Dear Donny

Q AASeveral holding down bolts on my five-year-old steel garage roof have rain leaks. What would sort it? Peter Coulson, by email

Holding-down bolts usually have a rubber washer that gets compressed when the bolt get tightened, but the bolts will probably be seized. As far as sealing them, I would try a flexible mastic or a bitumen paint.

I have a pressed concrete drive that gets slippy in the rain. Any ideas? Geoff Haines, Nottingham Apply an external anti-slip paint. You will need to etch the concrete first to make sure it adheres to it. Another way is to score the surface – a concrete scaler will make the surface rough. Either way you will lose the existing look of the concrete drive.

The grey brick paving on our drive looks like it has a layer of dirt on it. Nothing moves it. Any thoughts? Barbara Williams, by email

A

Use a power washer with a lance and a dirt blaster attachment, and along with a patio cleaner you should get all the dirt removed. The only thing that will cause problems is lichen, which need a chemical to remove it.

Q Q DONNY’S TOP TIP

Wash your paving or hard standing on a dull, damp day as the dirt will be soft and you will use less water.

Q

Is there any way to remove fine surface scratches from black, mid sheen, bathroom floor tiles? The floor was only recently laid and I’m desperate. Tracey Perry, by email

A

Scratch repairs to tiles is pretty straightforward if the tiles are ceramic and the scratch has not penetrated the surface of the tile. Toothpaste or a coloured burnishing paste will do the trick, but this really only works on glazed tiles.

Q

Can you advise on how to get rid of rust on toilet seat fittings and a sink plug stopper please?

Isobel Macallister, by email

A

Very easy, get Bar Keepers Friend Stain Remover. I have used it to remove rust stains from car bodywork and it’s only about £3.

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