DIY Woes

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When it comes to DIY there are a whole host of areas that can quite quickly become disaster zones.  Let’s take a look at how to make sure you don’t fall into one of the DIY woes.

Site Prep

Ok, the best place to start is with the preparation.  If you don’t have the right materials or tools for the job before you begin, then you are going to end up in a pickle.  You also need to ensure you have decent tools.  Professionals can do a great job because they invest in their tools.  Whilst a bad workman always blames them, a good workman will always attribute his efficiency to his tools.

You also need to prep the site.  This means more than ensuring there is access for any delivery drivers.  It also means understanding where any pipeworks is throughout your building.  Gas and water.  The last thing you want is to burst a pipe then have Restorationeze flood damage services heading in to bail you out!

Once your materials arrive, you need to make sure they are stored well.  Timber will go rotten outside and other materials could be stolen.  Work out where you can keep these secure before you order anything.

By taking on a DIY challenge you will be saving yourself plenty of money on labour.  However don’t go with cheaper materials too.  In the long run they aren’t a good option.  So spend up on the materials to ensure you have a better quality finish.

Painting

Most of us will have taken on a basic paint DIY project at some point in our lives, however there are lots of areas this could go wrong.  If you are painting walls then eggshell or satin paints work better than matte.  They can be washed easily.  Matte paints look stunning but will be much harder to clean.  Outdoor painting needs a linseed based stain which soaks up the UV rays and protects wood from the natural elements.

90% of the work involved in painting should be prep.  You need to clean the walls first then sand them and patch up any holes.  Primer is a good idea.  A nice white undercoat will give you a better coverage.

Building Projects

A pretty important rule if you are building your own kitchen or crafting your own garden table is, measure twice, cut once.  Inaccuracy is the biggest pitfall a DIY can encounter, and it’s very easily avoided. So if you follow this rule you will save yourself costly mistakes.

Don’t go out of your comfort zone.  You can still DIY most of your work however if you need a roof, electrics, plumbing or gas.  Call in a professional.  Chances are you won’t be able to see your home on if the gas hasn’t been at least checked and approved by a professional engineer.  So save yourself a lot of stress and bring them in earlier!

If you follow these few simple steps, you might avoid having a disaster during your next DIY project.  Stay safe, work nice and slowly and get it done the right way.