Apr 21
Grand Designs Live, which is happening at Excel in London at the beginning of May, and where DIY Doctor will be appearing, have released information on what visitors will be able to see at the GRAND Village.
As homeowners become more concious of the importance of eco-friendly buildings for the future, this year’s GRAND Village will see four full-scale buildings which you will be able to walk around and check out their green credentials. The idea is that these properties will demonstrate the ground breaking alternatives for future living.
To find out more information on Grand Designs Live which runs from 1 – 9 May 2010, and to book tickets, click here
DIY Doctor will be giving presentations in the ‘How to …..’ Theatre on ‘How to Skim Plaster a Wall’, ‘How to Tile a Bathroom’ and a humerous look at ‘How to avoid a DIY Disaster’ on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th May, so feel free to come along and say hello!
Apr 21
Filming of an episode of BBC One’s DIY SOS has had to be postponed because of the current volcanic ash cloud.
The programme was due to start filming in Chippenham, Wiltshire on Monday, but two of the shows presenters are stuck abroad and unable to fly home in time to start filming. A spokesman for the programme said
“Both of our presenters are stuck abroad – one in Dubai and one in Mauritius so we were not able to start work in Chippenham today. We have had to postpone filming for a week in the hope that they will be available then.”
Work will now start next Monday (26th) on the home improvements needed to enable a local Chippenham teenager to leave hospital. The improvements include a new downstairs bedroom and wet room for seventeen year old Jay Ryles-Jenkins, who has been in hospital for over a year recovering from a brain injury.
The shows spokesman said ”Because nobody knows when they will be able to get back we are looking into getting back-up presenters in just in case. The weekend has been spent frantically trying to sort something out.”
Apr 19
The general election manifestos of the three main parties don’t go far enough to help the beleaguered building industry create the homes that are urgently needed, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Richard Diment, Director General of the FMB said “The policies outlined in the party manifestos all fail to sufficiently recognise the important contribution that the building industry can and should be making to help the economic recovery. Getting the housing market moving again is key to many small builders who are looking to build more houses as well as helping to improve our existing homes. The Labour Party has said it will commit to building 50,000 new council homes over the next five years which doesn’t even come close to housing the five million people on social housing waiting list. The Conservative Party’s plan to abolish national housing targets means that any new houses will be dependent on local communities wanting new homes in their area; and the Liberal Democrats are advocating VAT on new homes thus impeding the expansion of much needed house building. It is all very disappointing.”
Richard Diment continued “The political parties are missing a trick. What we need is an urgent review of the barriers that are preventing new house building taking place. In addition developers’ levies need to be looked at if we are to kick start the housing market. A reduction in the rate of VAT to five per cent to the labour element of repairs and improvement work would really help kick-start the construction industry as we know from independent research that such a measure would create a £1.4 billion economic stimulus as well as creating up 81,500 jobs. The Liberal Democrats come closest by proposing a cut in VAT on repair work but by also proposing to add VAT to new houses such a policy will merely inhibit any already sluggish house building market.”
He concluded ”What the main political parties should be addressing is the FMB’s three core themes of creating a new business environment to help small business thrive; tackle the need to improve skills and training; and take advantage of the emerging new opportunities to create a greener built environment. We have the ideas so it would be good if the politicians would start to listen if they are really serious about creating more homes.”
Apr 15
I need to create pipework from my new garage to the nearby drain (as indicated by building control officer).
The inspection pit is concrete sections with clay pipe at a depth of one metre. Is it accepted practice to break into the pit with a hammer and chisel? If so, at what depth? What diameter pipe to use? and any other info please.
Apr 14
A staircase showcased online which lights up automatically when you walk up or down the stairs was spotted on www.tomsguide.com. LED lights are embedded into the side and work from motion sensors, creating a light trailing effect fit for a star.
On an energy saving note – LEDs consume less power than traditional lighting, and if they only switched on when needed, this is even more economical. No details were available on price or availability or suppliers unfortunately. But maybe it’s another idea for the creative DIYer?!
