Getting Handy in 2013 - Man Skills

[corkeye]

Anyone have much experience with boilers?

We have a Potterton Promax boiler (think it might be this but will check when I am home http://www.potterton.co.uk/96/).

It turns itself on for about 60 seconds every so often even though we have the water turned off and the thermostats right down.

Should it be doing this as it appears to be using about 0.8-1.5 meter units of gas every day doing nothing!!

I believe you have switched on 'pre heat'. What this does is tops up the heat of ur hot water in short blasts (regular intervals)...Which comes into its own in winter when the hot tap usually runs bloody freezing cold for ages and u want to run a bath. Should be a setting somewhere. Sorry I don't have experience with your boiler brand.

[Mohican]

40 minutes hard graft results in this-

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Small problem is that  the lino we had left over from the kitchen isn't big enough as one piece. Any tips on how to join the edges? Also what's the best stuff to glue it the board on the floor.

Click to see full-size image.

I might just go buy an end of roll and slap that down instead if it's a lot of hassle to join the edges.

[outragous76]

Click to see full-size image.

I came home from my weekend away to this, which was nice.

My neighbour has been drilling and banging for weeks, and my (50 yo) ceiling finally had enough!

We have decided to go the whole hog and renew the entire lounge, ceiling walls, removing fire etc etc

so...................................

[outragous76]

how easy to buy some new sockets and recess them? (im really not massively confident with electrics), I have 2 doubles and 1 single.

and can lee the fish PM me his email address, the joinery requirements are building, probs got a full day for you now mate!

[EvilPie]

Depends on your existing wiring mate.

If it's reasonably new and wired in twin and earth cable it's easy.

If it's old single core cables in metal conduit then it'll be a pain in the arse.

PVC twin and earth - Easy



VIR (vulcanised Indian Rubber) - Pain in the arse!!

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The lathe and plaster ceiling suggests an old house which in turn suggests possible old wiring. Also only having 1 twin and 1 single socket in a living room suggests it's quite old.

Any ideas if it's been rewired at any point recently?

[outragous76]

im going to say it will be older wiring

However the boxes are surface mounted, so i guess there is a small possibility that they are retro and recent?

I did once change a light fitting and that had 2 wires like your VIR pic

[h]

im going to say it will be older wiring

However the boxes are surface mounted, so i guess there is a small possibility that they are retro and recent?

I did once change a light fitting and that had 2 wires like your VIR pic

i just taken down lath plaster ceiling
moved / added sockets but my wiring is modern

open socket and have a look  if its the old stuff think you should be looking to re wire whole house

[EvilPie]

Definitely should consider a rewire if it turns out to be VIR cable. It's actually quite dangerous and a genuine fire hazard.

Any chance you could remove a socket front and get a photo of the inside?

Obviously don't do this if you're a bit nervous of electrics. Maybe just get an electrician to have a look for you and make a recommendation.

If it's old wiring you definitely don't want to be making any alterations yourself. It's dangerous enough if you know what you're doing so just leave it alone.

[Mohican]

Replaced one valve in this toilet and the Siphon valve in the other and both now work as they should. Managed to lay the lino using double sided carpet/lino tape. Turned out ok I think, especially
as it cost nothing.

Click to see full-size image.

[DaveShoelace]

Force it or not?


Sup yo.

Ok so new house, obv a new bath. It takes ages to drain after having a shower so obv it needs unblocking.

However its one of these fancy built in plugs where you push down on it to release it (name please?). I cant for the life of me work out how to remove it temporarily. I have tried many a combination of twist and pull, pull and twist, push and twist etc.

So should I force it? I have a bad history of forcing stuff that shouldnt be forced. Anyone got any ideas?

[Mohican]

Hope this helps.

[DaveShoelace]

lol, I am as thick as pig shit, never actually thought to twist without pulling or pushing.

Sorted, thanks Mohican

[Mohican]

lol, I am as thick as pig shit, never actually thought to twist without pulling or pushing.

Sorted, thanks Mohican

Didn't know either, just typed 'pop up plug' into youtube.

[DaveShoelace]

Dumb question but no harm in asking.

I've just unblocked the bathroom plug in the new house after what seems like 10 years of the previous owners hair down it (it was rank).

I managed to pull out what I am 99.99% is a woman's hair bobble.

So I am just checking - there isnt a part in a bathroom plug hole which resembles a woman's hair bobble?

I know it's obv a no, but just in case.

[RED-DOG]

Dumb question but no harm in asking.

I've just unblocked the bathroom plug in the new house after what seems like 10 years of the previous owners hair down it (it was rank).

I managed to pull out what I am 99.99% is a woman's hair bobble.

So I am just checking - there isnt a part in a bathroom plug hole which resembles a woman's hair bobble?

I know it's obv a no, but just in case.

One with balls or just a band?

What colour is it?