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skye

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  1. My builder is laying a concrete floor in the kitchen after taking out the old wooden floor in order to lay tiles eventually - he plans to lay the screed, the waterproof membrane, the metal bits (not sure what this is called) then pour the concrete. But in reading about this, a layer of sand is usually mentioned as having to go on top of the screed as well. Will it be a problem if this isn't there - should I insist on it? He also says it will dry (cure?) within a week but I've read that it can take a month! From your experiences does anyone know how this should be done and what to expect ?
  2. skye

    flying cats

    Has anyone travelled with their cats (long distance flights) that could offer advice on the best way to do it? The airline tells me that they will allow them into the cabin but my OH is very opposed as they may howl and upset everyone else. I'm not so concerned about others (selfish of me I guess) but their best interests - however I may have to settle for putting them into cargo unless he relents. I don't plan to sedate them but I'd appreciate any advice on how to keep them comfortable and what to look out for if anyone else has gone through this. Thanks in advance...
  3. I have what I think is lime-based paint on the walls (chalky,  comes off in white dust if you brush up against it). I'd like to go over it with something similar (i.e. breathable) so how to proceed? Do I wash or brush off the old stuff and then just re-paint? Anyone know a good product for this? Related question - for the walls that have emulsion upstairs - is there someway of getting this off and re-doing with the limebased paint? (I've heard they don't mix at all so not sure if its possible). Any advice  much appreciated   Skye
  4. There's a site called www.ourcoolhouse.com that has a number of pictures and some product information on acid etching. You might try looking there for inspiration...
  5. The small poele I inherited with the house (and want to replace) is attached to a conduit de cheminee which the asbestos report indicates contains (or is made of?) fibro-ciment. The whole thing is in good condition currently but the report warns that if renovations are done precautions are necessary. Two questions since I'm  not totally sure I've translated this correctly: Mesures préconisées en cas de présence de matériaux dégradés Retrait ou confinement des matériaux amiantés non friables avec obligations de travaux sous douze mois. Does this refer to IF the conduit degrades THEN I have to have the work done within 12 months?  So given that its in 'bon etat' currently I don't have to do anything? And 2) since it will undoubtedly degrade when its being replaced with a larger conduit for a much larger poele, will it involve asbestos specialists or do installers of stoves simply have to be informed so they can take the necessary precautions? Thanks for any advice Skye
  6. My upstairs wood floors appear to be about the same age as the house (a couple of centuries) and  although generally flat and apparently solid suffer from worm holes inplaces and general wear and tear, i.e. pretty shabby. Question: is sanding likely to be adequate or could new wooden tongue and groove be layed over top? (An architect who looked at the house when I was buying it originally suggested this but  I'm not sure how to go about it -  i.e. something between the old and the new like a liner or just straight over? Has anyone else done this? Any advice much appreciated... Skye
  7. Another question - has anyone used the banking facilities at the post office as a regular account? Their website looks promising and they have the advantage of being nearly everywhere. Or are there disadvantages to be aware of? Skye
  8. Hi - does anyone have any experience in bringing in pets from non-european countries to France? I want to bring my two cats from Kenya to France for  at least six months and then  get their pet passports for travel to the UK while in France. I understand that I have to go through having the blood tests done from an approved lab (any idea how I find one since there's apparently none in Africa?), have the vet fill out the EU form (68?) and then its no problem - does this sound right? Any help much appreciated! Skye
  9. Thanks for all this information - very helpful. My light brown patches are high up the walls and I suspect may have been due to the leaky roof (now repaired). The architect who told me they were saltpetre says it has something to do with animal urine used at one time in the mortar and will likely recur periodically, but I'll try the  cleaning and painting first and see what happens. Incidentally - how do you test for humidity in the walls? Is  a gadget required?- I'm afraid I'm quite new to all this, having just bought the house last week. Skye
  10. Thanks for all this information - very helpful. My light brown patches are high up the walls and I suspect may have been due to the leaky roof (now repaired). The architect who told me they were saltpetre says it has something to do with animal urine used at one time in the mortar and will likely recur periodically, but I'll try the  cleaning and painting first and see what happens. Incidentally - how do you test for humidity in the walls? Is  a gadget required?- I'm afraid I'm quite new to all this, having just bought the house last week. Skye
  11. Anyone have any advice on what to do about those troublesome light brown patches on the walls that are a result of saltpetre so I'm told.  There's no apparent damp currently so is it enough just to isolate them with some kind of sealer and paint over?
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