DIY/Home Improvement Thread

[Parafox]

3 hours ago, FoyleFox said:

The shower boards look great, more concerned about the dead body in the bath

 

I hadn't even noticed.

 

I'm crying laughing now.

[simFox]

15 hours ago, Parafox said:

 

I hadn't even noticed.

 

I'm crying laughing now.

I had to delete the kids out the pic! Couldn't get them out the whirlpool bath after i fitted it all! but it's left a smudge.

 

When taking tiles off, it pulls off the plaster board, so you have to take quite a chunk off and build it back up. 

Edited 16 March 2025 by simFox

[Sly]

Fitted an outside light! 

[RobHawk]

Anybody got any experience with roofs? 

 

Noticed some damage today, assume it's from over the winter. 

 

Just wondering if it's as easy as getting a replacement and fixing it in, whether I'd have to take the whole row out and reset the whole row, or if it's a much bigger job I'd need to get a roofer in for. 

[Free Falling Foxes]

22 hours ago, RobHawk said:

Anybody got any experience with roofs? 

 

Noticed some damage today, assume it's from over the winter. 

 

Just wondering if it's as easy as getting a replacement and fixing it in, whether I'd have to take the whole row out and reset the whole row, or if it's a much bigger job I'd need to get a roofer in for. 

Dry verge installation. Lots of vids on YouTube, like this one.

 

[RobHawk]

On 11/04/2025 at 19:38, Free Falling Foxes said:

Dry verge installation. Lots of vids on YouTube, like this one.

 

Thank you so much, I did look on Google but didn't even know what it was called. 

 

Plastic bit by the roof didn't bring up much info 🤣🤣🤣

[RobHawk]

A more pressing concern at the moment, I noticed the pressure on my boiler was running low far too regularly so realised there was a good chance of a leak somewhere. 

 

Searched the house high and low, all the rads, toilets and sinks and could find nothing and then randomly found a wet patch on the wall behind the curtain in the living room. 

 

I've cut a hole in the wall and found the pipe that feeds the radiator is leaking. It actually looks like the nail from the stud wall has gone into the pipe, the house is 12 years old so assume it took minor damage at the time that's finally escalated to issue. Now I need to look at fixing the pipe. 

 

No point just trying to patch it up in my eyes, so need to replace the section. So for any plumbers on here, is there an easy way to cut a section out and replace with fresh pipe without having to replace a large segment of pipe? It's behind the wall so don't wanna rip it all out if I can help it. 

 

If it was an old brass pipe I could fix it, but what little plumbing skills I have are a bit old school for this modern pipe 🤣

[RobHawk]

2 minutes ago, RobHawk said:

A more pressing concern at the moment, I noticed the pressure on my boiler was running low far too regularly so realised there was a good chance of a leak somewhere. 

 

Searched the house high and low, all the rads, toilets and sinks and could find nothing and then randomly found a wet patch on the wall behind the curtain in the living room. 

 

I've cut a hole in the wall and found the pipe that feeds the radiator is leaking. It actually looks like the nail from the stud wall has gone into the pipe, the house is 12 years old so assume it took minor damage at the time that's finally escalated to issue. Now I need to look at fixing the pipe. 

 

No point just trying to patch it up in my eyes, so need to replace the section. So for any plumbers on here, is there an easy way to cut a section out and replace with fresh pipe without having to replace a large segment of pipe? It's behind the wall so don't wanna rip it all out if I can help it. 

 

If it was an old brass pipe I could fix it, but what little plumbing skills I have are a bit old school for this modern pipe 🤣

 

[jgtuk]

39 minutes ago, RobHawk said:

 

Easy and cheap fix. Take the opportunity to use some cleaner in the system first and then drain down, cut the pipe where the nail hit and use a straight coupler to reconnect (don’t forget inserts). 
You’ll need to bleed the rads when filling back up and stick some inhibitor in while you’re there. 
 

[RobHawk]

5 hours ago, jgtuk said:

Easy and cheap fix. Take the opportunity to use some cleaner in the system first and then drain down, cut the pipe where the nail hit and use a straight coupler to reconnect (don’t forget inserts). 
You’ll need to bleed the rads when filling back up and stick some inhibitor in while you’re there. 
 

Awesome thank you, will head down to the my local plumbing supply store to get what I need at the weekend and get it all fixed 👍

[The Year Of The Fox]

17 hours ago, RobHawk said:

A more pressing concern at the moment, I noticed the pressure on my boiler was running low far too regularly so realised there was a good chance of a leak somewhere. 

 

Searched the house high and low, all the rads, toilets and sinks and could find nothing and then randomly found a wet patch on the wall behind the curtain in the living room. 

 

I've cut a hole in the wall and found the pipe that feeds the radiator is leaking. It actually looks like the nail from the stud wall has gone into the pipe, the house is 12 years old so assume it took minor damage at the time that's finally escalated to issue. Now I need to look at fixing the pipe. 

 

No point just trying to patch it up in my eyes, so need to replace the section. So for any plumbers on here, is there an easy way to cut a section out and replace with fresh pipe without having to replace a large segment of pipe? It's behind the wall so don't wanna rip it all out if I can help it. 

 

If it was an old brass pipe I could fix it, but what little plumbing skills I have are a bit old school for this modern pipe 🤣

You need the following

 

2x 10mm speed fit super seal inserts

1x 10mm speed fit socket

some plastic pipe cutters

Edited 15 April 2025 by The Year Of The Fox

[RobHawk]

8 hours ago, The Year Of The Fox said:

You need the following

 

2x 10mm speed fit super seal inserts

1x 10mm speed fit socket

some plastic pipe cutters

Legend thank you 👍

[Guest Lako42]

Anyone built a wooden pergola? 

 

The shop offerings all seem a bit naff

[kenny]

12 hours ago, Lako42 said:

Anyone built a wooden pergola? 

 

The shop offerings all seem a bit naff

Building wooden structures for the garden is fairly easy on the DIY scale.

 

We have built various arbors, climbing frames and swing seats in our garden, much cheaper and better quality than the kits you buy. Get your timber from the merchant rather than b&q or Wickes.

[RobHawk]

On 14/04/2025 at 15:39, RobHawk said:

 

All done on the plumbing side, will let it dry a bit before replacing the plasterboard. 

 

Was very easy job, much easier than the old school brass 🤣

 

Thanks to @jgtukand @The Year Of The Fox for the guidance. Very much appreciated, made the job even easier💪💪

 

Sort the roof out next weekend if the weather's ok 🤞

[The Year Of The Fox]

Air Conditioning- has anyone had a unit installed? 
 

I’m contemplating one in a bedroom 4m x 4m with the ability to mount the external unit directly to the back of where the internal unit would go.

 

If your scenario was similar to mine, what did it end up costing you roughly? 
 

Cheers 

[FoyleFox]

Has anyone any advice on shower pumps? Parents are having a new bathroom and need a pump, they've been offered different types, some plastic and some metal. With very different costs, £200 up to to £600. The bathroom fitter has recommended metal as, the plastic is prone to leaking and you get what you pay for. As I'm arranging the install for them I'd like to check before spending more money. 

[NAKC20]

8 hours ago, FoyleFox said:

Has anyone any advice on shower pumps? Parents are having a new bathroom and need a pump, they've been offered different types, some plastic and some metal. With very different costs, £200 up to to £600. The bathroom fitter has recommended metal as, the plastic is prone to leaking and you get what you pay for. As I'm arranging the install for them I'd like to check before spending more money. 

Shower pumps can be a nightmare but they also can be brilliant in the right situation. Depending on where the pump is to be installed you either need to go for a positive or negative head pump. They also range in pressure output, obviously the higher the bar output the better the performance. One thing to check is is the cold water storage tank in the loft big enough? As both the hot and cold supplies to the pump will be from this does it have the storage capacity to cope (ive come across it in the past where the water stops in the shower because the tank doesnt fill up quick enough and it drains of all the water) Also most pump manufactures state the hot draw off should be taken directly from the connection to the hot water cylinder using a 'Surrey' flange (to prevent air bubbles getting into the pump) depending on the age of the cylinder i have myself been very cautious about disturbing pipework that has been installed 30-40 years so one option is either make the connection in the pipework away from the cylinder (no doubt making the pump warranty invalid) or maybe consider a new cylinder. Im sure your installer knows what he is doing and will fit it to the best of his ability and normally i would say you are only wanting to fit this pump once and then hope it gives you no problems for the next 10-15 years but there is also a few things that can affect the pump wether you pay £200 or £600

[FoyleFox]

It will be positioned next to the hot water cylinder, which isn't new, but certainly not 40 years old. The fitter had a look at the water storage tank and said it was sufficient. The current shower has the pressure output of a slightly leaking tap, as it has no pump now, they have no issue with it being slow, so pressure output can be on the lower end.

Is usage a consideration, i.e wear and tear? It's a two-person household, and I can't imagine they are in the shower for long and probably a few times a week (one bath a week was fine in the war 😂). I don't want to advise them so get a lower priced one if it will cause issues but, not to put too finer point on it, they are both nearly 90 and aren't bothered about purchasing anything which needs to last 15 years! Someone in Currys tried to sell them an extended warranty last year, it was a conversation amusing and depressing in equal measure. 

 

I think the options are like these, without going to £600.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stuart-turner-showermate-standard-regenerative-twin-shower-pump-1-5bar/543pg

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stuart-turner-monsoon-standard-regenerative-twin-shower-pump-1-5bar/5824x

[NAKC20]

Is a pump the way they want to go? Obviously i dont know the situation but i have heard from customers, or ones with elderly parents etc, that sometimes the extra pressure that the pump gives leads to an uncomfortable experience for the user if they are elderly. Mixer showers generally come with a pressure rating and having a cylinder and tank set up you really need a valve with a 0.1 bar rating. You can also get the shower heads that increases the pressure. 

Like I say i dont know the situation and its your/their call but looking at the 2 you have sent i certainly wouldnt spend 3 times as much for the Stuart Turner one. 

[FoyleFox]

Having a pump or not wasn't discussed in the showroom whilst I was there, if it was they probably said it's fine as it is. The requirement was raised when I was involved when the fitter came to do the survey. I'm guessing he would always recommend having one to people who do not, as most of us want decent water power. However, you raise a very good point, as my Mother has very sensitive skin.

I think if we went for the lower priced stuart turner pump it ensures having some extra pressure, especially as it's a bungalow, so there's little gravity in operation, but at £129 it's without significant investment.

[NAKC20]

Like you say it will be mentioned by the fitter as standard really. However if you do have a pump fitted, regardless of it costing £130 or £600 plus it will require the same amount of work to fit it. I will say it again i dont know the job but to fit the pump could potentially add anything from a couple of hours upto maybe even a days extra labour, plus materiels, depending on the airing cupboard and bathroom positioning. Also there is a good chance a 13amp socket will need to be fitted nearby to plug the pump in. Also you and your parents will need to accept the noise they give off, it can generally be heard throughout a standard house especially should it cause any pipework to rattle. Im not trying to put you off but if your parents have been used to showering under a watering can for the last umpteen years do you/they need to spend several hundred pounds on something they may not even need?

[FoyleFox]

Showering under a watering can is an absolutely spot on description, that genuinely is how it feels and the description I've been searching for to explain it 

 

I think I need to have another chat with them and the fitter. I don't believe there is a socket already there and the airing cupboard is in the kitchen, next to the bathroom but, all the rooms are off a central hall. If the pump is noisy, it will cover the bungalow. 

 

Thank you, it's not putting me off, it's very useful to know further information and things to consider.

[The Year Of The Fox]

On 24/06/2025 at 22:56, FoyleFox said:

Has anyone any advice on shower pumps? Parents are having a new bathroom and need a pump, they've been offered different types, some plastic and some metal. With very different costs, £200 up to to £600. The bathroom fitter has recommended metal as, the plastic is prone to leaking and you get what you pay for. As I'm arranging the install for them I'd like to check before spending more money. 

Nothing to add other than be very careful about the pump you select if that’s the way you go.

 

If in doubt, select a negative head pump. I hate the things personally 

[Raj]

@NAKC20

@YearOfTheFox

 

Are you plumbers within Leicestershire?

 

I think a self employed thread would be helpful incase one of us diy ers  ever need a service off a fellow fan.

For a city discount obviously!!

Edited 27 June 2025 by Raj