What "man jobs" have you done today?

Scam · 3 Sep 2022 at 16:50

Girlfriend found these cheap and cheerful vinyls tiles to put down in our new eaves storage area so I'm about to get off my behind and go measure how many we'd need. Reckon that'd work well? They'll just be going down on generic chipboard I think it is :confused:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08XWVT5VF/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_K5MKWSJKBXRVVHKG6KHC_0?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Also want to find some cheap cable tidy/tubing as our ethernet comes up into the eaves and through, but one of the new ports isn't working in the loft so need to get that fixed first

cfletch · 3 Sep 2022 at 17:34

New fence panel tops done, need a new outdoor gate as well. Typically the gate width isn't the width of a standard gate...going to have to cut one down

mid_gen · 3 Sep 2022 at 17:40

Just dug out some manky grout and resealed the bath and shower. Always a regrettable job to start, pulling all the manky old sealant out makes such a mess......but then few DIY jobs are as satisfying as dragging the silicon tool along the edge of the bath leaving perfect shiny clean sealant.

Itchytrigg · 3 Sep 2022 at 17:42

Had to rip out a carpet/tile threshold strip as delivery guy snagged it when delivering the washing machine and half ripped it up...trip to wickes tomorrow for a replacement I guess!

dlockers · 3 Sep 2022 at 20:21

Did my first proper job on the house today. It was "OK" but took
A) longer than expected
B) an interim trip to Wickes
Which are part and parcel of every job I do and it makes me super cross.

Anyway, here is goes:

This is where the previous owner had the fridge. I've put a fridge freezer in the utility (another major annoyance but whatever, needed the space) and this space is now dishwasher worthy.

I was expecting to butcher every cupboard hence why I removed the drawers etc. But luckily as part of the 1987 utility extension, the kitchen was refitted too - and it isn't a bad job at all tbf. Super clean underneath too. So pelmet off and I make holes along the length:

Cue 2y/o needing attention and a trip to the bathroom store at this stage. Also super annoying.

Brute force, ignorance, an SDS chisel, and an 18" long 12mm drill got me through the wall. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the wall feels like butter to drill through.

Here is the existing plumbing:

My brother recommended this Hep2O stuff which is lightyears ahead of the JG Speed Fit stuff. It feels properly secure.

As you can see my waste is a bit dubious... I only had what was coming out of the floor to work with. I think I have sufficient drop for an interim fit (as I'll be ripping the lot out in due course), but it is tight.

I plastic welded the elbow to the right hand side pipe but just fitted it snug on the pipe out of the floor as there isn't a lot to work with should I need to mess about with this again in the future. It is easily accessible should I need to solvent it though...

Now I've never done this before but I realised midway through it makes a lot of sense to maximize the under cabinet space to home the waste and water - it is easily accessible with 2 screws to access. It also meant the dishwasher could go "fully home" which when your worktop is precisely 600mm is really critical.

First cycle on... as you can see it is integrated so it works for the "new kitchen". I'll need a faux door or if I get lucky, a similar-ish door - as its designed to be weighted and springs closed.

I've just switched it on so we'll see if my evening gets ruined...

theone8181 · 3 Sep 2022 at 20:59

Redid some grouting on the floor, went from white to grey but not overall happy with the results. The professionals on YouTube make it look so easy. Currently scraping the corners to get a nice edge. By that I mean my Mrs is as my knees ache from doing the grouting and I'm a bit ****** off how poorly it went.

JRJ · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:11

dLockers said:
Did my first proper job on the house today. It was "OK" but took
A) longer than expected
B) an interim trip to Wickes
Which are part and parcel of every job I do and it makes me super cross.

Anyway, here is goes:

This is where the previous owner had the fridge. I've put a fridge freezer in the utility (another major annoyance but whatever, needed the space) and this space is now dishwasher worthy.

I was expecting to butcher every cupboard hence why I removed the drawers etc. But luckily as part of the 1987 utility extension, the kitchen was refitted too - and it isn't a bad job at all tbf. Super clean underneath too. So pelmet off and I make holes along the length:

Cue 2y/o needing attention and a trip to the bathroom store at this stage. Also super annoying.

Brute force, ignorance, an SDS chisel, and an 18" long 12mm drill got me through the wall. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the wall feels like butter to drill through.

Here is the existing plumbing:

My brother recommended this Hep2O stuff which is lightyears ahead of the JG Speed Fit stuff. It feels properly secure.

As you can see my waste is a bit dubious... I only had what was coming out of the floor to work with. I think I have sufficient drop for an interim fit (as I'll be ripping the lot out in due course), but it is tight.

I plastic welded the elbow to the right hand side pipe but just fitted it snug on the pipe out of the floor as there isn't a lot to work with should I need to mess about with this again in the future. It is easily accessible should I need to solvent it though...

Now I've never done this before but I realised midway through it makes a lot of sense to maximize the under cabinet space to home the waste and water - it is easily accessible with 2 screws to access. It also meant the dishwasher could go "fully home" which when your worktop is precisely 600mm is really critical.

First cycle on... as you can see it is integrated so it works for the "new kitchen". I'll need a faux door or if I get lucky, a similar-ish door - as its designed to be weighted and springs closed.

I've just switched it on so we'll see if my evening gets ruined...

Good choice on the dishwasher, I've got the non Wi-Fi model and its great. I would just pop a jubilee clip on the waste spigot though, I've seen them pop off.

dlockers · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:12

JRJ said:
Good choice on the dishwasher, I've got the non Wi-Fi model and its great. I would just pop a jubilee clip on the waste spigot though, I've seen them pop off.

Good shout. I've put it on my tea tray to remind me.

This is the WiFi model but only has the basic red light on the floor. The in laws have one that projects a clock on the floor which is super cool, but that was an extra £200ish IIRC.

andy_mk3 · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:14

Nice job on the dishwasher @dLockers :cool:

dlockers · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:19

andy_mk3 said:
Nice job on the dishwasher @dLockers

We'll soon see, the first wash is about to finish and we'll see if the non-glued waste pipe leaks or if the drop is insufficient

Thanks though! Knackered :cry:

JRJ · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:19

dLockers said:
Good shout. I've put it on my tea tray to remind me.

This is the WiFi model but only has the basic red light on the floor. The in laws have one that projects a clock on the floor which is super cool, but that was an extra £200ish IIRC.

Yes I've got the basic red light, dishwasher is so quiet its saved a few soakings, when I ordered the kitchen the Wi-Fi models hadn't been released, by the time I fitted it they were released and discounted already

andy_mk3 · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:20

dLockers said:
We'll soon see, the first wash is about to finish and we'll see if the non-glued waste pipe leaks or if the drop is insufficient

Thanks though! Knackered

Tiring isn't it

I piped up my dishwasher when we moved in. Had to lose a cupboard to fit it in as there was no space for one oddly, although it isn't a massive kitchen. Plumbed it all in and ran pipes under the cupboards it's been fine nearly a year now.

dlockers · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:32

Cycle has just "finished" and I can feel the waste pipe from the dishwasher is still canny full of water. The pipe is hot the full length though so it has definitely found its way to the drain.

Once it has "fully finished" we'll see if it pumps the last water out... who knows. It isn't leaking though :cry:

andy_mk3 · 3 Sep 2022 at 22:42

That's a result I would say

norm · 4 Sep 2022 at 12:03

Been meaning to replace the diverter valve on my Glowworm 24CI combi boiler (2003) for some time now, was using a temp fix which worked okay but not permanent. The diverter valve had the well known pinhole leak in the plastic caused by a manufacturing error, it didn't show itself until about 17 years after so can't really complain that much. Anyway the replacement part (which for all intents and purposes was brand new even though it said refurbished) I picked up off eBay has the revised design of copper pipe in place of plastic so hopefully won't be any issue any more.

All in all it turned out to be an easier job than I envisaged, as I was able to work around the gas valve so no issue there, not that I would touch the gas side of things anyway. I got to give the heat exchanger a clean in some limescale remover as well which worked a treat, it wasn't too bad before but I thought I'd clean while it was out anyway. The water is scalding hot on the max temp setting now so it's clearly regained some efficiency, I have the temp on half power now. When the incoming water temp drops in winter I may have to bump it up a bit.

dlockers · 4 Sep 2022 at 13:40

The issue with fitting integrated dishwashers without a door front is that the door is sprung with a weighty cabinet front in-mind. I had some spare MDF so I thought I'd knock something together that is half respectable.

Cue 2 year old wanting to help, me being unable to find my good sizeable bit of MDF and therefore bodging two bits together:

Almost unnoticeable I would say.

Still can't get this piece of junk to connect to WiFi either. Super annoying.

andy_mk3 · 4 Sep 2022 at 13:46

Wow, what dishwasher? Superb

LuckyBenski · 4 Sep 2022 at 14:27

dLockers said:
The issue with fitting integrated dishwashers without a door front is that the door is sprung with a weighty cabinet front in-mind. I had some spare MDF so I thought I'd knock something together that is half respectable.

Cue 2 year old wanting to help, me being unable to find my good sizeable bit of MDF and therefore bodging two bits together:

Almost unnoticeable I would say.

Still can't get this piece of junk to connect to WiFi either. Super annoying.

Don't suppose it's 2.4GHz only or similar?

dlockers · 4 Sep 2022 at 14:39

LuckyBenski said:
Don't suppose it's 2.4GHz only or similar?

Yeah I thought I cracked it, I have separate 2.4 and 5 gig networks and my phone was on the 5ghz...thought that may have confused it so I connected to 2.4. Same thing. I have a Mesh network so that was the second thing to isolate.

It just keeps binning off with error H9208 which doesn't even come up on Google...

Uhtred · 4 Sep 2022 at 17:52

I've fitted a restrictor to our back upvc door. I didn't know such things existed for doors but it's really handy. I've set the resistance quite high so I don't have to worry about the wind catching it and banging into our wall. I'm going to get two more for our other doors. The instructions tell you the measurements to fit for 90 degrees but I've got it going back, perhaps 130, which is plenty.