After many years of working with old houses, I know that floorboards twist and warp over time and are regularly lifted to install new cabling or to fix plumbing leaks. This wear and tear leaves an uneven base that needs rectifying before fitting new flooring, so in this guide, I show you how to level […]
How To Level A Wood Floor In 4 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
I was once tasked with converting a garage into a bedroom. My first job was removing oil spillages and paint splatters before making the floor suitable for new flooring. On closer inspection, I could see the concrete sloped from back to front, so my next job was to level the floor. In this DIY guide,
How To Level A Concrete Floor In 4 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
While researching my latest DIY flooring project, I discovered that most floor fitting guides are based on laminate rather than engineered wood. As there are some critical differences, I decided to write this comprehensive guide on laying engineered wood flooring. What Is Engineered Wood? Many people, including some manufacturers, confuse engineered wood with laminate flooring.
How To Lay Engineered Wood Flooring in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
When drilling into tiled walls, I prefer going through the joints rather than the tiles themselves. However, that’s not always possible, so I’ll show you how to drill tiles without damaging them. I use the same process for all materials, whether you have glazed ceramic, porcelain, or marble tiles. Spoiler alert — the trick is
How To Drill Tiles Without Damaging Them in 4 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
In my youth, I earned money painting houses for friends & family. My auntie had a bungalow that was Tyrolean rendered several years earlier, and the render had started to crack around the window frames. I had no choice but to fill the cracks before painting the wall. After several bags of Polyfilla, I finished
How To Repair Cracks in Render in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Always pay attention to mould and mildew in your home. I know from experience how dangerous inhaling the spores can be, having spent 2 weeks in hospital with pneumonia. I had a severe damp problem following a flood a few months earlier, and continuing rainfall made it difficult to dry out my home. The dehumidifier
How To Paint Over Mould and Mildew in 4 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
The bandsaw is a real workhorse in anyone’s tool collection, and it’s often underused or misunderstood. It’s great for long rip-cuts and repetitive work, but it’s also a machine that needs very little maintenance, and you can use it for a variety of jobs, including detailed work such as; forming dovetail joints, dimensioning large sections
How To Use A Bandsaw Like A Pro In 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
My first effort at laying laminate flooring wasn’t the best. I chose the wrong type of underlay, and there was too much movement beneath the boarding. So, for my next attempt, I researched the various types of underlay and learned how the pros lay laminate. I also learned the correct way of cutting around radiator
How To Lay Laminate Flooring in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
I remember the 1970s energy crisis, the spiralling costs, blackouts, and petrol shortages. Today, a whole new generation is trying to save energy. The challenges are different from those of the 70s, but the goal is the same — reduce our energy costs and carbon footprint. As the Insulate Britain campaign has made painfully clear,
How To Insulate Your House and Save on Energy Bills in 2024 (UK Guide) Read More »
Plastering is one of the most challenging DIY jobs to master, but you can do it with practice, perseverance, and professional guidance. I remember my early attempts at plastering ending in disaster, with most of the plaster landing on the floor! Luckily, at the time, I was working on a large housing project with plenty
How To Plaster a Wall Like a Pro (Step-by-Step DIY Guide) Read More »
My wife is the instigator of paint jobs around our house, and she often puts down the first few strokes — slap bang in the middle of the wall — and then I pick up the roller and finish the job. Painting a room is not difficult, but it does take a lot of planning.
How To Paint a Room (A Complete DIY Guide) Read More »
A few years ago, I completed one of my most challenging DIY projects — adding a shower room to make a bedroom en-suite. I considered hiring a local builder but decided to do it myself, and I’m happy I did because I learned so much from the process. To make this project less challenging for
How To Build a Stud Wall in 7 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
I’ve always been in awe of kitchen fitters. I once had to call in a joiner to finish a kitchen because the original fitter let me down. What would have taken two days at the most by an experienced fitter took the time-served joiner over a week to complete! It’s not that putting together the
What Size Router Bit for Kitchen Worktops? (DIY Guide) Read More »
Quarry tiles have been around for centuries, but it’s only been in recent years that we’ve seen a resurgence in their use in domestic situations. A few clients recently asked me about using quarry tiles in their new homes, so I did some digging and discovered how to lay them like a pro. So if
How To Lay Quarry Tiles in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Until recently, I had never sharpened a drill bit, as I thought it was a job for experts. Then a friend told me how easy it was, and since then, I haven’t purchased a new drill bit. I researched how to sharpen a drill bit and found several methods using various tools and gadgets. I
How To Sharpen a Drill Bit in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Electric planers are essential in any tool kit, but many DIYers dismiss them for various reasons. Some prefer a bench plane, such as a jack or smoothing plane, to get a better feel for the wood. Others don’t like the noise of an electric plane! I was sceptical initially, but I was hooked when I
How To Use An Electric Planer Like A Pro — 6 Top Tips (DIY Guide) Read More »
Damp is an issue you can’t ignore if you care about your health and well-being, and if you want to know how to treat it, you must first understand the different types of damp. I’ve carried out countless house surveys over the years, some for potential buyers but primarily for concerned homeowners who have a
4 Types of Damp You Must Avoid (and how to treat them) Read More »
Stick timber is a term that, loosely defined, can be applied to anything from a broken tree branch to a piece of wood used to whack a ball. But these definitions don’t make sense when it comes to building something. So, what is stick timber in construction work? In this article, we look at how
What Is Stick Timber (and how best to use it)? Read More »
If you’re fitting skirting boards but don’t have a mitre saw, there are several methods you can use to cut internal and external mitre joints. I don’t confess to being the best joiner in town, but I spent many years on building sites watching tradespeople at work, and I picked up a lot of great
How To Cut Skirting Board Without a Mitre Saw (DIY Guide) Read More »
I recently came across an image on Pinterest — always a great source of inspiration for new interior design ideas — showing a staircase with carpeted treads and laminate risers. This style piqued my interest, so I researched it more deeply, searching for the best methods and materials. So, if you want to know how
How To Do Half Carpet Half Laminate Stairs in 4 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
I recently fitted a fan in my bathroom ceiling, which discharged through the roof via a plastic pipe. A few days later, I noticed a constant drip and a puddle of water on the bathroom floor, so I presumed there was a leak. I checked the loft, and the roof looked fine, but I remember
How To Fit a Condensation Trap in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
When I first laid laminate flooring in my lounge, I was faced with a choice. Do I remove the skirting and butt the flooring up to the wall, or do I leave the skirting in place and use a beading to hide the rough edges? I then had the problem of what to do around
What Is Beading For Laminate Flooring? (and how best to use it) Read More »
With rising energy costs, the need for better insulation and reduced heat loss has never been greater, but this creates another problem — damp! As an architectural technologist, one of the most significant issues in house building is dampness and moisture control. Rising damp and condensation result from poor control measures and must be tackled at
What Is A Vapour Barrier and Damp Proof Membrane? Read More »
Like most homeowners, I mostly leave electrical work to the experts. However, I sometimes fix or replace the odd electrical component. Before doing so, I always remember to switch everything off. Despite my safety precautions, there’s still a slight chance that some current runs through the wiring. So, to be extra cautious, I always use
What Is a VDE Screwdriver, and Why do I Need One? Read More »
Woodworking routers are extremely versatile, but only professional cabinet makers and joiners know how to use them to their full potential. For example, most DIYers think routers are only useful for cutting grooves in wooden planks and chamfering shelving, but as I’ve discovered over the years, routers do so much more than that. In this buying
The UK’s Best Woodworking Router (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
In all my years of woodworking, there’s nothing more satisfying than the feel of a sharp chisel cutting through wood. Whether you’re a time-served joiner or a keen amateur, your choice of chisel depends on the job. This guide will show you the best wood chisels in the UK for general usage and explain the
Best Wood Chisels in the UK (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
I spent 40 years as an architectural technologist, and in that time, I’ve seen the best and worst techniques for roofing. How much for a pitched roof on a garage may seem like a simple question, but trust me, there are many variables to consider. In a Hurry? Find top-rated builders in your area by
How Much for a Pitched Roof on a Garage? (2024 UK Price Guide) Read More »
Tiling is my favourite DIY project because you see the effects immediately. You can cover large wall or floor areas in just a few hours, but then you must stop and play the waiting game. It’s frustrating, I know, especially with flooring, because you can’t walk across it until the initial set is complete. So
How Long Does Tile Adhesive Take To Dry? (and how to speed it up) Read More »
I’m always using my mitre block when cutting trim or replacing damaged skirtings, but is the mitre joint the best option for all situations? In this guide, I’ll explain the different types of joints used in joinery work and explore the pros and cons of each. So, let’s look at mitre joint advantages and disadvantages
Mitre Joint Advantages and Disadvantages (plus 5 best use cases) Read More »
I remember boarding out my loft by laying boards on quilt insulation. Not only did I lose lots of headroom, but I also created a bouncy castle! So when it came to laying laminate flooring in my lounge, I investigated all the options. This guide comes from many hours of researching and testing the best thermal
Best Thermal Underlay for Laminate Flooring in 2024 (UK Buying Guide) Read More »
Growing up in northwest England, I was well aware of scant timber and its use. However, when I grew older and travelled to construction sites nationwide, I learned the term had different meanings in other regions. So, what is scant timber? Is it the rough, warped, and twisted pieces that timber merchants sell off cheap, or
What Is Scant Timber? (plus 5 ways to use it) Read More »
Builders typically apply a screed to get a completely level floor on a concrete slab. Once the screed has dried, they add the flooring finishes such as tiling, vinyl or carpet. The only problem with this approach is that it slows down the process because you must allow the screed to dry, and drying time
How Long Does Screed Take To Dry? (plus 4 top drying tips) Read More »
Colour on a wall can make or break the desired effect, but there’s no point in creating the perfect design if the application is poor. In all my experience with room makeovers, one thing I discovered is to never scrimp on the finish. Applying emulsion to a wall is pretty straightforward for most DIY enthusiasts,
Best Paintbrush For Cutting In (2024 Reviews & UK Buying Guide) Read More »
There are plenty of chemicals on the market for this job, but I’m going to show you how to remove paint from textured glass WITHOUT harming the environment and your health. If you’ve ever painted bathroom windows, you’ll know that removing paint splashes from textured or obscure glass is more complicated than ordinary glass. The reason
How To Remove Paint from Textured Glass in 4 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
I’ve renovated many homes over the last twenty years, so I understand the challenges of removing emulsion paint from plaster walls. In this DIY guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to remove emulsion paint from plaster while avoiding the health hazards of lead paint. Why Remove Paint From Plaster Walls? In many cases, you can
Removing Emulsion Paint From Plaster Walls In 5 Easy Steps Read More »
During a recent decorating project, I diligently taped around window frames to protect them from paint. However, when I stripped off the tape, I found that the paint had bled underneath and firmly adhered to my white uPVC frames. I knew from years of experience that paint is easy to remove when wet, but it
How To Remove Paint From uPVC Window Frames (DIY Guide) Read More »
A few years ago, I moved into an apartment where the previous owner was a chain smoker. The walls and ceiling were so badly stained with nicotine that you could see the outline of the TV! I washed my walls and ceiling with sugar soap before painting them with the best emulsion I could find.
Best Stain Block Paint in 2024 (Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
I’m going back many years now, but I remember helping my dad paint our garage, and I couldn’t figure out why it never seemed enough, no matter how much paint we put on the walls. Of course, the paint we were applying was utterly unsuitable for painting breeze blocks; it was more of a whitewash.
Painting Breeze Blocks Like a Pro (Step-by-Step DIY Guide) Read More »
In my role as an architectural technologist, I often inspect old houses with damp issues. As I walk through them, I soon notice the visible signs of damp — dangerous mould growth on the walls and ceilings. Some homeowners try to hide the mould by papering or painting over it. However, you can’t hide mould
Best Anti-Mould Paint in the UK (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
During my building-site days, concrete breakers were giant machines that created massive amounts of noise and vibration. These oversized breakers were connected to compressors and typically operated by a big, burly man who undoubtedly suffered from white fingers and tinnitus. These days, concrete breakers come in more manageable sizes and with different power options. However,
Best Concrete Breaker in the UK (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Painting a corrugated roof is something you should only do a couple of times in your life, so it’s important to pick the best metal paint. Trust me, you don’t want to buy cheap paint and be up there more than twice in your lifetime. One time is more than enough! Fortunately for you, I’ve
Best Paint For Corrugated Roofs (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
There is nothing new about insulating cavity walls. We’ve been doing it since the oil crisis in the 1970s. Still, people only started taking it seriously in the mid-80s when changes to the Building Regulations forced housebuilders and designers to re-think construction methods. I know because I was one of them. I’ve based this cost
Cavity Wall Insulation Cost per Square Metre in 2024 (UK Price Guide) Read More »
I once helped a friend convert a garage into a guest room. Our first job was removing all the oil, grease and paint spilt over the years. This was backbreaking work that took several hours to complete. I later discovered that sealing his concrete floor with PVA would have prevented most of this hard labour.
How To Seal A Concrete Floor With PVA In 4 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
With over 30 years of experience carrying out building surveys, I know damp when I see it, and it isn’t just the black spores of mould growth that give it away — it’s the pungent smell! In this guide, I’ll show you how to establish the source of your damp and how to treat damp
How To Treat Damp Walls Before Painting & Decorating (DIY Guide) Read More »
Despite having over 40 years of DIY experience, I only recently discovered that I sometimes use the wrong drill for my DIY projects. To fix this, I explored the world of drills and drivers. After many hours researching and testing all the different types of drills, I’ve whittled this list down to 9 essential drills
9 Essential Types of Drills & Drivers (and when best to use them) Read More »
Despite having over 40 years of DIY experience, I only recently discovered that I sometimes use the wrong saw for my carpentry projects. To fix this, I decided to dive deep into the world of saws and their various uses. After many hours researching and testing all the different types, I’ve whittled this list down
21 Essential Types of Saws (and when best to use them) Read More »
Despite the vast range of cupboard sizes available today, retailers like Ikea, Argos and B&Q don’t always stock the size and shape you need. If you’re struggling to find a cupboard that fits your requirements, consider building one from scratch. In this step-by-step DIY guide, I show you how to build a cupboard in 6
How to Build a Cupboard in 6 Easy Steps (DIY UK Guide) Read More »
