Send in your questions to Steve. . .

Q I have a query about waterproof MDF. We have just had panels put in our bathroom and the carpenter assured us that this MDF is water resistant. However when I was rinsing down the bath to get rid of the dust water stains appeared on the edge of the MDF which is in line with the bath. They have not 'dried out' so we are left with tide marks around the bath and hand basin. When we get it painted will it come through the paint or will the paint act like a sealer? Could you help me out on this one before I see the carpenter next week? We have spent quite a lot on money on this panelling.

Bernadette

A I have not used this waterproof MDF sheeting myself and do not know what it looks like. Is there a design to it? You say that you are going to paint the board. Before painting I would recommend that you apply a sealer to the board first. I would also suggest that you consider tiles or grossfillex PVC panelling around the bath and washhand basin. Always remember that in bathrooms / shower areas you will have excessive moisture and would really need to think strongly about using the tiles or grossfillex panels. Perhaps your carpenter meant you to use the MDF as a backing board on which to place the tiles / grossfillex. If you are going to use the MDF as it is then it is best to use a sealer / primer to make sure the "tide marks" do not show through.

Q Can you please tell me if there is a vetting process before a tradesman can get listed on your site?

Timmy Quinlan

A If an electrician wishes to register on the site, he has to prove that he is RECI (www. reci. ie) or ECSSA (www. ecssa. ie) registered. If a plumber wishes to advertise the fact that he undertakes gas installations then he has to be Bord Gais registered. However, If any consumer has a problem with any tradesman they use on this site then I will look into the matter and try to resolve the problem amicably. If a tradesman comes to my attention on a number of occasions and I find that he is the one who is at fault then I will remove him / her from the register. With my experience of the building industry I can see both sides of the argument and I will not tolerate a tradesman that is not up to standards or who is out to catch consumers. On the other side of the coin is the fact that there are some customers that just cannot be pleased! However, thankfully, neither of these situations has come to my notice. The best advice I can give to anyone contemplating using a tradesman from my site or indeed any other site, whether they are associated with a recognised trades body or not is to get three quotations from different advertisers, then when you have chosen your preferred tradesman and before you sign any agreement or pay out any monies, go and see a few recent contracts they have carried out and ask the householders how they got on with the tradesman. The motto 'buyer beware' must apply in all aspects of life!

Q My wife and I are expecting a baby very soon and we're keen to get the nursery decorated, but as new parents we're also really cautious. I was thinking of painting the room but is there a low odour paint that you could recommend? I'm so worried about paint smells around a new baby.

Dennis, Dublin

A I am taking it that by the way your question is put that you are talking of 'dangerous additives' in paint, eg lead etc. Well thankfully the lead content in paint manufactured today has virtually if not totally, disappeared. You should use a water based paint on the walls and ceiling. You can use oil based paints on woodwork, skirting boards, architraves etc. but make sure you have plenty of ventilation when carrying out this work and during the drying process . . . one to two days. There are low odour paint products in the marketplace so I would advise you visit your local paint shop / DIY outlet to see the range on offer.

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 housebuild or renovation