Oct 02
We have been reviewing tools and equipment in our workshop and film studio again. This time we thought we would ask you to think about a lightweight platform to work from when working at height. While you may need a ladder for some jobs for others you will find yourself balancing on a chair or stool because it is ‘easier’ than getting out the step ladder.
If you recognise this scenario you would probably make good use of this working platform. It is aluminium, with folding legs, so it is easy to store and move around. It has a wide base which allows you to get a good stable stance if you are drilling or scraping etc. It can also be used as a workbench or sawhorse – but keep it clear of clutter when you are using it to stand on.
See this and other similar reviews on our You Tube channel.
Jul 09
Periods of sustained rain are not great news for any of us, but you will easily be able to spot any leaks in your gutters and downpipes.
Water running down external walls and pooling on the ground below the leak will cause damage to decor and may cause water to seep into walls. So it is important to prevent the causes as soon as possible.
Use a camera to pinpoint the problems
It is not advisable to try to repair or replace leaking gutters while it is actually raining but if you take photos of where the are leaks or areas that overflow while it is raining, it will be easier to remember where the problems are once the weather dries up.
Before you assume that gutters need replacing you should check to ensure whether the gutters are simply blocked with leaves or other debris washed off the roof, rather than items that need repair or replacement such as faulty joints, or split or damaged sections of gutter.
If you simply need to empty gutters of leaves and debris you may find our video tutorial on an extending ladder useful. These new videos showcase tools that we have reviewed for our customers. You can also find a quick roundup of the review, a link to other customers’ reviews, and you can click through to buy the product if you are tempted.
When replacing gutters is the best option
From time to time you will need to replace gutters, as they will eventually perish due to exposure to the elements. Plastic gutters will deteriorate more quickly whereas aluminium gutters usually come with guarantees for their lifetime. Speak to your supplier about how long you can expect their rainwater goods to last. You can then balance the cost of each product against the length of time before it might need replacing again.
See our project on replacing plastic gutters, otherwise you might consider aluminium gutters.
Jul 06
DIYDoctor’s Mike Edwards has been busy trying out a host of Home Improvement products, from Ladders to drills, screws to shoes and everything in between.
There are hundreds of tool reviews coming over the next few months
These are being loaded onto the website now and we hope they prove an invaluable resource to all our visitors.
Each page has a video showing the item being used and discussing its merits and any downsides. There is also an overview and rating from the Doc, a list of the features, a note of what you get for your money ‘what’s in the box’ and a link to read more reviews from customers who have already bought the product.
If you like what you see you can simply click on the buy button to have it delivered direct to you.
Find all our videos by clicking on the Video Tool Review button to the left hand side of our home page.
Find tool reviews under the 'Video Tool Reviews' button on the site
Click here to visit the main page and have a look around the reviews http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/product-reviews/, don’t forget to keep coming back as we will be uploading more videos in the coming weeks.
We would also love to get feedback from you, so let us know what you think, and if you have any suggestions about other products to feature, or details you would like to see included, then please leave your comments on this page.
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!
Dec 30
Winter maintenance for your home is vital. We have a project identifying several jobs to be done at this time of year. These include:
- clearing you gutters - we know, no-one likes doing this, but it is worth it if it avoids blockages which could cause water to freeze and cause damage to pipes and buildings
adding drain tidys to keep leaves etc from blocking your drains- cleaning paths and patios to avoid them getting slippery and dangerous
- ensuring you have adequate outside lighting, ideally fitting PIR’s which will turn themselves on when they detect movement
- check your roof for missing tiles or damage
- go round the house filling any gaps you find round doors and windows as well as between floorboards
If you need to get a professional tradesperson in to do any home improvement jobs, you can get free quotes via our Find a Tradesman service, which finds appropriate, insured tradespeople in your local area .
