If you’re keen to learn a few DIY skills that you can use to improve your home, or even just to be able to do basic repairs, here’s five DIY jobs that you should know how to do.
1. How to hang a picture
You’ve got the pictures and you know where you want them – but where do you start when it comes to hanging them? Hold the picture on the wall and lightly mark the top and side pf the frame on the wall. From these points, measure where the hanging point is on the back of the picture and transfer this to the wall.
There’s a range of products you can use to hang a picture depending upon the type of wall you have and the weight of what you’re hanging. Just pick the one that suits your situation, whack it in and hang.
2. How to paint a room
Painting is the easiest and most cost-effective way to totally change the look and feel of a room. If you take the time to learn how to do it you can look forward to a lifetime of having a home that’s right up on the latest trends.
There’s four basic steps to a successful paint job – preparation, getting the right paint and equipment, then applying the paint. The only way you’re going to get good is to practice – so what’s holding you back?
3. How to fix a leaky tap
Fixing a dripping tap is one DIY job that really pays to know because getting a plumber out to do it will cost you hundreds of dollars.
If you have older style taps with a separate spindle for hot and cold water, here’s a step by step guide to getting it done.
For a mixer tap, turn the water off then pop off the hot/cold indicator button near the handle. Use an Allen key to undo the grub screw holding the handle on and remove it. Continue disassembling the tap until you can remove the cartridge. Replace it with a new one then reassembles the tap.
4. How to replace a flyscreen
To fix a torn fly screen, buy enough mesh to cover the frame. Also buy enough of the rubber gasket, called spline, to go around the frame. You’ll also need the secret weapon to make fixing flyscreens easier – a spline roller.
Pull the old spline out of the frame and remove the torn mesh. Lay the new mesh over the frame then use the spline roller to force the spline back into the groove. Work your way around the frame, keeping the mesh tight. Cut off any excess spline then trim of excess mesh.
5. How to unblock a drain
The tool you’ll need to unblock a drain or toilet is a plunger. Place the cone over the blocked outlet and create a seal to the sink or toilet pan. Push down sharply a couple of times on the handle and hopefully the force of this will clear the blockage.
You might have to give it a few goes or try it in conjunction with a chemical drainer that will help break the blockage up. If that doesn’t work then you’ll have to bite the bullet and call a plumber.
You might also like:
5 projects you didn’t know you needed a plumber for
Do these 5 things before painting a room
5 ways to create gallery walls
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