Home DIY

don't know what you mean, but I can't stop watching that gif

Hi, new to home ownership and the 'joys' of home DIY.

Ripped up a floor today and panicked slightly at the state of the concrete beneath.
A thin layer of concrete over the original concrete floor is cracked and moving underfoot.
Has anyone used a floor levelling compound? Is it as straight forward as it sounds?

Also is there a forum database of trusted tradespersons?
Looking for an electrician / handyman in the E10 area.

Anyone insulating a solid wall...

I've got a box of 200 universal insulation anchors - 150mm. £30

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Installing new lights / removing old electric tat in the ceiling, adding a switch and doing a change of lights in the bathroom from non rated to actual wet room rated lights.

I think.

Everything in other words

And this was the most 'together' flat we looked at :/

Has anyone had their brick house rendered? Thinking about doing ours, not because the brickwork is in bad shape, but for aesthetic reasons. Sand and cement vs monocouche? Any issues to think about? And would the keeping existing concrete tiled roof, covered in lichen and moss, ruin everything? MANY QUESTIONS.

On that note, how easy is it to clean roof tiles of lichen/moss/dead seagulls etc?

Apparently you can install a strip of copper or zinc along the roof ridge and chemicals which run off when it rains prevents growth. Pro tips here.

1970s house, cavity wall - not sure if insulated or not. I have read that about breathing. Apparently the modern silicone renders are both breathable and flexible. It's a minefield and I don't want to get it wrong.

Sorry bro.... been on holiday...
In my quest for black taps I found 99% are gross. The ONLY real decent ones I found are Tara Black which are available at C P Hart (http://www.cphart.co.uk/dornbracht-tara-wallmounted-cross-handle-basin-mixer/) but they are bathroom taps really.
Ikea actually do a nice black kitchen tap, but I found nothing in the mid range, everything had some chrome feature or trim that ruined them for me.
I went for chrome in the end, and cheapish ones, as my flat isn't really a keeper - I hope to move sometime in the next couple of years. After Brexit and this summer I'm tempted with somewhere that isn't shit.

DIY or getting someone in? A pro company should be able to answer most questions when they quote, I think there's a new building Reg that requires cavity insulation if adding render. The bits that I've done recently used a mix of 6:1:1 sharp sand, hydrated lime & Portland cement, I read many problems stem from using too strong a cement mix. I didn't use SBR or a waterproofer as apparently this can react with the lime, I used Cementone exterior render primer that was £100 a tub!
We are also keeping our concrete tiles, reminds me I need to jet wash the moss, liking the copper tip.
Not sure it's relevant but the sharp sand I used had pebbles that were just too big which made a mess when floating, I've been doing the inside of the bedroom this week and found 'plasterers sand' which is somewhere in between sharp and soft and spread/floated so much better.

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Thanks, man - very helpful. Are you a pro? Want a job?! Definitely not doing it myself!

There is so much contradictory information and opinion out there. I read recently that there is little benefit from putting insulation into an existing cavity wall, and it can cause condensation/ damp internally. Local builder does sand and cement render and the price is reasonable, but I am also interested in the modern colour-injected, self-cleaning stuff for a hassle-free future...

Not a pro by any stretch, just lucky enough that we can afford for me to go part time with my 'day job' so I can play builder for the rest of the year. Pondering if Brexit will cause a skills shortage so looking into electrical qualifications but don't fancy crawling around roof spaces for the rest of my life :/

@diable sockets, lights and rads are next months jobs!

now just to do a final few bits and its done.

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Nice work sir, are you qualified or under the tutilidge of a professional? I'm wiring our house but only because I have sparky friends who've explained it and will commission all the tails into the consumer unit.

There won't be any sockets in that bay btw ;)

Pics or it didn't happen ..

I've just noticed a crack in a tile next to our shower tray.

Its one of those floor level shower trays and has some sort of fast flow plugs that doesn't flow very fast. The result being you have keep an eye on the water and mop the floor after.

I'm worried that now there is a crack the water will seep in and make the crack worse.

Is that likely and will the crack get worse?

If so what is the sensible solution?

I was thinking some sort of glue or sealant to prevent more water getting in. I'd rather not try and replace the tile yet (assuming there are spare tiles).

Also if I sealed it, is there a risk I'm just trapping water in there?

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Anyone want my Bosch 10.8v circular saw? Only used a few times, now I've got it's big brother so it's surplus to requirements. Bare unit in a box with parallel guide and hoover fitting. Perfect for flooring, skirting, all sorts of trimming jobs and site work. £60.

Definitely interested. Dibs etc.

Will pm.

Cutting depth is too shallow.

Ja, think it's 27mm at 90 degrees and 17mm at 45.

Yeah, I need around 45mm.

Already have a plunge saw that does 27mm

Get a Mafell MT55cc. Best money can buy :)

I need it for precisely 3 cuts that I currently have planned.

I guess, after those, I might find a use for it another three times a year.

I think something under £75 is more suited to the job :)

might take this off you, first (?) dibs