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Thanks, my builder basically said don't touch it. I agree it makes sense to get someone to look at it, it seems a bit ridiculous that the 'fuses' (I know they're not actually fuses) in modern consumer units aren't actually consumer replaceable. What an ironic moniker.
Fox-
It's health and safety, there's no problem taking the cover off if you have a bit of training and some tools. No one is going to encourage you to do it, especially not some random on the internet!
If I had the time I could describe a few ways that the process can go wrong but there are quite a few checks you should be making after the work which it sounds like you are not equipped for.
If you have any exterior fittings on your installation I would disconnect those. Switching off the breaker doesn't necessarily solve the problem of a line/neutral fault which is what the RCD is supposed to pick up because of the way the neutrals are joined in some cases.
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Just as a bit of added info. One reason consumers are not encouraged to replace breakers or 'allowed' to create new circuits is the breaker is chosen based on the type of cable, where the cable is located and the overall resistance of the circuit. It's a relatively complicated process to calculate and test although it generally leads to the same configuration in domestic installations.
If a consumer changes a breaker for a different rating there is a chance that the circuit won't be adequately protected in the case of a fault. So fire or injury could be the result.
Airhead
Be careful if you're only armed with a voltage detector. It would make sense to get the CU looked at. An electrician would probably remove the CU cover and tighten/check the connections, it's not unusual for a connection to be loose.
You need to work safely and diagnosis further than loose wires in the fuses is beyond the scope of a voltage detector.