DIY

I will return home at the end of July and would like to start some sort of gardening project in August. But I have never done any kind of gardening/landscaping. I have no idea what kind to buy and plant. I am completely clueless. We live in Kansas were we experience all 4 seasons. It gets quite windy in our area. The front of the house is facing the south.

Ok so this is a cheeky one but wondered if anyone can help me. Are there any experienced trades people here that wouldnt mind giving a bit of free advice to a fellow special? I have just had a survey back and it has flagged up some items that I have a terrible idea may cost a small fortune to repair. I have emailed a few local people found via google but am trying to get a bit more of an idea of cost with out spending a small fortune in specialist surveys etc. Would any builders/roofers be willing to take a look at this survey and offer some advice? I even have pictures of the problem areas as a full building survey was undertaken. Also I have an electrics question i…

So I've just had a rather worrying email from Buchanan Clark & Wells, who after digging it seems are a debt collection agency asking me to get in touch! Digging a little further they are acting on behalf of edf who I closed an account with a few months ago. I thought the account was paid up, but there is a hundred or so pounds owing and they have been sending letters to an incorrect address (just found the last bill online with my new contact details wrong). I spoke with edf (online chat as shut today), and after 20 minutes she said there is nothing she can do, call tomorrow. I will but I'm worried now they won't take the payment and my credit rating could already b…

Topic. I've got a standard smoke alarm fitted in the Hallway which works fine, but I have a special one in the Bedroom that does a visual warning rather than audio, as it's to wake me up when I'm asleep and thus don't have my hearing aid in. The problem, is that the alarm keeps going off, flashing at random times during the night, often 2 or 3 times a night, at silly o'clock! We've reported it to the Socials, as it was provided by them when I moved into the Flat, they've replaced it, Dad's replaced the Battery in it, and it's still doing the same thing! Damn thing drives me bloody barmy it does! (apologies for the bad words). Anyway, does anyone know the number for Sou…

What kind of paint do you use on metal radiators and pipes? I don't want it cracking/flaking with the heating and cooling. Many Thanks.

Hi guys and girls, Im looking to rent a room in London while i undergo training to become a, ahem, water fairy firefighter! Does anybody know anywhere or has a room spare for about 4 months from the end of April? Many thanks, Jon

I am starting with TVP as a PC in June, and will be based out of Aylesbury as from 1 August. Myself (28) and my partner Sophie (21) are looking for somewhere to live. For the first few months we would consider renting a large double room in a shared house. We're both mature, sensible people If anyone has a spare room and would like to rent it out, or even better has an apartment/small house to rent, please get in touch Cheers, James

Hi boys and girls, Over the passed 6 weeks or so me and my mum have been finding items in our garden. First of all it was a soap holder for a bathroom. Then the following week another bathroom item. Then a rolling pin, then a jar of pickle. This week (today) a kitchen knife with a blade of 8 inches. These have been found every Sunday for the passed 6 weeks. And always in the same place. We have called the police to collect the knife and they will be informed of all the items found. The back garden where the items were found is massive. There are high fences and hedges all the way around with only the front of the property. There is no way the area can be lit at night. …

Dear PS.com know-it-alls, I lead at a childrens' camp every Summer and have been asked to organise water / bottle rockets as an activity. We did have a kit in my family as a child with nozzle, fins and things but I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get kits cheaply (online seems to be about £10 + p&p) and also, would it be possible to make the kits myself? Thanks, --- Andrew.

Hellooo everyone! I start a new job as a PC with BTP in London on the 12th of September next month. I'm having a spot of bother finding somewhere to live and I was wondering if anyone had a spare room (or even a sofa!) that I could rent for a little while in the London area until I 'find my feet' as it were? I'm a 22 year old male from Devon, non-smoker and always put the seat down! If anyone could help me out I'd be eternally grateful!

Having sprayed some week killer on the garden a couple of weeks ago I now have lots of brown/black patches which are dead weeds. What's the next step??

I've just moved house and the property doesn't have an intruder alarm. I'm not going to attempt to install one myself (I'll leave that to the professionals) and just wandered if anybody had an advice? Monitored vs. Bells-only Big company (ADT, SECOM) vs. Local firm I've had a look at the MPS guidance, http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/alarms.htm Anybody got anything to add?

Hi, So, I'm in the market for a new burglar alarm, or will be soon, hopefully. What I'm after is the cheapest and easiest way to get a multi zoned system, where I get obviously protection from being broken into but something I can also arm while I'm in the house. That is something which has door open/close detection and broken glass detection. I've found a thing called a DSC Alexor, which has both audible broken glass sensors and slim window/door open/close sensors. I'm game for wireless despite what seems to be a massive ideological debate between two camps. The question is, if I can arm the system so that all the windows and doors are secure, do I need to bother …