Tom Duddy

A There's no need to worry about your walls. Once the walls have been drilled and the insulation has been pumped into the cavity the contractor will then "ll the holes with cement or a resin mixture. You will not lose any strength in the wall. Also, with the new blown beads there is actually 60% less holes to be drilled than before.

Q We live in a south-facing 1940s house in Ballsbridge. Some time ago during renovations we replaced what was a glass front door with solid timber double doors. It was a big mistake, as our entrance hall is now a dark spot in an otherwise very bright house. The total width of the double doors is 63 inches, with each individual door measuing 31.5 inches. The total height of the doors is 80 inches.

Each door consists of three separate square panels, with each panel measuring 19 inches in height and 22 inches wide, approximately. As there is not a lot of space to play with in terms of introducing side-lights etc, I wonder would it be possible to remove the top panels in each door and replace them with glass, thereby bringing some of that southern light into the hall? If this is possible, can you tell me who would do this for me? Do I need a glazier, a joiner, or both, or will someone look after it all?

Amanda Allen

A It should be possible to change the timber panels in your front door with glass to bring back the light to your entrance hallway. I would suggest that you go back to the company that supplied the new door and seek their advice as they are the ones who constructed the door and would be the most sympathetic to your problem.

However, if you did not buy from a joinery shop then I suggest that you seek out a joinery shop in your area from my website (www. tradesmenireland. com) and they will make the necessary changes for you. You do not need a glazier for this kind of work as the joiner will also be able fit the double glazed units.

Q My plumbing contractor says he cannot extend the existing oil fired central heating system in to a new small shower/toilet that we have added to our house . . . something to do with the possibility of air locks in the system. Is there an alternative method of heating (with thermostat and time control) other than a wall mounted fan heater?

Brendan, Co Tipperary

A I think it's time for you to get a new plumber! The only possible way a plumber would advise you not to add to the circuit is if the extra radiator was going to put too much of an extra load onto the boiler, ie the existing boiler is running at full capacity as it is and the extra radiator would diminish the efficiency of the other radiators. If there were airlocks in the system these can be got rid of by conventional bleeding etc. The elimination of air in central heating systems was covered in detail in last weeks column by the installation of a 'Cremin Tank'. I suggest you call Tim Cremin on 087 246 1746 for advice on your central heating system.

Q My problem is as follows. It concerns a strip of flashing which extends the length of my house and that of my neighbour's. The flashing which seals a canopy that incorporates a bay window and front entrance door of my house and my neighbours has become stained. A white skim has appeared on the flashing on my side and, on the side on my neighbours, a rusty coloured skim has appeared. I'm told it may be from the mortar. The latter takes from the overall appearance of the house. How do I clean this skim off the flashing?

Seamus Keaveney.

A This is indeed not a very nice thing to be looking at. However, you are not alone. As you drive around the roads, take a look at some chimneys and lead flashings. You will almost certainly see a lot of these have stains on them. One of the reasons is that the lime mix in the chimneys has become wet and is seeping out of the brickwork, the other reason is that patination oil was not put onto the lead before "xing. It is possible to clean the lead with a lead cleaning gel, which you can "nd in most of the bigger builders merchants or DIY stores. If you do not "nd it then contact Metal Processors Ltd (01-457 3240) and they will advise where you can purchase it from.

WRITE TO US

If you have a building-/renovation-related query that you'd like Steve to help you with, email: doorstepdoctor@tribune. ie Steve Guerin is managing director of www. tradesmenireland. com, the one-stop website that will help you find a tradesman, a site for sale, a property to rent or buy and all the plant hire and machinery you need to complete your house build or renovation