Ask the experts Your home

ASK THE experts

Our team of experts answers your home-improvement questions

I’m

Qgetting a puppy soon, but I’m a bit worried about the suitability of my garden. How can I dog-proof it? Denise Temperton, York

Nina Downing, Vet Nurse

Aat PDSA, says… You ’re wise to be thinking about the safety of your garden for your new fourlegged friend. Our gardens may look beautiful, but they can be full of potential hazards. Plants to avoid during the summer include elder, foxglove, geraniums, hydrangeas, nightshade, rhubarb, tulips and Any tips for laying a porcelain tile

Qfloor? I’ ve done a wall in ceramic tiles before, but I’ ve heard porcelain is trickier! Joanna Marshall, Teesside

Abbas Youssefi, Co-Founder at

APorcelain Superstore, says… When it comes to laying tiles, porcelain can be a little more challenging than ceramic, so if you can afford to, hire a professional for a seamless result.

If you want to do it yourself, preparation is key. Ensure your sub-floor – the timber or concrete you ’re tiling onto – is completely stable and flat. Hire a dedicated tile cutter if you don’t already have one. A dry cutter is perfect for quick, straight cuts with no mess, while a wet cutter is suited for trickier cuts. Buy diamond-tipped blades for flawless cuts.

Start tiling in the centre of the room and work out towards the walls. Check each tile with a spirit level and use a rubber mallet to level. Opt for a slow-setting adhesive to give you more working time and refit any tiles you ’re unhappy with. And make sure to wear knee-pads – you ’ll thank us later!

I’d like to get a fireplace installed

Qfor winter, but I’m worried about the kids’ safety. What do you recommend? Jenny Paxton, Poole

Vicky Naylor, General Manager

Aat ACR Stoves, says… We always recommend that a child-guard is fitted in any installation where children are present. Stoves, like any heat source, will get hot, so care should be taken to ensure that little fingers can’t touch the hot surfaces. It’s worth considering an electric stove as these don’t get hot to the touch, so are less of a hazard in that respect, but care must still be taken to ensure that children can’t get close to the blower heater and that they don’t stick anything into the heater, such as crayons. Always make sure your child is supervised when around the fireplace.

At ACR, our electric stoves have been equipped with advanced technology, including a realistic LED 3D holographic flame projection. These stoves come with thermostatic control and the convenience of a seven-day timer, all adjustable from the programmable remote control. The stove can also be set for the flame effect only, with no heat when children are around.

lily of the valley. But there are hazardous plants and bulbs that appear throughout the seasons, so it’s worth doing your homework to make sure your borders and plots are free from these. Many pesticides can be toxic to pets too, so try switching to a natural pest-control before your puppy arrives home.

Puppies love to investigate ponds, so make sure any water features have a secure covering that they can’t slip under, and ensure they are supervised when playing in the garden. Secure the garden perimeter with a strong fence to keep your pet safely enclosed. Ideally, it needs to be tall and stable enough that your dog can’t jump over it or dig under it.

E-NE03C electric stove, £1,135, ACR Stoves

My staircase is

Qlooking really dull and I’d love to jazz it up a bit. What do you recommend? Casey Martins, Swansea

Nick Acaster,

AManaging Director at Stair Rods Direct and Rugs Direct, says… More often than not, your hallway is the first thing your guests see when they enter your house, so it’s good to make the stairs a focal point and leave a lasting impression. If you want to add a touch of luxury to your stairway space, you should consider having a stair runner accessorised with some stylish stair rods. Stair runners add a touch of cosiness and style to your staircase, as well as helping to protect your floorboards from foot traffic. Stair rods are a perfect way of adding a decorative flair.

As well as stair runners, Stair Rods Direct has a huge selection of stair rods in different colours and finishes, whether you prefer a traditional look with brass stair rods, or maybe a more modern feel with black, chrome or crystal rods. Stair rods can be made to suit the exact dimensions of your staircase and can be easily fitted by a novice DIY-er. At Stair Rods Direct the latest trend we are seeing is to use Luxury Vinyl Tiling (LVT) or other non-carpet options on your

Eastern Promise runner rods in Chrome finish, from £39.99, Stair Rods Direct staircase, then using stair noses to create that allimportant wow factor. You can either utilise your flooring selection within the nose or have a solid colour to finish the nose of your step.

What should I be

Qlooking for when choosing an eco-friendly paint? Nigel Murphy, Huddersfield

Patrick Folkes,

ACEO & Founder UK of Graphenstone, says… Firstly, there’s a lot of greenwashing in the paint world. We recommend consumers ‘trust but verify ’ – look closely at the independent evidence to support each brand’s claims. For example, while it’s great to be removing plastic from oceans and planting trees, make sure this doesn’t distract you from what the brand is able to demonstrate, via independent certification, with respect to their manufacturing processes, the recyclability of their packaging, VOC levels (Volatile Organic Compounds – gases emitted from the paint while in use and once dry), carbon footprint, etc. Be aware that the term ‘low VOC’ can mean up to 30 grams per litre – that’s 150 grams in a fivelitre pot, which can still be very damaging.

Graphenstone is recognised as the most certified sustainable mineral paints company in the world. For example, we are Cradle to Cradle Gold certified – C2C evaluates your processes and production, from the sourcing of materials all the way through to the end of life.

We offer 100 per cent natural, VOC-free (less than a tenth of one per cent!) mineral paints

Ecosphere Colour lime paint in White Linen, £22.14 per 1L, Graphenstone

using ‘graphene’ technology. This amazing 21st-century carbon-based discovery improves elasticity as well as reducing cracking on the finished result. Incredibly durable, it minimises repainting requirements, too.

Our lime range actually absorbs CO2 – a 15-litre pot recovers over 5 kilograms’ worth! It’s actually cleaning the air in your space, not polluting it with off-gases. Graphenstone’s paints offer the ultimate sustainable profile.

WE NEED YOUR QUESTIONS!

If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to Ask the Experts, Your Home, Immediate Media, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST or email asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk