The advice thread for random problems

[BettyCrockerr]

Anyone know the law around repairs? My boiler is faulty (been out of action since Tuesday) and I've been told they have no idea when this will be sorted. Which is great as someone with Raynaud's.

I do have an electric shower. But I have to boil the kettle to do washing up.

Do you rent? Where in the uk do you live?

 

[Melian]

Do you rent? Where in the uk do you live?

I live in Devon and rent from a housing association

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I live in Devon and rent from a housing association

If you need heating OR hot water repairs your landlord/HA has 24hrs to get that sorted for you.

 

[Daisy Steiner]

If you need heating OR hot water repairs your landlord/HA has 24hrs to get that sorted for you.

I'm with a Housing Association and had to wait 2 weeks to get my hot water tank repaired. Wasn't classed as an emergency because I had an electric shower.
Hopefully @Melian gets theirs sorted out quicker.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I'm with a Housing Association and had to wait 2 weeks to get my hot water tank repaired. Wasn't classed as an emergency because I had an electric shower.
Hopefully @Melian gets theirs sorted out quicker.

We’re you without heating???

 

[I’mThankyou_]

I live in Devon and rent from a housing association

As long as you have means to hot water, they can leave it a reasonable amount of time.
If you had no running water at all it would be classed as an emergency.
This is the information I was given by Shelter only a few weeks ago. Because you have a health condition you can raise this with them to push it along quicker, though many just take their sweet time as they know they have a "reasonable amount of time".
You can always give Shelter a call for further clarification they are the experts with these sort of things.

 

[xbxbx]

I’m looking to paint my tv unit but not sure about the best way to do this. It’s a fairly cheap piece of furniture, I think it’s MDF (think Ikea style). Does anyone know what type of paint is best? Would I need to prime first? It’s currently an off-white colour and I’d be looking to paint it quite a dark charcoal. Would a roller be best or a brush? Or even scrap the idea of painting and try vinyl wrap?

It doesn’t need to be perfect, just experimenting to see if I’d like a darker style unit. Can’t afford a new one atm so going with this option first.

 

[monga]

I’m looking to paint my tv unit but not sure about the best way to do this. It’s a fairly cheap piece of furniture, I think it’s MDF (think Ikea style). Does anyone know what type of paint is best? Would I need to prime first? It’s currently an off-white colour and I’d be looking to paint it quite a dark charcoal. Would a roller be best or a brush? Or even scrap the idea of painting and try vinyl wrap?

It doesn’t need to be perfect, just experimenting to see if I’d like a darker style unit. Can’t afford a new one atm so going with this option first.

I believe Frenchic is really good not even sure you need to prime just lightly sand it first

 

[Orphan_Black]

I’m looking to paint my tv unit but not sure about the best way to do this. It’s a fairly cheap piece of furniture, I think it’s MDF (think Ikea style). Does anyone know what type of paint is best? Would I need to prime first? It’s currently an off-white colour and I’d be looking to paint it quite a dark charcoal. Would a roller be best or a brush? Or even scrap the idea of painting and try vinyl wrap?

It doesn’t need to be perfect, just experimenting to see if I’d like a darker style unit. Can’t afford a new one atm so going with this option first.

Vinyl wrap would be a better option if it's just an experiment as it can be peeled off (and would eventually regardless of how well it had been applied.) WD40 gets rid of sticky residue if you do pull it back off.

I've painted MDF style bits before. Best option is a light sanding and a furniture paint in the colour you like, a couple of thin coats would eliminate the need for a primer imo. If you use standard paint/gloss etc, it'll eventually rub away as you dust it (tv's attract dust like no man's business!)


At the end of the day though, you can do it, hate it, and just try something different, no worries! Have fun!

 

[xbxbx]

I believe Frenchic is really good not even sure you need to prime just lightly sand it first

Vinyl wrap would be a better option if it's just an experiment as it can be peeled off (and would eventually regardless of how well it had been applied.) WD40 gets rid of sticky residue if you do pull it back off.

I've painted MDF style bits before. Best option is a light sanding and a furniture paint in the colour you like, a couple of thin coats would eliminate the need for a primer imo. If you use standard paint/gloss etc, it'll eventually rub away as you dust it (tv's attract dust like no man's business!)


At the end of the day though, you can do it, hate it, and just try something different, no worries! Have fun!

Thank you both so much!

 

[Cruising Into Obscurity]

This is dumb, but how do you carry your smartphone in your purse without cracking the screen protector to bits??

I can't find a phone case like the old PDA cases that had hard plastic flip lids to protect the screen. The only cases with anything over the screen are those big wallet cases that are too hard to hold.

Does everyone else know something I don't, or is it normal to have to replace your screen protector every few months?

 

[BettyCrockerr]

This is dumb, but how do you carry your smartphone in your purse without cracking the screen protector to bits??

I can't find a phone case like the old PDA cases that had hard plastic flip lids to protect the screen. The only cases with anything over the screen are those big wallet cases that are too hard to hold.

Does everyone else know something I don't, or is it normal to have to replace your screen protector every few months?

What on earth have you got in your bag that’s causing your phone screen to crack?!!!!

 

[Cruising Into Obscurity]

What on earth have you got in your bag that’s causing your phone screen to crack?!!!!

Keys, pens, planner, palmtop computer, etc.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Keys, pens, planner, palmtop computer, etc.

Get a bag that has compartments so your phone isn’t directly knocking against everything else.

 

[Emiliabrazkow]

This is dumb, but how do you carry your smartphone in your purse without cracking the screen protector to bits??

I can't find a phone case like the old PDA cases that had hard plastic flip lids to protect the screen. The only cases with anything over the screen are those big wallet cases that are too hard to hold.

Does everyone else know something I don't, or is it normal to have to replace your screen protector every few months?

I had for some time phone just with screen protector never knew this thing happens.. if you have Samsung the new phone have really cool flip phone cases with screen on side you can see notifications and you can talk thru it

 

[Snippysnips]

This is dumb, but how do you carry your smartphone in your purse without cracking the screen protector to bits??

I can't find a phone case like the old PDA cases that had hard plastic flip lids to protect the screen. The only cases with anything over the screen are those big wallet cases that are too hard to hold.

Does everyone else know something I don't, or is it normal to have to replace your screen protector every few months?

It would probably be worth getting a bag with compartments in it to keep it separated, other than that I have seen some people use a old cut sock to wrap it up in to give it a bit more protection, usually screen protectors would be enough, but if its being hit that hard inside your bag then it would maybe be safer just holding it

 

[newaccount2022]

Ladies… a really random/embarrassing one

does anyone else struggle with terrible feet? Any cures?? I have thick thick skinboth big toes and on the outer side of each foot under the baby toe. The skin under my feet constantly feels tight and hot, all I can bare to wear are runners. My feet are in agony/cut to bits if I wear any other type of shoe even Birkenstocks. I can’t wear Vans/Converse etc. I have been fitted and definitely wear my correct size and don’t have particularly narrow or wide feet.

I wash and moisturize my feet daily, use a thicker cream at night before bed, I’ve tried the pumice stones/buffers/salicylic acid cleanser. Tried all the socks/treatments from chemist and Amazon…

sorry for the disgusting post but they’re actually getting me down, dreading this summer and having my feet be hot and swollen all the time…

 

[monga]

Ladies… a really random/embarrassing one

does anyone else struggle with terrible feet? Any cures?? I have thick thick skinboth big toes and on the outer side of each foot under the baby toe. The skin under my feet constantly feels tight and hot, all I can bare to wear are runners. My feet are in agony/cut to bits if I wear any other type of shoe even Birkenstocks. I can’t wear Vans/Converse etc. I have been fitted and definitely wear my correct size and don’t have particularly narrow or wide feet.

I wash and moisturize my feet daily, use a thicker cream at night before bed, I’ve tried the pumice stones/buffers/salicylic acid cleanser. Tried all the socks/treatments from chemist and Amazon…

sorry for the disgusting post but they’re actually getting me down, dreading this summer and having my feet be hot and swollen all the time…

Maybe a chiropodist could help or offer advice they deal with all types of foot health x

 

[Emiliabrazkow]

Ladies… a really random/embarrassing one

does anyone else struggle with terrible feet? Any cures?? I have thick thick skinboth big toes and on the outer side of each foot under the baby toe. The skin under my feet constantly feels tight and hot, all I can bare to wear are runners. My feet are in agony/cut to bits if I wear any other type of shoe even Birkenstocks. I can’t wear Vans/Converse etc. I have been fitted and definitely wear my correct size and don’t have particularly narrow or wide feet.

I wash and moisturize my feet daily, use a thicker cream at night before bed, I’ve tried the pumice stones/buffers/salicylic acid cleanser. Tried all the socks/treatments from chemist and Amazon…

sorry for the disgusting post but they’re actually getting me down, dreading this summer and having my feet be hot and swollen all the time…

I do have toe nails problems, but about my skin on toes every night i put CeraVe cream or L'occatone brand losion ( dont know did a spell the brand right), and then i put socks on it amd leave it for night, and i did saw amazing changes when it comes to old hard dead skin there

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Ladies… a really random/embarrassing one

does anyone else struggle with terrible feet? Any cures?? I have thick thick skinboth big toes and on the outer side of each foot under the baby toe. The skin under my feet constantly feels tight and hot, all I can bare to wear are runners. My feet are in agony/cut to bits if I wear any other type of shoe even Birkenstocks. I can’t wear Vans/Converse etc. I have been fitted and definitely wear my correct size and don’t have particularly narrow or wide feet.

I wash and moisturize my feet daily, use a thicker cream at night before bed, I’ve tried the pumice stones/buffers/salicylic acid cleanser. Tried all the socks/treatments from chemist and Amazon…

sorry for the disgusting post but they’re actually getting me down, dreading this summer and having my feet be hot and swollen all the time…

So you’ve got hard skin on your feet in a few areas?
All you can do is use a pumice stone and keep everything moisturised. Some people just have hard skin. You could see a podiatrist/chiropodist if you want but it just sounds like hard skin.