OUR EXPERT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

DIY DONNY

Q

IS THERE any way to remove black discolouration (mould?) once it appears around a bath? Black patches have begun to appear where the bath meets the tiles.

R Kerr, by email

A

I WOULD use sugar soap and then to remove anything that’s left you could use Polycell 3-in-1 Mould Killer. However, it sounds like the silicone might have a dip in it which allows water to sit, and that’s why the mould appears. Where the wall tiles meet the bath, the silicone sealant should be smooth, flat and at an angle to allow water to run off the wall tiles and into the bath.

Q

ago and looks a bit tired. Can I use masonry paint to freshen it up?

Derek Knight, by email

A

I WOULD stick to polyurethane paint as it’s good practice to use the same type of paint on a painted surface. That way they will bond, like oil-based paints on oil-based paints, acrylic on acrylic.

Q

I HAVE a mahogany bureau and wondered if you can suggest anything l could use to update it to match my light oak furniture.

Sheila Bibby, by email

A

IT’S difficult to match species of wood, mahogany is dark red and oak is a light brown, so it would be hard to make them the same.