Photo Courtesy: David Hunter
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) work can be easy, providing you’ve got the right tools. There is loads of easy DIY you can do in your home, saving you the money of hiring a professional. You’ll also find a sense of satisfaction at completing work on your home yourself.
Often, people feel that the DIY work is too hard for them to do at home. With a little help from the internet, however, all sorts of jobs can be done. Here are a few of them, and instructions on how to carry it out:
1. Hanging a picture
Hanging a picture can go wrong very quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing. A hole in the wall or broken glass from the picture frame on the floor can mess everything up, so it’s important to at least have a basic idea of what’s involved before taking on the task. But once you know what to do, it’s easy.
First, you’ll need the right tools for the job. In this case, it’ll depend on what wall you’re planning on hanging the picture on. While a hammer or drill will be needed, you could need a range of different wall fittings.
A brick or stone wall needs a wall plug and a studded wall needs a toggle bolt or for the screw to be fixed on the timber inside the wall. It’s advised to have a stud detector when working on a studded wall so you don’t hit one of the studs and damage it, too.
Once you’ve got the right fixture, it’s a simple matter of hammering or drilling it into place so that roughly 1cm sticks out. Then, you can hang your picture.
2. New Door Handles
Giving your kitchen units a fresh new look could be as simple as fitting some contemporary handles. Start by giving your units a good clean, then you can remove the old handles using a Phillips screwdriver (which is the only tool you’ll need to complete this task).
Take one of the old handles to the hardware store with you to make sure you choose replacements that fit without drilling any additional holes in your units. Fitting is just as easy as removal and your units should now look miles better. This may inspire you to make further changes; dark wooden doors are easily painted to achieve a fresher more modern look.
3. Painting tiles
A tin of paint and a paintbrush will be your tools for this work. Painting your tiles is a good alternative to replacing them, saving you a lot of money in the process. Painting them yourself isn’t only easy; it will save you even more money as a professional can charge a lot for their work.
You should start by extensively washing down the tiles before you begin, removing all the dirt that might have added up. You’ll normally have to apply an undercoat before painting properly, but some tile paints don’t need it. Always make sure to read the instructions.
4. Replace a fuse
Fuses are found in all homes and in all sorts of electric appliances, and many consider it a necessary skill to know how to replace one. While some people think its hard work, it’s actually really easy.
First, you should locate the fuse. For small electrical items, it’ll probably be in the plug. Other items might have them built in. Read the manual or check online if you can’t find it.
Once you’ve found the fuse, remove the cover. You’ll more than likely only need a screwdriver for this. It’s then a simple matter of removing the old fuse and replacing it with a new one.
If the fuse isn’t on the plug, make sure that all power is removed from the device before removing the fuse.
Guest article by Crispin Jones on behalf of suppliers of Teng Tools, Tool Orders. Find out more at: http://www.toolorders.co.uk/shopinfo_teng.asp
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