May 21
Buying a new cast iron fireplace is a costly purchase but we have a new project on the website which gives help and advice if you are restoring a cast iron fireplace. If you already have an old fireplace in your home you may be thinking about trying to revive it or maybe you are planning to buy an old cast iron fireplace from a reclamation yard to ‘do up’.
The project gives advice on stripping and cleaning your fireplace and what to use to get rid of old paint and rust. Depending on the finish you want for your fireplace, you can then decide what sort of product to use on the clened surface – it maybe that you just want to polish it or you may choose to paint it. Whichever you choose, it will be time well spent restoring your cast iron fireplace as they are great features in a house and a good investment!
May 18
A new addition to the projects on diydoctor is ‘how to wallpaper a stairwell’ - a tricky job, and not one many people feel confident tackling, so we have created a project to help.
Most people’s main concern is the height and angle you can be working at when you are papering (or painting for that matter) the stairs, so it is vital that you have a safe area to work. We suggest you construct a platform - you can either use a special ladder for using on stairs or construct your own platform using boards – just make sure sure it is safe and secure.
We already have projects to help with choosing wallpaper and using the right wallpaper adhesive, but this page gives you advice and tips on pasting, hanging and trimming your paper so you get a professional finish.
You can also refer to our hanging wallpaper and wallpapering a ceiling projects. Good luck with your wallpapering!
May 17
The Government aims for every home in Britain to have a smart meter by the year 2019. A smart meter replaces your exisitng gas and electricity meters and has the ability to send electronic meter readings to your supplier remotely. So no more visits by meter readers or having to read your own. A smart meter enables you to see how much energy you use at different times, whether that be daily, weekly monthly or yearly.
The idea is that smart energy meters will help consumers by giving them more information and therefore control over their energy consumption, and eradicate the estimated billing we currently have. This should mean that consumers can save money and also reduce carbon emissions. If you want to change suppliers it should also make it easier and faster. It also means that energy suppliers should run more efficiently.
It is estimated that 28 million homes and 2 million small businesses will be fitted with smart meters in Briain. The roll-out of the scheme should start in 2014 and be completed by the end of 2019 although some energy suppliers are already beginning to install smart meters.
What are your views on smart meters? Have you got one already? Let us know……
May 15
You are still able to get a copy of our ‘Master Basic DIY’ book direct from us. The book covers over 40 basic projects from bricklaying to loft insulation, laying floor tiles to repairing a burst pipe.
It has a wealth of information to help you understand your home and how it works, along with step-by-step instructions and diagrams on home improvement projects for the novice and more experienced DIYer.
The first half of the book focuses on the basics with great chapters tools, the top 10 DIY jobs for homeowners, and then has chapters on how your house is constructed including sections on home electrics and plumbing.
The second half of the book focuses on the ‘projects’, which are split into basics such as mixing concrete and bricklaying, then moving outside, you can learn how to, amongst others, build a soakaway, repoint a patio or build a timber deck. The section on projects inside the home includes partition walls, how to plaster, boxing in pipes and making shelves. Then there are also further projects under electrical, plumbing and decorating.
If you know anyone just buying their first house or maybe taking on a property which needs some major home improvements, this book makes a great present. But it also is a great guide for any homeowner who just wants to understand their own home.
‘Master Basic DIY’ costs £7 including postage and packing (if you are having it delivered in the UK) and you can get sent a copy by clicking here and filling in your details.
May 14
We have a new project on the website for those of you who are needing to replace or lay a new floor for your bathroom or kitchen.
Your bathroom is obviously a wet place and the type of flooring you choose is very improtant, just as in your kitchen where there are often spills, so a waterproof flooring is a great idea. This project introduces a waterproof laminate flooring by Industrial Plastic Solutions Ltd (IPSL UK) called Aquafloor, which is 100% waterproof and can be laid yourself. It is an easy to fit interlocking system just like any other laminate flooring but instead of being manufactured from MDF, it is made from polymers, which as well as being waterproof is also very tough.
The ‘how to waterproof a floor’ project gives step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the floor, how to lay the boards and how to get the best finish. There is a range of colours available and you can get samples and order online.
