DIY

• 101 decorating questions answered
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15. My old fireplace is missing a decorative moulding on the right side. How do I repair it? There used to be a company called Shortwood Carvings that did all the fancy embellishments you find on furniture but, sadly, it's gone. If you're good at DIY, it is possible to make a replica by moulding off the remaining embellishment, but it can turn out to be a labour of love. For something off the shelf, a good company for the odd missing finial, moulding or architectural detail is Wild Goose Carvings. The pieces are in wood, but can be painted to match.

16. My 1850s Georgian house has a very contemporary look inside, so I'd like to make the driveway both practical and modern. Do you have any ideas? Try using the small square granite 'setts'. They are ideal in contemporary developments, as different-coloured granites can be used to create patterns. Go to pavingexpert.com for an overview and, for inspiration on the outdoors, Google Andy Goldsworthy.

17. Rather than replacing the ugly red-brick fireplace in our living room, I'd love to paint it a lighter colour. Do you have any tips? You need to prime the surface first. Try the 3 in 1 Primer, Sealer, Undercoat from International Paints. Once the first coat's dry, check the brickwork isn't pitted with holes. If it is, squeeze some decorator's caulk (from DIY shops) into them to fill and smooth off the brickwork, then add another coat of primer. Now you can paint the topcoat. If the job is temporary, use emulsion for a nice matt finish. If you want it to remain pristine, or at least cleanable, try an eggshell or gloss. 

18. I have a bus stop outside my house and regularly get people scrawling graffiti on our front wall. I've tried painting over it but, even with oil paints, it still shows through. Do you have any solutions? This is a problem however light or dark your wall is. There are ways to deal with it, though. Commercial graffiti removal and prevention treatments, such as Pegagraff Hydro, are quite popular but, before you use it, talk to a trade company like Off The Wall to make sure it's the right solution for you.

19. I have a lovely old lion's head door knocker, but the chrome has mostly weathered off. How do I go about getting it re-chromed? Getting an item chromed is a fantastic way of modernising architectural details and hardware, especially now that brass has fallen so out of favour. There are many metal finishing companies that do chroming, but it can be hit or miss whether they will work with the public on small jobs. Nottingham Platers is one of the more approachable firms that is local to you.  

20. We are planning an extension of our Victorian home and are interested in getting advice on having a lead or copper roof. First, liaise with building control to find out what materials are deemed appropriate, taking into account the colour of your brickwork. Copper can be laid in larger sheets, making leadwork more suitable for smaller segments. Find local contractors such as Ian Cox Roofing through the association websites of the Copper Development Agency and the Lead Contractors Association.  

21. I have an old 1960s sideboard that I'd like to paint. I'd also like to remove all the ugly handles and keep it looking more modern with doors that push to open. What fittings do I need? You need pressure catches, which are available at hardware shops. There are two types, magnetic and non-magnetic, and the magnetic is simpler looking, as it just needs a metal plate on the door not a protruding catch.  

22. I have a marble Art Deco fire surround covered in at least three coats of paint. How can I remove the layers without damaging the marble underneath? Traditional paint strippers also attack whatever the paint is attached to, causing corrosion, so I'd recommend a product called Home Strip by Eco Solutions, available at DIY stores. It will soften the paint, so it can be removed safely, leaving the marble untouched.  

23. I want to revamp my interior doors. I've sanded them down and chosen the paint, but I've heard there's a special way to do the job - can you explain? Preparation is key. Wipe the door with a damp cloth to get rid of dust, then leave to dry. To paint, wedge the door open, remove the handle and fittings and slide a dustsheet underneath. If it's a panelled door, paint the mouldings around each of the recessed panels using an eggshell or gloss paint, then paint the panels, working from the top downwards. Paint the horizontal cross rails starting at the top and working down, then paint the vertical centre rail and two side rails. Finally, paint the door's side edges. A second coat is usually needed  after the first has dried. When completely dry, pain the doorframe and surrounding architrave. If it's a plain door, imagine a vertical line down the centre, and horizontal lines running across, dividing it into eight or 10 squares. Paint the top left, then top right, working down. To paint a glazed door, stick masking tape around the edge of the panes to protect them. Then start by painting the mouldings as you would a regular panelled door.  

24. I'm trying to find a special patterned glass for a Forties dining-room divider. It's made from teak and has long, vertical panels of glass with bumped stripes, which look like a lens. Unfortunately, one of the three panels is badly damaged and our local glazier has told us we are unlikely to find anything like it. Can you help? We think you're describing 'reeded' glass. It's not common and you may find that modern versions have thinner reeds than older glass, which tends to be more pronounced. Pearsons Glass has a few designs with reeding up to 8mm wide which costs around £45 per sq m. 

25. My boiler is in the guest room and makes a lot of noise. I can't afford to move it, so is there a way of soundproofing it? Some noise, especially when firing up, is unavoidable. If it's really loud, have your heating system checked out as a noisy boiler can indicate a problem. "Assuming the boiler is OK, try hiding it in a cupboard, which may reduce the noise in the bedroom," explains Steve Zouch from Baxi Heating UK . "There are technical considerations - for example the amount of ventilation a boiler needs, so before you do any DIY soundproofing contact a plumber and ask for advice." It is a legal requirement to use a CORGI-registered engineer for any alteration or repair of a boiler. To find one, log onto CORGI. 

26. I've acquired six Arkana chairs, four with metal bases and two with white bases, but they're looking shabby. I was wondering whether to get the metal bases powder coated so they're white or will this ruin their value? Also what should I use to clean the plastic? Synthetic furniture doesn't age well, so anything you can do to make them fresher will be worth it. Powder coating is fairly inexpensive and gives a harder-wearing finish than spray paints. We suggest getting all the chairs done, so they're the same shade of white. As for cleaning, this will be a bit of an experiment. Try lighter fuel on difficult marks, but don't use solvent-based cleaners.  

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