DIY tips
Here are a collection of general hints and tips about the building trade and DIY
The New Rules For Electrical Safety In The Home Explained
From 1st Jan 05 people carrying out electrical work in the home will have to comply with the new rules in building regulations. You do not need to tell your local authorities building control department about repair replacements and maintenance works or extra power points or lighting points or other alterations to existing circuits except in the kitchen or bathroom and outdoors. If you require further information, why not view the local government explanatory booklet by clicking the following link www.odpm.gov.uk/explanatorybooklet.
If you are having works carried out in the kitchen or bathroom, your tradesman have to comply to the Competent Person Scheme or be registered with corgi or a similar body.
You are not allowed to carry out the works yourself unless you have notified and have been approved by your local authority, there is a charge for this service.
Decorating a Room – Where Do You Start?
Always start from the top and work down for painting ceilings, coving, walls, picture rails, dado rails, walls, skirting and architrave. For paperhanging,ceilings, coving skirting board and architrave.
Tips on Painting and Decorating
Preparation is the key. There is no such thing as a 5 minute job in most cases the prep work can take longer than the job itself.
Start with washing all walls and ceilings down with sugar soap, this will remove dirt and grease and any loose paint then fill all cracks and gaps with a fine polyfiller for hairline cracks, first use your scraper to enlarge the crack and then fill. Fill all internal corners joints skirting’s architraves dados and coving with caulk or painters mate as this helps ensure that all cracks and splits have a smooth even finish, sand down all walls and ceilings including woodwork with a medium grit sand paper.
If you have problem walls or ceilings which suffer from damp mould or stains try the following approach: first wash the area down with sugar soap then scrape away any loose paint, apply filler where required and finish by sanding if needed. Paint with a good oil-base primer and use mould or damp resistant paint.
If you have a period property you might suffer from flaking or chalking paint, wash down the surface then paint with an alkaloid resistant primer. Once all your prep work is complete you can start decorating. Start with the ceiling, cut in with a good sized paint brush around the corners then using a medium sized roller cover the remaining surface, allow time to dry then repeat the above until you are satisfied with the finish’ Walls start by cutting in with a brush while cutting in the ceiling line paint in a downward motion this will leave a thicker layer of paint which will blend in with the roller use a minimum of 2 coats of emulsion on all walls and ceilings. When dry, you can start on the woodwork. Sand down and fill where needed, treat new timber with knotting solution then primer, paint with a good quality undercoat and finish off with a good top coat. If you are papering the room then carry out the prep work as described and paint all the woodwork first. Hang the paper then finish off with a damp sponge to help remove any paste on the walls and ceiling, these tips should help you achieve a professional finish.
Decorators Caulk Your New Best Friend?
This comes in a plastic tube like no more nails and is used in a tube-gun, use this to help seal any gaps in your skirting, dado rails , picture rails and coving . Equally good with beading, ensure you chop off the plastic cap near the top, the longer the nozzle the better, pump the trigger until the caulk appears at the end of the nozzle then run the nozzle along the crack or gap as you gently pump the trigger then slide your index finger along the top this helps to fill the gap and smooth the surface giving a professional looking finish. A word of warning, don’t overload with caulk, it can get very messy.
Paint Brush Customisation
Here are two methods to reduce the drip from a paint brush. Stretch an elastic band around the large wooden or metal part of the brush which holds the fibres, if you overload your brush, which is easily done and it runs, the drip will now get caught by the elastic band, thereby keeping your hands, clothing and (carpet) paint–free.
The next method is for painting ceilings. Where it is more likely to drip, cut a plastic bottle in two below the top where it begins to widen. Use a sharp Stanley Knife, slide the paint brush through the cut end, handle first so that the handle comes out of the top of the bottle. If the brush handle is too wide, simply cut down the side of the bottle top. Use insulation or gaffer tape to ensure that any gaps are sealed. This process should take only a couple of minutes but ensures nearly all drips are caught while protecting clothing, flooring etc.
Painting Problems, Questions and Answers
Q: the paint is full of bits ?
A: Dust the top of the tin before opening it or strain the paint in to a paint kettle before use. Dust and wash down surfaces before painting then work the bristles of a new brush to remove loose hairs.
Q: The previous colour is showing through the new paint.
A: If using emulsion, try a second coat or apply an under coat first to even the paint out, if glossing, apply new paint more evenly.
Q: There are runs in the new paint
A: Don’t try to apply the new paint so thickly, take care not to leave excess paint on external angles.
Q: The paint remains tacky beyond the normal drying time.
A: Check that the surface is free of grease or wax and make sure there is adequate ventilation.
Paperhanging Problems Questions and Answers
Q: The paper has a rash of blisters.
A: Leave paper to soak for correct time, check that paper is evenly pasted and check that the walls are dry and unaffected by damp or condensation.
Q: The paper has developed creases when hung.
A: Handle the lengths with more care, brushing each one down the wall first and then towards the edges. If creases recur, peel off the wall and brush back on the wall to remove the creases.
Q: The seams keep lifting.
A: Make sure the edges of each length are thoroughly pasted and use a seam roller to bed the seams down firmly.
Q: Patchy stains are showing through the paper.
A: Wash down wall surfaces first to kill any mould and treat with stain blocker.
Q: Overlaps at room corners won’t stay stuck.
A: Apply more paste or use overlap adhesive.
Cut Timber Cleanly Every Time Without Any Jagged Bits
Measure twice, cut once. Before cutting timber, mark it with a pencil then go over this line with a sharp Stanley Knife all the way around the timber. Now start sawing above the scored line for a clean cut every time.
Fixing Problems
Q: The wall plug simply rotates in the hole when the screw is driven in to it.
A: Fit a larger wall plug or try using a larger-diameter screw. If the fixing can be relocated, drill a fresh hole. Always use the drill bit and screw size recommended by the wall plug manufacturer.
Q: The wall plug sits proud of the surface.
A: Pull it out if necessary by driving a screw in to it by a couple of turns and then pulling the screw head with pliers. Drill the hole out a bit deeper and reinsert the plug so it’s collar is flush.
Q: A slamming door has made the door frame come loose.
A: Drill two or three holes through the frame with a twist drill bit then switch to a masonry drill bit to drill on the wall. Insert frame fixers and tighten the screws.
New Wiring Colours
As from 31st March 08, all new work is required to comply with the harmonised cable core colours. We must not use the old cable colours after 31st March 08. For full details, download from www.iee.org/cablecolours.
Ordering a Skip
When ordering a skip, you will need a permit to have it parked on the highway. Your skip provider should be able to order this for you. A permit can take up to three weeks to order so order your skip and permit well in advance. The cost of a permit is approx forty pounds and will last up to one month.
