Home D.I.Y.

[Fastpedaller]

Someone has boxed in the pipe and tiled over it .......
Bane of my life. I put a photo of one of these 'professional' works of art on Pistonheads and 90% of those who commented said it was better to tile them in than tile the panels and screw them on "because screw covers don't look nice".
I stand firm in thinking they look a lot nicer than broken tiles that can't be matched.
One guy was supportive and said he was asked to replace kitchen worktops for a customer - when he arrived, he found the 'professional' who'd installed the kitchen had stuck the worktops onto the kitchen units using 'no-nails', meaning the worktops couldn't be removed!

 

[raleighnut]

Someone has boxed in the pipe and tiled over it .......
Bane of my life. I put a photo of one of these 'professional' works of art on Pistonheads and 90% of those who commented said it was better to tile them in than tile the panels and screw them on "because screw covers don't look nice".
I stand firm in thinking they look a lot nicer than broken tiles that can't be matched.
One guy was supportive and said he was asked to replace kitchen worktops for a customer - when he arrived, he found the 'professional' who'd installed the kitchen had stuck the worktops onto the kitchen units, meaning the worktops couldn't be removed!

When we had the bathroom 'done' I boxed in the pipes, we had about a dozen tiles left over and a bunch of people told me "Oh you can return them to 'Tops tiles' and get a refund but me being a 'savvy' begger said "No" and they're in a box in the cupboard under the stairs for that very eventuality or if we should decide to move the shower unit/towel rail or whatever.

 

[Fastpedaller]

When we had the bathroom 'done' I boxed in the pipes, we had about a dozen tiles left over and a bunch of people told me "Oh you can return them to 'Tops tiles' and get a refund but me being a 'savvy' begger said "No" and they're in a box in the cupboard under the stairs for that very eventuality or if we should decide to move the shower unit/towel rail or whatever.

For the bathroom, I leave the spare tiles under the bath (they can't be broken there) and for the kitchen they are under one of the base units, behind the kick board.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Self levelling is not truly self levelling, it needs a bit of help to be pushed around to find the level. If you slop it on the substrate dont work it, you can create humps.

I've found the best way to achieve a perfect level substrate over a large area is to use anhydrite flow screed.

Self levelling stuff for small areas

Some people seem to make sweeping statements about self-levelling as if it's a miracle compound. When we removed the carpet, we found a stone in the hallway where we planned to install engineered wood flooring. I was advised to use self-levelling - which (without the thickness of the flooring) would have raised the floor level 12mm on every adjoining room. An angle grinder removed the top of the stone.

 

[Profpointy]

Bath waste is slow to drain..

I replaced the waste so it's the pipe.

Someone has boxed in the pipe and tiled over it!😭

The easiest thing to try first is to bung a load od caustic soda down it. If it works, job's a good 'un; if not, it's only cost a couple of quid.

It is advisable to dissolve the caustic first rather than pour the powder down, as it can violently heat up and spit. It is also possible to block the outlet with a hard-to(safely)-remove plug of caustic soda. DAMHIKT !! The ensuing bungling led to a damaged ceiling below and a scar. In fairness I'd never had this issue in the previous 40 years of using it and I did make an unnecessary balls up of a simple job.

Obviously it's wise to wear rubber gloves and goggles.

 

[fossyant]

My son has now moved out, so his room has been gutted today. He still has a lot of stuff to take, but we've boxed it. Daughter has been after the room for months, since he mentioned moving in with friends. My daughter has the small box room currently.
Filled the van yesterday with junk from his room and the carpet and underlay.

The walls have been sugar soap washed, windows scrubbed and woodwork wiped down.

New laminate now down and painting commencing of the walls.

It's cost me a small fortune, but I've said to my daughter it's part of her Christmas present as she was going to give me something towards it.

 

[fossyant]

Oh and the laminate in the bedroom has been a doddle compared to the one I just put down in the conservatory. The conservatory needed a whole row assembling and locking before you slotted it into the row that was already fitted. The bedroom one is lock into the existing row, then move to next piece, lock in, and "thump" the joint to the adjacent board (rubber mallet suggested, but it was quicker just to thump it with my hand).

My wife was surprised with the lack of swearing - she thought she had a different husband - makes the job so much easier getting things that fit together properly. I did check the fitting instructions BEFORE agreeing to buy these planks.

The lounge will be next, but it will be solid wood - going to make sure I can fit one plank at a time rather than a whole row.

Whilst in the DIY store, I did get my Xmas present from MrsF - a Bosch multi tool with free battery (got a chainsaw using the same battery) as I actually needed it for the floor job - needed to cut part of the door frame off at the bottom. What a great tool. Should have got one years ago.

 

[Gwylan]

Soldering!

I need a new soldering iron. I'd like it to be cordless.
I've tried the German shop gas powered soldering irons and they don't last.

I've got one that works off a USB and it just hadn't got the power

Now I can leave big hints for a Christmas present that I actually want.

What's recommended?

 

[Drago]

A soldering station of some kind. Mines from RS, hutmI don't think theyre going anymore.

 

[CXRAndy]

I used to be a big Weller fan in my electronic servicing days. I had soldering station and portable gas iron, these days I wouldn't know a decent brand anymore.

There are some fairly good 12V DC versions seen on vehicle repair channels

 

[MichaelW2]

I am broken. MrsF has been emptying the conservatory. Last night I ripped up the old laminate and removed the non existant insulation from 30 years ago. Took it to the tip at lunch. Whilst I was working, MrsF put the gold foil insulation down then a 5mm foam pad. Finished work at 4 and fitted the new floor. Had to pull it up at a third down as MrsF's preferred orientation meant the floor couldnt be fitted under the patio door sil of the house (couldnt lift the floor to click in). So refitted the same way the original floor was that I did 30 years ago. Yes dear....there was a reason.

Anyway, first three rows were a pig to get them click locked, but it went better after that and Id fitted the edging and cleaned up by 10pm. I am broken. Shoulder is killing. Good job I didnt stop.

Leave a #comment under the foor explaining your reasoning.

 

[Drago]

Discovered a slight leak under the kitchen sink.

I noticed the cupboard door below was not closing quite right, and closer examination revealed the unit is damp and the edge trim lifting, thus leaving the door a mm or so proud as it closes.

A quick check and I discover the muppet builders had not tightened one of the collars on the trap - it moved when I was feeling for the leak with my fingers - and over time sufficient had escaped to moisten the cupboard.

While groping about I discovered the cold water supply pipe is insecure and moves alarming as it emerges from the wall. Clearly a copper pipe should be mounted securely!

House is just over 2 years old so called NSBC. Their warranty doesnt cover internal plumbing. Bugger.

But they explained about my statutory rights and the pertinent legislation, some of it going out to 15 years, that covers this sort of thing so its within the realm of the builders to resolve.

Meanwhile, SiL (hes a qualified sparky and plumber and owns a building firm) has eyeballed it all and given me a list of regulations and schedules the builders have breached with the installation.

The damage isnt bad. I could clean it and bond over the damaged part one of those metal kitchen cupboard floor protectors to hide the damage, having first removed the now loose edging. But I shouldn't have to, and im not going to.

So I've reported it to the builders, and theyre already ducking and diving. Im awaiting their initial firm response, but if I have to start pursuing this im going to keep a schedule of my time in tenths of an hour and stiff them for the lot, my time, printing expenses, plumbers report, and small claims costs.

I never back down from a fight, and this will be a belter!

 

[CXRAndy]

House is just over 2 years old so called NSBC. Their warranty doesnt cover internal plumbing. Bugger

My experience with newbuilds is most minor stuff is sorted whilst the show home is still open. Soon as that closes or is converted to the final house, you're on your own.

I had to do quite a few minor repairs amd upgrades to my kids newbuilds. I did it because I didn't trust the skill level of the onsite repair men.

The build quality is a best shoddy from vast majority of major homebuilders.

 

[Drago]

The developers will be here for a good 5 or more years yet.

Whether they sort it or I type out the small claims forms makes little odd to me - I will prevailing either way.

Other than this the place is sound. The aircon engineer, who did a lot of poking, banging and drilling, was impressed with how well the place was made and how neat the electrics were. Just a shame the kitchen fitter wasn't so diligent.

 

[CXRAndy]

The developers will be here for a good 5 or more years yet.

Whether they sort it or I type out the small claims forms makes little odd to me - I will prevailing either way.

Other than this the place is sound. The aircon engineer, who did a lot of poking, banging and drilling, was impressed with how well the place was made and how neat the electrics were. Just a shame the kitchen fitter wasn't so diligent.

Sounds like you got one of the better builders 👷‍♀️