Q & A Damp Bedrooms Are Driving Me Up The Wall

Jan 6 2008 Donny Sheridan

Diy Donny

Q Both bedrooms in my house are at the gable end. There is fungus on the wall in one and in the other room the bottom of the wall is wet. I don't think it's condensation so would cavity wall insulation help?

A It could be a bridge in the cavity wall created by dirty wall ties or a break in the damp-proof course, causing rising damp or condensation.

You need to find the cause to find a cure. Phone a damp-treatment specialist such as Wise Property Care Ltd on 0141 876 0300. Their surveyors will find the cause of the dampness and offer a solution. Don't fit cavity wall insulation until you find the problem - it could make the wall even wetter.

Q We want to put an LCD TV above a gas fire on a plasterboard wall. Is it safe? How can we hide the wiring and what else would we need?

A To see if the TV will be safe above the fire, hold your hand at the mantle and if it doesn't get hot, you can mount the LCD screen.

For securing it, B-tech wall-mounting brackets (around £100) offer the best value. The bracket for plasterboard walls is 820mm wide to ensure it catches two studs (400-600mm centres) behind the plasterboard. Use an electrician or a reputable company such as Highlands and Islands Audio Visual - 0141 946 7300 or www.hiav.co.uk - for all electrical work. You will need an electrical socket and an AV faceplate for your HDMI socket and composite video.

Q My kitchen sink used to be dark green but its colour is fading.

Should I paint it to fix the problem?

A Don't use paint - it will chip when you start clattering plates around.

I think the sink has been bleached by detergents over the years. You may need to replace the sink.

Q There are surface scratches on my black, gloss-finish kitchen worktop. How can I get rid of them?

A Sorry, there is not much you can do about the scratches. You could try a jointing compound, but it will be dull and is better for matt-finish worktops.

Q The hardboard doors in my house need to be freshened up.

Should I revarnish them?

A Yes. Sand them and varnish. I use a stain, then a clear varnish. You could use an all-in-one stain and varnish, but test it at the bottom hinges first.