In this beginner’s guide to tiling a wall, we’ll be looking at the most important parts of any tiling job so you can go into it with your eyes open. We’ll start with planning and move on to the job itself. Scroll down in you want to skip the planning part. If you’ve never fitted…
Do you need to install a PVC gutter or downpipe? Read on. This article is for you. Start by measuring the length of guttering and downpipe you need for the project. Make a list of any connectors, stop ends, set angle pieces of gutter, gutter outlets, clips/brackets (usually spaced around 30″ (760mm) apart) and fixings…
In this article, we’ll be looking at how to lay bricks. If you’ve never laid bricks before it’s good practice to build a small sample wall first. A four brick course (row), three bricks high is sufficient. The bricks can always be cleaned and reused later. When you are happy with your ‘practice’ wall, you can start…
Here are some helpful diagrams that show how lighting operating on a one-way switch can be changed relatively easily for two-way switch operation. Turn off the consumer unit and remove the appropriate circuit fuse / miniature circuit breaker first before working on any electrical circuit, once the cable is installed make the connections to the two-way switches…
Draughty doors are a nuisance. They make your home colder and increase your energy bills. But there are several ways you can draught-proof doors so you feel more comfortable and keep more money in your pocket. The good news is that these methods don’t cost at a lot to implement and they provide tremendous benefits…
Knowing how to mix concrete or mortar is a useful skill to have when you do a lot of outside DIY jobs. A few examples include building a brick barbecue, repointing brick walls and building walls from scratch (how to lay bricks – a guide for beginners). The methods for mixing mortar and cement by…
There are two common ways DIYers lay flags. The first is the spot method. The way to do this is to place five dollops of mortar on the ground (one in each corner and one in the middle) and position the paving slab on top of the mortar. Once the flag’s in place, use a…
There are a vast selection of screws available for the DIYer to choose from. Below is a brief description of what to look for, and what to take into consideration when buying screws for DIY projects around the home and elsewhere. Let’s start by taking a look at the parts the make up a typical…
Replacing a ceiling rose is a job that can be carried out by a competent DIYer, but as always, if you’re not confident working with electricity you should use the services of a reliable electrician. The best way to find a decent electrician is by asking your friends (Facebook is perfect). Failing that, check your…
Are you wondering how to fit a kitchen? In this article, I’ll tell you about the process I used for fitting a new kitchen in my mum’s home. You can see the before and after pictures below. The cost of bringing in a contractor to fit a new kitchen could run into several thousands of…
