahogany from a demo, Garden cuttings. all very well seasoned.

I had that. They tried to say it was my responsibility. The £1k ish water bill had to be paid and fof the repair. I was able to prove that it was a rubbish connection by them. I'm saying, joe90s experience was not as mine. I agree that you call them out , but also that you stand over them

Oil. I vaguely remember that some sensor has failed and was easily changed. On Saturday and Sunday, they do no work at all... So for domestic tranquility I turn it off and on from time to time? They Wouldn't have an easy change thermostat in wickes would they. I'm there right now?

Didn't the cheap ones used to be made with glued connections instead of solder and it melted? They also used to have great big metal heatsinks ( or pretend ones in plastic) but don't any longer.

There's very loud banging from the heating pipes today. I'm thinking the water is too hot causing gushes up to the header tank. I haven't ventured up to check yet. I recall this happening a few years ago, and there was very hot water escaping to the header tank. I can't remember though if it just stopped or a plumber did something....probably the latter. Is it a case of reducing the temperature at the boiler? Why it should suddenly occur is another matter. I turned it all off and then on again about 4 hours later. It was quiet for a while then horrendous banging started again after 20 mins after it heated up. 1. Immediate actions required so we have heat. 2.does it need a plumber? Urgently or when a trusted one is available? There is also an occasional squeal from the ch pump. I'm guessing this is also caused by the change in water pressure/ gushing. Help please!

That's because you are looking at it, for the ultimate solution. The Georgians or Victorians would have put a moulding over it, drawing even more attention, but then distracted from it with mouldings all over the place.

That's annoying only if you want it to be. Anything more you do to it will draw more attention to it. Nobody else will notice.

There is another strategy that sometimes works. I have done it for great crested newts. We accept and welcome that great crested newts are native to the area. We will therefore only carry out site clearing and earthworks works during the months of (can't remember) when the majority of newts have migrated to nearby ponds. In advance of these months we will create a newt friendly area on site of undergrowth and a small pond, and rockeries for shelter, meanwhile keeping the rest of the site clear. as part of the works we will create ...pond , undergrowth whatever to encourage GCNs to stay in the area and prosper. We therefore do not see any justification for newt barriers or surveys. the only advantage of which would be for any consultants, who are not a rare breed. Rewrite of course for bats a s appropriate. they don't like ponds. bat boxes in advance and after the works might be better. and remove cynical and sarcastic comments. Mean it though, and do what is good for the bats. bat boxes cost about £20 each with diy.

It was one of the champions on BH who I saw recommended it instead of ptfe tape. , hence I tried it My surprise recent success was with a biggish (40mm?) pipe on a pumped circuit. I was close to accepting that I must cut the pipes and start again, but it worked with fernox. The other advantage is that it can be spread round the back and all round even when space is tight. Plus it replaces the need for the recommended 25 turns of ptfe on plumbing in other countries where the tolerances are different.

I need to learn about glue. I didn't think I did until now.

It would have to be a sealed cover, and I can't see it being allowed in a habitable space. Garage maybe. but don't get excited. 99% they say no.

But things can be different in rural areas where you might not think to lock your car or padlock the bike. Some for the best and some not perhaps, according to our expectations. We live with these differences or we don't. Especially we incomers who try to improve the natives.

Yes. But our client had to sign a document that allowed the water company to dig up his floor if necessary for maintenance. We designed his warehouse to allow that without losing the building. Ask them but expect the answer to be no.

I'm a recent convert to this stuff. I've recently done a couple of pipe repairs with it, including exactly your issue. Fernox LS-X Leak Sealer 50ml (23614) (450) COMPARE 1 Year Guarantee Suitable for Compression Joints & Screw Fittings For External Use Product Quantity £5.98INC V

I wonder if this is cultural matter that has to be worked around pragmatically. For most BCOs, every project is within a short drive and doesn't take too much of a day. But if they need to get a ferry and make the most of the day, then perhaps they try to look at all ongoing projects on that visit. If the culture is to be accommodating then it has to work both ways. If that is not acceptable to you then I can see a BCO digging their heels in and not visiting until it suits them and their efficiency and the job will be on hold. 'Can you come and inspect the drainage trenches'? Yes of course: 2 weeks on Tuesday at 11.30 and don't fill them in.

No prices stated. They deliver direct to site. I'm predicting 20% saving cf merchants and presumably they want prepayment which could be quite a big sum.

do it very thoroughly then, as the slightest dipping will allow puddling. Or if your single size stone is deep it might hold all the rain. Just remember that only about 1/3 of the volume is voids if it is single size, or 1/4 if there is some variation..

You mean £1 = £1 but Scotland gets the oil money, and backdated 60 years? Scotland would jump at that but not sure England can afford it. Wales is on the formula too. tho' not quite the same formula. but this is getting into politics......out.

There's a line going in soon to take East Highland wind power to the south. Meanwhile @ProDave and @Jenki are paying as if it was gas generated in the SE. They'll put the grid cost on the bill too.

Looks like a typo for s and b eps in Dudley ?? A great link thanks.

Do you have 2 accents? One that the servants can't understand and one they can?

The less you know, the less you know that you don't know. I had an apprentice bco once tell me he didn't like something. I'll get you an Engineer's letter for your files says I (me but he didnt know that). "Don't bother, they'll write anything you ask them to." Now somebody taught him that. A failed bco that had become a teacher perhaps. I never saw him again, so somebody was perhaps less restrained than I. Day release bco. 3 or 4 years uni for the SE. Then more exams for the chartedhip.

For the uninitiated, Glenalmond is a beautiful place but has a very expensive private school.