Handy Mac, aka Don MacAlister, is our expert on household DIY issues

DIANA has a fishy problem:

Q:

We have a fish pond that is 30 years old. It now has a leak, and, in view of water restrictions, we can’t keep topping it up, even from our tank water. Do you know of anyone who repairs ponds? It has a natural rock edge and the sides and floor are covered in a blackish coating. There are a lot of tall plants and I think the roots have probably gone through the bottom.

A:

Before answering, can I please ask readers to let me know where they live and, if possible, send a photo with their mail.

Fish ponds are a touchy subject as nobody wants to be responsible for killing someone’s pet fish or valuable koi by using a substance which might contain harmful chemicals. I would start by popping into a local nursery, or pet shop with a fish section, and check on the internet for koi pond installers.

Unfortunately, because keeping koi has become an expensive hobby, getting a reasonable quote might be tricky. It might be an idea, if you are up for a little DIY, to empty the pool yourself. You might be able to spot the leak, or make it easier for somebody else to do so, eliminating some of the cost.

You would obviously need to find a temporary home for the fish and plants. I am no expert on fish but I believe if you are going to remove them, they must be kept in the existing water, not fresh water.

Nisha’s tiles are not looking good:

Q: I have some discoloured tiles in the bathroom. Do you have any advice on how I can remove them? What could have caused it?

A:

Tiles cannot change colour. They are inert products and do not fade in sunlight or turn a darker colour. An external source must be causing the stains.

Water absorption is the only way a tile can appear to have changed colour. If water is caught, or has penetrated, behind the tile it will soak into its biscuit (backing).

Water can penetrate behind tiles through holes in the grout or poorly applied silicone joints. This happens especially if there is a slow-draining, partly blocked drain or if the silicone joints in the internal corners are not intact.

Perhaps whatever product you are using to clean the tiles is soaking in through poor grouting. You might also have been sold a bad batch of tiles with poor edges. Tiles are often “on special”, or job lots sold as “seconds”, because there is an inherent problem with them.

The photos you sent show the staining is limited to the edges of the tiles, which suggests water is getting in through the cleaning process rather than from a leak behind.

(We should all be checking for leaks constantly, with the threat of water shortages. Turn off everything in the house which uses water and check if your meter is still turning.)

Look for faults in the grouting and silicone joints. If something appears suspect, remove the grout in the affected areas. Slowly dry the tiles, using a fan heater on low. This should bring them back to normal appearance.

Regrout the tiles using grout mixed with a “booster”. Apply silicone to all corners in the shower.

Make sure you settle your bill timeously after having building work done as non- payment has a knock- on effect.

Empty your pond to detect leaks. PICTURE: MIN AN FOR PEXELS