Sue

I successfully tackled a wasp nest with a fumigating thing I bought from Dulwich DIY. However it was in my loft, which was somewhat different. Don't know how (or if) it would work outside. Have you tried googling? Googling for how to do it yourself, I mean!

ed_pete Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Any possible access from the ceiling of the room > below (the kitchen ?). A smallish square of > plasterboard cut out and then the floorboards > removed from below could be another option. > Certainly not ideal but less aggro than the hole > in the wall I would have thought. That's an interesting possibility!

Well, it depends how picky you are about what the bath and bathroom look like, I suppose. I didn't go for the cheapest options and probably wouldn't again. And a new bath would still have to be got past the towel rail.

ianr Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sue, if you could find the replacement part, new > or used, from another source, would that resolve > the problem? If so, I'd suggest putting quite a > bit of effort into that course. For a start, how > about a query on Usenet group uk.d-i-y? If you > don't have a news reader it's also accessible via > https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uk.d-i-y. > > Would making a replacement part be out of the > question? Unfortunately the person who tried to mend it has now caused other problems, so just making a replacement part wouldn't solve it :( Also I don't think it would be aesthetically pleasing :)) Good idea though, I should have tried that path in the first place (trying to find the part by other methods, I mean).

To be fair to all concerned, it was pointed out to me at the time that there would be problems if access was needed to the plumbing. However I particularly wanted taps in the middle of the bath, to enable two people to share the bath without one having the tap end (sorry if too much information :)) ) So I said I would cross that bridge if I came to it. Sadly I have :( This problem has only arisen because the stupid tap company (English Heritage. Don't use them) said that parts would be available, but they aren't, and they have removed that statement from their website (though I have a screenshot of it). I don't know if I have any sort of claim against the company. A relative broke off the diverter lever (? diverting water between the spout and the spray) because when he couldn't immediately move it (it went up and along) he forced it upwards very hard and broke it off. He then claimed it would have happened soon anyway because of metal fatigue :)) :)) :)) It would have been a two minute job to replace it, as it just screwed in, but the company had "run out" of the part, despite their advertising that parts would be available. The taps were discontinued shortly before they ran out of it, so I can't even match the replacement taps to my basin taps. A friend tried to mend the lever but made things worse as water started leaking out of the bottom of the spout where it joins the bath. Sod's law striking again, my insurance company said that this would count as two separate incidents, and as (bad) luck would have it, I had just changed my insurance company, and the new policy kicked in between the two incidents, so I would have had to deal with two companies, probably wrangling over whose responsibility it was, and I couldn't face it. The relative is paying for this work, but it's been an absolute nightmare.

Thank you, I will ask one of the plumbers if that looks possible, however it would be a very small gap. One of the issues is that there is virtually no space underneath the bath.

Angelina Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Yes Sue, they are a minority and therefore are > privileged with tolerances because we're so scared > of being labelled as racist/ intolerant Sorry but that opinion does not explain what Hitler's killing of gypsies has to do with this instance, does it? Or am I being particularly dense?

BrandNewGuy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hmmm, the heatwave makes it sound more like > cracking in the subsoil and below due to the > moisture content decreasing ? which is the cause > of most London subsidence. And birch roots are > very shallow. Further investigation need, I think. The guy I spoke to on the phone was going on a video which somebody who came last week made, inside and outside, so they are coming to investigate further (digging down to the tree roots). The video maker told me it was highly unlikely to be the tree because neither of the adjoining houses has similar cracks. However today's person (can't remember whether he said he was a structural surveyor or a structural engineer) said that the tree roots would have drawn the moisture out of the soil. He said the person who made the video was a technician and implied that his own view was superior to the technician's opinion. My main concern is that the cracks are getting wider and I'm worried the windows may fall out :( Because of the number of claims due to the heatwave, things are taking longer to investigate and resolve. The guy said I may have to have the front of the house propped up temporarily, AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH :(:( :( ETA: Anyway, they are sending me a letter which may (or may not) shed more light.

Flux capacitor Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I would recommend > > MIND 96 Grove Vale, Dulwich > London, SE22 8DT > > Opening Hours: > > Mon: 10:00 - 17:00 > Tue: 10:00 - 17:00 > Wed: 10:00 - 17:00 > Thu: 10:00 - 17:00 > Fri: 10:00 - 17:00 > Sat: 10:00 - 17:00 > Sun: 11:00 - 16:00 > > They stock all manner of goods from bric-a-brac > pots and pans to clothing and CD's. > > > https://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1225/56831 > .php That shop always seems very expensive to me, at least for clothes, though I have bought a mirror and a coffee table there at reasonable prices in the past.

se22cat Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Can I interest you in some fork handles instead? :)) :)) :))

Rianoo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Remove bath panel and wooden frame work (front > only) - disconnect waste and taps (probably on > flexible connectors) - remove any silicone around > edge of bath to free it up then slide the bath as > far towards to towel rail and you may have enough > room to remove taps and replace. If the bath has > adjustable feet drop that may help. It could be > possible, pain though. Leave the wall alone. That's an interesting idea. I've just measured, and there's a 13cm gap between the edge of the bath and the beginning of the towel rail. I suspect that if the bath was pulled forward there wouldn't be enough room at the back to get in to replace the taps :(

diable rouge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > How did the taps get fitted in the first place? > :)... They went in before the bath, presumably. Or at least, the bottom parts of the taps must have done, then the top parts were screwed on once the bath was in position.

Well. As of this afternoon, I have been told that the cracks all over my front bay and down the sides of its windows are due to subsidence and are "100%" due to the Birch street tree outside my house. Somebody will shortly be coming along and investigating re the roots. So I imagine the tree will have to be removed. So the blocking out of the sun is now the least of my problems :( I gather similar cases are arising all over this area, following the heat wave :(

Long story short, I have to replace bath taps (and a spout and spray) which are situated in the middle of a bath, at the back, adjacent to an external wall. The bathroom is on the first floor of my bog standard small terraced house. This shouldn't have been necessary, as I bought taps which had an assurance that spare parts would be available, but the taps have been discontinued and the manufacturers have run out of the parts required. Typical. Two plumbers have told me that if this was an internal wall the taps could easily be replaced without removing the bath, but because it isn't they can't, and they both say that it will take two people a day to do the work. The bath is adjacent to a heated towel rail and also a pull-out shower screen, both of which might have to be removed to get the bath out. A builder has subsequently told me that it can be done from the outside of the house, and that the external wall would just have to be patched afterwards. He also said that it shouldn't take two people to do the work even if it was done from the inside and the bath taken out. Does anybody have any experience of/views on this please? Obviously the outside option would be better for me as presumably it would involve a lot less mess. I attach two photos, showing both ends of the bath and the position of the taps. Part of the wall also has to be tiled, but that's a separate issue. I know that here are things available which can be attached to taps when they are fitted which mean that any repairs can be done easily without having this hassle, however sod's law they aren't compatible with the kind of taps I have bought.

Robert Poste's Child Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Got your wish, Sue. It's lovely. Yes! Unfortunately timed for the hosts of the "garden" party we went to yesterday, though :)) Luckily they had provided a gazebo, originally intended for guests to shelter from the "sun" :))

Chick Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It's obvious. > > Sue Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > bsand Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > Gypsies one of Hitler's untermenschen to be > > > liquidated. > > > > > > And your point is what, exactly? If the point is so obvious, Chick, I must be very stupid as I can't grasp it. So could you explain to me what Hitler's "liquidation" of Gypsies has to do with a thread about the behaviour of a specific, relatively small, group of travellers currently in East Dulwich? Thanks.

I saw a lunar eclipse from a farm in the middle of nowhere somewhere around 2000. It seemed to go on for hours. After the first mild excitement it was bloody boring :)) The moon appeared red then, as well.

I have no tips for keeping cool, except the obvious ones, but my Southwark Room Warmth Checker has gone off the scale (it only goes up to 27C) And that is in my relatively cool living room. I have been working upstairs where the heat is becoming unbearable. I have just brought my central heating thermostat up here to see what it gets to, and it is presently up to 30C and rising. That's in a shady room out of the sun. No wonder I have been feeling crap despite drinking loads of water. I may have to take shedloads of paperwork down to the living room :( Oh please let it rain. Soon. ETA: And the terrible pollution isn't helping :(

JohnL Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > Anyway I hate with a desperation British radishes > at the moment - so watery and lacking in pepper :) I suspect that's due to the weather. Or the variety.

ruffers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A car is parked on the street. > > Is that it? Have I missed anything? No. Just a load of assumptions based on nothing except a posh car parked where no posh car should be (according to some) :))

DulwichBorn&Bred Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So no one knows for sure what it?s going to be? Seems not. But hey, a great excuse for the usual forum rambling (including mine), no? :))

uncleglen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > these spaces should be on the far side of the car > park as far as I'm concerned. When you are > breeding you are at your most fit. Those of us in > our 50s and 60s have NO sympathy because we had to > get on a bus after having to fold up the push > chair with a baby under one arm and shopping as > well What a load of bollocks. Speak for yourself. I'm in my late sixties and did the folding up the baby buggy thing with shopping etc. I am delighted that these days people with cars and children have spaces allocated to them so that they can do their shopping without having to be stressed and worried about their children's safety. It is incredibly selfish for people who don't need them to park in spaces allocated for those with children and those with disabilities. I actually think there should be CCTV and fines, though I doubt it will happen because of the cost.

I'm hoping it's not going to be a Nandos. Apart from feeling sorry for the poor factory farmed chickens, Nandos always seem to have a really weird vibe (based on an admittedly very small sample of three). Anyway, there's one just down the road near King's.

Here it is: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=494872770969287&id=229752250814675

There's a video about the Docs still being made in England. Unfortunately I saw it on Facebook and I can't see how to link to it without linking to the post as well.