Practical advice

Repairing External Cladding: Weatherboarding

Natasha Brinsmead explores how to approach – and solve – problems with your home’s external face. Certain types of weatherboarding will require more maintenance than others, this feature looks at what can cause deterioration and how to repair it.

Eco Challenge: "Help Us Build a Greener Home"

How does the theory of green energy relate to a live self-build project? Our eco expert Tim Pullen visits a site in Wales to help the owners, Peter and Jane Hilliard, make a sound decision.

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.

Question Time: Airtight Homes

‘Build tight and ventilate right’ is a much-uttered phrase in the world of green building, but what does it actually mean? Mark Brinkley provides answers to some common questions, including: 'What's the difference between airtightness and draught-proofing?' and How can you tell how airtight a house is?'.

Make the Most of Your Brickwork

Leave it to your builder and your walls will end up a functional, boring expanse. Mark Brinkley shares the art of good brickwork. Plus practical advice on laying your own bricks and different types of joints and bonds.

Feed-in Tariffs: How it Works

As part of our investigation into the Feed-in Tariff scheme, H&R looks at how the scheme actually works and how self-builders and homeowners can benefit from it.

How to Hand Mix Mortar - Bricky.com

An instructional video from Bricky.com on how to hand mix the perfect mortar. Plus step-by-step guides on how to mix cement using a mixer and some handy tips for working with mortar.

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.

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.

Quantity Surveyors: Expert Advice

H&R talks to quantity surveyor Greg Marshall about how a QS can help self-builders and extenders control costs and budget before and during a project and what services a QS actually offers.

2010: The Year to Self-build?

If you think that the recession is a bad time to create your dream home, you’d be very wrong, as 2010 could turn out to be one of the best years yet. Melanie Griffiths investigates what the coming months will bring.

2010: The Year to Self-build? - Expert Opinions

If you think that the recession is a bad time to create your dream home, you’d be very wrong, as 2010 could turn out to be one of the best years yet. Melanie Griffiths speaks to a host of experts about what the coming months will bring.

Plots: Ransom Strips

It seems like a villainous practice – and you may not even be aware that you are affected – but if someone owns a strip of land blocking access to your plot, then they can hold it to ransom for £10,000s. Luckily, David Snell is here on his white horse to save the day…

How to Build in a Flood Zone

In an ideal world, no one would build in a flood zone, but with such competition for land, compromises have to be made, so it’s something we are going to have to learn to build with. So whether you have the luxury of creating a riverside retreat - or are simply building on a floodplain - Mark Brinkley offers advice on how to build in a flood zone.

Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed

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

Who Does What with Your Plot? - Part Two

The roles of estate agent, solicitor and conveyancer can be difficult to distinguish, making dealing with them a baffling and often stressful experience. David Snell breaks down the entire legal process. Part two looks at the process from Pre-Completion to Conveyancers, plus expert advice from a solicitor.

Showers Explained

Whether fitting a new shower in an old house, or building in an area with poor water pressure, take a close look at the inner workings of a traditional gravity-fed system with an in-depth explanation of each shower part.

All About Staircases

Occupying such a prominent position in the home – particularly in open plan layouts – the staircase needs to be perfect, but there is far more to a great design than at first meets the eye. Natasha Brinsmead examines the different styles and materials that can be used for stairs, and looks at the all-important building and safety regulations.

Who Does What with Your Plot? - Part One

The roles of estate agent, solicitor and conveyancer can be difficult to distinguish, making dealing with them a baffling and often stressful experience. David Snell breaks down the entire legal process. Part One looks at the Terms of Engagement and the Contract process. Plus three important questions to ask your solicitor.