Below is a list of basic tools and equipment required for painting and wallpapering in your home. Tools, etc are becoming cheaper for the DIY decorator and there is a huge choice available in most DIY stores. There are lots of other decorating tools around, such as paint rollers for behind radiators etc, but these can be purchased when necessary. Paintbrushes - 1/2" (12mm) - 3" (75mm). Cheap brushes are fine, but if your budget will allow it purchase a good quality set that will give a good finish and when cleaned properly last for years Paint roller and tray White spirit or brush … [Read more...]
HOW TO FIT A DADO RAIL
Tools required :- Tape measure, spirit level or laser level, wood saw, hacksaw, mitre box, hammer, silicone gun. First of all you will have to decide on a suitable height for the dado rail, it doesn't want to be either too high or too low, as an example, on a recent project the dado rail was fitted at a height of 37 1/2" (950mm) to the top edge with a room ceiling height of 116 1/2" (2450mm). When you have decided on a suitable height check the dado will look alright from the aesthetics point of view, i.e. where it meets up to your fireplace, window ledges etc. Mark the chosen … [Read more...]
LAYING FLAGS OR DECORATIVE PAVING
Tools required :- Spade / shovel, spot board, trowel, 1000 / 600mm spirit level, tape measure, wood saw, rubber mallet and plate vibrator (whacker plate). There are two common ways DIYers lay flags, the first is the spot method where five dollops of mortar are put on the ground and the flag is positioned level on top. This method, which is used a great deal usually leads to problems with the paving / patios after a few months. The flags are not fully supported and may be prone to breaks if any load is placed on them, also water underneath the flags can cause them to start to rock and … [Read more...]
CONCRETE FENCE POSTS
Tools required :- Spade / shovel, spot board, bucket, wood saw, lump hammer, post / 600mm spirit level and tape measure. Safety tip :- Wear gloves when mixing mortar and concrete as cement can irritate and burn skin. Concrete posts need to be bedded in the ground and set in place using concrete. As a rough guide I would recommend having 25% of the post below ground level to provide good stability and strength. As an example I would use an 8ft post for a 6ft high fence or a 4ft post for a 3ft high fence. Once you have dug out the hole for the post to the required depth, have some … [Read more...]
FITTING A NEW KITCHEN – 4 Where to start
Your new kitchen units have been delivered and the kitchen area is ready for the install, but where do you start ?. The first job to do is check the level of the floor, wherever the highest point is measure up 870mm and mark the wall, this measurement allows 720mm for the base unit and 150mm for the plinth. From your mark draw a level line using your spirit level across the wall(s), this is the guideline for all your base units, now measure up from the 870mm mark to the bottom of your wall units (this measurement is down to personal preference) , I would suggest 400 - 440mm, from this … [Read more...]
Recent Comments