You have to admit as home improvement projects go this one is a winner. Here at DIYDoctor we always admire fine craftsmanship and innovation – failing that we like a good laugh.
Thanks to the guys at Cheezburger for this one.
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This is a photo we found on an american site (electrical-contractor.net), apparently taken on a US base in Iraq, where a massive drill bit was used as a fuse on a UK plug……. OMG! Any electricians out there got any photo’s of DIY disasters you have come across? We want to see them….!
Are you renovating a derelict or run-down property with the aim of transforming it into your dream home?
If so then presenter and property renovator Simon O’Brien wants to hear from you for his latest series, My Derelict Dream Home, for UKTV Home.
He’s looking for inspirational projects and down to earth people to follow as they take on unloved, unwanted wrecks to turn them into fabulous new homes over the next 12 months.
Whether you’re involved in the actual graft or just overseeing your project,True North Productionsare looking for a mix of renovators determined to transform a derelict wreck into the home they’ve always dreamed of.
For more details contact Hayley Raper at True North Productions on 0113 394 5489 / hraper@truenorth.tv
BBC Rogue Traders presenter Dan Penteado has been jailed for 12 weeks for council tax and housing benefit fraud worth more than £24,000.
Ironically he was spotted by a Housing Benefit Officer who was watching Rogue Traders and recognised him as a claimant.
The 40-year-old, who chases down bogus workmen with Matt Allwright on the television show, had previously admitted eight offenses of dishonestly or knowingly claiming the benefits while not declaring he earned more than £56,000 from the BBC.
He was told by the Chairman of the bench “This is not a victimless crime, it is actually a crime of stealing from the public purse. It was planned over four years and it was calculated and we consider it so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate – you knew exactly what you were doing.”
I doubt we will see him on our screens again, although we are hoping this doesn’t affect the programming for the show, which offers some helpful insights into possible scams and we approve of their aim to protect the consumer.
For help in avoiding Cowboy Builders please visit our Home Improver Protection Solution area.
The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) is trying to raise awareness of electrical safety in the home among new parents.
This prompted us at DIY Doctor to join our voice to that of the ESC, and MumsNet, who are also concerned about this problem. In the UK each year there are approximately 350,000 electrical related accidents in their homes and sadly around 50 of these are fatal. In addition to direct injury the fire brigade report that 50% of household fires are caused by electrical faults.
New parents are understandably anxious to protect their children and spend lots of money on safety devices such as socket covers, but what they are not considering is whether their system is as safe as it could be.
‘If your wiring is unsafe, buying such localised protection is like putting a sticking plaster on the problem,’ explains Mike Edwards CEO of DIY Doctor ‘I am not saying parents shouldn’t use these safety devices on sockets, but they should not feel that it is a failsafe method of avoiding electrocution’. He believes that many householders are not aware of the benefit of getting a Residual Current Device (RCD) installed by a qualified electrician. RCD’s are designed to trip if there is any fault or short circuit. So if you mistakenly damage a cable while drilling into walls, or a child pokes something into a socket, the RCD will shut off the electric supply to that area. Read more about RCD’s in our Consumer Unit Project.
Consumer Unit showing an RCD (E)
What can you do?
Have your system checked by a qualified electrician and invest in an RCD if you don’t already have one. Having made sure the system is safe don’t do anything that may damage it. When you are drilling into walls make sure you avoid any cables by searching for them before you drill using a cable detector.
Don’t forget, all but the most basic electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician. This follows an amendment to the building regulations and is covered in greater detail in our Part P Project.
