Cosy Homes Online

Chichester and Selsey Journal covers Sylvia's appeal to business

2010-08-30T19:29:15Z

Sylvia is now appealing to the country's business community to back her restoration project by investing a total of £700,000 into the build.

In return, corporate sponsors will be plugged on Sylvia's online DIY show at www.cosyhomesonline.com, at high-profile celebrity and press events, and on a variety of planned TV shows.

Speaking yesterday, Sylvia, who will appear on our screens later this year on a major new property show, said: "This is a labour of love in every sense.

I've done everything I can to help, but I need assistance. I've invested everything I own and more to make this happen."

A variety of sponsorship packages are available, which include offering tools and supplies for the build.

All enquiries: Sylvia Marshall on 07885 319066.

Building Plot for Sale

2010-08-16T19:51:53Z

You can see the full details on our Property For Sale page

Questions and Answers

2010-07-24T13:08:53Z

Q: I have a 7+5ft glass window pane it is a double pane not the usual double glazing as it was fitted when the property was built, there is a crack in the centre at the bottom about 6" in length is there anything in the market to do a temporary repair as it would cost a fortune to replace that size of pane if it is available to buy. Living in a isolated area in Argyllshire I need to do a repair meantime. Hope you can help. Thank-you Donald.

A: If it's just a temporary repair you can buy a resin repair kit (your local car store is actually the best place for these as they are often used for windshield repairs). This isn't recommended for a permanent fix - on a large pane of glass there are often large internal stresses and it can be dangerous to have a damaged pane of glass in the house.

Yes it was a TV crew....

2010-07-19T15:57:29Z

I know celebrity sightings are exciting but can I ask the autograph hunter not to say any more please! Im sure you understand but it is vital to 'Sessions' that we dont compromise anything (including me!) given the confidentiality agreement that is in place.

Thank you!

Sylvia

Questions and Answers

2010-07-17T13:06:58Z

Q: Hello team! When insulating a loft do you put the insulation right to the very edges of the loft front and back or do you leave a gap. the reason I am asking is that my front bedroom ceiling has mould/damp patches just in the left hand corner and the right hand corner i have checked the gutters etc but cannot no see anything the only thing i can think of is that there is no loft insulation across that edge. any ideas please. Thanks, David

A: Loft insulation shouldn't be a cause of damp, if anything it's probably been removed from that area to try and allow it to breathe a bit better. If you've checked the obvious guttering issues then your next step is probably to get a roof or damp specialist in to look at the problem, as it may be a hole in your roof. Persistent damp is often a sign of some damage or flaw in the structure of the building and if left untreated it can cause further damage and problems to the property.

Questions and Answers

2010-07-14T13:05:46Z

Q: How to get rid of tiny fruit flies? Ernest

Britains Empty Homes

2010-07-12T19:21:56Z

This week Sylvia was joined on site by Jules Hudson and the team from Britains Empty Homes to be shown on BBC so be sure to watch and see our beloved Sessions House and whats planned for the restoration.

Questions and Answers

2010-07-05T12:44:19Z

Our dual flush cistern is becoming increasingly harder to flush as the push button is getting stiffer and stiffer to operate. I have looked inside and can see no obvious problem, can you help ? David

As with many of these things, it's fairly hard to diagnose without actually looking. Chances are that it's either a build up of limescale or some other substance, a substandard spring that is rusting, or something slowly becoming misaligned over time (such as a washer inside the unit). You could try putting some oil down the sides of the mechanism, but in many modern dual flush toilets the sealed units are very hard to maintain; sometimes you can find a replacement 'trigger' in DIY stores, but unfortunately the last time I came across a problem like this I ended up replacing the entire cistern after many fruitless hours of replacing washers, cleaning and poking.

Questions and Answers

2010-07-01T12:06:57Z

Q: I have leaking taps, how do i change them to put new washers on, is it easy? - Jimmy

A: It depends. There are two main types of taps. The ones that just turn very slightly for a 1/4 or 1/2 revolution. These generally cant be fixed when they start leaking as their mechanisms are solid metal. The other type (the ones that you can turn and turn) use washers and the process for these is relatively simple in most cases. First of all make sure your water is off to the taps in question, and let out any pressure. Then take the top off the tap. There is generally a screw hidden inside the handle, accessible by unscrewing or prying off a cap. Unscrewing this will give you access to a washer or plunger like system, and this is the part that often degrades over time and requires replacing. Most DIY stores stock a fairly comprehensive array of different washer sizes, and you should be able to find one that fits.

Questions and Answers

2010-06-28T12:05:53Z

Q: what does offset match mean on wallpaper? Susan

A: Offset match wallpaper (also known as drop match) is where the pattern runs diagonally so that only every second strip of wallpaper in hung at the same place, and intermediates strips are dropped by a certain amount. Most paper will tell you how much of a drop you need between each strip to make the pattern match up. Hanging this type of wallpaper when the drop is very large (more than a couple of feet) tends to cause more wastage that other types of wallpaper hanging, so make sure you have enough to finish the room.

Selling your home gets cheaper

2010-05-23T22:59:00Z

As of the 21st of May 2010, you no longer require a home information pack to sell your house - previously a requirement for all homes sold in England or Wales. In Scotland the requirement for a 'Home Report' still exists.
The government decided to scrap the measures to help ease the amount of paperwork and expense involved in getting your home on the market. However, you will still need to get an Energy Performance Certificate before you sell. Check out our Trade Secrets for some hints to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Questions and Answers

2010-05-17T15:13:33Z

Q: I am trying to fit a new toilet and am having a problem with the water intake pipe...Once I turn the water back on the pipe connection leaks Please help because I can't do without a toilet for much longer!!!!! Alice

A: Make sure that any rubber seals that came with the pipes are in place, and if they are threaded make sure you aren't forcing the thread of the two pipes. You can buy joint sealant at your local DIY store that will prevent badly fitting or damaged connections from leaking. There are two forms, one is a teflon tape that you wrap tightly around the entire thread of the 'male' end of the connection before screwing in the other end. The other is a putty that will do the same job. I always find the tape to be a lot easier to use (and a lot less messy), although if the problem is serious (more than a slight drip) a putty might be more reliable. Make sure you read the instructions and make sure that whatever you purchase is suitable for use on water pipes of the materials in use on your toilet.

Trade Secret Update : Repairing potholes on a drive

2010-03-08T18:08:37Z

Wear and tear, and weathering on a gravel drive can cause potholes to form easily. You can repair this simply by following the steps below. The same steps also apply to a monoblock or paved driveway; you just have to lift the stones first, then replace and level them afterwards.
Clear the top layer of gravel from around and inside the pothole and keep to one side.
Fill the hole with rubble of an appropriate size and then compact down with the back of a spade
Top off with sand or dirt, compacting frequently, until level is the same as the surrounding ground
Replace the gravel across the top, if required mix in some new gravel of a similar type and blend in with existing drive

Trade Secret Update : Cleaning salt stains

2010-03-08T17:56:22Z

During winter, grit or rock salt can stain the inside of cars and the carpet in your homes entrance.

First, vacuum any visible salt crystals, then gently scrub the surface with a hard, flat object like the back edge of a knife or spatula, and vacuum again.
Starting with small areas, apply a small amount of luke-warm water, and immediately dab dry with a cloth
Repeat as necessary. Several attempts may be required to completely remove the stain.

Trade Secret Update : Home made cloches

2010-03-08T17:50:33Z

A cloche is just what you need to protect your young plants from frost in the early spring. Although there are many commercial products out there, it's also very easy to make your own using common household items.

For a few, separated plants, a cut off plastic drinks bottle is ideal. Punch a few holes in the top for ventilation and twist it gently into the ground to root it in place
For larger or spreading plants, you can use the frame from a hanging basket, upturned and covered in polythene (even a plastic bag split down one side will work)
Untwisted wire coat-hangers can be used to make bespoke shaped frames and grow tunnels. Cover in polythene sheeting or thermal fleece, with the edges held down with stones or earth.
For larger shelters, you can use PVC piping as the framing material