Home DIY

HSS? https://www.hss.com/hire/c/pumping-and-drying/dryers

Jewsons is closed until 3rd Jan

Cheers there's one not too far from here that's open tomorrow. No idea how to choose between them though.

HHS Hire, there’s loads of places.

Any tool hire place will have them

Travis Perkins do too

Ah good shout thanks.
A few places to call round in the morning.

Get the insurance company to deal with it. They have big units with meters built in so you get refunded for the electricity used.

(Ours took over 3 weeks to dry out last Christmas running 4 fans and a big dehumidifier 24/7)

They also dealt with mold and all the other issues.

Just to add to the insurance bandwagon...

What happens if there damage he hasn't spotted yet?

Idk how likely, but let's say other weakened pipes, or water introduced somewhere that gets stuck and later causes rot?

It might not be likely, but the downside could be severe.

Bit of a delayed response so maybe you have sorted this now, but I had a similar problem removing old stuck bath mixer tap a few months ago, required significant contortions to get near the screws and backnut, and despite buying multiple different tools to try and loosen it (including failed basin wrench attempt) I ultimately failed and instead taking advantage of a gap of 1-2mm between tap body and bath, I cut through the tap tails from above the bath, using a fine tooth 12 inch hacksaw blade with one end bound with plenty of tape to make a handle, cutting on the pull stroke. A sharp blade cuts the brass easily but it still took me an hour or two, used several blades in the end.

Exterior flooring.

Have a concreted-over side return at ground level, then it goes up a steep set of concrete steps to an upper level covered by rotting wooden decking. The concrete is often chipped and crumbly.

Want to replace the decking at the top but with what? Ideally I'd like that same material to cover the stairs and the side return. Want something that isn't going to warp/fall apart so thinking of composite decking and incorporating planters.

I know some brands still get slippy AF when it rains and some are still prone to mould (but won't decompose at least).

Is it a done thing to cover a concrete staircase (vertically and horizontally) with decking, hiding the concrete completely?

Ideally I'd gut the current staircase and build a new one but that's a few more zeros on the budget than I'd like.

Wonder if a multi tool blade could have got at it.

Could tile it or pave it instead. Decking has its issues as you’ve discovered.

I take it there isn't some magic composite decking which doesn't rot/mould/slip warp? Even if spendy? I want to do something and never deal with repairs again while I live here. Have been looking on youtube and building over the steps seems a possibility with some kind of stone-ish panels.

I think that depending on the space available and layout it may well be quicker and cheaper to build an entirely new flight over the old concrete one - independently so that water/yard grot can move between the two.

Trex composite decking is very durable.
Something similar should be available in UK.
Often used to build steps right on top of old damaged concrete steps.

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Something like that will surely still get slippy when covered in moss/algae/rotten leaves though. Normal wooden decking will be fine if you keep it clean, and add those sandpaper-like grip strips.

Ive tried before and not had any luck with a multi tool.

Decking isn’t great for stairs. Outdoor rated tiles or paving will always outgrip it.

Composite decking…I’m suspicious of it. I thinks it’s for people who don’t understand how to treat and maintain wood or don’t want to.

That said, concrete and wood don’t really mix well if in direct contact; the concrete collects moisture and transfers it to the wood, with predictable results.

Maybe look at deck tiles? Interlocking plastic bases with sections of wood bonded to the top. IKEA did / do some. Can be mixed with a kind of ceramic tile.

don’t understand how to treat and maintain wood or don’t want to.

Did I stutter.

But yes, I'm assuming that any composite would need to sit above the concrete. Will look at deck tiles, thanks.

Considering buying some 9mm fascia board to use as shuttering for a bendy path restraint, that stuffs fairly flexible right? Not going tighter than a 1.5m radius.

bought some recently (5m lengths) and can confirm, v.bendy

Excellent, that's the kind of reassurance I need. It's not too spendy if I can reuse a few times but enough that it would be very annoying if it didn't work.

That's interesting, might have a try on some of our paths to keep the bark in and the grass (sort of green stuff) out. Any links would be most appreciated :)

not too spendy if I can reuse a few times but enough that it would be very annoying if it didn't work.

The 9mm and 6mm boards are often foam cored, so fairly fragile. Eurocell definitely are foam cored with a skin of pvc on the main face and just enough to cover the edges.