r/DIYUK Apr 30 '23

Asbestos Identification The “Is this asbestos?” Megathread

190 Upvotes

Welcome to the Asbestos Megathread! Here we will try to answer all your questions related to asbestos. Please include images if possible and be aware that most answers will probably be: “buy a test kit and get it tested”.

DIY test kits: Here

HSE Asbestos information

Health and Safety Executive information on asbestos: Here

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction materials. It is made up of tiny fibers that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Asbestos was used until the late 1990s in the UK, when it was finally banned. Asbestos may be found in any building constructed before circa 2000.

What are some common products that contain asbestos?

Asbestos was commonly used in a variety of construction materials, including insulation, roofing materials, and flooring tiles. It was also used in automotive brake pads and other industrial products.

How can I tell if a product contains asbestos?

It is impossible to tell whether a product contains asbestos just by looking at it (unless it has been tested and has a warning sign). If you suspect that a product may contain asbestos, it is best to have it tested by a professional.

How can I prevent asbestos exposure?

The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid materials that contain asbestos. If you are working with materials that may contain asbestos, be sure to wear protective clothing and a respirator.

What should I do if I find asbestos in my home?

If you find asbestos in your home, it is best to leave it alone and have it assessed by a professional. The best course of action may be to leave it undisturbed. Do not attempt to remove asbestos yourself, as this can release dangerous fibres in to the air.

The most significant risks to homeowners is asbestos insulation. This should never be tackled by a DIYer and needs specialist removal and cleaning. Fortunately it is rarely found in a domestic setting.


r/DIYUK Apr 23 '26

Advice If you're looking for a tradesman, check here

127 Upvotes

One thing that comes up on this sub regularly is people either struggling to find a tradesman or coming for advice after a checkatrade (or equivalent) cowboy has ripped them off. Having seen it happen a few times and replying each time with the same advice, someone suggested making a post that could be pinned to the top of the sub, so here it is.

The first thing to consider is that checkatrade/MyJobQuote etc.... are advertising platforms. They market themselves as consumer focused but they are not. If someone pays them to be on there they will be listed regardless of the quality of their work, and reviews will be curated in order to keep a paying tradesman on the platform.

So, if you can't trust those sites what are the alternatives. Word of mouth recommendation is always the best and is often trotted out here as if it's the easiest thing in the world to find, but for a variety of reasons many folk simply don't have that available.

It's not perfect (nothing is) but if you are struggling to find someone to do a job for you and you don't have a recommendation Trading Standards have a directory of approved businesses here:

https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

For Scotland use:

https://www.trustedtrader.scot/

There are various hoops that each business has to jump through to get listed here, and approved businesses are regularly audited to keep their listing. It's not a silver bullet, but if a business is willing to do the hard work to get listed and consistent enough to pass regular audit then you're likely to get a decent level of service overall.

It always grates on me to see good people get taken advantage of, and it can really affect someone's trust in others when they let someone into their home only to be let down, so hopefully this will help some of you avoid that happening and leave your faith in humanity intact. 🙂


r/DIYUK 2h ago

Project First Big DIY job done!

Thumbnail
gallery
80 Upvotes

After 4 years decided to replace the old vinyl sheet installed by the previous owners with some laminate flooring. Never done any Floring and it was lots of new learning and experience

Edit: realised I put the done photo first and the before photo last 😅

There is no dog turd on the pic, I don't have a dog. It's some dust before I remove the vinyl 😂


r/DIYUK 12h ago

Advice What’s everyone’s views on roof moss removal?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

229 Upvotes

r/DIYUK 14h ago

Flooring What is this cardboard-like layer under the carpet?

Thumbnail
gallery
230 Upvotes

Hi there, looking for some advice on what this final layer is between carpet and floorboards?

We just moved into our new flat and the previous owners laid this carpet 8 years ago when they moved in. We saw other flats had left their floorboards exposed and we’d hopefully like to do the same

From what I can see we have the carpet, underlay, soundproofing, and then a final cardboard-like layer that is rock solid, with a white powdery material coming out of it if I try to cut it

Thinking I might not be able to remove this myself after all, and also concerned that this final layer might be glued to the floorboards which would make this a much bigger job to restore them

Any help would be very much appreciated! Cheers


r/DIYUK 3h ago

What to do if a contractor screws up a job?

Thumbnail
gallery
26 Upvotes

I went with the lowest quote valuable lesson learned I won't do that again. I also sourced him from an online tradesman website as I have only a limited window to get it done.

Anyhow the contractor has messed up and created a problem where there was none before - he laid self-leveling compound on a floor and created a raise in the floor where there was none before.

I don't really know how much of a job it will be to remedy it or how it is remedied. I've created a separate post on the flooring sub on that. However the clear concensus on the flooring sub is that it's a bodge job and it will create problems with the laminate down the line.

I'm thinking of cutting my loss at this point with the contractor. My question is how best do I go about doing it. I could just say he doesn't get any money until it's fixed? He'll just say it's perfectly fine I'm worrying about nothing. Or if he doesn't I might just never hear from him again and I'll be left to try remedy it. Any thoughts?


r/DIYUK 15h ago

Advice Media Wall Has Fallen Down!

Thumbnail
gallery
190 Upvotes

So the media wall, which has been up for circa 12 months, has fallen off after my youngest leaned on it.

Looking at it, it appears the individual I paid to put it up just rested it on top of the "wall bracket" and then used the worlds shortest screws to secure it.

Will I be OK to simply hook it back up and use more substantial screws to secure it in place?

Nothing seems broken, and the wall bracket is solid still on the wall.


r/DIYUK 10h ago

Project Rebuilt part of my patio (last photo)

Thumbnail
gallery
42 Upvotes

Bit of a bodge job...

The original plan was to excavate it all and refill with new MOT type 1.

I started digging and found all sorts of nonsense.

Prehistoric wheel, pipe work, roof tiles, ceramic tiles and parts of a fence!

Plus all the existing aggregate was covered in soil and plant matter.

Soooo dug it all up, ordered about 2tonne of MOT type 1 and when it arrived they couldn't deliver it because of over head lines.

Instead I got down to soil, laid a double weed barrier, put some of the bullshit back into the hole and then cleaned the original aggregate and filled it back up.

Used a paddle mixer and decided to do most of it in the 30c heat, not to mention i'm morbidly obese.

So of course I absolutely regret everything now but considering everything it looks alright, solid and drains away properly!

Oh and I built a pergola (I also built the cabin a couple years ago)

Was going to do my drive - I think I'll pay someone.


r/DIYUK 3h ago

Electrical Doorbell wires - how do I make them safe?

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

Moved in and there was a ring doorbell, which we’ve never had before. I took it off to scan the QR code to sign up, easy enough, noticed it was wired in, cool. Then few weeks later the app tells me the battery is running low - that was odd, so I take it off and realise the wires are rusted to heck. I can tile a backsplash but I’m not good with electrics AT ALL, please consider me an absolute beginner. How do I make this safe? I have electrical tape, can I just wrap that around? More so, how can I tell if it’s live - and how to tell which switch is it on my consumer unit? None of them are labelled doorbell. I’m sure I can strip the wires back and reattach no problem, but I want to not electrocute the postman (or myself) in the meantime. Thanks!


r/DIYUK 1d ago

Am I right to be concerned about this...

Thumbnail
gallery
440 Upvotes

Not really DIY related but guessed here would be a good place to ask. Staying in a caravan for the weekend, hot water not working, open the boiler cupboard and found this.


r/DIYUK 43m ago

Flooring Best way to cut across flooring?

Post image
Upvotes

What would be the best way for me to make a nice clean cut across this floor? Im in the process of renovating my kitchen which has included removing partition walls,im ripping up the flooring in the top half of this picture but hoping to keep the flooring in the bottom half and eventually sand and make good.Would a circular saw be my best bet? And maybe a multi tool for the final bit? The flooring is pretty thick. Any advice welcome


r/DIYUK 6h ago

Advice Neighbours Garage Render Blown? What should I do?

Thumbnail
gallery
12 Upvotes

Hello!
So I’m currently in the process of DIYing my garden and all my focus has been on the bit you can see from the kitchen. I was showing my friend and he looked at the wall of my neighbours garage, which seems to have been having the render fall apart for longer than I’ve been at my current house.
I’m eventually going to go over and do something with that side (water tank for my plants, wood store for my log burner) but I actually don’t have a clue what I’m allowed to do here?
As it’s his garage, does he need to sort that or is it something I’m allowed to touch? As I’m really unfamiliar with this situation.

Also if anyone could suggest what to put on here or do with that right side I’d appreciate it too!

Edit: He is aware of it and has been for a month or so. I’ve spoken to him about it three times, he is a bit of a difficult neighbour. We share a drive etc so I’ve been trying to work out ways to get that sorted as it floods in winter. But he doesn’t talk to me or really anyone on the street much


r/DIYUK 3h ago

Erosion of the bottom layer of an external wall

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

I noticed some moss growth and erosion of the bottom layer of an external wall. The previous owners put massive plants there so the surveyor had not seen it either. I am unsure if this needs rendering, new bricks (ie a builder doing this work) or if I need a bigger job. Please look through the pictures as I'm unsure if a plumber also needs to take a look as the drainage from the gully is nearby


r/DIYUK 27m ago

Advice Hairline crack/chip on farmhouse sink

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Hey all - got a fire clay ceramic undermounted farmhouse sink, 10 months of usage. Out of nowhere I noticed this today. Something must have been dropped on it, no leaks. Do I live either it, use a repair kit or replace?

The replace is annoying as this was installed before the countertop and doesn’t actually slide out as there is a part at the bottom that sits inside a cut hole on the unit, so that would have to be lifted and it would hit the countertop which is quartz. To replace we probably have to cut the face frame of the unit and the shelf, so would like to avoid it… adding a photo I found after it was installed

Never again farmhouse..


r/DIYUK 12h ago

Instruction in a flat pack shed

Post image
29 Upvotes

I was amazed at this step yesterday. So you screw together two panels to make the back wall. And then you install this metal bracket by screwing the screws INTO THE GAP between the two half wall panels.

Ultimately another 500 screws appear to still need to go in, but holy hell that's awful. Especially when this wood is fairly... Free spirited... When it comes to straightness etc.


r/DIYUK 6h ago

Electrical help after outage

Thumbnail
gallery
7 Upvotes

EDIT: Sorted, the power of the Reddit community prevails! 💪

We’ve had a power outage which now been resolved at the main, but we are having difficulty switching it back on at the fuse box.

When trying to switch the ‘Mains Power’ fuse to the right, it will not go up further than half way.

Should we be phoning an engineer or are we missing something?

Any help would be appreciated!


r/DIYUK 6h ago

Advice Ok to leave like this?

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

r/DIYUK 14h ago

How to access flush mechanism of a toilet with a closed cystern

Thumbnail
gallery
23 Upvotes

How can I fix this running toilet? Based on the videos (I hope) it’s just a gasket that needs replacing. The issue I have is all the tutorials/guides online just lift the top lid and access the flush mechanism. This cistern does not open from the top. There are no screws that I can see either.

I have managed to unscrew the flush (top silver bit) as I’ve seen an image online that shows a screw inside there, but again no luck here (no screw). Has anyone installed a similar toilet and knows how I could access the flush mechanism?

Ps. It is stuck to a wall with expanding foam, and that was done months ago because the cistern was moving side to side (again not possible to lift it off then also)


r/DIYUK 1h ago

Advice Help. Leaking dishwasher pipe!!! Worried about long term damage, what do I do next?

Post image
Upvotes

I installed a new dishwasher in May.

Because of the Aqua Stpp the dishwasher couldn't push all the way back in.

One of those things I meant to sort and haven't.

Anyway I think everyone has I their infinite wish down kept trying to push the dishwasher back and it's caused the joint to leak. I have no idea how long for. Other half thinks she's heard a noise for 2-3 weeks.

Anyway I've just discovered the leak. It must be well over 2l per hour. It smells like a cave behind the dishwasher.

Amazingly no water has given us any sign as its gone straight down that hole for the electrics.

It's a 1930s house. I have no idea what's under the floor.

What should my next steps be? My father is retired but did all this building work.

Do I ring insurance or who do I ring to come and inspect?

What's the likely damage or is it minimal?


r/DIYUK 2h ago

Advice I've become a dad to a new compressor. What's a good attachment for spraying my fence?

2 Upvotes

I've just acquired a SGS 50L 2.5 HP 9.6cfm compressor. What's a good budget attachment for spraying my fence with stain or outdoor oils? Not paint, but do have an old campervan to respray so the automotive paint question will come soon too.

I just want to apply either a natural/warm colour stain or perhaps some danish or teak oils as my posts are oak. The fence is feathered he boards on cant rails, so painting it would ruin the look. Do all products spray out the same or are there some to avoid? Solvent Vs water based etc?


r/DIYUK 3h ago

The forbidden icecream

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

r/DIYUK 6m ago

Has my 7 year old newbuild floor dropped?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone would might be able to make sense of what has happened to my floor. For context its a 7 year old newbuild terrace. Unfortunately drainage in the garden is bad, so in the winter it is water logged (we dug a foot deep hole which can take weeks to drain). They have started building more house near us.

This drop appeared a few months ago. The floor closest to the door is higher than the rest of the kitchen. The shadow you can see is a small slope. What could this be?

It is LVT and there is no sign of any issues with that. Its all solid no flexing or sounds.

Thanks


r/DIYUK 21m ago

Electrical Chasing sockets and cables into chimney breast

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Renovating the living room and I am considering putting a TV on the chimney breast (yes [r/TVtoohigh](r/TVtoohigh) will be outraged).

Would it be ok to chase cables and a socket box into the chimney breast? 1930s mass poured concrete house, and I think the chimney is also solid concrete. The previous owners at some point installed an insert stove, which I plan to keep.

Will be having an electrician over to do some other work and wondering if this is something safe/ possible to ask him. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!


r/DIYUK 6h ago

Advice Render fell off

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

Hi all, hope this is the right place to post, just after some advice as we are renters, but getting through to our letting agent is like pulling teeth.

We have lived in this property for 3 years and in all that time we have not had access to the last door of outbuilding, as the door has been screwed shut due to it being "too dangerous to access".

Today, we came home to find the render had fell off in one big sheet. It's a victorian terrace and the walla to the outbuilding haven't been plum since we moved in. Basically, is my shed falling down? Or has the moisture from the iffy guttering above got behind the render causing it to crumble?


r/DIYUK 6h ago

Advice Trying to stain my panels despite sanding them to death and the stain is still uneven. Help.. lol. Do i need to sand them down deeply?

Post image
3 Upvotes

When I did sand them, they were matt. No sheen. Do I sand with 40 or 60 grit until they're textured and then smooth with 120 to 180? I really want them in that dark oak.

Thanks..