DIY – it’s rewarding!
by diysuper on Apr.25, 2012, under DIY Tips
DIY, whether in the house or garden, can be fun and rewarding. There are always those projects that you can get stuck on, though, so here are a few basic elements you should have in place before you begin.
• Plan your DIY project: become familiar with every aspect of your project so you know what you are getting yourself into.
• Budget: prevents unaffordable, yet unavoidable costs arising.
• Make notes: always helpful when moments of clarity are needed.
• Plan your time: if daily activities are planned, it will be easier to stay on schedule and track your progress.
• Get organised: be prepared, it could be beneficial to acquire a DIY Guide, providing a good reference point in times of trouble.
When shopping for tools and supplies it is easy to get sidetracked and confused. You either end up with more or less of what you actually require. Here are three important tips that could come in handy.
• Make a list and budget: ensure that this is a well thought out and comprehensive list and budget. Never deviate from the list, as that will avoid confusion and unnecessary costs. Do not forget to include delivery costs and always enquire about any discounts.
• Choose your supplier: there are many ways of purchasing tools and supplies. For those that are not fond of queues and the hustle and bustle of retail outlets, the internet is a worthwhile alternative. Tools that will not be used very often or which are especially expensive can normally be hired.
• Go prepared: when purchasing your supplies, ensure that you are well prepared. Be sure to have all essential measurements, colour examples, material examples etc.
Finally, keep in mind that DIY can be dangerous. Always ensure you take proper safety precautions and purchase the correct safety gear to help avoid injuries.
Removing an old bath or sink
by diysuper on Apr.23, 2012, under Bathrooms, DIY Tips, How To Guides
Removing an old sink or bathroom suite is pretty simple if you follow the right order and ideally get someone to help, because it can put strain on muscles.
Turn off all water at the mains and thoroughly drain the system, which is the usual preliminary task to most plumbing work. Alternatively, use an isolation valve if one is fitted. Leave the bath and sink taps turned on to let all water drain away.
Remove the bath’s supporting framework, such as bath panels, and use a tap spanner to remove waste outlets and taps from the sink and bath. If you cannot undo the nuts, just cut through the pipes, but leave enough piping for later connections.
Lift the sink off the wall after undoing its holding screws and then take the pedestal off the floor. If it is fixed via screws, you may have to remove them using a hacksaw if they have rusted into place.
Use a cold chisel and hammer on the brackets, holding the bath to the wall before lifting it away.
Maintenance for outdoor decking
by diysuper on Apr.22, 2012, under DIY Tips, Garden, How To Guides
In order to keep outdoor decking looking its best, it is advisable to give it a clean twice a year. Taking the time to maintain your outdoor decking pays dividends as it adds years to its life as an attractive garden feature.
Spring is a good time to spruce up the decking in preparation for the increased use it will get over the summer. Another clean in autumn is also recommended before the harsh winter months kick in.
Pick up some specially formulated wooden decking cleaner from a DIY outlet. You will find specialist products designed exactly for this particular job.
It is important to clean the decking surface of the general dirt, algae, moss and grease that has collected over the months. Using decking detergent will not only make the surface of the deck look much brighter and cleaner but will ensure slippery and hazardous areas are removed.
Apply decking cleaner according to the instructions on the packet. Scrub with a stiff brush immediately after application. Leave to stand as per instructions, then rinse with a hose thoroughly. Leave for two days before coating with a protective wood treatment.
Why choose blinds over curtains?
by diysuper on Apr.20, 2012, under DIY Tips, Interior Design
When you are in the process of redecorating your home or changing things around, you need to consider your window dressing. This is a mistake of many people, who simply forget about their blinds and change the entire interior of the room.
Blinds are the ideal solution for any room, available in a superb range of colours, designs and materials. The advantages include the fact that you can buy any colour blinds that you want with ease, they’re an affordable choice, easy to maintain, easy to install and they look absolutely fantastic.
Add a splash of colour
As you design your new room, whether you are moving into a home for the first time or you just want a change, take the colour of your furniture into account and then look at the blinds available. Often white minimalist rooms will look fantastic with bright red blinds that add the splash of colour the room desperately desires.
Roller blinds work very well in these areas, as they offer dark and warmth at night, while opening up the window completely during the day and allowing the natural light to enter the room.
Wiring an electrical plug
by diysuper on Apr.18, 2012, under DIY Tips
Sometimes new electrical devices come with a plug which needs attaching, or existing home gadgets have old plugs which need replacing. Wiring a plug is a simple and safe process if the machine and the plug are kept well away from the socket throughout the job.
Use a small screwdriver to remove the inside panel and expose the wiring. When rewiring a plug you will need to unscrew or release the wires from their current connections. In most modern plugs the exposed wire is wrapped around the corresponding terminal, which then snaps into place securing the connection.
Once you have the new plug, make sure that you have enough exposed wire for a solid connection by using wire strippers to peel away the protective plastic layer, before working out which wire goes where. New plugs often come with instructions, but the important thing to remember is that the terminal at the bottom right is for the brown or live wire, while the terminal on the left is for the blue or neutral cable. The terminal at the top is for the earth wire, which is green and yellow, although some devices do not have this one.
How to fix Sliding Doors
by diysuper on Apr.16, 2012, under DIY Tips, Home Improvements
Sliding doors are becoming more and more popular as people try to make as much use of the space they have as possible. However, as they have moving parts they do require more maintenance and care than regular doors. Even the smallest bits of paper or rubbish stuck in the track can cause your sliding doors to get completely stuck or just become difficult to open and close. Regular dusting and vacuuming in the area around the bottom and top of the unit can help prevent this.
Removing Sliding Doors
If the door has become completely stuck, then you may need to remove it from the track in order to see what is causing the obstruction. Sliding doors can be easily removed from their runner by sliding it a short way open and then tilting it forward, though this is probably a two-person job. The track can then be checked for obstructions or damage. Once the problem has been fixed, the door can be slotted back into position by reversing the process used to get it out of the frame.
Finding a property in Sheffield
by diysuper on Apr.14, 2012, under Property
Located on the banks of the River Sheaf, Sheffield is one of the fastest growing areas in the region, having a well-managed economy, a large number of skilled workers and a relatively wealthy population. Banks, steelworks, retail and energy have provided a significant number of jobs in this South Yorkshire city, prompting a consistent demand for housing. Sheffield Hallam University also ensures the influx of a substantial number of local and overseas students.
Types of flats and apartments in Sheffield
Are you searching for a flat to rent in Sheffield? Flats are a sound investment and in view of the level of demand command good prices. Bucking the current worldwide financial slump, Sheffield continues to experience a high standard of living, growing core sector jobs and consequently, a strong property market. Typical properties for rent include single-studio apartments, duplex apartments and houses. Property in this area is available for a wide variety of rents, ranging from £200 to £1,500 per month, though the average rent for a reasonably sized flat for two people is about £600. Houses for sale in Sheffield areas such as Crookes and surrounding areas command a higher price, but properties along Broad Street, Cornish Street, Spring Hill and Valley Road are popular, thanks to their proximity to the commercial district and city centre.
Locating a flat in Sheffield
Flats and apartments to rent in Sheffield are available in a wide range of styles and price ranges. Though individuals own most properties, a large number of are managed by companies and often provide a more secure tenancy arrangement. While locating an apartment through the university bulletin board is a good choice for students, for everyone else, using property rental agencies or online bulletin boards are the most popular ways of locating a suitable property in this part of Yorkshire.
Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, Sheffield is a great choice, but for those who fancy somewhere a bit different try looking at houses for sale in Nottingham or Manchester; two great cities within comuting distance of Sheffield.
The importance of measuring
by diysuper on Apr.11, 2012, under DIY Tips
The old adage says “measure twice and cut once”; basically prepare thoroughly and you will not make any mistakes. Whether you are building a piece of furniture from scratch, cutting wood for shelves, or even shaving wood from a door so that it hangs better, getting out the saw before the measuring tape is always a bad idea.
Any DIY toolkit should contain a tape measure and a metal ruler to carry out and check measurements of varying lengths in different areas of the home. Once you have made your first measurement, make a small pencil mark in the wood where you want to cut. After re-checking the size that is needed for your piece of furniture or shelving, go back to the pencil mark and measure once more before starting to cut. It only takes seconds to double-check, but it can save hours of wasted DIY time. It can also save you money as you are less likely to make mistakes and have to discard useless pieces of wood.
Measuring is not just about the size something needs to be cut, however, it is also about making sure that things like shelves, pictures and doors are straight, both horizontally and vertically. A plumb line can help DIY enthusiasts check the vertical line, while a spirit level checks the horizontal. Although these devices will always tell you when something is perfectly straight, before fixing anything in place permanently, it is best to also check with the eye that it looks right. Many older houses, and even some newer ones, have barely visible slopes in the ceiling or in the floor. It is more important that a shelf or door looks straight in its setting than that the spirit level says it is perfectly straight.
Sowing Outdoors
by diysuper on Apr.09, 2012, under DIY Tips, Garden, How To Guides
Seeds have to have warmth, moisture and air if they are to successfully germinate. Different types of seeds require different levels of soil warmth to germinate, which is why they are planted at different times of the year. Weather conditions are more important than the calendar in this connection, so you may have to postpone sowing if this is unseasonably cold for example.
Prepare a seed-bed first, to ensure that the seeds have sufficient moisture and air and that the fragile roots when they appear can get a good foothold. Choose a day for seeding when the soil is dry on top but moist underneath, then lightly tread it down and give it a good raking over.
Seeds can be spread over the surface but more usually they are sown in drills, the depth of which will be determined by the size of the seed. Covering the seeds with soil to twice their depth is a good rule of thumb. Also, spread bio humus along each yard of drill to keep the seeds moist. Sow seeds thinly, and if they are very small mix them with sand first to help spread them out.
DIY Tips – Fixing a dripping tap
by diysuper on Apr.04, 2012, under DIY Tips, Home Improvements, How To Guides
Dripping taps are not only an annoyance but they waste water and can end up staining your bathroom suite or kitchen sink. Many people just ignore the problem, yet most causes of a dripping tap can be fixed in just a few minutes.
The first step is also the most important; turning off the water supply. After that you can safely remove the external part of the tap, having put the plug in just in case any small parts fall into the sink and down the drain.
Most of the time, a dripping tap is caused by damaged washers inside the tap. These are small discs which control the water flow and can let a small amount through when they become worn, causing the annoying drip. Washers are available from all DIY stores, and most British sink taps use half-inch washers, while bath taps tend to use the quarter-inch type. You can always remove the tap cover before you go shopping to make sure. If this does not stop the dripping, you might need to replace the whole tap, which is a more complicated procedure.