DIY and DECORATING TIPS

• When installing new domestic appliances -

1. Fit the hoses BEFORE placing appliance into space;  this is not only easier to do but ensures it can be easily removed for servicing.
    

2. Ensure that all new white goods are given a coat of WAX polish before use - this prevents rust.

• Blu Tac can be used to solve many different problems e.g. to hold telephones on tables;  keeping grills in place and a small bit placed on the top of a screw makes it easier to hold in place when working in an awkward position.

• Before attempting any DIY project, first assess the situation properly, sit down and go thru the whole procedure in your minds eye. Involve your whole family in the decision making process and make sure your wife knows the amount of mess this project will cause. When you have completed all these suggestions ask everybody for their feedback, when the arguments have subsided take the Yellow pages out and GET A PROFESSIONAL TO DO IT!

• When sawing soft woods, instead of drawing a line with a pencil/pen, score the wood with a sharp craft knife e.g. Stanley knife.  This cuts the fibres in the wood and makes it easier to start the saw.

• When drilling wood, particularly into hardwood end grain, spray the drill bit with silicone spray before drilling - This prevents the drill from getting blocked up.

• When using brass screws into hardwood, it is best to drill one hole for the shank and one hole for the thread, drill the thread hole first and where through drilling is a risk use a depth stop on the drill!

Another wise precaution to avoid breaking brass screws is to use a steel screw of the same size to cut the thread in the wood then remove and replace with the brass screw. 

I always use wax furniture polish to lubricate my screws, put a little chip of hard wax into the hole before the screw, then this pushes down the hole lubricating right to the bottom, and no mess wiping off the screw as it goes in!

• Due to the heat from an electric light bulb, over a period of time, it can become extremely difficult to unscrew the plastic components when it becomes necessary to change the shade etc.  Running an ordinary pencil point over the threads before assembly will make future dismantling effortless.  Graphite from the pencil point is a good heat resisting lubricator.

 K. Hall

• Use a comb to hold small or short nails steady when hammering them in - prevents many a sore thumb!

 Krystal G 

• Save any spent matches as these can be used as rawlplugs, tile spacers, hole fillers etc.

 Reg Reeve

• Golf tees are the perfect shape and size to "cork" the inputs of air powered tools to prevent dirt and dust building up when not in use.

 "dormouse" f.

• A sticking drawer can be eased by using a wax crayon of the same colour (or a candle).

 Raleigh Jones.

• If you are replacing old tiles with new ones there is no need to remove the old tiles first as these make a perfect surface on which to set the new tiles.

• If you add a few drops of washing up liquid when mixing filler it will make it much smoother.
   

• If using filler on wood add a little instant coffee powder to make the colour a better  match.
   

• Spray both sides of a saw with WD40 to prevent it from sticking.
   

• When painting new plaster, or similar porous surface, paint on a solution of water mixed with PVA glue first.  This will seal the surface and stop the paint from soaking into the plaster, thereby making it go   a lot further and giving a much better finish.

DO NOT paint new plaster with PVA unless you intend to use an oil based paint.  Use a good quality emulsion diluted 50/50 with water for the first coat, then paint as normal.

• You can remove a stubborn rawl plug by gently screwing in a screw and then pulling it free (or alternatively a corkscrew can be used).

• To prevent wood splitting when hammering in a nail, either use a very small drill to make a guide hole or, alternatively, blunt the end of the nail first.
   

• If you rub soap on the thread of a screw before use it will always be easy to remove at a later  stage.
   

• To avoid having to wash out paint trays after use, place tray inside a plastic bag before pouring in the paint.  When the job is finished simply remove the plastic bag and discard.  The tray is ready for next time.  

• When pointing brickwork use a small length of old garden hose - this will give a nice clean finish.
   

• Fill a bath with water before sealing around the edge - this prevents the bath breaking away from the sealant with the extra weight.
   

• When sealing round a bath, basin or such like, use masking tape above and below the sealant.  After placing the sealant along the edge, wet your finger and run it gently along the sealant.  Remove masking tape.
   

• If you have to drill a hole in wood to pass cable through always ensure you drill in the direction the cable is going to run.   This will ensure the cable runs through smoothly.
   

• If you make a concrete path or patio, do not leave surface smooth.  Pat with the edge of a length of timber thus creating grooves in the surface, this will prevent it becoming slippery when went and causing accidents.
   

• A quick way to "spruce" up tired kitchen cupboards is to buy new handles and/or add motifs to the front of the cupboard doors.  These can be stencilled, painted or cut out of self adhesive plastic.
   

• If you decide to replace kitchen units, think about just buying new cupboard doors as the carcasses are usually the same.
   

• For quick and easy curtains use hooks which clip onto the top of the curtain instead of heading tape.  Alternatively, try tab headings i.e. loops of material sewn to the top of the curtain through which the curtain pole is placed.
   

• To get an exact 90 degree angle measure a piece of timber in a triangle of 3ft x 4ft x 5ft - this will always result in a true 90 degree corner - so long as your measuring is accurate that is.

4 ft.		5 ft
This angle is 90 degrees	3ft

• Where is that string when you need it - try this -

Get a small plastic funnel and fix it to the wall so that it stays in an upright position.  Place the ball of string in the top of the funnel threading the loose end through the narrow bottom, hey presto, string always to hand.

• Save sawdust as this can be used as a wood filler by mixing with PVA glue.
   

• Tint wood filler with a matching woodstain after it has dried to match it to existing wood.
   

• When choosing woodfiller ensure you choose the correct type for the job in hand i.e. interior or exterior and also check it can be used with wood stain if this is required.  Some fillers are very fast setting and durable, however, they are not compatible with wood stain.
   

• To measure a cylindrical object easily, take a piece of string or paper, wrap around the object marking where the to ends meet, lay out flat and measure with a tape measure or rule.
   

• When drilling a hole to a specific depth, place tape around the drill bit at the required depth and when the drill reaches the marker tape you know you have reached the desired depth.
   

• When drilling holes in walls hold a dustpan or even an open envelope underneath to catch the dust - saves a lot of clearing up.