At Home with Sarah Beeny Autumn 2015 - 293

A N D F I N A L LY

Sell struggles 

Q

My three-bedroom house
has been on the market
for six months and I've only
had two viewings. My estate
agent is struggling to understand
why it won't sell. Is it normal
to encounter such problems? 
RUTH MITCHELL, 33, ELY

A

All white
NEUTRAL COLOURS ON
EXTERIORS CAN LOOK
CLEAN AND MODERN
- DARK ADDITIONS
SUCH AS DOORS
OR FRAMES OOZE
SOPHISTICATION

I know you won't want to hear
this but it may well be the price.
I would suggest really researching what
has sold recently and see if it is a bit
pricey. If it's definitely not the price at
fault then you need to ensure you are
using an agent that offers you the
maximum web coverage.
Your estate agent must put your house
on Rightmove and Zoopla - and ensure
you have a board outside to attract
passing potential buyers. You also need
to make sure your agent has taken great
photos and that the description really
covers all the good things about your
home and area. I also think you should
probably change agents for a fresh
marketing approach. Try my agency
Tepilo (Tepilo.com) for a good service.

Damp disaster

PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES | STOCKISTS: SEE PG 297

Q

I have a problem with moisture
below floor tiles and laminate
flooring in my new extension.
After removing my tiles I noticed
moisture underneath them, I let it
dry out but now I have fitted lino
and that's lifting as well. I know
there are treatments for concrete
to make it waterproof but does this
mean everything underneath the
treatment will be damp?

AMANDA BRAGG, 27, SOUTHAMPTON

A

The right job is to dig up the
concrete and either have a
suspended floor with proper air flow
beneath or to lay a damp proof
membrane and insulation then a new
concrete floor on top. I'm afraid any
other solution will not be actually
addressing the problem and you'll never
really be able to solve the situation.

In with the old

Lino renovation 

Q

Q

Recently, I used brand new
brick on the walls of my house.
As you can imagine, the colour is
bright orange! So, now, I would like
to give it a whitewash/distressed
look. Is there anything I can use to
help age the brick work?

Some old carpets I've
taken up have revealed
lino tiles underneath which
have paint stains on them.
Can the paint stains be
removed and if so what's
the best way to do it?

HOLLY STEELE, 45, CARDIFF

A

There is a company I have come
across called Dyebrick.com who
do a great brick ageing treatment. The
stains dye the surface of the brick rather
than coating it with a heavy film like
most masonry paints. There are lots of
DIY solutions, too, but it's important that
you test it in an area you can't see
as you might not find the look you want
so easily. Then it's trial and error!

JASMINE WILKINS, 49, EDINBURGH

ON THE
FLOOR
VINYL AND
LINO ARE
EXTREMELY
DURABLE

A

It depends what sort of paint it is
but the short answer is probably
yes. I suggest starting with warm water,
soap, a scourer and good old fashioned
elbow grease and then move onto a
sharp blade. As a last resort, you could
try paint stripper as it may take the
colour out of the floor covering. As with
anything, test it in a hidden area first
before using elsewhere.

GET IN TOUCH GOT ANY TIPS, TRICKS OR ADVICE ABOUT RENOVATION PROJECTS,
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www.athomemagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 2015 | 293
At Home with Sarah Beeny Autumn 2015

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