Have you failed a Sound Test? Could it be your separating wa...
After numerous questions from readers asking me why they have failed a sound test, I decided to delve into the issue a bit further and get s... Continue Reading
Author Archives: Jeff Howell
What are the alternative to plaster skim coat on Artex ceili...
Q. My property has Artex ceilings throughout, which look very dated nowadays. I’ve heard that having them plaster skimmed is messy and... Continue Reading
Do you recommend getting a Smart Meter
There have been many newspaper articles extolling the use of smart meters as a way of saving energy. Do you recommend getting one of these f... Continue Reading
Changing Wooden window frames
I have a wooden-framed, three-panelled lounge window, 4m x 2.5m, with no opening lights. I want to change it to one which opens onto a patio... Continue Reading
Boiler Finance – is it worth it?
Whilst paying for your home or your car on a monthly basis has always been popular, the latest trend in home improvement is to pay for your ... Continue Reading
Do I have a kitchen design flaw?
Dear Jeff, I’m not sure that this is a property question, but I feel it is connected. When we had a freestanding cooker and eyelevel g... Continue Reading
The Problem with a Damp Meter Reading is…
There has been a spur of people writing in and asking me why their homebuyers survey has come back with excessive damp reports so I thought ... Continue Reading
Problems Painting Wood Window Frames
For thirteen years since our house was built we have had difficulty with paint peeling from the window frames, mainly the drip bars. The bui... Continue Reading
What methods can be used for mould problems
Jeff Howell talks to Paul Morris of Abbey Indendent Surveys to get the best advice when tackling persistent mould problems in the home. At a... Continue Reading
LED lamps – are they worth buying?
Please note that in what follows, I am using the word “lamp” to refer to the glass-covered thing that emits light. The layman... Continue Reading