Practical advice

Things I've Discovered About Choosing Doors

We talk to serial self-builder, developer, author and property TV show presenter Michael Holmes about his own door choices. Michael has built and renovated 27 houses and thinks the doors play a critical role in creating first impressions.

Repairing External Cladding: Stone

Natasha Brinsmead explores how to approach – and solve – problems with your home’s external face. Stone will weather over time and when dealing with any deterioration it is important to proceed with care, as it is all too easy to make the problem worse through lack of understanding of the nature of the problem.

Repairing External Cladding: Brickwork

Brickwork claddings have to withstand a great deal and can deteriorate over time. Natasha Brinsmead identifies the common problems that can occur with brickwork, such as cracks and crumbling mortar, and explains how to carry out repairs and maintenance.

Repairing External Cladding: Render

Render claddings have to withstand a great deal and can deteriorate over time. Natasha Brinsmead identifies the common problems that can occur with render, including lime render, stucco and sand, and explains how to carry out repairs and maintenance.

A Beginner's Guide to Conversions

Creating a new home from a disused non-residential building is one of the most challenging but rewarding projects you can take on. Melanie Griffiths provides an introduction to the main opportunities, design solutions, planning and the VAT situation.

Barn Conversions: Your Questions Answered

Creating a new home from a disused non-residential building is one of the most challenging but rewarding projects you can take on. Barn conversion expert Matthew Denyer has carried out many barn conversion projects, here, he offers his advice on some of the key issues.

Getting Started: Listed Homes

A property listing can make every renovation decision feel like a battle. Let H&R help make the experience the delight it should be with this useful advice on how to go about getting the renovation you want. Plus advice on other types of designation that can affect your renovation.

Pillar Taps Explained

Almost every house will have at least one set of these. Gen up on how they work with this detailed diagram, and then have a go at installing them yourself.

You Can't Stop All Noise Travel

Advice from self-build expert Mark Brinkley on how to reduce sound travelling through the joining wall of two semi-detached homes - and why 100% sound reduction is impossible. plus advice on the soundproofing requirements in new builds according to the Building Regulations.

How to Reduce Water Wastage

Not just the greener option — the Building Regulations now demand that we cut back our water use. Tim Pullen examines how much we need to save and how best to go about it

How to Solve Condensation

Condensation - it is a common problem in both period properties and newer homes, but just what causes it and what can be done to treat and prevent it? Natasha Brinsmead offers expert advice on how to spot it, treat it or avoid it altogether.

Condensation Solutions

Condensation - it is a common problem in both period properties and newer homes, but just what causes it and what can be done to treat and prevent it? Natasha Brinsmead offers expert advice on how to spot it, treat it or avoid it altogether.

How to Make Your Old House Warm

Period homes appeal to many due to their character and charm, but what is not so appealing is their tendency to be cold, draughty places to live. Natasha Brinsmead looks at easy ways to make your old house more comfortable

Dealing with Woodworm

Chartered Surveyor Peter Glover answers one reader's query about dealing with woodworm in an old property they intend to renovate.

Wall & Ceiling Repairs - Build Your Skills Leaflet from Wickes DIY

A step-by-step guide to wall and ceiling repairs from Wickes DIY

Kitchens - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

The kitchen is probably the most used room in the house. It is where the day starts and ends and is generally a hive of activity when the family is at home. It is therefore very important that this room is well organised and the use of space is carefully planned.

This leaflet from Wickes DIY is all about planning to make your kitchen safe, pleasant and relaxing to work in. It will also help to ensure that you have a kitchen to be proud of and which will add value to your home

Underground Drainage - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

Wickes DIY stock a wide range of drainage products, whether it's to replace old drainage systems in the event of collapse, or install new during home improvements. The purpose of this leaflet is to provide you with basic details on what you may find underground.

How to deal with different types of materials that have been used over recent years i.e. clay, ductile iron, cast iron and PVCu, showing you how to join new to old. Providing you with a basic understanding of the regulations governing and testing, of underground drainage. Whilst trying to help you avoid some of the pitfalls.

Plastering - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

Plastering is a traditional skill which presents challenges for tradesmen as well as for DIYers. The Wickes DIY Unique Plastering System has been devised to provide advanced products with enhanced features, which would not only benefit the serious plasterer, but also enable successful use by the confident DIYer.

Home Insulation - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

A vast amount of expensive heat escapes from your home through the loft. Department of the Environment figures show that up to 26% of heat loss escapes through this route but this is not the whole story. During the summer, a lot of excess heat enters your home through the roof.

This Good Idea leaflet from Wickes DIY shows you ways to carry out worthwhile insulation of the loft, tanks, pipes and under suspended timber floors.

Chimneys Explained

If you are planning on having a fire or stove, you’ll need to understand the inner workings of a chimney. With the help of a detailed diagram, we guide you through the chimney, from flue to hearth.

Subsidence Solutions

Is subsidence necessarily terminal for an old house? Natasha Brinsmead investigates how to spot the signs, how to treat it and what the long term implications may be.

Electrical Safety - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

Electrical safety information from Wickes DIY

Dealing with Natural Disasters - Storms - A Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

Storms can and do cause expensive damage to your property both in and outside. With the effects of GlobalWarming these storms could become more violent, more common and affect more people throughout the country.

Make bleeding radiators a thing of the past - Advertisement Feature

Aladdin Auto Vents eliminate the need to carry out the regular chore of bleeding radiators. This advertisement feature from Heatandplumb.com explains how they work.

Removing Walls: DIY Advice

Open plan spaces work really well with modern lifestyles and removing a wall is a good way to achieve this, but before you take a sledgehammer to your walls, here are a few expert tips and pointers.

How to Create a New Open Plan Space

Open plan spaces work really well with modern lifestyles, but before you take a sledgehammer to your walls, investigate what effect their removal will have. Natasha Brinsmead looks at stud walls, partition walls, supporting walls and loadbearing walls and how to go about removing them.

Solving Damp

Old homes and damp can unfortunately go hand-in-hand. Natasha Brinsmead explains how to spot it, how to identify it and how to treat it, as well as taking a look at what can cause damp.

Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed

New campaign warns the public of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and how they can be avoided.

Can we convert two homes into one?

Is it possible to buy up the next-door neighbour's property and knock through? Would it be cost-effective? What are the planning and legal requirements? And how would it affect the resale?

Damp Checklist

Before spending money on any expensive treatments, carry out the following checks to find the source or possible causes — you might just find the solution is far cheaper than you at first thought.