Deirdre

A You have asked me to recommend a fascia and soffitt contractor but you forgot to mention where you live! The best thing for you to do is to go to my website, www. tradesmenireland. com, click on the 'Post a Job' tab and follow the simple instructions. We will then send the job to all the fascia and soffitt companies that are registered with us in your area. They will contact you directly. If you need further assistance contact me at steveguerin@gmail. com

Q I have bought a new house in a housing estate and have noticed a few things that seem wrong. Firstly, in the main bathroom there is an ugly-looking pipe sticking out of the ground at an angle which the toilet bowl fits into. I have an en suite and the pipes in that look okay. I mentioned the pipes in the main bathroom to the foreman and he said they are fine but I'm not so sure. Secondly, the bath is fitted in position but I think it is moving when I lean on it. There are other problems but these are the main two. Can you please advise me what to do about these?

Elaine O'Reilly

A I'm sorry to hear you are having problems with your new house.

Unfortunately, you are not alone. When I snag houses for clients I find between 100 and 150 snags per house.

The most I have found is 245 snags and the least was 57. The standards in most houses being built today are diabolical. To answer your question, if you say that the pipe looks ugly then obviously there must be something wrong. I have a rule that if it looks wrong then it probably is wrong.

You say the pipe is coming out of the "oor at an angle: well, the top of the sewer pipe should be flush with the floor and the multi-wick fitting (connected to the pan outlet) should enter the sewer pipe at a 900 angle. The bath should not move once it is fitted correctly. I would advise you to get on to the foreman and show him what is happening.

If you do not get this sorted it will lead to trouble and ultimately more expense. If the bath is moving it could cause the seal at the junction with the wall to come apart and the grouting will crack which will lead to water getting behind the tiles and eventually lifting the tiles from the wall.

I presume you did not employ a professional to snag the house for you. This was a mistake on your part as a person who snags a house for a client will make sure that they get the best possible house for them. If you would like me to snag your house for you contact me on 086 8159654 or send me an email at steveguerin@gmail. com. I am holding a monthly draw for the chance to win the cost of the snaglist for anyone who books an inspection with me until the end of the year.

Winners will be notified by email.

Q I have an old toilet and it has a crack at the bottom. I would like to put in a more modern toilet where the cistern is on top of the bowl. Is this possible or do I have to put the same type of toilet in again? Also I would like to do this myself. Is it an easy job?

John O'Gorman

A The type of toilet you have is called a low-level toilet and the newer type is called a close-couple toilet. It is straightforward to change from the older type to the modern type and does not entail any great disruptions.

You need to make sure that the water supply to the cistern is shut off. Then dismantle the bowl and cistern. The bowl maybe stuck to the floor or the screws might be rusted so you might have to smash the bowl to remove it. Be careful as the porcelain can be very sharp.

When purchasing the new toilet you should also get a new multiwick. It would be advisable to go to the plumbers merchants and explain the set up you have at home and they will provide you with everything you need. Bring a drawing of the set up: it will be easier for the person behind the counter to help you.

Follow the manufacturers instructions for "tting the cistern to the bowl carefully. The most dif"cult part will be the cold feed pipe to the cistern as this will need repositioning. Good luck with the changeover.

Why not enlist the help of a friend for the day it will make life easier!

WRITE TO US

If you have a building- or 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 onestop 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