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DIY question

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Dec 2023
1:40pm, 4 Dec 2023
21,167 posts
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rf_fozzy
Someone's making a lot of money somewhere then if the mark up on someone's time is 500%+

In the end, I simply can't afford or justify £900 to spend on a report - my heating bills would have to drop to 1/4 of what they are now to justify it and that isn't realistic.

I think most people who earn normal amounts of money would think £900 is a lot to ask. Even taking into account the fact I'm a tight Yorkshireman.
Dec 2023
1:47pm, 4 Dec 2023
21,168 posts
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rf_fozzy
"are there companies still offering 'Green Deal' energy improvements? If so, that might be an option? "

There are some, although not as many as there were, but basically they do an EPC report and not much more. It *might* be worth it, but not sure what they'll do beyond (my questions in brackets):

- have you got cavity wall insulation (yes, but it's old and not sure about coverage - my Q would it be better to replace?)
- have you insulated the loft properly (no, but I'm doing this now - the EPC report when I bought the house didn't look properly - the insulation that was there was crap, too thin and laid wrongly).
- Have you got double glazing (yes - but is triple glazing likely to be better - the windows are old - no trickle vents for e.g. should they be replaced?)
- Have you thought about solar panels - (yes - I've got them).

I'd like to know about whether I can put underfloor insulation in, where and how difficult (cost is a separate issue) and if there's anything else I can do.

Already covered most obvious areas for drafts and heat loss that I can get at -some will have to wait for all other work (the kitchen walls have not been done properly, but I can't fix that until I get the kitchen redone which is about 5/6 years down the line.
Dec 2023
1:49pm, 4 Dec 2023
21,169 posts
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rf_fozzy
The point is that if I spend £900 and they tell me to put triple glazing in, then I can't afford triple glazing and I'd be better off spending it on the triple glazing in the first place....
Dec 2023
2:34pm, 4 Dec 2023
21,170 posts
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rf_fozzy
Anyway, any tips for drilling into lintels? Tried to put up a curtain pole bracket yesterday after if it fell out and it was almost impossible to drill.

And looks like it has some kind of reinforcing wire running around through it which didn't help.
Dec 2023
2:39pm, 4 Dec 2023
12,459 posts
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lammo
Can you use smoke to trace your draft?

Have you got an SDS drill? - for your lintel
Dec 2023
3:16pm, 4 Dec 2023
24,675 posts
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richmachriatmas
Anyway, any tips for drilling into lintels? Tried to put up a curtain pole bracket yesterday after if it fell out and it was almost impossible to drill. And looks like it has some kind of reinforcing wire running around through it which didn't help.


I'm guessing its a concrete Steel reinforced lintel.

You ether need a pro quality drill set up or, fit a wooden board thats longer than the lintel fixed into the 'normal' wall at the ends then fit your curtain pole etc into that.
Dec 2023
4:55pm, 4 Dec 2023
21,171 posts
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rf_fozzy
Smoke - maybe - not sure it'll work though as I think it's coming from the void under the stairs somewhere, so wouldn't pinpoint the issue. I'll have a think.

SDS/impact driver or similar, no - I'm just using a normal corded (powerful) drill on hammer mode.

I think I can borrow one though. And I'm getting some diamond tipped masonry drill bits.
Dec 2023
8:03pm, 4 Dec 2023
24,680 posts
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richmachriatmas
Maybe buy a brand new masonry bit to give you the best chance.

Underfloor insulation, lots of ways of doing this, do you have a crawl space? If so you can get under and fit it that way.
Dec 2023
10:53pm, 4 Dec 2023
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rf_fozzy
No, no Crawlspace sadly. It'll have to be done from above.

Should get a decent thickness at the front of the house, but not sure as you go to the back.

Eventually I want to redo the kitchen and hall and put underfloor heating in as part of that, so the plan would be to put the insulation in then because the floor would be coming up anyway.

I am concerned about the void under the stairs as that seems to be where the draft is coming from, but there's no obvious source from outside.

If I extend to the side and build a utility room as I want to do, it might solve the issue. But it might also not.
Dec 2023
7:55am, 5 Dec 2023
24,691 posts
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richmachriatmas
So you can get some fairly good, but expensive insulation on a roll from Screwfix that would go under carpets etc.

With the stairs draught I'm fascinated. Is under the stairs boxed in? A picture would speak a thousand words I think.

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