Decorative mouldings such as ceiling roses, architrave, picture and dado rails are a good way of adding interest to a room and are relatively easy to put up yourself. Many of these features were stripped out of period houses in the 1950s and 1960s as the fashion for streamlined design [...]
It is becoming more popular to leave wood in its natural state as opposed to painting it. Furniture looks very attractive when you take the time to finish it properly, allowing the character of the wood to shine through. You have to consider two factors to help you in your [...]
Painting walls with emulsion or textured paint is straightforward if a little messy. With a roller, tray, brush and paint you can easily paint an ordinary sized room in half a day, perhaps longer if you need to apply more than one coat. Preparation for Painting Make sure you follow [...]
Drilling holes in tiles or glass is not for the fainthearted but with patience, care and knowledge it is possible. We have a few tips here for making holes in glass and tiles without having to do the drilling for those who are unwilling to risk it. Preventing Drill Bit [...]
The answer to this is yes and no -- but it's all good news – yes you don't have to drain the whole central heating system but no you don’t even have to connect the two pipes together. By closing the valves at both ends you can drain the water [...]
There are two problems here, the first being how to remove the old paint and the second what to replace it with. Before going down those routes however we would strongly advise checking with the planning office, if you haven't already done so, as to whether having a painted finish [...]
For a long time, mostly in the later post-war period, the only thing that people in the United Kingdom wanted to do with cornices and coving was to rip them out, as the new design vogue was for modern, streamlined looks. Nowadays we all want to preserve the originality of [...]
Tumble Dryers are relatively simple pieces of equipment, at least compared to their compatriots, washing machines. Despite that inherent simplicity, replacing the belt on a tumble dryer can be a real pain in the neck. This is because the drum takes up so much room in the casing that it's [...]
You've taken the right step by bleeding the radiators first; it's almost always air in the system when radiators aren't heating up properly. There are two other possible reasons for your radiators not to heat up, balancing or a pump failure, and the second is the most likely. Balancing Radiators [...]
To answer your last question first, there are no fuses in a normal plug socket. Fused Sockets There are some special fused sockets that DO have fuses but they look different to an ordinary 13amp socket. They will have a rectangular cover in the socket faceplate which holds the fuse [...]
A properly installed shower enclosure will last for many years and protect the floorboards and walls of your house from water damage. There are two basic types of enclosure, framed and frameless, and although framed enclosures are easier to fit, frameless ones look much more upmarket. The Tray is the [...]
One of the most disliked jobs in the DIY arena is painting a ceiling; the primary reason for which being that you are painting above your head. This is a particularly daunting task if you have never done it before and if you are decorating your first home then the [...]
Tiling is a much easier DIY job than many people think. With time and patience and a little common sense you will be impressed by the excellent results. Read our guide below on ceramic wall and floor tiling and you will soon be ready to get started. Benefits of Tiling [...]
Follow our wallpapering guide and transform your rooms, hallways and landings into living spaces you can be proud of. Types of Wallpaper Lining Papers – These come in different varieties. Pure white papers are specially made for providing a smooth surface for painting. Off white lining papers are used as [...]
Preparing and painting doors and woodwork is a fairly easy DIY job but you still need to follow some simple guidelines to obtain the best results. Below you will find all you need to know about painting doors and woodwork to a high standard. Preparing Woodwork All wood surfaces need [...]
Paintwork creates the final look and personality of your home so it’s worth taking your time to prepare surfaces properly. Read on for tips on how to prepare ceilings walls and other types of surfaces for a professional paint job. Preparing Walls Plenty of preparation will be needed if a [...]
Painting the exterior of your home as a DIYer can be a daunting task especially if you are tackling a large surface. But don’t worry if you follow our guidelines below you can achieve excellent results. Advice on Buying Paint Consider carefully the type of paint you need for every [...]
A bewildering number of varieties of household paints are available these days from an ever increasing number of brands. To make things easy for you on this page, we list the common types of paints and their popular uses. Remember, taking the time to select the best type of paint [...]
