Quarry tiles

Introduction They are cold to stand on, but very hard wearing and water-resistant. They come as self-spacing tiles in natural earth colours as well as a range of modern patterns and designs. Once you have decided on the tile, note its length and width and measure the room carefully. Measure its length and divide it

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Wood block / Parquet floors

Preparing your own blocks The flooring is usually laid in a pattern with the grain running in two directions. If you are preparing your own wood blocks enhance the grain pattern by sanding in two directions with a coarse paper – in the directions of the tiles laid. Finally, to remove any scratch marks, use

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Types of electrical circuits

Caution Electricity is dangerous and can be hazardous. In doubt? Call a qualified electrician. Types of electrical circuits There are three main types of circuits encountered in a domestic situation. They are ring circuits, radial circuits and lighting circuits. Ring circuits Most modern socket circuits are ring circuits or ring mains as they are sometimes

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Installing an electric cooker

Caution Electricity is dangerous and can be hazardous. In doubt? Call a qualified electrician. General As a general rule an electric cooker will require its own radial circuit. This means it requires a direct connection to the consumer unit with its own fuse way there. Electric cookers use a vast amount of power so must

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Installing a electrical mounting box

Caution Electricity is dangerous and can be hazardous. In doubt? Call a qualified electrician. Installing a electrical mounting box There are different types of mounting boxes available – plastic surface mounting boxes, inset (flush mount) metal boxes and there are also pattresses for converting single inset mounting boxes to double or treble surface mounting boxes.

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Replacing ridge or hip tiles

Replacing ridge or hip tiles In older properties, ridge tiles often become loose because of crumbling and breakdown in the old lime mortar. Cracked or crumbling mortar should be carefully removed with a hammer and chisel. Brush away any loose dust. If the same ridge tiles are to be repositioned, make sure their undersides are

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Cockspur lock

Cockspur Lock A cockspur handle secures the opening edge of the casement window to the fixed frame. Old standard cockspur handles can be replaced with new ones that incorporate a lock, for either left or right hand openings. If the original handle is to be retained, use a locking device, which can be screwed to

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