DIY tips

[jamesmut2000]

Get a professional in if you can afford it is my tip.

As I'm halfway through decorating my third room in two weeks, this is probably the best tip on here - let someone else do it!!

 

[londonblue]

When drilling in the bathroom:

• If you can, drill through the grout rather than the tile.
• If you can't then put some sellotape on the tile where you want to drill. This will help stop the drill slipping.

 

[pickledseal]

Get a professional in if you can afford it is my tip.

Having just moved into our first house at the weekend, we've made a list and going to get a pro in. Only relatively simple stuff like curtain rails, shelving etc but enough possibility for me to **** up, so best to get a pro in!

(if anyone knows anyone good in the Upminster area PM me!)

 

[MK Shrimper]

Ferk me mate, even I can do that! Buy yourself a drill and man up :winking:

 

[Pubey]

It's well worth getting a drill and some rawlplugs for simple stuff like that. save yourself a fortune!

 

[MK Shrimper]

And remember if it all goes boobs up, Pollyfilla is your friend. :winking:

 

[Pubey]

And remember if it all goes boobs up, Pollyfilla is your friend. :winking:

To be fair when drilling into a wall it's always worth remembering some basic things.

Don't do it directly above or below an electrical fitting cos there could be a wire.

Use a good quality masonry bit, otherwise they can bend and make a huge mess.

Measure how deep you need to go and then mark that depth on your drill bit with some masking tape.

Never trust the measurements on rawlplugs and screws and drill bits, buy a selection of each of them and make sure you get a tight fit.

Get your Dad to do it.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Get your Dad to do it.

I would but he's been dead 18 years. :sad: And I was in such a good mood too.......


** Joke! **

But no, he really is dead.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Ferk me mate, even I can do that! Buy yourself a drill and man up :winking:

Buy a decent cordless drill.

If you spend less than £80 bear in mind that you are buying a toy.

 

[Mad Cyril]

And remember if it all goes boobs up, Pollyfilla is your friend. :winking:

A million times no. It is expensive and dries rock hard.

Those in the know use jointing compound to fill cracks. Gyprock ready mix jointing cement (available from Jewson) is the stuff to buy however it comes in 12 litre tubs so it may be a bit much if you are only filling a hole caused by a stray dart. That said I added a splash of water to the tub and have been using it for four years!

Much, much easier to sand and gives a great finish.

When filling don't be too tempted to scrape too much off otherwise when sanding (always use a sanding block) you might find you haven't quite filled all of the hole.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Having just moved into our first house at the weekend, we've made a list and going to get a pro in. Only relatively simple stuff like curtain rails, shelving etc but enough possibility for me to **** up, so best to get a pro in!

(if anyone knows anyone good in the Upminster area PM me!)

If you pay someone to install a curtain rail you will never hear the end of it.

Do it yourself and if there are any complaints hand your partner the drill and **** off down the pub.

If you get back and find the rail is perfectly installed it is time to pack your bags and get out.

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Having just moved into our first house at the weekend, we've made a list and going to get a pro in. Only relatively simple stuff like curtain rails, shelving etc but enough possibility for me to **** up, so best to get a pro in!

(if anyone knows anyone good in the Upminster area PM me!)

You can't be serious?

Man up!

I moved in to my first home 2.5 years ago, it was a new build, so nothing in place. I did the following (with no experience):
Tiled Kitchen floor
Tiled Bathroom floor
Put laminate down
carpet
curtain rails
built shelves in the airing cupboard
turfed the garden
blinds
tv on the wall
wallpapering
painting

all sorts - youtube is your friend

Think how much I have saved rather than your method.

I didn't screw up much either

 

[Pubey]

You can't be serious?

Man up!

I moved in to my first home 2.5 years ago, it was a new build, so nothing in place. I did the following (with no experience):
Tiled Kitchen floor
Tiled Bathroom floor
Put laminate down
carpet
curtain rails
built shelves in the airing cupboard
turfed the garden
blinds
tv on the wall
wallpapering
painting

all sorts - youtube is your friend

Think how much I have saved rather than your method.

I didn't screw up much either

Good stuff mate. Youtube is indeed your friend.

 

[pickledseal]

You can't be serious?

Man up!

I moved in to my first home 2.5 years ago, it was a new build, so nothing in place. I did the following (with no experience):
Tiled Kitchen floor
Tiled Bathroom floor
Put laminate down
carpet
curtain rails
built shelves in the airing cupboard
turfed the garden
blinds
tv on the wall
wallpapering
painting

all sorts - youtube is your friend

Think how much I have saved rather than your method.

I didn't screw up much either

That is impressive. I basically just don't want to mess things up - and when I get in late at night it's the very last thing I want to do! Might just leave until the summer and have a go myself.

 

[Napster]

Might just leave until the summer and have a go myself.

To be fair you'll have six weeks of doing nothing else.

:winking:

 

[pickledseal]

To be fair you'll have six weeks of doing nothing else.

:winking:

Hang on! I've got 3 weeks of those 6 in Spain!! Only 3 weeks to do it!!

 

[united we stand]

Buy a decent cordless drill.

If you spend less than £80 bear in mind that you are buying a toy.

I can highly recommend the below , forget the sale price it is always £100. but I don't think there is anything else at this price that matches the spec-- together with positive customer feedback http://www.screwfix.com/p/hitachi-dv18dcl2-18v-1-5ah-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/64945

 

[pickledseal]

I can highly recommend the below , forget the sale price it is always £100. but I don't think there is anything else at this price that matches the spec-- together with positive customer feedback http://www.screwfix.com/p/hitachi-dv18dcl2-18v-1-5ah-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/64945

Cheers bud. I'll tell the missus that's her birthday present sorted!

 

[londonblue]

all sorts - youtube is your friend

It is indeed. I used it to teach me how to change the kitchen tap. I did a pretty damn good job, not because I'm such a great plumber, but because I found a great clip that showed me exactly what to do. The wife took the kids out for a couple of hours, and when they came back it was all done with no mess.

 

[Pubey]

It is indeed. I used it to teach me how to change the kitchen tap. I did a pretty damn good job, not because I'm such a great plumber, but because I found a great clip that showed me exactly what to do. The wife took the kids out for a couple of hours, and when they came back it was all done with no mess.

The only give-away was water still dripping from the ceiling:smile: