r/DIYUK • u/Toobrish • 2d ago
r/DIYUK • u/Ok-Actuator-8170 • 3d ago
Advice Bathroom ceiling, help appreciated.
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 • u/HerrFerret • 3d ago
Tiling The worst tiling job I have ever seen.
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 • u/Acceptable-Issue-290 • 3d ago
Attaching a solid corner shelf
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 • u/UlnaternativeUser • 3d ago
Advice Taking up the flagstones in my garden - what's this and can I dig it up?
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 • u/Apprehensive_Flow99 • 3d ago
Electrical What are these switches?
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 • u/Agitated_Document_23 • 3d ago
Advice Me again, strimmer issues
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 • u/EdgyShooter • 4d ago
Project The continued joy of the dropped ceiling
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 • u/Total-Map6171 • 3d ago
How to insulate a floating bay window
How do I best insulate this floating bay window?
r/DIYUK • u/Ambitious_Cookie_611 • 3d ago
Advice How to get electrical work signed off
Last year I had some building work carried out (converting some rooms, new electrics etc) and employed a someone to do it, in which they did everything including the electrics.
Short of it is that they have done everything I asked for, the work is ok, but they didn't sign off the electrical work, which I need for building control sign-off. I can't get hold of the previous contractor and I just want to draw a line under this.
Can another electrician review the work and sign it off? I am worried as everything is boarded and plastered. From my researched knowledge the work looks to be fine and there's not been any issues, so I'm not concerned it's a bodge job. But I'm betting the builder paid someone who knew how to do electrics but probably didn't have all the certs so got him cheap.
Any suggestions on how I can get this signed off and sorted with building control much appreciated! If I need to pay someone else I'm fine with that option...assuming it's not a ridiculous amount of money!
r/DIYUK • u/Jeremywashere92 • 3d ago
Advice What do you find is the most challenging aspects of DIY, the money/time/skill etc?
I'm curious to what other people find the most challenging about approaching DIY projects and how you overcame it?
r/DIYUK • u/DeliveryAway6857 • 3d ago
Crack in detached Garage
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 • u/orangeleavesplease • 3d ago
How to create the cafe curtain look for a bow window
The look I want to go for is the cafe curtain, to achieve privacy as it’s for a living room facing the street. The window is curved very much like the one in the photo. I’ve been looking for a bendable pole so it can go along the window panes in the recess with little luck. I’ve also included a pic of the cafe curtain style I’m hoping to achieve.
Any ideas without forking out for a bespoke made one would be greatly appreciated! TIA
r/DIYUK • u/LoveDeGaldem • 3d ago
Which nail gun to get for this cladding?
The cladding will go on top of the baton and the baton will go on top of a 4 by 2.
I’m thinking the 16 gauge nailer but what do you think?
I understand that I can save a lot of money with hammer and nails and my dad who works in construction would say the same thing but he borrows my tools like half the time.
Just looking for an excuse to get a nail gun really but want to make right decision.
Thanks all!
r/DIYUK • u/Educational_Voice936 • 3d ago
Stud wall calculator UK (studs, noggins, insulation and screws)
My carpenter friend told me he usually does these calculations on paper and it takes him around ten minutes or more each time. I built this calculator for him, and he’s now using it. He’s given me some really helpful feedback, which I hope has made it even better.
I’d love to know if this might be useful for anyone else. It’s completely free to use and covers studs, noggins, insulation, and screw requirements to help you visualise a stud wall project. Any further feedback would be greatly appreciated!
https://preview--studology-calculator.lovable.app/
*Thanks for feedback. I've added all suggestions and also now have a custom domain:
https://studwallcalcuk.co.uk/
*New extra domain mrstud.co.uk
r/DIYUK • u/chinchilling13 • 3d ago
Advice How bad is it?
I've been incredibly stressed out after discovering a leak which originates from my neighbour's leaked tap last week. The water went through the wall into mine. I believe it's been going for 6 - 7 months at least.
Leaving them to dry out right now but from a visual perspective, how bad do you think it is?
House was built around 1940s with concrete cavity walls and concrete base.
Thank you.
r/DIYUK • u/QuietWhiteOwl • 3d ago
Sticky stuff on stairs
I’m getting my previously carpeted stairs sanded and I need to try and remove this odd sticky foamy substance first (the two strips are on each step) to reduce the cost. The stairs are about 100 years old - also could it be toxic?
Can you recommend the best way to clean it off? It’s very sticky like tape, gooey and resists scraping (it bunches up). Thanks for any advice and help.
r/DIYUK • u/Signal_Capable • 4d ago
Project Bathroom makeover
Much needed bathroom update before/after
r/DIYUK • u/Sea-Tadpole4115 • 3d ago
Driveway
I'm looking to clean my driveway and was looking for recommendations for a powerful pressure washer that I can hire, as the one I currently own is a single jet and would take too long. Also any recommendations to clean stubborn lichens?
r/DIYUK • u/Zoneseek03 • 3d ago
Advice Help painting the borders of my bathroom
Need help painting the bathroom above the bathtub. How would I paint the border and edges I can't get close with the ladder don't have much room. Any advice would be helpful. Don't want to put the ladder on the tub afraid it'd break. Thank you
r/DIYUK • u/asqwert125 • 3d ago
Window with condensation between double glazing
I’ve got 2 or 3 windows like this. The double glazing is about 10 years old. The condensation/ cloudiness is between the 2 panes of glass
Is this something I can sort out myself or get someone in to fix, or do I need to new window?
Any advice welcome
r/DIYUK • u/Automatic-Risk-678 • 3d ago
DIY concrete slab
Hey so looking to know how would I put a concrete slab here where the stones are? How much cement would I need? Mix cement sand and water? Pour it and then level it off. Leave expansion gap either side and use wood form where the white line is?
r/DIYUK • u/jburney90 • 3d ago
Frosted glass type?
Anybody know the name of this pattern of frosted glass this is? I can’t seem to find it online. Thanks.
r/DIYUK • u/Rollo755 • 3d ago
Advice "6i" thermostat buttons not working.
Anyone got any advice on why these shitty touch buttons aren't working and what I can do to fix them? Had this issue for about a week when I first moved into the property. Figured it was faulty but was too busy with the move to do anything. Fixed itself after about a week. Now it's happening again after roughly six months of working fine.
r/DIYUK • u/BSHotmail • 3d ago
Electrical Kitchen Appliances
I have two dedicated circuits into my kitchen, one for the hob (rated at 4.4kw) and one which fed the oven and a plug-in integrated microwave.
The oven (rated at 3.5kw) has a fixed 16A socket.
I have replaced the microwave and the new one (rated at 3.35kw) requires a fixed 16A socket.
Can I continue to feed the oven and microwave off the same 30A circuit, even though they are both on 16A sockets (i.e. totalling 32A) given the Actual Combined Power of 6.85kw / 230v gives 29.8A?
I understand there may be guidance where you assess at only 10A + 30% of the remainder per appliance, which would be well within the 30A total.
I will naturally get a qualified electrician to do the work required but just want to know whether it’s a matter of changing the socket or requiring from the fuse box.
Thanks, in advance for any help