Home improvements: falling soot

By Jeff Howell 148PM GMT sixteen March 2010

Hire a registed funnel sweep, advises Jeff Howell Photo ALAMY

Q We have not long ago had clumps of soot-covered something descending down the funnel in to the genuine open fireplace. Quite a couple of large chunks and lots of not as big bits. It has patently come from a little piece of the inner chimney. Is it still protected to bake timber and spark as usual? Do we need to get it checked out? AK, by email

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A Its majority expected the parging the old orange smear backing of the flue. Its probably zero to be concerned about, but you competence in the future get connect dirty display by on the the upper story funnel breasts. Get the exhaust pipe swept and checked by a purebred funnel brush (National Association of Chimney Sweeps, 01785 811732, chimneyworks.co.uk).

SUNDAY MORNING JOB

Realign your kitchen sideboard doors.

Modern sideboard doorway hinges each have 4 screws. Two in slotted holes concede the hinge to be slid up or down. Another in a slotted hole allows it to be slid in and out. And the fourth moves it side-to-side (adjust one hinge or the alternative to stagger the doorway diagonally).

An hour with a Posidrive screwdriver and a bit of "eyeing-in" should leave your kitchen seeking as intelligent as when it was initial installed.

Send your questions to Jeff at Life, The Sunday Telegraph, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT or email askjeff@telegraph.co.uk

The SundayGuide to Looking After Your Property by Jeff Howell is accessible fromBooks (0844 871 1515; books.telegraph.co.uk) for �13 and �1.25 p&p.