HOW TO HANG LINING PAPER BEFORE WALLPAPERING

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The way you hang lining paper is really down to your own personal choice. Lining paper can be hung horizontally so that there is no risk of the joints lining up with your wallpaper joints, I prefer to hang the lining paper vertically as it is much easier to do and have never had a problem with the two sets of joints in the lining paper and wallpaper overlapping, they are usually a slightly different width and you can always stagger the joints of your wallpaper so they don't overlap the ones below in the lining paper. To achieve a good wall surface on which to hang the lining paper, fill … [Read more...]

TOOL LIST FOR PLASTERING

Here you Will find a basic list of tools required for DIY plastering jobs around the home :-   Plastering trowel - Made from Stainless or Carbon steel   Plastering corner trowel - Produces a better corner edge to edge finish   Hawk - A hand held flat base from which plaster can be more easily applied    Plaster mixing tub or bucket   Plastering float - A lightweight trowel to help create a good top coat finish   Plasterboard and drywall scarifier - Used to scratch the surface of plasterboard / drywall prior to plaster being … [Read more...]

HOW TO FORM LEVEL CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS

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Tools required :-  Wood saw, lump hammer, tape measure, spirit level. To achieve a good level concrete foundation excavate the soil and hardcore as level as possible to the required depth for your brick / block work. If you need a foundation depth of say 12" (300mm), as an example, saw some 1" x 1" (25mm x 25mm) timber into approximately 24" (600mm) long lengths, mark each one 12" (25mm) from one end. In the centre of your trench starting at what you think is the highest point (use your spirit level to obtain a rough guide), knock the first piece of timber into the ground to the … [Read more...]

BRICKLAYING TIPS & ADVICE

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Tools required :-  Spade / shovel, spot board, bucket, bricklaying trowel, 150mm boat spirit level, 600mm - 1000mm spirit level, lump hammer, bolster chisel, tape measure, plumb line (a length of string with a couple of nails attached), a piece of metal or rubber tube 20 - 25mm dia, soft hand brush. Bricklaying usually requires a bit of practice in order to 'gain the knack' (Most DIYers, myself included usually ' jump in with both feet' and start the project straight away), if you have never laid bricks before it is good practice to build a sample wall first, e.g.  a four brick course, … [Read more...]

ADDING A WALLPAPER BORDER.

Adding a border to your freshly decorated room can be done quite easily, a lot of wallpaper manufacturers also produce borders to compliment their range of wallpapers and a border can enhance even a very plain decorated wall. First decide on a suitable height for the border and mark this measurement around the room using either a tape measure and a long spirit level, or if you have one a laser level, any height levels should be marked in pencil so that they can be easily removed later if necessary.  The strip of border on each wall should if possible be in one complete length to save … [Read more...]