Welcome to DIY Doctor's blog

DIY Doctor was set up to help home improvers, self builders and DIY’ers by giving them the information they need to carry out projects, buy the correct materials for the job and buy or hire the correct tools.

These days it is packed full of information to help you do this and we are always pleased to hear that we are being used to good effect.

We even have a book, written by our MD which teaches not just ‘how to’ but why we do these tasks and projects the way we do. Find out more about the Teach Yourself book, Master Basic DIY

Below is an example of someone wanting to improve their customer experience for their employer – and we applaud him for his dedication to his job.

[address removed]
Hi,

I was wondering if you’d be able to offer me some advice.

I work in the tool-hire department of a builders merchant and it has become apparent recently that my knowledge of tools and specific projects within the built environment is lacking. I was wondering whether there are any forms of media, as well as the Teach Yourself book which I have just purchased before composing this mail, I could pursue to develope my knowledge?

Kind Regards,

Steven [surname removed]

[we replied]

Hi Steven

Our website was set up by our MD Mike Edwards because of very similar experiences in DIY ‘sheds’ when he was a builder. He realised that training of employees was not always thorough enough to give great customer satisfaction, and so the idea for DIY Doctor was born. www.diydoctor.org.uk

DIY Doctor has been trading since 2000, consists of some 23,000 pages, and receives an average of 80,000 unique viewers per week, so there should be everything you need to know on the site, and if not please feel free to suggest ideas for content.

You will also find lots of useful ‘how to’ and tool review videos on our Your Tube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDIYDoctor , and we have a forum for any specific questions you may have http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/forum.htm.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

All the best
Philippa Edwards
Marketing Communications Manager

It is great to know that our site is being used in this way.

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We explain central heating and tell you how to find out more

Central heating is provided by one main heat source, or boiler, which then shares the heat it creates around the house. This is usually done by heating water, that is then piped to radiators, or underfloor heating systems. However sometimes the boiler heats air that is then fed through vents in each room.

Most central heating systems will also heat the domestic hot water, but it is possible to have a domestic water heating system that only heats the hot water and does not give central heating.

One of the most common forms of central heating is the Indirect Boiler System, which heats radiators and domestic hot water for the home using gas, oil, coal or wood as the fuel.

Indirect Boiler System
The indirect system is an efficient use of energy which heats water for both the heating system and the domestic hot water. This indirect system takes advantage of Thermal Dynamics – which is the technical term for heat rising. In this way warm water can continue to be drawn out of the top of the hot water tank, or cylinder, while cold water is fed into the bottom of the tank where it is warmed and rises to the top of the cylinder.

Domestic Hot Water
Cold water comes into the building from the mains, and is stored in a tank called a cold water storage tank (usually placed in the loft). The cold water is fed down from this tank, using gravity, into the bottom of the hot water cylinder. The flow of water into the hot water system is controlled by a ballcock valve in the cold water storage tank. When hot water is drawn off the hot water tank the pressure drops, this causes the ballcock valve to open in the cold water storage tank, and fill the hot water cylinder up from the bottom.

Water also comes from the cold water storage tank into the boiler, where it is heated and sent through the hot water tank in ‘spring shaped’ pipes, or coils. These are called Primary Flow and and Return Pipes. They form a loop inside the hot water cylinder, which allows the boiler-heated water to transfer its heat to the cold water in the hot water tank. When there is a demand for hot water it is drawn off the top of the cylinder, because this is where the water is warmest.

Space Heating or Room Heating
The boiler can also heat water in a loop of pipes that is pumped around the radiators (or underfloor heating pipes) in the house. Water is heated by the boiler and then pumped around the central heating system heating the radiators or under floor pipes. Then it returns to the boiler as it cools to be reheated by the boiler and sent back around the system. When the thermostat tells the system that the room temperature and/or water temperature is warm enough it signals the boiler to stop heating the water.

Once the temperature drops in the rooms, or the hot water cylinder, then the thermostat will signal the boiler to start heating, and the pump to start sending that hot water back around the system again.

If you want to read more about domestic hot water heating please visit our Domestic Hot Water Systems project page on our main site. This gives further information on direct and indirect boiler systems, stored hot water, unvented systems, thermal store systems, single and multi point water heaters, and combination or “combi” boilers.

If you want to know more about central heating boilers then can we suggest you visit our Central Heating Boilers project page.

There is also loads more about central heating on the main website – just go to our Project index page which lists all our projects alphabetically, and search for the subject you are interested in.

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We are looking for DIY Disasters for a new section on the DIY Doctor website. If you send us details of your Home Improvement mishaps, then they could feature you on our site and if you are willing we can even share them with our media partner who might put your story on the TV.

If this is the sort of thing that has happened to you, then please do get in touch, and we will share your misfortunes with the world!

Send us a link to a video showing us your DIY challenge and we will reply with advice, if you let us we will then publish the question/problem and the answer we give on DIY Doctor.

Don’t worry if you are too shy to share your tricky problems you can request that your link is not published if you prefer.

Send us a link to you DIY disaster video to office@diydoctor.org.uk.

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An extension is a great way to add value to your home and provide that much needed extra space. Whether it is an extra bedroom, a kitchen extension or you want to lengthen your front room, you need to prepare carefully. Home extensions can end up expensive, but if you take care in the planning stage, you can eliminate many of the hidden costs.
Designing your extension
The first step in planning any home extension is to identify exactly what it is you want. You need to be realistic. It is highly unlikely you’ll be able to turn a two-up two-down terrace into a five-bedroom house. Therefore, identify how much space you have and how best to utilise it. You may find you are restricted by planning laws, or by the existing design of the property as to what you can do, so ensure you know what is possible and what isn’t.
All home extensions require a proper plan, so hire an architect that has experience in the type of work you want doing. You need to ensure you clearly communicate what it is you want, and be specific. Some people like to draw up a rough plan themselves to help explain exactly what they want. The architect can then use this to draw up proper plans.
Plan your budget carefully
Never plan to spend every penny you have on your home extension because any problems or hidden costs could leave you with a half-finished project. Always have some spare cash for the unforeseeable. Don’t just consider the cost of the project and materials, but think about extras, such as the plumbing, electrics and any equipment hire, You may need to have a lot of ground dug up, so contact a digger hire company such as Scot JCB, who will be able to quote you the price of hiring excavators and other heavy equipment.
Planning permission
Never build a home extension without first getting planning permission. Your local authority has the power to get you to pull down any extension if you don’t have the right approval, so make sure you liaise carefully with the people at your local planning office. If you require planning permission, make sure you start the process early, well before you sign contracts, as local by-laws may restrict the types of materials you can use and the overall design of the extension. If you live in a listed building, you may not be allowed to alter it at all or you may be restricted to ensuring it is in keeping with the original aesthetic. It is also a good idea to speak to your neighbours too, explaining what you intend to do because if they object you may find getting planning permission is a lot harder and more time consuming.
Find a good contractor
Make sure you find a contractor that you trust and are happy to work with. Speak to people you know that have had extensions built and get recommendations, and don’t be afraid to ask for references or examples of a builder’s work. Make sure you are clear in your communication and explain exactly what you want. In addition, ensure you are both clear about the costs and who is paying for what and when. Most builders will require a deposit to pay for materials or may want regular payments throughout the project’s duration, but never pay for the entire project up front, as this could lead to problems if the contractor goes out of business.

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If you are planning a renovation, new build, extension or conversion project this year or even if you are simply planning on remodeling what you already have then these are our tips for great trades shows to visit.

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Birmingham NEC 21 March – 24 March 2013

More than 450 specialist companies will exhibit in the UK’s biggest dedicated self-build & renovation event.
Show features include:

• Tricks of the Trade Theatre – Presented by DIY Doctor
• NEW Big Ideas Theatre
• Do It Yourself Zone
• Traditional Skills Demonstrations area
• Home Improvement & Interiors Pavilion
• Eco Home Theatre
• Construction Systems Showcase
• Seminar and masterclass theatres
• FREE one to one consultations with experts in The Advice Centre

Go to the National Homebuilding and Renovating Show website for more information.

The Ideal Home Show
Earls Court, London, 15 March – 1 April 2013

This is the 105th Year for the show, and it is a marathon exhibition with its eight dedicated show sections:

• Interiors – Ideal Home Magazine Room Sets
• Home Improvements
• Gardens
• Food & Housewares
• Technology
• Woman
• Shopping
• Show Homes

and not forgetting:

• Gregg Wallace Seasonal Restaurant

Website for the Ideal Home Show.

Grand Designs Live
ExCeL, London,  4 May – 12 May 2013

Based on the Channel 4 TV series, and presented by design guru Kevin McCloud
Over 500 exhibitors
Stands, seminars and shows covering interiors, gardens, home improvement, self-build, renovations, technology and shopping.

More information is available at the Grand Designs Website.

The National Home Improvement Show 2013
27-29 September at London Olympia
Website
Show includes: Talks and demonstrations by industry professionals including DIY Doctor
Hundreds of trade stands, all directly relevant to the Home Improver and self-builder
The National Home Improvement Awards – allows the public to vote for their choice
The organisers make a donation to Centrepoint - a Charity committed to helping young homeless people regain control of their lives

More information on what is happening at the show from the National Home Improvement Show website.

DIY Doctor at the National Homebuilding Show

Free tickets to see us at the NEC
If you want to come and see DIY Doctor on the Tricks of the Trade Stage at, at Birmingham NEC between 21 March – 24 March 2013, click here for free tickets to The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show

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