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Ask the EXPERTS

We solve your DIY and maintenance conundrums with a little help from the professionals

QI‘m re-doing my kitchen and I don’t want a tile splashback no idea what to do about privacy at night. Any suggestions? Rebecca Kingsley, Cheltenham

many homeowners and while a wall of glass is a lovely option during the day, it can make your home feel like a goldfish bowl at night. The Intu micro system of blinds will work on 80 per cent of all bi-folds in the UK and is the perfect solution for light control and privacy. It’s a bracket system that clips behind the window bead so there is no need to drill holes or screw into the frame and, as there are no cords, it’s inherently child and pet safe.

Intu pleated blinds fit snugly into the door frame and providg y p e a warm, stylish look. They can be used house and come in a wide range of fabrics, finishes and colours. There’s also the option n to include a solar backing on the blinds that acts as a barrier to heat loss as well as offering protection from UV rays.

Although, Intu blinds have been designed for bi-fold doors, they also work just as well in compact spaces and small windows. Visit hillarys.co.uk for more information.

but glass is so expensive. What other materials work? Briony Barratt, Dundee

ANikhita Sejpal, Marketing

Executive at AluSplash says… When it comes to kitchen splashbacks, there are more options than people think. You don’t have to go for tiles! AluSplash aluminium panels are a great choice as they’re both affordable and practical. The panels are easy to install and come in a range of colours, such as the Petrol Blue below. More importantly, they’re less harmful to the environment, as the aluminium panels are made using a non-toxic and lead-free heat-resistant coating, so they’re better for your home and the planet.

Opting for a single-panel splashback has other benefits too, especially when it comes to cleaning. For example, being a one-piece item means there are no grout lines, so there’s nowhere for dirt and bacteria to accumulate.

QWe’re in the process of buying a house with bi-fold doors and have

AYvonne Keal, Senior Product Manager

at Hillarys has this advice… Bi-folds doors are high on the wish list of

in any room in the

Visit alusplash.com to find out more.

Intu Micro ribbon

pewter blinds, prices from £145, Hillarys

F me splashback ideas, see page 46

QI want to paint the render on the front of my house and the front door, but what paint should I use? Joy McInerney, Basingstoke

AMatthew Brown,

Technical Consultant at Sandtex suggests… Refreshing the exterior of your house will instantly boost kerb appeal and also add value if you’re thinking of selling. When painting render, choose a formula that has been specifically designed for masonry. Sandtex’s masonry paint ensures surfaces are dirt-resistant, breathable and waterproof, and also offer 15 years of guaranteed protection. But masonry paint isn’t just for walls; it can be used on window ledges, door surrounds and gate posts, so you don’t have to buy lots of different paints.

When you’re painting the front door, make sure the paint is specified for exterior wood or metal. This will provide a tough waterproof layer for you door and help it deal with the battering it’ll get from the elements. Start with a primer, then apply an undercoat. This will provide a good base and cover up any old colours. Building up the correct layers also means your top coat will last longer. There’s a huge range of colours and finishes to choose from, so head to sandtex.co.uk to learn more.

QI only have a small bathroom in my flat but I love baths. Are there any models designed for tiny spaces? Maria Sanchez, London

ASally Cutchie, marketing

insulation, so the water stays warmer for longer. manager of BC Designs has this advice… Choosing products for your bathroom is hard enough without the complication of a small space in which to fit everything you need and want. Fortunately, bathroom manufacturers are aware that small-space living is on the rise and have started to offer more ways for customers to make the most of compact bathrooms without having to compromise on style. All this means there’s now a wide range of basins, toilets and baths to choose from that are ideal for small bathrooms.

People will often forgo a bath for a shower when space is tight, but baths can be a necessity in busy family homes, especially with young children. Baths with an overhead shower can be more space-efficient than a standalone shower and so BC Designs has launched a new model, the SolidBlue L, which has a generous 200-litre capacity and at just 1,500mm long, will fit easily into small spaces. It’s also made from a special composite called BC-SolidBlue that improves

wider end to accommodate a standing shower. It has a Find out more at bcdesigns.co.uk.

BC-SolidBlue L 1500

right-handed bath, £498, BC Designs

QI‘m redecorating my bedroom after renting it out for many years, but I’ve noticed that there’s black mould in the wardrobes and around the windows. Do you know what causes it and what I can do to stop it coming back? The walls are also badly stained by damp. How do I cover up the stains and stop them ruining my new decor?

Ruth Berry, Manchester

AJoanne

Wallace, Technical Support Manager for Zinsser advises the following… In simple terms, the black mould is caused by condensation, which occurs when warm, moist air meets a cold surface. It sounds like the bedroom has outside walls, so the air inside the bedroom is warm, but the outside is cold.

Condensation generally occurs in bathrooms and kitchens because of the steamy atmosphere. But it does sometimes occur in unheated bedrooms and mould can accumulate in cupboards or corners of rooms where ventilation and movement of air are restricted.

John Lewis & Partners J o h n L e w i s & P a r t n e r s ImageI m a g e

Bedrooms can be places where mould takes hold. Mould remover and mould-resistant paint will help keep the walls looking fresh

It’s mostly an issue in winter when buildings become cold and windows are opened less, so the moist air is unable to escape.

To rectify the problem, first remove as much of the mould as possible using Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover, which has an effective fungicide. Next, use Zinsser Cover Stain over the damp or mould patches. This is an all-purpose, solvent-based, stain-killing primer-sealer that can be used under any topcoat and will seal in any discolouration, marks and stains so they don’t show through in the future. Then apply a top coat of Zinsser Perma-White mould-resistant, interior paint. It contains a biocide that protects the dried coating against fungal degradation. The mould-resistant paint film has also been formulated to resist cracking, peeling and blistering for up to seven years. After that, you can decorate with your chosen paint colour or wallpaper. Visit zinsseruk.com for more information.

If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to Ask the Experts, Your Home, Immediate Media, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST or email

asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk