North Leeds Plumbing & Heating – Home Improvement and DIY Advice

Archive for the ‘DIY Tips’ Category

There are a number of tasks that need to be completed around the house each year in order to prevent more serious problems from occurring later. The guttering around your property should be cleaned out annually to prevent a build up of leaves and debris.

There are a number of problems that can occur from a build up of leaves in the guttering, including an increase in fire risk and a high chance of blockage, which can lead to further problems. The only tools you will require are a ladder, hosepipe, trowel and possibly a plumber’s auger. The best time to do carry out this task is at the end of winter, when all of the leaves have dropped.

The first thing you need do is get up on the ladder and move along the entire length of guttering, scooping out all of the leaves with your trowel. Once this is complete, you use the hosepipe to blast the gutter clean. The next stage is to check the downpipes for blockages. Simply aim the hose down the pipe and check to see if the water comes out from the bottom. If not, you may need to use the plumber’s auger to free any blockages.

Just by following these easy steps, you will be able to keep the guttering clear and free of problems, which will prevent any serious issues from developing in the future, such as the guttering coming loose from the wall, flooding, rotting of wooden edgings and leaks.

Shelving can be put up almost anywhere and is a useful way of creating extra storage space. The first consideration is the load that will be placed on it. For heavy loads, for example, steel shelving from 430 mm to 2.4 m long, with brackets from 120 mm to 610 mm wide, is ideal. For lighter loads, steel shelves in lengths from 188 mm to 2.5 m, with brackets from 100 mm to 570 mm is preferred.

There are various other options available, including melamine, softwood, hardwood, coated chipboard, wood veneered chipboard, medium-density fibreboard or MDF, plywood and glass. Timber and wood-veneered chipboard are more expensive than coated chipboard and must be sealed, while coated chipboard is a cheaper alternative and needs no finishing.

Glass used for shelving should be at least 6 mm thick; though 9 mm toughened glass is best. The edge of the glass must be bevelled by the supplier to ensure a safe, smooth, finish; sturdy brackets should be used, as glass is heavy.

Another option to consider is acrylic and Perspex sheeting. This should be at least 12 mm thick and is capable of supporting light to medium loads. 

Measuring for blinds is very important as you want to make sure that your blinds fit perfectly to ensure they are as effective as possible.  Many windows are a standard size but it is still important that you measure your window accurately just to make sure.  There are several pointers to take into account to ensure that you get the measurements you need.

The recess measurement is important if you want your blinds to fit within the window recess.  To measure the width of the recess, measure the inside width at the top, middle and bottom of the recess.  Use the narrowest width measurement when purchasing your blinds.

Take the exact measurement if you are looking for blinds which will hang outside the recess which overlaps the window.

A handy hint is to use a steel tape measure and record your measurements in millimetres rather than inches to ensure accuracy when purchasing your blinds.

Make sure, when measuring the drop required for your blinds, that you measure the height of the window on the right, left and in the middle.  Use the shortest height measurement you obtained when measuring the drop when you are purchasing your blinds.

Roller blinds will be fitted inside the recess so you will need to ensure you have this measurement.  Wooden blinds will also be fitted within the recess.

Measuring for bay windows will require a number of additional measurements to be taken, as they will need blinds for the front as well as for the sides.  There might be a small gap where the blinds meet but this tends to be blocked by the window frame at these points so should not offer too much inconvenience.  VELUX windows should come with a code which will allows manufacturers to know which size of blind you require.

The whole look of your bathroom can be influenced by your choice of bathroom cabinets.  Wall mounted, often with mirrored fronts, or positioned lower down, perhaps beneath the sink, a well-appointed cabinet can create ample storage solutions, as well as add a touch of real style to your bathroom decor.

Ideal Standard mirrored cabinets can be illuminated for an ambient feel, as well as being a very practical and focused solution when you need a clear view, in order that you can shave, cleanse or put make up on your face, particularly if there is no natural light in your bathroom.  Bathroom cabinets can also present a comprehensive designer look, and they can be fashioned from various finishes.

It can be particularly unsightly to have all of your toiletries arranged around your bath and your sink, or on open wall-hung shelving.  You can effectively tidy away bottles and jars, as well as rolls of toilet tissue behind their neat drawers and sliding doors.  Bathroom furniture definitely benefits from the addition of well-made, functional cabinets.  They are a simply a great storage choice for your bathroom.

Grouting is the name of the substance used to seal the gaps between tiles in bathrooms and kitchens that protect the wall below from moisture, and also makes the finished effect look more aesthetically pleasing. Over time, and especially in the bathroom, grouting can become affected by mould and ends up looking unattractive and dirty. Most of the time the grout is still doing its job as a sealant when it looks discoloured, but in other cases it can crack or peel away, leaving the tiles and the walls exposed to moisture. Replacing the grouting is a simple procedure that can protect your bathroom and make it look like new.

Removing old Grouting

Even if the grouting has already started to peel away, you need to ensure that it is removed properly and safely to avoid causing damage to the tiles beneath. Many people use tools they already have lying around the house to try and do this fiddly job, but you will save yourself a lot of time if you buy a special grout rake from a DIY store. Remove the grouting to a depth of about two millimetres to ensure that you have got rid of all the affected sealant before applying the new product.

Grouting Tiles

The easiest way to apply grouting safely and with the least amount of mess is to spend a little money and buy a grouting gun. Once this appliance has been filled with the sealant you can use it to pipe the grouting directly into position, rather than applying it with a trowel and having to clean the excess off the tiles. Buying ready-mixed grouting is much easier than mixing your own and is more than adequate for repairs and replacement. Experts will mix their own when grouting a whole room as it does give a better finish than the pre-mixed variety.

A slightly different project that will appeal to the creative do-it-yourself enthusiast is making homemade candles.

You will need:
Wax (paraffin)
Wicks
Scented oil or dye
Candle moulds
Double boiler
Sugar thermometer

Begin by collecting together your materials.  The amount of wax and number of wicks will depend on the quantity and size of candles you intend to make.  Moulds can be anything that will hold the wax while it cools.

Cut the wax into chunks and place in a small pot or tin.  Place this pot into a larger one full of boiling water.  Prepare your moulds while the wax is melting by coating the inside with oil and trimming the wicks.  Remember to make the wicks two to three inches longer than your mould.

Check the wax often and when it reaches a temperature between 300ºF and 390ºF add your dye or scented oil, mix well and pour the wax into the mould.  Insert the wick immediately and try to keep it as straight as possible while the candle cools.

Candles can take three to eight hours to harden depending on size.  You can remove your candles from the moulds once they have hardened.

There are a few tips that you should be aware of before you start any new DIY project. From the novice to the professional there are certain aspects of DIY that you need to be aware of from the start.

Know What You Are Capable of Before You Begin

Even experts have their weaknesses. If you are unable to tackle a job it is best to not only know this before you start, but also to employ someone who is capable before disaster strikes. Hiring someone to do it right the first time is always less expensive than hiring someone to fix your mistake and then do it correctly.

Always Follow Basic Safety Rules

When working with tools always observe the rules cited on the tools themselves and be certain to wear the appropriate safety gear.

Allow Enough Time to Complete the Project

To be on the safe side, as far as time is concerned, double the length of time that you think it will take to complete the job. Never try and rush the job, because this will not only increase the risk of mistakes, it will also increase the risk of someone getting hurt.

Double Check that the Work Has Been Completed Properly

In the case of items such as smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, double check that they are working correctly. You do not want to discover that they are not working properly when an emergency situation arises. 

Do Not Buy More Tools Than You Need

This is a mistake that is common to many people when they start their first DIY project. Of course you need the proper tools, but you do not need a box full of professional tools to change a tap washer. Buy good quality, but only buy what you need.

This is a fun and inexpensive idea for a colourful, home decoration project that can be completed in just a few hours.

Dull, boring-looking floors can be quickly brightened up by using some inexpensive cotton throw rugs or discarded carpet samples that can be artfully pieced together in a pleasing pattern.

For this project you need the following;
Several inexpensive cotton rag rugs or carpet samples/swatches
Colourful yarn thread
Large needle
Scissors
Cutter knife
Paper
Pencil
Marking pen

This idea could not be simpler.  Start by sketching out an idea for the pattern you would like to make.  Trace the pattern onto the back of each rug or piece of carpeting and using the scissors and cutter knife cut the rugs into the shapes that correspond with your design.   Lay the shapes out on the floor according to your design.  Be sure to butt the edges of each piece together and, using a whip stitch, sew them securely with some colourful thread.

Whatever the style of a room, the type of curtains or blinds that you hang can make an enormous impact. Natural light is an important consideration when you are decorating a room – is it light and airy, or warm and cosy? Are the windows large or small? And do you want to draw attention to them or away from them? These things will influence whether you choose layers of sheer, floaty fabrics, plain tab top curtains on a simple pole, or brightly coloured curtains hanging in dramatic, tasselled swags and drapes.

A plain and simple style in neutral colours will blend into the décor and not compete with a beautiful mullioned window or a stunning view. Warm colours and rich textures such as wool, velvet and damask creates a cosy softness, and sheer fabric creates a romantic soft lighting effect and help disguise ugly views or provide privacy.

When you are choosing curtains for a room there is a lot more to consider than the type and colour of the fabric. You need to think about the length and fullness of the curtains – floor skimming drapes add drama – and the style of pole or tracking they will run on. By choosing different styles you can create anything from minimalist chic to fun and feminine, to overblown Rococo. You can mix and match curtains with blinds to create several layers of window dressing for added impact.

Choosing new curtains is an opportunity to give character and style to a room, or create a focal point, not just a finishing touch.

The sight of a beautiful lush garden is enough to make any green-fingered horticulturalist    happy, and being able to achieve this without harming the environment will offer a great deal more satisfaction.  

Water

A green garden needs lots of water, which does not have to come from already dwindling sources.  Set up a water butt in an external location where it can collect rain water and, if possible, place it beneath a drain spout where water run-off flows.  Fill a watering can from this source to water plants rather than using a hose to limit wastage.      

Pests

While birds and squirrels may be a welcome sight, some insects and rodents are distinctly less desirable and are seen as pests especially when they feast on planted vegetation.  A natural remedy to repel cats from the garden is to placing citrus peels amongst the plants or a cayenne pepper solution as both are non-toxic to plants and animals, but cats do not like the smell.  The pepper can also be used to prevent ants from taking up residence.  Slugs and snails can be disposed of by burying a container into the soil so that the rim is level with the surface.  These creatures love beer and will happy get drunk on it before falling in.  Mice and rats do not like the strong scent of mint so planting springs where the garden meets the property border can help prevent rodents making their way inside. 

Feed the Soil

In order to ensure a plentiful and good quality yield of any fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants, it is essential that the soil is full of nutrients.  Recycling kitchen scraps can be used for this purpose, which can reduce the waste that goes to landfill.  Compost fruit and vegetable peel in a covered container and use this in the garden.