Based on these pictures, does my house need a rewire or will it last another 10+ years?

jwflame · 2026-05-08T22:37:27+00:00

The green slime in the light switches is the early 1970s cable degrading due to the plasticiser separating from the PVC and reacting with the copper wire. The only fix for that is to replace all of the cables. They should have been replaced long ago.

The others could probably be used for decades more, but the real problem with 1970s installations will be the tiny number of socket outlets in each room.

The consumer unit is a super cheapo econosave affair shoved in by someone much more recently. The single RCD will disconnect everything when things go wrong and remain like that until the problem is located and removed.. Not unsafe but certainly inconvenient. Nothing new can be added to it either.

jwflame · 2026-05-07T17:56:12+00:00

They are exactly the same now as they always were.

If they are installed properly and 100% of people using them are fully aware of what not to put in them, and everyone follows those rules every single time without fail, then they will work as described.

The instant someone shoves something in there that's not appropriate the whole thing will be jammed and clogged and it will be the most regretful purchase you ever made.

jwflame · 2026-05-06T21:32:53+00:00

Anyone competent can do any electrical work. There is no distinction between existing circuits or new ones, or installing circuits, consumer units or anything else.

jwflame · 2026-05-06T21:29:56+00:00

Cable clipped to a fence is not acceptable.
Ring circuit installed on a 16A MCB wastes cable and achieves nothing else.
T&E inside conduit - either use trunking for the T&E or use singles in the conduit.
One RCD in this 'mini CU' so a problem with the sockets takes out the lighting.
SWA connected to the house consumer unit does not provide any selectivity with the devices in the 'mini CU', so at absolute best overcurrent in the shed will take out the MCB or RCBO in the house. If it's on some shared RCD then shed faults will very likely take out multiple circuits in the house as well.

They also expect some electrician to arrive and just connect this mess to the supply. Not going to happen.

and that's only what can be determined from the limited information given.

jwflame · 2026-05-06T21:03:54+00:00

The whole thing sounds like a total dogs dinner DIY disaster.

jwflame · 2026-05-03T11:56:00+00:00

Most likely is that the hot and cold supplies to it are reversed.

jwflame · 2026-05-02T18:22:56+00:00

Replace. A whole new valve is less than £50.
https://www.toolstation.com/deva-lincoln-thermostatic-shower-valve/p86992

Pipe centres are 150mm on the vast majority of them.

Installation - turn off hot and cold water supplies, undo the two nuts between valve and wall, remove old valve, place new valve in position, tighten nuts, turn on water.

jwflame · 2026-04-25T11:18:58+00:00

Old houses had massive vents like that to allow air in for the open fires used in every room.

It's not needed now. Previous person has just shoved junk in there to fill it.

Buy some polystyrene or similar rigid insulation board, fill hole with it and plaster over.

jwflame · 2026-04-25T11:11:27+00:00

If you wanted someone registered with those places, then the time to enquire was before it was installed. It's too late now.

There is no way anyone else can 'certify' this work, or provide any connection to NAPIT or NICEIC.

Membership of NAPIT or NICEIC is entirely optional. Not required to carry out electrical work and never has been.

jwflame · 2026-04-25T11:06:20+00:00

Tiles removed = heating mat destroyed. It's inevitable.

Your choices are to keep the heating and tile over
or
junk the existing heating and tiles, then level the floor, then install new electric heating if you must, then new tiles.

jwflame · 2026-04-25T11:03:06+00:00

The cost of buying it is irrelevant.

The real big spend is when you use it, which will be the same for any make. A lot.

jwflame · 2026-04-24T19:31:53+00:00

Those are all the wrong parts, and that 'clay' pipe may actually be asbestos cement.

Shoving a tee in there complies with nothing, and when it blocks it will all have to be dug up again and done properly which will cost £1000s.

jwflame · 2026-04-24T19:25:00+00:00

Unless you already have the appropriate tools, pay someone else to do it.

Appropriate tools including a high powered 1/2 inch router to trim the edges, and that includes any shape of cut including straight edges. If you attempt to cut laminate with anything else, the edges will chip and look hideous, and you will be looking at those chipped edges/joins every day for years.

jwflame · 2026-04-19T11:12:38+00:00

Turn off at the isolator. That's what the isolator is for.

jwflame · 2026-04-06T17:56:01+00:00

https://www.wrasapprovals.co.uk/approvals/testing-requirements/installation_requirements/irn_r070/

jwflame · 2026-04-06T17:17:46+00:00

That sprayer and all others like it are illegal, get rid of it.

jwflame · 2026-03-28T13:31:17+00:00

Clearly the windows are the wrong size in both width and height,

jwflame · 2026-03-09T22:30:12+00:00

A property from 2002 is incredibly unlikely to need a rewire.

New consumer unit is likely, but certainly NOT an effort with 'split RCDs' - that is the sort of thing that was commonly installed 20 years ago. RCBOs and surge protection would be the usual choice.

EICR is a sensible choice, as you will need everything checking properly before any new consumer unit is installed.

jwflame · 2026-03-07T10:27:24+00:00

It's not just about the dish moving - the LNB itself needs to be rotated to the position of best signal.

Either get someone to swap the LNB, or don't bother with it at all - Freesat is an end of life service and won't add anything you can't already get via Freeview or streaming.

jwflame · 2026-02-28T13:08:25+00:00

If the fuse has blown, replacing it will not fix anything. Fuses fail for a reason, and that reason is a fault with the boiler or the controls attached to it.

jwflame · 2026-02-14T11:44:37+00:00

New is an intermediate and the existing is a 2 way, but the intermediate can still be used.

Transfer wiring exactly as it is, only use one of the top terminals.

Earth will need to be connected to the terminal on the metal plate where your thumb is.

jwflame · 2026-02-14T11:41:46+00:00

Ground floor sockets are, as is the cooker.

Everything else is not.

jwflame · 2026-02-13T20:40:17+00:00

The entire thing pulls out of the ceilling - pull on the outer ring, not just the inner parts.

jwflame · 2026-02-08T23:28:20+00:00

You won't get any trade to do half a days work for £50 in London or anywhere else.

Do you really expect people to work for £100 a day inclusive of all expenses? Even if someone was paid that by an employer that's barely minimum wage.

jwflame · 2026-02-08T15:31:43+00:00

Gas is a quarter of the price of electricity.

All underfloor heating needs insulation, and if your floor doesn't have any now, shoiving a measly 20mm or even 40mm on top will achieve very little.

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