Design Doctor: Home Life editor DONNA HARDIE answers your DIY questions.

Byline: DONNA HARDIE

Q CAN you tell me if tile stickers are strong enough to be used around a splashback which is constantly wet?

A MODERN tile stickers are tough enough to withstand regular soakings - just make sure you clean the tiles with hot, soapy water to remove grease before you apply them.

Place them on the flat part of the tile and not the rounded edges to prevent water seeping underneath.

Crown Wallcoverings 15cm square designs come in packs of 12 for pounds 4.99. Ring 01254 870821 for stockists.

Q I WANT to repair some small picture frames but I'm finding it hard to place the panel pins in exactly the right place.

Any advice please?

A

THERE'S a simple little trick to putting panel pins exactly where you want them.

Cut out a strip of card from a cereal packet and push the tip of the pin through one end. You can now hold the pin upright and keep your fingers well away from the hammer.

Q MY father left me some documents of sentimental value but many of them are torn along the creases. What can I use to repair them?

A THE wonderfully-named Wizard invisible mending tape, made by Limpet, is a non- yellowing tape that works well on torn documents or maps. It's about pounds 1.40 per roll. Call Limpet on 01480 459461.

If the items have any antique value, ask a professional restorer to check them for you.

Q WE'VE just bought a holiday cottage in Cornwall but there's no gas supply.

What could I use to quickly heat up two or three rooms when we visit?

A CALORGas (0800 662663) has just introduced a cast iron stove with a flame effect that has small castors so you could wheel it around on the ground floor to air the house. The Thurcroft Flueless Stove costs about pounds 400 and a 7kg cylinder should give you between 45 to 60 hours' heating.

Q I BOUGHT a very cheap jigsaw to fit some worktops in our kitchen. The problem is that the steel base scratches the work surface. What can I do?

A BUDGET power tools often have mediocre performance and are let down by a lack of features. The metal base you mention is a good example.

If you need to buy another jigsaw in the future, check if it has a plastic cover on the base to stop it scratching.

Some makers offer this as an accessory. In the meantime, try wrapping some duct tape around the metal to protect your worktops from further harm.

Q I NEED a dishwasher that is quiet enough to be used on low tariff electricity overnight. What do the decibel figures mean?AIf you look at the decibel spec on kitchen appliances, the differences in figures may not seem significant.

A fridge has an average of 40dB, while an average dishwasher is 50 to 55dB.

However, few of us realise that an increase of 10dB is actually double the loudness. For your new machine, take a look at the six new models just on the market from AEG (08705 350350) which emit a maximum of 45dB.

Four of the models are also A rated for energy use. Available from John Lewis and larger electrical stores.

Q HOWcan I improve the look of the downstairs radiators in our house? The system is about 20 years old and some of the paint is badly scratched.

A TURN off the central heating and use a nylon abrasive scouring pad and mild detergent to move grime and dust from your radiators.

Then, protect the surrounding walls with newspaper held on with masking tape. You will get the best finish by using a spray rather than brushes.

Plasticote (01223 836400) claims a 400ml can of their Radiator Paint will cover 2.2 square metres. It costs pounds 5.49 from DIY stores.