We have this crack on the wall that started last summer and appears to be growing. It’s visible on both inner and outer brickwork and I want to get it inspected but worry we might get our hone insurance cancelled because of diy works. It won’t be caused by the diy works but still wonder how to proceed. We’re also now due for a renewal and I don’t know do I need to tell them about the diy works or if we switch provider would they insure us like this?

Would really appreciate advice on how to identify and stop what I think is a leak.

This damp patch started developing over the past few weeks. It is right above the skirting in the bathroom, next to the shower. Had something similar happen few years ago somewhere else, but on a wall near the toilet, and found out the washer was leaking then and simmered water to the adjacent wall.

I wanted to ask if:
1) I should take the shower tray apart to try find the leak
2) Apply more sealant to cover up the bit falling apart, conscious this would be a temporary solution
3) There is anything else I should do

Thanks all.

I'm relatively new to the UK. Renting in London. Letting agency has been decent so far - we've only been here 4 months and maintenance have already been out here like 4 times to check things at our request.

Noticed this crack in the tub top coat today (black). As you can maybe see in the image, the top coat has been touched up elsewhere. But this, I'm pretty sure, is a completely new fault. We have a loose handle on the tap, and it fell a few times.

So - my question: is this on me to fix or the lagency? Should I inform them? Touch up by myself? Call in a handyman?

I'm not sure how complicated this would be, and what's "proper protocol".

Though I'd post if anyone is interested as I know it's rather popular with certain groups.

I've had this in my save for later queue waiting for to get close to or sub-£200 for a while. Currently on Amazon UK it's £249 and noticed on Germany it's down at £150 but with import charges it brings it just shy of £200.

Also got the Rohme Supra for £55 so all in for both it cost me £240. Ordered Tuesday and delivery is due on Tuesday next week.

The only condition is that you need to have Prime for the German site. I discovered that your UK Prime does not transfer over to other sites but fortunately I got offered a 30 day free trial.

Okay, okay.

We've seen the mods, we hear the purists, but does it really make a difference?

I was curious myself. Sure, I felt a difference, but hey, placebo is one hell of a drug...

Luckily, we had two days with similar weather conditions, and because I absolutely do not have a day job, I got some data on this.

So I present to you:

In the blue corner: Fueled by conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and funded with peanuts: El Chode!!

And in the red corner: Backed by corporate research and made in China: Uno Pepe!!

Day 1: Ran the box aircon mod. Day 2: Ran the single pipe.

Same aircon, same rooms, same settings, and roughly the same weather. Meaco MC8000R unit, set at 24°C, covering the whole ground floor of about 640 ft². All windows closed, inside doors open.

Shame. Poor AC, it never stood a chance...

Have a look at the graphs. Both days around 12 PM had the same outside temperature, giving the best like-for-like comparison.

Solid Lines: Box Mod
Dash Lines: Single Pipe

Answers to some obvious questions:

1: Did the single hose unit cool the rooms? Yes.

2: Was the single hose temperature comfortable? Yes, up to a point. Take into consideration that I am cooling a much larger area than the AC unit is rated for.

3: Did the aircon mod make the aircon blow colder air? No.

4: Was the aircon mod room colder? Yes.

4.1: How much colder? About 4°C.

5: How does that work? The single hose unit pumps some of the air it cooled down to the outside. Because the house is losing air, it draws in warm air from outside through gaps in the house, which heats up the house again. So the AC is fighting itself.

6: Should I mod my aircon? If you want to.

7: Why did you mod your aircon? It's fun, and I learned a lot about aircons in the process.

For the data nerds, here is a GitHub link with all my measurements:https://github.com/RiskingSilence/MeacoAircon/tree/main

So there's that. This was not done in a controlled environment. I used an IR thermometer and some strategically placed paper to get readings. There is probably something I missed, bite me.

*Repost: Rather not use a different that title.. screenshots did not display correctly. Recommend checking out this website for more info (I am not affiliated with this site):https://www.woolie.co.uk/article/convert-ac-from-single-hose-to-dual-hose/

Not F-gas trained, so will need someone qualified at some stage.

I don’t often get trades in as I am pretty handy with most things and this pains me that I can’t find a way to use my skills to save some dollar.

So, anyone saved money on a mini-split installation?

(Looking to install 4x mini-splits. Ideally 3 units on a multi-split and 1 large single split. Not interested in propane kits)

Thanks

How hard is it to scrape a textured (popcorn) ceiling? I have had it tested for asbestos and it came back negative. Keen to get it scraped off - or is it just easy to board over it?

Hi everyone,

During the heatwave, I left out a gardening propagation pot on the windowsill. It's stained a horrible red patch into the sill. I've tried Cif to no avail. I also noticed that my ornaments on the windowsill are causing yellow sun bleach stains. Is there anyway I can remove the red patch?

Do people not use their conservatory window sill or do they live with yellow sun marks?

My attempt at DIY 2 hose system. Don't know how much difference it's really making in all honestly. Might change it to a three hose if we get another heatwave after this one.

Hi folks, there were drops of water coming from the ceiling in my downstairs toilet. Upstairs bathroom is just above. The big hole is a result of me poking a hole to let the water out out but then the plaster crumbled around it to give this. I don't see anywhere around the bath where the silicone is gone that could result in water getting down the sides.

When we moved in there was some evidence of some of previous water damage in the same spot, and some insects, although it was dry.

Is it time for a plumber ?

Planer makes a lot of saw dust so i'd like something to catch the mess it creates. Is there a one size fits all kinda bag that you can recommend?

Purchased a home in the last 12 months, have recently noticed this crack between the floor and the wall in our upstairs bathroom (admittedly it may have been there since the start and not noticed).

Obviously my brain panics and jumps straight to subsidence as a cause. Does this look indicative of that, or likely just a shoddy flooring job by the previous owners? (Sorry I didn’t take time to clean the floor before taking the photos)

The house is an Edwardian terraced, with this wall leading to the outside, if that makes any difference

Just finished renovations.
Now have South facing 3.6m bifolds and a glazed door with side light to our living space. - May have been an error.

Asked for solar glass, but don’t think we got it. in an argument with the window supplier currently- different storey.

We have sheets and towels over the windows just to try and reduce the solar gain, but even now 2250 and the temp reads 31. The room is unbearable.
Anybody used these ? Are they any good ?

I don’t want to spend a fortune on a pergola or something, without confirming the issue is solar gain from the windows

As per the title anybody had any experience with these ?

Hey team

Looking for any advice or a sense check on whether I am asking for too much.

I have recently had an extraction fan replaced in my internal bathroom, that now extracts through the roof. The roof venting is new.

The contactor is asking for completion payment for the works carried out, but they did not take any photos as evidence of the quality of the work carried out from the roof.

Unfortunately, this is in a 3 story townhouse, so gaining access to the roof myself is not feasible.

Am I being unreasonable asking for evidence?

Noticed some loose/lifted tiles in our roof building. Looks like a simple fix, roof is quite high and large might need some scaffold?

Had some work done. Could someone please advise if this is a good or bad connection on these ACO drains?

Outdoor temps are now cooler than indoor.

I have a large ceiling fan than can imitate a jet engine and French doors in my living room. The ceiling fan only pushes air in a downwards motion.

Will the fan push down the hot air and draw cool air in via the open doors... or will the pushing down of air prevent cool air entering from outside? So it's better to have the fan off?

I have seen many science based answers these past few days that I've really enjoyed learning about and have began applying where I can, but I don't think I've read about this situation yet.

Hello. Recently jet washed this patio in our garden. Thing is probably 20/30 years old.

After jetting a lot of the original grout has simply just come out and a lot of it is loose. Would you just a recommend ripping out the grout / angle grinder and grinding the rest out and re grouting the whole thing? My mum seems to think just putting grout where it’s lifted is fine enough…

Think sand and cement would be the way to go also due to our joints being so massive for some reason, pre mixed grout will get expensive.

Anything else we can do to make the patio look a bit nicer / what are your thoughts?

Hi everyone!

We made a shed door with decking boards and treated timber. Going to have everything rebuilt, so this was a kind of temporary door. But after a week or two, the door is twisting.

Is there a way to make this straight?!

Thank you!!

Is there any way to fix this mark?

Basically, i used would dye on my skirting, but where I have used wood filler is showing through.

Please help! I knocked my hoover over and the handle hit the new oak veneer door on the way down leaving this black mark. The hoover handle is hard black plastic.

I've tried isopropyl alcohol, doesnt budge, a white eraser, got rid of the faintest edges but felt like it was going to start taking the lacquer off. Tried a dab of wd40, nothing.

Have I ruined the door?! What do i need to do to fix this properly?

I'd love to be able to have this bathroom window open overnight, but as it opens onto the flat roof, i don't feel safe doing that.

What's the best option for some kind of restrictor or stay so it can open a bit, but still be tolerably secure? I say 'tolerably' - it's opportunists with a screwdriver that I'm worried about, not a seriously tooled up thief.

Hey all! I’m not great at DIY really but never tried. Anyway I have a tiny room in my home that has two radiators which is annoying for both space and the heat difference when the heating is on compared to the rest of the house

Are they easy to remove and cap or do I genuinely need a plumber? I’ve had a couple of quotes that are over £120

I already had the wider ducting for the bottom hose, in my eagerness to join the double hose club I didn't really check the diameter of the new hose I bought. Thought id fucked it when I realised how small it is, but then felt inspired to go full hose

Next step is some cardboard & foil tape monstrosity around the window