"Nick" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I've recently purchased and moved into a new flat (built 1999), and am
looking for some advice on some DIY to smooth out a few issues.

It is in a block of about 10 others, and they are all built of light
(?) brick with plasterboard walls - making it a bit of a cardboard
castle.

All the doors are fire doors with those chains between the frame &
door (hinge side) to automatically close.

Thing is - whenever a door closes in the flat, it shakes the whole
flat and the neighbours.

Even if you close it yourself, the frames tend to shake the walls!

Is there any way to cushion these doors? They're a tight fit against
the frame, so rubber insulation won't let them close.


Water pressure.
The way it's plumbed means that the shower stops if anyone flushes the
loo or uses the dishwasher etc.
Can this be replumbed so the shower is on a separate feed? (if so, I'd
call in a professional)
Is it possible to install a pump to increase the water pressure (I
have a feeling that he shower head is above the level of the water
tank - will this make a difference?)

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks
Nick

The doors can be fitted with things called door catchers. These are like a
cup and ball which go together as the door is closing and they have a piston
inside which slows the door down before it bangs against the frame. Only
ever seen them sold in hardware wholesalers so you might have a bit of
searching around to do.

The shower problem needs a bit more information from you to be sure of a
proper remedy. You say you think the shower head is above the height of the
tank. If the shower is fed from a tank within your flat, which I presume is
all on one level with no loft space, then where is the tank sited in
relation to the shower ?

If you don't have a cold water storage tank, or the shower is an instant ele
ctric style, then the problem is that the mains water supply to the flat
isn't large enough to supply two or more appliances with the flow rate they
need to work properly, and the appliance that is closer, or just lower down,
is taking precedence over the shower. It might, therefore, be possible to
have a separate supply taken from the mains pipe directly to the shower.
But this is only feasible if the shower is an instant electric style.


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