Dear Donny

QI want to fix 9x9in mirror squares on to a wall. They are self-adhesive but I wondered if there is beading I can put between them? Also, is there any way of ageing them, as ‘aged’ mirror tiles are a lot more expensive.

Ms Faye Marone, by email

You can get beading from most DIY stores and builders’ merchants. Mirrors are made by silvering glass at the back. When this starts to oxidise due to sulphur from pollution, the glass will begin to produce low reflective dark spots. If you damage or strip the silvering it will start to ‘age’. Paint stripper applied to the silvering will help too.

AQMy new bathroom radiator isn’t giving out much heat. I assumed it was airlocked so unscrewed the valve to release the air, but the problem kept reoccurring. Then the valve end broke off so the radiator is air and water tight, but I can’t bleed it. What should I do?

Brian Williamson, Derry

I would just replace the valves as they are probably poor quality. I would go to a plumbers’ merchants and buy new valves and have a plumber replace them.

ADONNY’S TOP TIP

Marble worktops tend to be porous and need to be sealed. To test whether a worktop is sealed, put a drop of water on the marble and if it soaks in, it needs to be sealed. If you don’t seal it, the marble will eventually stain.

QMy bathroom toilet has a very slight leak and water has dripped into the bowl over some months. This has resulted in the surface of the bowl losing its glaze. I have looked online and there are many ceramic repair kits. I would like your advice on which would be the best. Rita Regan, by email

What are the products? I’d buy the least expensive. Then if it fails to work, I’d try the more expensive repair kit. I’d replace the bowl if that’s feasible.

A