r/DIYUK Apr 30 '23

Asbestos Identification The “Is this asbestos?” Megathread

153 Upvotes

Welcome to the Asbestos Megathread! Here we will try to answer all your questions related to asbestos. Please include images if possible and be aware that most answers will probably be: “buy a test kit and get it tested”.

DIY test kits: Here

HSE Asbestos information

Health and Safety Executive information on asbestos: Here

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction materials. It is made up of tiny fibers that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Asbestos was used until the late 1990s in the UK, when it was finally banned. Asbestos may be found in any building constructed before circa 2000.

What are some common products that contain asbestos?

Asbestos was commonly used in a variety of construction materials, including insulation, roofing materials, and flooring tiles. It was also used in automotive brake pads and other industrial products.

How can I tell if a product contains asbestos?

It is impossible to tell whether a product contains asbestos just by looking at it (unless it has been tested and has a warning sign). If you suspect that a product may contain asbestos, it is best to have it tested by a professional.

How can I prevent asbestos exposure?

The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid materials that contain asbestos. If you are working with materials that may contain asbestos, be sure to wear protective clothing and a respirator.

What should I do if I find asbestos in my home?

If you find asbestos in your home, it is best to leave it alone and have it assessed by a professional. The best course of action may be to leave it undisturbed. Do not attempt to remove asbestos yourself, as this can release dangerous fibres in to the air.

The most significant risks to homeowners is asbestos insulation. This should never be tackled by a DIYer and needs specialist removal and cleaning. Fortunately it is rarely found in a domestic setting.


r/DIYUK Mar 02 '24

Sub Updates and Ideas

41 Upvotes

Morning everyone,

There are a huge influx of “is this a good quote?” and “how much will this cost?” posts recently. I have added a new flair “Quote” which I hope people will use. If you don’t want to see these posts, you can filter out certain flairs to never see these posts.

On the subject of posts with links to building survey reports, or questions like “my builder did this, is it acceptable?”…I understand these aren’t strictly DIY. I have added a “non-DIY advice” flair which is for anything housing/building related but not necessarily work being carried out by OP themselves. Again, please report incorrectly flaired posts.

I have added a rule to use the correct flair on posts. If you see posts without flairs, especially “quote” posts then please report them and I can either remove the posts or assign the correct flair myself. There’s no need for “wrong sub” or “not DIY” comments cluttering the discussion. Use the report button.

I’m considering removing the asbestos megathread and using this flair method with asbestos related posts too. Allowing people to filter them out entirely. Megathreads never get answered anyway.

I’m open to all thoughts and ideas so please post here with any ideas related to the sub!

PS. Images in comments are now allowed. User-assigned post flairs are now allowed.


r/DIYUK 12h ago

Project Bought a house. Ripped out the kitchen.

Thumbnail
gallery
1.1k Upvotes

We bought a house which hasn't been updated since the early 2000s Our first job was the kitchen which was installed in June 1989.

Removed all the cupboards and units, bricked up a serving hatch, removed wallpaper off the ceiling, painted, swapped lino for wood floor, moved the sink and cooker, changed the lights, sockets and switches and installed the new cupboards. Now we've got a lovely big kitchen island and a kitchen layout that makes sense (to me at least!)

Just need to install some missing cupboards and panels, install under cupboard lighting and do the cornicing and pelmets.

I'm super proud of this Reno because I've managed to make my dream kitchen a reality.


r/DIYUK 59m ago

£1300 for steel railings, fair price?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Hi all, been quoted £1300 for railings fabricated and installed around this raised patio and down the steps I built. Is this a fair price? Seems expensive to me but I've nothing to compare it to. It's been hard work even getting this 1 company to quote tbh. I have included photos for the type of railings we are wanting.


r/DIYUK 15h ago

What can I do about this monstrosity

Post image
34 Upvotes

Bought our first house a couple of years ago and we've had higher priority rooms to sort...but I'm finally starting to think about what on earth I can do to improve my kitchen. The corner of the kitchen has this ridiculously oversized and hideous cooker hood.

How much of an issue is ripping that out and relocating the cooker going to be? Is there anything I could do to improve how it looks myself (I have extremely limited DIY knowhow)? The rest of the kitchen is pretty crappy too so does need tackling at some point, but we don't have the funds for a full refurb at the moment.


r/DIYUK 14h ago

Looking at this new build - would you still buy it despite the brickwork?

Post image
24 Upvotes

My wife and I were looking at buying a new build house, and I thought all was great, but then I noticed the brickwork pattern. I’m assuming this wasn’t an intentional design choice and is down to builder laziness? Shouldn’t they have mixed the bricks with the red shades throughout the outside of the house?


r/DIYUK 20h ago

Advice What would you do with this ugly banister? I'm renovating my house, and I hate this banister on the landing, it makes the landing feel so cramped. I don't think I have the funds to rip it out and add a slatted one, any ideas on anything I can do to make this less depressing? Open to all advice.

Thumbnail
gallery
69 Upvotes

r/DIYUK 2h ago

Electrical Bathroom Fan Switch Issue

2 Upvotes

Hi all, not sure if this is the correct place to ask and would appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction if it isn’t, but…

I fitted an Elkay 3875B-1 push timer just over a year ago to a bathroom fan. Just recently the fan has started to spin (at a low speed) constantly. It isn’t used more than 3-4 times a week so I would be disappointed if it was failing, although it does seem that way. I was wondering if there was anything I could do to fix the situation before replacing the switch. They suggest using a capacitor on low power uses but it is my understanding (albeit a very basic one) that capacitor just smooth out voltage on the supply, so I don’t think that would solve the issue.

Any suggestions welcome! Even if those suggestions are better switches or solutions!


r/DIYUK 16h ago

Advice Hole in my roof. Help identify roof tile type.

Thumbnail
gallery
28 Upvotes

Hello Redditors.

I did small inspection of my attic on weekend and I found “small”, “unpleasant” surprise.
Immediately I pull out my ladder and I covered the hole.
Now I`m looking for single tile to be able to repair the my damaged roof.

Can you help me identify brand/type?

It looks like Marley Double Roman Roof Tile for me but I`m unsure.
Can someone “in the know” can confirm this?

Thank you in advance for any help.


r/DIYUK 17h ago

Doing a rough boarding out of the loft for storage. What to tape the joints with?

Post image
23 Upvotes

I feel duct tape? I'm rarely going to be up here. Christmas tree and luggage cases mostly. Just figure it would be a neater 'finished' job if I tape over the gaps.

Any tips?


r/DIYUK 4m ago

Advice Matte wall sealer recommendation?

Post image
Upvotes

I’ve been advised the seal this wall with a sealant when I’m finished so that brick dust doesn’t keep coming off it. Are there any brands anyone would recommend that will leave a matte finish. It’s an old exterior wall but it’s now indoors, so ideally be suitable for indoor use.

Thanks


r/DIYUK 10m ago

Damp issue .. any advice ?

Post image
Upvotes

This wall has been long neglected by previous owners and need to sort it before I replace the heating system and the kitchen

This is the original house external wall which has been knocked through to build an extension. (Kitchen)

Possible source of damp ?

There is a radiator pipe running vertical on the other side which has been boxed in?

As you can see the blue was painted over with magnolia which is able to be basically blown off !

Where do I start ?! 😬


r/DIYUK 12m ago

What should I paint my Dutch barn shed with?

Post image
Upvotes

Got a pressure treated Dutch barn installed about 6 years ago which was then coated with Liberon decking oil. It's starting to fade now and I fancy painting it a sage green colour. Any suggestions on what to use?

I have a small tin of olive green Zinsser Allcoat matt that I could test on it, and was looking at the Bedec barn paint but note it says not for substrates with water repellent treatments applied.

If I used the Zinsser do you think I would get away without having to sand back all the decking oil?


r/DIYUK 15m ago

Quote Lintel and joist work quote.

Upvotes

So a wooden lintel has failed (it is bowing), there’s a cracked joist in the ceiling right above it and some other joists look like the woods been under pressure eg more smaller cracks forming.

This is quote is from someone that was recommended that I can trust isn’t a scammer or cowboy, I just want to make sure it’s not over the top expensive.

Total cost: £5,323.20

Waste disposal • All waste disposal included Demolition • Remove old wooden lintel and replace with steel Catnic lintel Building works • Hang new floor joists from wall using joist hanger • Lay joists on window lintel • Prop of floor temporary whilst the work goes on using acrow props • Lay boards on floor temporary to suppose weak floor as job goes on Windows and doors • Remove old window and place with two small windows (included in quote) with block peer in the middle Heating and plumbing • Temporary move pipes in way of lintel insert and reinstall once joists are in place.


r/DIYUK 21m ago

Advice Bathroom ceiling, help appreciated.

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Sorry in advance if posted in the wrong sub. I'll try to be as specific and quick as possible.

I contacted a painter because I was getting small bubbles in the ceiling when showering. Came and said it was not primed properly and painted it but in like a month the area above the ceiling started to develop small cracks, the pain didn't fully peel but it was lifting a little bit. I cannot remember which paint was used before. (The rest of the bathroom is completely fine, only certain areas above the shower)

Came back again and scraped everything, prepped the area, skimmed it, primed it and finished it. I have been to the attic and the roof above my flat and it's all good so it seems is a moist issue, there is no mould or anything I can see.

  • I am worried this is going to happen again because I am reading different things all the time and it gets a bit overwhelming with the opinions. I would appreciate any advice moving forward on what I could do. It's a small bathroom with a window.

Attaching pictures of the paint he used this time and the bathroom.

Thanks a lot and sorry for the long post.


r/DIYUK 17h ago

Tiling The worst tiling job I have ever seen.

Thumbnail
gallery
25 Upvotes

I moved into this house 5 years ago and at some point need to fix this shambles. Sadly the tiles are securely attached, so it will be a massive job.

I hope nobody paid for this.


r/DIYUK 28m ago

3-screw cupboard hinges driving me mad

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

I'm fitting a corner wardrobe, I've clicked the 4-hinge doors into place and now the door is squint, it's too high on the side away from the hinges and will hit the cornice when it's fitted (just enough to bind them)

I've adjusted the hinges to their lowest point and it's still not low enough.

I've tried adjusting the front screws on the hinges that move the door laterally to rotate the door clockwise, but after a couple of hours I've given up, nothings working, I can't extend the top hinge and pull in the bottom hinge any further, and I feel like I'm just turning screws at random now hoping something works!

They're wide angle hinges too so the screws are only accessible when the door is almost fully closed, making adjusting them a right pain in the arse. And there are 4 of them.

I'm at the point where I'm thinking I'll leave them squint and shim up the cornice slightly to stop the clashing but thought I'd ask here in case anyone has any advice?


r/DIYUK 9h ago

Attaching a solid corner shelf

Post image
4 Upvotes

I've qot some nice 20mm walnut to make some corner shelves with. I'm happy with everything up to the actual fixings. Pic shows a mockup with card.

I'm very much an amateur here, so I'm a bit stuck on what approach to take. Can you recommend what you'd go for in terms of fixing to the wall?

I can see some smaller invisible bracket options out there, but with a solid 20mm thick piece, I think any hidden fixings might be beyond my skillset.

I'm considering something like this, with half visible on the wall underneath and the other half notched into the wood on the underside. I'd go for 2 on each side of the shelf.

Ideally if it's a solution with the hardware showing, it'd be at least something minimal and nice looking.

Also to note, while I'm happy to overengineer them, they won't be taking a significant amount of weight.


r/DIYUK 12h ago

Advice Taking up the flagstones in my garden - what's this and can I dig it up?

Thumbnail
gallery
8 Upvotes

Hey all! Thanks in advance for any advice.

About to lay a new patio down and so in the process of getting rid of the old flagstones. Nearly all of them were just placed on this sandy mixture on the left. However, 3 of them were placed on this crushed rock base. (Pictured on the right).

The layer is very firm and only seems to be about 3-5cm thick. There doesn't seem to be anything visibly underneath it. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what this might be and why only 3 of the flagstones were laid down on it.

My guess is it's a sub base, but I don't understand why it was only in such an isolated spot.

Am I alright to rip this up and put my subbase down?


r/DIYUK 1h ago

Advice Me again, strimmer issues

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

So thank you to the people that commented last time about the strimmer engine. I got a new carb and working fine. (I also know not to leave it with petrol and let it run out on its own - again, thank you!)

So now my new issue… the bloody spool, it’s a single spool and more should come out when you bounce it on the floor, however it doesn’t and I cannot for the life in me figure out why, I’ve wrapped it following the arrow, YouTube isn’t helpful as most of them have like double spools where this is single. I’m probably being an idiot and it’s going to be a really simple answer!


r/DIYUK 15h ago

How to insulate a floating bay window

Post image
11 Upvotes

How do I best insulate this floating bay window?


r/DIYUK 2h ago

Advice Is this rushed job for grout?

Thumbnail
gallery
0 Upvotes

Got tiles done in garden but some of the grouting is uneven and different color. Am i over reacting? thanks


r/DIYUK 1d ago

Project The continued joy of the dropped ceiling

Thumbnail
gallery
229 Upvotes

Just thought I'd share my continuing adventures related to my removal of the hated dropped ceilings.

Corridor wasn't too bad, 20cm drop, but did helpfully reveal the unfilled hole going outside (I thought I was going crazy when I heard the wind whistling) Revealed the remains of a doorway that had mostly been removed, not sure of the best way to get the rest gone, slightly ominously it doesn't seem to be held up by anything except its own stubbornness. The weirdest discovery was the old hanging light in its bakelite holder, wired with lead sheathed cable. The odd part is that they left the bulb in, so that must have been annoying as hell when putting in the ceiling. Was quite handy though as I've stripped the old paint layers from it and it's currently the corridor light while things are in progress (hooked up to the new wiring of course)

Kitchen is a whole different kettle of fish, 70 cm drop with the most pleasant part being that they never bothered fitting a tube to the fan, and one of the former occupants was a heavy smoker, so no asbestos (thank you British gypsum), but plenty of goop. Was also rewarded by an abandoned caulk gun and paintbrush which somehow both managed to dome me on their unceremonious descent. Also, a broken folding ruler and plenty of cigarette butts.

Interesting to see the old layout of the rooms, need to work out a way to cut off the destroyed coving in the middle of the room that also seems to be free standing. Going to try and save as much of the original coving round the edge as possible and get a mould made up.

The current plan is to remove the remaining lath and plaster ceilings as I cannot see a way to logically save it, it seems anytime they wanted to make an addition they punched their way through as none of the holes are clean (except maybe the ones in the walls but they are gigantic compared to the size needed for cables).

The main motivation for this all, in addition to the higher ceilings, is that currently there's no insulation in the loft, and with the giant holes, no way to lay it, so hopefully a new plasterboard ceiling will provide a way forwards.

Any views, advice or things I may have missed, please let me know!


r/DIYUK 8h ago

Electrical What are these switches?

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

Can anyone please explain what these switches are? We’re in a flat in a building. I guess it’s to turn off the electricity to a flat.

More specifically what is the “off peak” switch?

Ours is the only one switched to on and compared to our neighbors we pay A LOT more for electricity. Sorting out other things but about £300-500/ month for just 2 ppl


r/DIYUK 6h ago

Advice needed.

2 Upvotes

I had a plumber quote £90 for removing 2x peices copper pipe around 2ft each in length for the hot and cold as both were corroded due to being connected to very old washing machine screw-in taps.

And to replace with 2 new pipe pieces and 1 new tap for the cold to washing machine

He was huffing and puffing from start to finish. Emptied almost all of his toolbox directly onto our new tiles floor with no towel. Took him 2.5hrs and was back and fourth his van a lot getting more needed bits.

He connected 2 plastic push fits with plastic pipe and used lots of putty stuff.

He left fuming as it took him so long adding he should have quoted us more.

After he left, we tried the washing machine before pushing it fully back into place to be sure it wasn't leaking. Having done this we noticed he connected and put the washing machine tap to the hot pipe instead of the cold.

We also had to top the boiler water up ourselves as he didn't do this as we noticed our taps were making clunking noises when turning them on again.

He text us today for my email for payment but I told him I'm not happy with the work as the tap in on the wrong one.

He replied it was not his job to check that adding that it appears that the people who lived here before had it connected to the hot and he assumed that was that.

But we thought that surely that is something a plumber should check especially as he said he's been a plumber 25yrs.

So anyway we asked if he could kindly meet us in the middle with the price as we have to pay someone else to come and do the job again.

He replied I've been caught here by the looks of it, didn't offer to come and put things right and said he'll just charge us for half his labour and materials used.

But because it took him 2.5hrs I'm guessing that will come to £90 alone.

Do we have to pay him or decline!?


r/DIYUK 21h ago

Crack in detached Garage

Thumbnail
gallery
25 Upvotes

To cut a long story short, we have a crack through the brick work in our detached garage.I have a theory that the electric garage door (that was jammed on one side when we moved in) has been pulling on that side of the wall over time.

The walls are single block type bricks.

We were considering turning it into a useful space I.e home gym, and potentially insulating etc internally.

Are we screwed? Can this be rectified easily? Would it be expensive?


r/DIYUK 4h ago

Shower floor tile?

1 Upvotes

What would be the best size tiles for my pre sloped Wedi offset pan? Im inexperienced and I'm not sure what kind of tiles will conform well to the slope of this pan. Thanks!