You Can Do It Yourself! Tackling Diy Bathroom Plumbing
By: Michelle Bery
Do it yourself. A generational catch phrase born from the crop of reality-based television programming that has captured an audience with extravagant remodels accomplished over a weekend and elaborate decorating on a budget. Do it yourself – or DIY - always existed as concept – budget-conscious homeowners pulling up their sleeves to tackle a project armed with tools and the ability to think on their feet. But the phrase do it yourself has produced a whole new harvest of weekend warriors filled with newfound confidence and eager to experience the self-satisfaction of a job well done.
Nothing seems to urge on do-it-yourselfers like a DIY bathroom plumbing project. The evidence lays in the community of homeowners who have dug in their heels, refusing to shell out hard earned dollars to a plumber simply to rectify a leaky faucet. The DIY bathroom plumbing project runs the gamut from drippy faucets and running commodes to noisy nozzles and flooding floors. But even more diverse are the extended projects that result from this initial foray into DIY-land. Suddenly, a DIY bathroom plumbing project becomes a full-blown remodel – vanities replaced; showers re-tiled; original floors swapped for their newer counterparts.
For those who have strapped on their tool belt and begun their journey into their DIY bathroom plumbing project, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is imperative that before beginning any repairs of sinks, toilets, and showers to turn off the water to that location. Nothing ends a DIY bathroom plumbing project quicker than a surprise flood. Further, any project involving electricity should be handled with extreme caution. Just as you turned off the water – turn off the electric power in the bathroom before tackling any projects.
Secondly, be sure that you have the appropriate parts to complete the DIY bathroom plumbing project. Parts that don’t fit will elongate the project and can easily end with disastrous results.
Finally, do your homework. Be sure to research the DIY bathroom plumbing project prior to starting. The Internet can be an enormous source of information as can your local home improvement store. And remember, you may be doing it yourself, but that doesn’t mean you can’t call in a professional if you get in over your head. Sometimes a pro can actually wind up saving you money in the end.
If you are well-researched, organized, and on your toes, your DIY bathroom plumbing project can pay dividends. Not only will you have the bathroom you want, but you’ll have the unrivalled satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.
Article Source: http://www.newarticleshere.com
For easy to understand, in depth information about plumbing visit our ezGuide 2 Plumbing
Thursday 28 June 2007
Tuesday 26 June 2007
DIY for profit??
It's official: more and more of us are rolling our sleeves up and getting the paintbrushes and drills out.
New research from Bank of Scotland shows that more than half of the population have been doing up their houses over the last year.
And not just for the fun of it either. For a growing number of us, it's purely about improving the saleability of our property.
The research shows that redecorating is the nation's most popular home improvement, followed by doing up the garden. We're also keen on getting new furniture, flooring and a brand new bathroom. Energy and fuel saving improvements are becoming increasingly popular, too.
Our enthusiasm for DIY does not come cheap. Last year nearly half of us spent between £2,500 and £10,000 on home enhancement.
But we're hoping for a return on our investment. The Bank of Scotland Home Improvement Survey tells us that over a quarter of DIY practitioners believe that the work they've done will add more than £5,000 to the value of the property.
My question is, are they right? Will these home improvements have the desired effect and what else can we do to make our homes more appealing to potential buyers?
I'd advise asking the experts first, before getting the stepladders out and putting the dustsheets down. Obviously estate agents are well placed to tell us what really works and what definitely doesn't. So, what do they suggest?
First of all, there are some definite no-nos. Kitchens and bathrooms must not be carpeted. Re-decorating is confirmed as a good idea though. The word is that this can indeed add around £1,000-£2,000 to the value of your property (as long as it's done properly).
But if you're looking to add around £5,000 or more, I'm sorry to say it's going to take a bit more than a lick of paint and some nice, new wallpaper.
Some serious changes are going to have to be made and they are not going to be cheap. We are talking about adding another bedroom, installing central heating, or putting in double glazing.
And if you've got a garden, don't overlook the possibilities of kerb appeal - some potential buyers will drive by to get a look at your house from the outside. So, upgrading your lawn and driveway can increase saleability by a considerable amount as well.
It is also true that a new bathroom can add significant value, but it's more likely to get you the results you want if it's been done up well, in neutral colours, particularly with a white suite. Other colours can apparently be a bit of a turn-off.
If you don't have the budget for DIY, though, don't despair. Minor cosmetic changes may not add value, but they can still have a positive effect. Ensuring your home looks its best, by de-cluttering, clearing as much space as possible, keeping it at its cleanest and having everything in good repair can make all the difference between a sale and a house that stays on the market for longer than it should.
Some estate agents also recommend putting the lights on, lighting candles and playing classical music. It might be an old cliché, but pleasant scents, like coffee or baking bread still work well, too.
Whatever you do, though, remember that buyers are said to decide one way or another within the first 3-5 minutes of coming into your home. So, make first impressions count.
from Fool.co.uk
New research from Bank of Scotland shows that more than half of the population have been doing up their houses over the last year.
And not just for the fun of it either. For a growing number of us, it's purely about improving the saleability of our property.
The research shows that redecorating is the nation's most popular home improvement, followed by doing up the garden. We're also keen on getting new furniture, flooring and a brand new bathroom. Energy and fuel saving improvements are becoming increasingly popular, too.
Our enthusiasm for DIY does not come cheap. Last year nearly half of us spent between £2,500 and £10,000 on home enhancement.
But we're hoping for a return on our investment. The Bank of Scotland Home Improvement Survey tells us that over a quarter of DIY practitioners believe that the work they've done will add more than £5,000 to the value of the property.
My question is, are they right? Will these home improvements have the desired effect and what else can we do to make our homes more appealing to potential buyers?
I'd advise asking the experts first, before getting the stepladders out and putting the dustsheets down. Obviously estate agents are well placed to tell us what really works and what definitely doesn't. So, what do they suggest?
First of all, there are some definite no-nos. Kitchens and bathrooms must not be carpeted. Re-decorating is confirmed as a good idea though. The word is that this can indeed add around £1,000-£2,000 to the value of your property (as long as it's done properly).
But if you're looking to add around £5,000 or more, I'm sorry to say it's going to take a bit more than a lick of paint and some nice, new wallpaper.
Some serious changes are going to have to be made and they are not going to be cheap. We are talking about adding another bedroom, installing central heating, or putting in double glazing.
And if you've got a garden, don't overlook the possibilities of kerb appeal - some potential buyers will drive by to get a look at your house from the outside. So, upgrading your lawn and driveway can increase saleability by a considerable amount as well.
It is also true that a new bathroom can add significant value, but it's more likely to get you the results you want if it's been done up well, in neutral colours, particularly with a white suite. Other colours can apparently be a bit of a turn-off.
If you don't have the budget for DIY, though, don't despair. Minor cosmetic changes may not add value, but they can still have a positive effect. Ensuring your home looks its best, by de-cluttering, clearing as much space as possible, keeping it at its cleanest and having everything in good repair can make all the difference between a sale and a house that stays on the market for longer than it should.
Some estate agents also recommend putting the lights on, lighting candles and playing classical music. It might be an old cliché, but pleasant scents, like coffee or baking bread still work well, too.
Whatever you do, though, remember that buyers are said to decide one way or another within the first 3-5 minutes of coming into your home. So, make first impressions count.
from Fool.co.uk
Monday 25 June 2007
DIY security system
Looking to install a home security system? Why pay an expensive security company when you can do it yourself?
The main reason why people want a DIY home security system is because there is no reason to bother paying a home security company when it's just as easy to install cameras and equipment yourself. Networked home security cameras aren't anything new and with the increased use of wireless networks, adding security cameras doesn't pose much of a problem even for those with little technical know-how. This once complex task has become as simple as plugging a camera into a wireless router.
With a little patience and careful attention to instructions, you'll have no problem installing a security system for your home. It's cheaper to DIY and also more fun in the end!
from Article dashboard
The main reason why people want a DIY home security system is because there is no reason to bother paying a home security company when it's just as easy to install cameras and equipment yourself. Networked home security cameras aren't anything new and with the increased use of wireless networks, adding security cameras doesn't pose much of a problem even for those with little technical know-how. This once complex task has become as simple as plugging a camera into a wireless router.
With a little patience and careful attention to instructions, you'll have no problem installing a security system for your home. It's cheaper to DIY and also more fun in the end!
from Article dashboard
Saturday 23 June 2007
Five DIY jobs I do not like doing.
As I have already said that I like to do DIY, mostly!!, but there are some jobs I do not relish doing and I have listed them in no particular order.
1. Cleaning up paint brushes and rollers, especially if using gloss paint, which means using turps or white spirit. As paint goes everywhere when you are cleaning up.
2. Laying fibre glass insulation in the loft, even if you wear all the right gear while doing it, invariably you end up itching for weeks afterwards.
3. Hanging doors, as I am not a carpenter, so it is not a job I would ever think of doing.
4. Using a blowtorch when plumbing, to braze the soldered joints, I do not fancy burning the house down.
5. Using an extension ladder to clean the gutter of debris, this is one job I have to do very reluctantly, as a few years ago while working me and a ladder parted company. I managed to break my leg so ever since I have always felt a bit unsure up an extension ladder, especially at the top.
If you feel like adding others feel free to post them.
1. Cleaning up paint brushes and rollers, especially if using gloss paint, which means using turps or white spirit. As paint goes everywhere when you are cleaning up.
2. Laying fibre glass insulation in the loft, even if you wear all the right gear while doing it, invariably you end up itching for weeks afterwards.
3. Hanging doors, as I am not a carpenter, so it is not a job I would ever think of doing.
4. Using a blowtorch when plumbing, to braze the soldered joints, I do not fancy burning the house down.
5. Using an extension ladder to clean the gutter of debris, this is one job I have to do very reluctantly, as a few years ago while working me and a ladder parted company. I managed to break my leg so ever since I have always felt a bit unsure up an extension ladder, especially at the top.
If you feel like adding others feel free to post them.
Painting
Painting - Preparing to Decorate
Here are the key steps to preparing a room for a new coat of paint or paper. Whatever type of surface you're going to tackle it must be clean, dry and smooth for the best results - preparation is the secret of a good-looking finish.
Time to complete job: Preparing a room for a new coat of paint or paper will take at least half a day, including filling and smoothing old plaster.
Approximate budget: The basic tools and materials should cost less than £20 for most rooms.
You will need:
Sugar soap
Bucket and sponge
Rubber gloves
Interior plaster filler
Decorator's sealant
Filling knife
Sanding block or electric sander
Dust sheets
Step ladder
Dust mask
Tip: Always wear a dust mask and spread dust sheets over the floor before tackling the job.
Step 1: Smoothing the surface Scrape off any flaking paint with a flexible filling knife and smooth the surface with a sanding block. For more tips on stripping back paint, see Paint Stripping. If there is wallpaper on the walls this will need removing. For tips on doing this, see Stripping Wallpaper.
Step 2: Repairing damaged plaster Sometimes patches of old plaster become loose or cracked. Pick out the loose areas with your filling knife and repair the areas with plaster filler. Work methodically over the whole room to make sure you have treated all the damaged areas. When the filler is dry, use an electric sander or sanding block to smooth any rough areas of plaster and blend in the new repairs. Very powdery plasterwork or new bare plaster should be coated with a coat of plaster sealer. For larger patches of plaster that need repairing, see Patching Damaged Plaster. Tip: Cracks around the skirting boards and door frames will spoil your new finish. Rake out any chipped paint and fill the gaps with a flexible decorator's sealant.
Step 3: Cleaning Wash off any black mould with a solution of household bleach and leave to dry. Heavy mould or tobacco stains should be covered with a sealer coat of Anti-Damp Paint. Tip: It's essential to treat the cause of mould and damp patches before redecorating.
Step 4: Lining Decide if the exposed walls need covering with lining paper. If the walls have large repair patches or lots of tiny hairline cracks, covering with plain lining paper will provide a smooth base for paint or wallpaper. Hang the paper just like ordinary wallpaper and leave overnight to dry. For more tips, see Wallpapering. Finally, remove any dirt and grease with sugar soap or hot water and washing-up liquid. Don't forget to wash the ceiling as well if it's going to be decorated.
------------------------
For step-by-step practical guides and video footage to help with all your DIY needs visit UKTV's DIY Resources at http://uktv.co.uk/index.cfm/uktv/Style.homepage/sid/31
Here are the key steps to preparing a room for a new coat of paint or paper. Whatever type of surface you're going to tackle it must be clean, dry and smooth for the best results - preparation is the secret of a good-looking finish.
Time to complete job: Preparing a room for a new coat of paint or paper will take at least half a day, including filling and smoothing old plaster.
Approximate budget: The basic tools and materials should cost less than £20 for most rooms.
You will need:
Sugar soap
Bucket and sponge
Rubber gloves
Interior plaster filler
Decorator's sealant
Filling knife
Sanding block or electric sander
Dust sheets
Step ladder
Dust mask
Tip: Always wear a dust mask and spread dust sheets over the floor before tackling the job.
Step 1: Smoothing the surface Scrape off any flaking paint with a flexible filling knife and smooth the surface with a sanding block. For more tips on stripping back paint, see Paint Stripping. If there is wallpaper on the walls this will need removing. For tips on doing this, see Stripping Wallpaper.
Step 2: Repairing damaged plaster Sometimes patches of old plaster become loose or cracked. Pick out the loose areas with your filling knife and repair the areas with plaster filler. Work methodically over the whole room to make sure you have treated all the damaged areas. When the filler is dry, use an electric sander or sanding block to smooth any rough areas of plaster and blend in the new repairs. Very powdery plasterwork or new bare plaster should be coated with a coat of plaster sealer. For larger patches of plaster that need repairing, see Patching Damaged Plaster. Tip: Cracks around the skirting boards and door frames will spoil your new finish. Rake out any chipped paint and fill the gaps with a flexible decorator's sealant.
Step 3: Cleaning Wash off any black mould with a solution of household bleach and leave to dry. Heavy mould or tobacco stains should be covered with a sealer coat of Anti-Damp Paint. Tip: It's essential to treat the cause of mould and damp patches before redecorating.
Step 4: Lining Decide if the exposed walls need covering with lining paper. If the walls have large repair patches or lots of tiny hairline cracks, covering with plain lining paper will provide a smooth base for paint or wallpaper. Hang the paper just like ordinary wallpaper and leave overnight to dry. For more tips, see Wallpapering. Finally, remove any dirt and grease with sugar soap or hot water and washing-up liquid. Don't forget to wash the ceiling as well if it's going to be decorated.
------------------------
For step-by-step practical guides and video footage to help with all your DIY needs visit UKTV's DIY Resources at http://uktv.co.uk/index.cfm/uktv/Style.homepage/sid/31
Thursday 21 June 2007
Power tools for DIY
If you are not familiar with the jargon that is inherent to power tools, then you may find it a bit intimidating to walk into your local home improvement store and confidently shop for the tools that best meet your needs. There are so many options available in the current market that making sense of all the descriptions is difficult. Not only are there different brands to choose from, but there are unique features and benefits within each brand. Differences in size, power, and function require that you know a little bit about what you need before you ever walk in the door. Take a little time to get comfortable with what is available and familiarize yourself with some of the options that you might find so that you can buy with confidence.
from http://www.doityourself.com/stry/powertoolprimer
from http://www.doityourself.com/stry/powertoolprimer
Monday 18 June 2007
DIY chain Focus sold
Cerberus, the private equity firm, has drafted in the retail veterans Bill Grimsey and Bill Hoskins to oversee a turnaround of Focus, the heavily indebted DIY group which it has bought for £1.
The private equity firm said it will pay off the company’s £174 million of debts and pay £40 million - 40p in the £1 - to bondholders of the Crewe-based company, which is the UK’s third-largest DIY business.
It has also named Mr Grimsey and Mr Hoskins, who in the Nineties led a turnaround of Wickes, the DIY chain and builders’ merchant, as chief executive and finance director to help revive the business.
The DIY retailer was put up for sale by the private equity firms Duke Street Capital and Apax Partners in January after it became clear that its sales were not improving fast enough to service its huge £280 million debt burden. Its banks set a June deadline for a deal.
The 250-store chain had struggled to compete and had accumulated debt in a difficult market. The deal is expected to complete in July. Last year underlying profits at the group were £42.7 million on sales of £701.9 million.
from the times online
The private equity firm said it will pay off the company’s £174 million of debts and pay £40 million - 40p in the £1 - to bondholders of the Crewe-based company, which is the UK’s third-largest DIY business.
It has also named Mr Grimsey and Mr Hoskins, who in the Nineties led a turnaround of Wickes, the DIY chain and builders’ merchant, as chief executive and finance director to help revive the business.
The DIY retailer was put up for sale by the private equity firms Duke Street Capital and Apax Partners in January after it became clear that its sales were not improving fast enough to service its huge £280 million debt burden. Its banks set a June deadline for a deal.
The 250-store chain had struggled to compete and had accumulated debt in a difficult market. The deal is expected to complete in July. Last year underlying profits at the group were £42.7 million on sales of £701.9 million.
from the times online
Sunday 17 June 2007
Does DIY add value?
Each year people spend thousands of dollars on home improvement projects. Typically, homeowners do this because they want to:
1. Improve the look or function of their home to make it a better or more ideal place for them to live
2. Make repairs to keep the house and up and running well
3. Add value to their homes bottom line through upgrades
But, how do you know if home improvement projects really add money to the value of your home? Because not all projects add value, there are questions you can ask yourself when looking to increase the value of your home through a home improvement project. One of the most important things is knowing what will actually improve the value. Here are some things to consider:
Does the home improvement project add space, function or added benefits to the area?
Does the home improvement project make the area more attractive, not only to you but to others?
Does the home improvement project make significant positive changes to the home?
Imagine you're a potential home buyer visiting your own home. Ask yourself if you would you pay more for the home if it didn't have the features you're considering adding or changing? Of course, your thoughts may not be the same as what a real potential buyer's thoughts are. Since the value of a home is more defined by the actual way that it is valued by the buyer, if your home is for sale, then it is really up to pleasing them with these projects.
One way to learn more about the value of your potential home improvement project is to talk to a licensed home appraiser. Ask them about the potential added value to your home for the project you have in mind. A seasoned realtor can also provide you with helpful opinions. They visit hundreds of homes and, over time, have a feel for what attracts buyers and can offer suggestions on what projects can help.
In closing, it's important to note that by doing a $10,000 home improvement project doesn't necessarily correlate or mean that the value of your home will increaase by that much. It could be more but it could also be much less.
Article Source: ArticleHub
1. Improve the look or function of their home to make it a better or more ideal place for them to live
2. Make repairs to keep the house and up and running well
3. Add value to their homes bottom line through upgrades
But, how do you know if home improvement projects really add money to the value of your home? Because not all projects add value, there are questions you can ask yourself when looking to increase the value of your home through a home improvement project. One of the most important things is knowing what will actually improve the value. Here are some things to consider:
Does the home improvement project add space, function or added benefits to the area?
Does the home improvement project make the area more attractive, not only to you but to others?
Does the home improvement project make significant positive changes to the home?
Imagine you're a potential home buyer visiting your own home. Ask yourself if you would you pay more for the home if it didn't have the features you're considering adding or changing? Of course, your thoughts may not be the same as what a real potential buyer's thoughts are. Since the value of a home is more defined by the actual way that it is valued by the buyer, if your home is for sale, then it is really up to pleasing them with these projects.
One way to learn more about the value of your potential home improvement project is to talk to a licensed home appraiser. Ask them about the potential added value to your home for the project you have in mind. A seasoned realtor can also provide you with helpful opinions. They visit hundreds of homes and, over time, have a feel for what attracts buyers and can offer suggestions on what projects can help.
In closing, it's important to note that by doing a $10,000 home improvement project doesn't necessarily correlate or mean that the value of your home will increaase by that much. It could be more but it could also be much less.
Article Source: ArticleHub
Friday 15 June 2007
A tale of a DIY fan.
Another of the jobs I have done recently at my house, well I say recently, within the last two years, is put an extract fan in the bathroom. Now this wasn't as difficult as it could have been, because there was already a type of air brick in the wall, which did make the bathroom a bit cold in the winter.
I first of all looked around for a suitable extract fan that would do the job, I wanted one that when not working would have closed louvres to prevent draughts and would have a timer so it would run on for a while. I eventually found one on EBAY, made in Italy, the manufacturer was a company called OERRE, yes I know not a name I have heard of either, but it was the size I needed and did look good.
I ran a cable from the lighting circuit off the bathroom in the attic to a fuse spur, which I attached to a joist.
I pre-cut a piece of plywood about 12" x 12" and drilled out a hole of 9" circle, the same size as the outlet of the fan, then painted it with several coats of paint. I then cut out the front of the air brick, which turned out to be a metal cover, but not easy to actually take off, so I just cut through it. Next I fitted the fan to the wood, and drilled the plywood on to the wall covering the hole.
I lastly took a length of three core flex from the fuse spur to the fan, an earth was not required as the fan was double insulated so just used the earth wire as a neutral with black tape covering the earth colour, so it could not be confused as an earth at a later date. I made the connections and tidied up the job. It works a treat and so far has worked perfectly with no draughts. Register on eBay.co.uk!
I first of all looked around for a suitable extract fan that would do the job, I wanted one that when not working would have closed louvres to prevent draughts and would have a timer so it would run on for a while. I eventually found one on EBAY, made in Italy, the manufacturer was a company called OERRE, yes I know not a name I have heard of either, but it was the size I needed and did look good.
I ran a cable from the lighting circuit off the bathroom in the attic to a fuse spur, which I attached to a joist.
I pre-cut a piece of plywood about 12" x 12" and drilled out a hole of 9" circle, the same size as the outlet of the fan, then painted it with several coats of paint. I then cut out the front of the air brick, which turned out to be a metal cover, but not easy to actually take off, so I just cut through it. Next I fitted the fan to the wood, and drilled the plywood on to the wall covering the hole.
I lastly took a length of three core flex from the fuse spur to the fan, an earth was not required as the fan was double insulated so just used the earth wire as a neutral with black tape covering the earth colour, so it could not be confused as an earth at a later date. I made the connections and tidied up the job. It works a treat and so far has worked perfectly with no draughts. Register on eBay.co.uk!
Wednesday 13 June 2007
Screwdiver
Screwdrivers come in all different sizes and types for all different types of jobs. There are several different style of heads like Phillips, PoziDriv and Slotted to mention but a few. You can also get screwdrivers that have spiral ratchet mechanisms, that rotate on the head when pressure is applied to the handle. I would avoid using screwdrivers for anything other than using it as a screwdriver, not recommended as a chisel or being hit with a hammer.
Saturday 9 June 2007
DIY Survey
The number of DIY enthusiasts is on the rise with more than half of homeowners undertaking some work around the house over the past 12 months, new figures show. A survey by Halifax found that 58% of respondents had redecorated, installed a new feature or modernised their property during the past year, up 12% on 2005's figures. More than a quarter of those who had undertaken some form of home improvements estimate the work they have completed has boosted the price of their house by more than £5,000.Almost two-thirds of people who carried out work on their home said it was to update or modernise their property, with more than a third stating it was to improve their standard of living. Adding to the value of a house was cited by 25% of people in the latest survey, compared to 7% last year. There has also been a hike in the number of people who took on DIY projects to improve the energy efficiency of their home. Almost a fifth of respondents cited reducing fuel bills as a reason for doing their home improvements, up from 4% last year. Phil Jenks, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: "Home improvements are becoming more popular with people looking to add value to their home and improve saleability.” Whilst DIYers continue to favour the more simple home improvements, such as redecorating, there are also signs that people are beginning to view their gardens as an extension of their home and are investing more time and money in improving the outdoors as well as the indoors.” He added: "It is good to see more people citing reasons such as reducing fuel bills and increasing energy efficiency for undertaking home improvements as it shows that climate change is moving up people's agenda."
Wednesday 6 June 2007
Which Tools are DIY useful?
I find that before I carry out any DIY task, I make sure I have the right tools for the job. I usually keep most of my hand tools in a tool box, hand tools are mostly screwdrivers, hammers, pliers. grips, tape measure and a torch. I also have other toolboxes with other hand tools that I do not use so much, such as files and hacksaw.
One of the most important tools that I feel that should be in a diy'ers toolkit, though not used all the time is a power drill, hopefully with a hammer action. I sometimes use battery powered tools but not that often.
One of the most important tools that I feel that should be in a diy'ers toolkit, though not used all the time is a power drill, hopefully with a hammer action. I sometimes use battery powered tools but not that often.
Sunday 3 June 2007
DIY or NOT DIY that is the question.
I try to evaluate every job in my house that could be a diy task, for instance when I moved in I tried to get as much painting done before I actually moved in, and would make the house more to my tastes. I soon realised after I moved in that there were other jobs needed doing, not all decorating. The heating in the house was a gas fired back boiler behind a gas fire in the living room, I would guess put in in the eighties, and because it was in the living room it had to have ventilation, so an air brick was in the wall of the living room, not ideal as the room subsequently was cold from draughts.
The gas fire was not the most attractive feature in the house, and the hot water was supplied from a tank in the airing cupboard, so pretty high on gas usage, all in all not great. I admit this was not a task for me to take the tank, back boiler and fire out, I realised this was definitely a job for a plumber/heating engineer. The diy job I did do while the plumber was doing his bits was putting a fire surround and hearth in after the back boiler and old gas fire were removed, so fortunately I got the plumber to put a replacement fire in. I also got him to put a radiator in the living room as well, so I do not use the gas fire too much as there was not a radiator in the living room.
Needless to say I blocked up the air brick very soon, as the boiler is now in the airing cupboard with an outlet through the roof for ventilation. I also took the opportunity to paint the walls in the living room as well. So estimate if you can do a job and if not do not be afraid to get someone better qualified to do the big job as invariably you can do some diy job as well.
The gas fire was not the most attractive feature in the house, and the hot water was supplied from a tank in the airing cupboard, so pretty high on gas usage, all in all not great. I admit this was not a task for me to take the tank, back boiler and fire out, I realised this was definitely a job for a plumber/heating engineer. The diy job I did do while the plumber was doing his bits was putting a fire surround and hearth in after the back boiler and old gas fire were removed, so fortunately I got the plumber to put a replacement fire in. I also got him to put a radiator in the living room as well, so I do not use the gas fire too much as there was not a radiator in the living room.
Needless to say I blocked up the air brick very soon, as the boiler is now in the airing cupboard with an outlet through the roof for ventilation. I also took the opportunity to paint the walls in the living room as well. So estimate if you can do a job and if not do not be afraid to get someone better qualified to do the big job as invariably you can do some diy job as well.
Saturday 2 June 2007
A little DIY job.
One of the diy jobs that I find really easy to do others struggle to comprehend, that job is changing a ceiling rose for a light. When undone and people see red and black cables, these are the old colour cables by the way, they assume that all black cables and all red cables go together, big mistake. The resultant big bang when they put the power back on shows this is not the case, what they fail to realise that maybe one of those black cables is not really a black cable, it is a red cable. To make this a bit clearer when the cables were being installed originally one of the pairs of cables used were taken to the switch and as such is a switch wire, the black used should have had a red sleeve put over it to signify that it was a switch wire and is live, and not a neutral as the other blacks usually are. Obviously if the installation was done correctly the cable taken to the switch should have been a twin red (again these are old colours).
Friday 1 June 2007
Electricity outdoors
At my old house(again!) we had a couple of sheds and a pond(mentioned before) that needed some sort of electricity supply to them. They were originally supplied from a three core flex buried in the ground with a plug on the end going into the house, not exactly safe, to say the least
I changed all that by digging to a decent depth and burying a steel wired armoured cable, appropriately glanded off and terminating in an adaptable box attached to the side of the wall of the house.
I also used adaptable boxes at the two sheds and at the fence by the pond. In the shed I fitted a two way distribution board with circuit breakers.
In the house I fed the supply outside from the ring main, protected by a residual current device.
All in all a decent installation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)