Home DIY

I need to replace this leaky valve on a mixer tap - ceramic cartridge I think?

Are they all a standard design/size or do I need to get it out before going to screwfix to get the new one?

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Get it out - then you’ll be sure you can get the new one in :)

Easier said than done when you're solo parenting!

Are gas meters smaller than this in 2022? I am on the list for a smart meter

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Half as high but same width and depth.

Yeah they are, there's a few types of STM2 (?) I think, but dimensions fairly well published.

Tap sorted* now, should have done that ages ago!

*The M4 brass screw holding on the hot handle was corroded so I'll have to get a replacement.

Also had to leave the old one in place while I popped to the shops, seems the plumber that replaced my supply pipe didn't replace the gland on my stop cock like I asked him to as there's still the smallest of flow when it's shut off. Will have to get around to that at some point.

Just about to lay some karndean onto an 18mm ply floor in the bathroom. Do I need to PVA the floor before applying the Karndean Universal Adhesive? I'm getting mixed messages online.

Any recommendations for custom width metal shelving that can support quite a bit of weight and potentially being climbed up like a ladder by a 5 year old?

edit: I don't have an angle grinder and worry I wouldn't get a safe/visually decent finish with a hacksaw and file myself.

Chop chop laser or any local metal fabricator?

Not come across Chop Chop before but will check 'em out, thanks. My presumption with smaller places is that one off jobs would be either not taken on or extremely spendy.

What did you do/learn/decide?

Managed to swap over some TRVs this weekend - took me way longer than expected as I needed to swap out the radiator tails and remove some old olives but the system seems to be holding pressure. Very pleased.

Booked one of my mates to come up to visit and help me raise a lintel in our kitchens fireplace - first step before I head over to the kitchen. thread.

Is this stupid covid brain mess or should there be a lintel or something holding these bricks up, rather just a bit of 3x1 covered in mastic?

Edit: I wonder what's above the door to the right of it :/

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I didn't PVA under guidance from a flooring friend, just the proper glue onto decent 18mm ply.
I used the karndean Van Gogh range and it's crazy how hard it was not to have similar patterns align too noticeably. Nice to lay though.

Just pretend you didn't see it and board over it.

lintel or something

Yup. You can already see the bricks above the window have started to drop. Might as well fix it properly now/soon.

Anyone any experience of Goodhome paint? Looks like it's made for B&Q by Crown.

I've got a small downstairs loo that has a load of tiles adhered to OSB that I need to get rid of so I can put up some insulated plasterboard.

Is an angle grinder a good idea, or shall I just try and crack on with a pry bar?

Pry bar or a bolster and lump hammer. If you are lucky you may be able to remove the tiles without damaging the board. I’d plan to replace the board though. Take your time - wear good gloves and eye protection - in an enclosed space I’d wear a cap or some form of head covering as shards of tile can hurt - I speak from experience.

crack on with a pry bar

This will create a lot of mess but nowhere as much mess as using a grinder! Smash a tile and get the bar under the edge. If you're "lucky" then the adhesive will be shit and the tiles will fall off the wall when you look at them. Wear boots.

@TGR @Arducius both solid tips - thank you!

OSB will need to come down anyway, so guess prybar and appropriate safety equipment is a go-er.

Rooms got a bit of everything - need to take out a loo temporarily, and take up a shower tray that we won't be using anymore. Also a power shower that needs to come out, and rewiring to take a standard power socket.

As someone else mentioned. It’s a dirty job. Using a grinder will make it dirty and very dusty. If you are planning tracking walls etc. more dust won’t matter. It really up to you how to proceed. But be careful with the dust and sharp tiles.

I did tiles with bolster/pry bar the other week.

+1 on everything that has been said about foot, hand, head, eye and lung protection. Ear defenders were a good call too.

Those are the most important lessons to be learned by everyone here. Hard to DIY from a hospital or with missing digits etc!

If they're stuck on good, then any decent sized SDS+ drill with a chisel attachment will make short work. There are bound to be loads on here available for a lend, depending where you are (mine is available if you can pick up from CR7). I definitely wouldn't think you'd need an angle grinder. And seconded to the tips on PPE. A pack of a million foam ear plugs are cheap and will really help with the ringing you would inevitably end up with after whacking a pry bar/bolster with a lump hammer for a few hours (still one of my best bargain purchases, big bag of dewalt ear plugs, I'll probably be handing the bag down to my daughter in 30 years' time). Decent disposable dust mask would also be good. No need to go crazy with full ventilated kit unless it's a regular hobby. And eye protection. Tiles can give off the tiniest, sharpest shrapnel. But again, nearly pennies worth of rated goggles/glasses from Toolstation/Screwfix et al would do you.