Home D.I.Y.

[Electric_Andy]

My lad is starting some extra patio works in his garden. His garden slopes away a bit at the back, so will need a fair bit of soil and hard-core to bring up the levels. He wants a flat paving, not following the slope.
I'd suggested he will need to compact down this new material, so I've just received a petrol wacker plate. Not just for him, we have some need to use one, this year and next.

Probably a good investment if you've bought one, although my local place does them at about £54/week. Very heavy to move up and down steps though! I laid patio directly onto hardcore which worked, but could have done with a layer of sand on top. Some of the hardcore was very large and pointy (well above the 40mm to dust description) so there were a lot of pointy stones that had to be removed.

I also got a used rotavator for £30 which was a godsend for levelling earth. Much easier than shovelling, you can drag it backwards and move a lot of dirt at once without bending over a shovel

 

[kynikos]

Worked up some enthusiasm and replaced two broken nylon curtain hooks. Looks marginally improved.

 

[postman]

Our Son and his fiance have repainted their front room.I did it in September.No not because it was done badly.They changed their mind on colour.But one job led to another the fireplace surround ,electric fire was not set correctly by the previous owners like a lot of things we all found out as we worked our way through tasks.The kitchen sink had not been siliconed so when you washed up,water finished up in the cutlery drawer..He has said next time he paints he will get someone in to do it.That job will be the very steep staircase.

 

[CXRAndy]

Probably a good investment if you've bought one, although my local place does them at about £54/week. Very heavy to move up and down steps though! I laid patio directly onto hardcore which worked, but could have done with a layer of sand on top. Some of the hardcore was very large and pointy (well above the 40mm to dust description) so there were a lot of pointy stones that had to be removed.

I also got a used rotavator for £30 which was a godsend for levelling earth. Much easier than shovelling, you can drag it backwards and move a lot of dirt at once without bending over a shovel

It has got a set of transport wheels, which quickly flip underneath when you want to move it. I was just smart enough, not to go for the biggest which came in at 95kg in weight.

This one is around 63kg and though blooming heavy, I can pick it up with its handles. 🏋‍♂️

It's only 50mm less on compacting depth.

 

[Jameshow]

SWMBO bought a new kitchen a couple of months ago, paying cash to get a big discount after having the design done. It's currently boxed, sat in the guest bedroom where I had been trying to hide several bikes.

Later this week a plasterer arrives to start removing tiles and re-plastering walls and the ceiling, so today we began cleaning and clearing out some cupboards. One at least needs dismantling since there's a bit of a move round.

Lots of items we've collected / been given over the years and just don't use are now boxed and off to the charity recycling container at the tip later this week.

If you need space for a few more bikes! I'm in need of a new kitchen, what's your lowest price?!🤣🤣🤣

 

[DCLane]

One kitchen cabinet off and the trims off ready for tile removal and re-plastering tomorrow. By a plasterer, not slap-dash me. As they're the original cabinets (Ambleside 90" from Symphony Group, Leeds for reference) from 30 years ago we weren't sure what was underneath. In this case it's bare plasterboard.

We're moving a few units around compared to the old kitchen which will leave gaps that have been covered by tiles / units, so want to make sure the surface is suitable and presentable.

Cooker hood's off as well, uncovering plasterboard damage behind it. I replaced the hood about 10 years ago so must have seen it and just decided to leave it alone. This time we'll get it looked at.

 

[Jameshow]

One kitchen cabinet off and the trims off ready for tile removal and re-plastering tomorrow. By a plasterer, not slap-dash me. As they're the original cabinets (Ambleside 90" from Symphony Group, Leeds for reference) from 30 years ago we weren't sure what was underneath. In this case it's bare plasterboard.

We're moving a few units around compared to the old kitchen which will leave gaps that have been covered by tiles / units, so want to make sure the surface is suitable and presentable.

Cooker hood's off as well, uncovering plasterboard damage behind it. I replaced the hood about 10 years ago so must have seen it and just decided to leave it alone. This time we'll get it looked at.

Ideal for the man cave!!

 

[Electric_Andy]

Ideal for the man cave!!

Yep, I did that in my last garage. Kitchen units re ideal for garages as you can close the cupboards and prevent dust etc from getting on everything. They also look nicer than racking IMHO

 

[DCLane]

Ideal for the man cave!!

You, or anyone else, are welcome to them. I've got racks and a lovely set of wooden shelves to store items and workshop parts. They'll be available mid-July.

 

[fossyant]

Kitchen plinth drawers arrived. A bit smaller than expected (width) as MrsF didn't check. Four 30cm wide. So I've moved some cabinet legs and installed three under the sink unit (1200mm). The other will be installed at one end of the cooker side and MrsF has ordered two additional wide drawers. This will make most of the kitchen plinth into drawers. Fitted a new plinth on the drawers. Not cheap at nearly £100 each but they give us much more storage space, and its much cheaper than a new kitchen.

 

[T4tomo]

Very useful 👍 just make sure you dont put them where there should be vents and air gaps under appliances / cookers

 

[gbb]

Not DIY although I've rodded the drains between our house and the main sewer enough times over the years.
Our terrace with the main drains running outside has suffered blockages moderately regularly over the last 30 years, we used to think it was a neighbours daughter who had to wear pads, someone years ago said there were pads found during a clear out.
But she's long gone, collapsed drain perhaps, cement in there...who knows. Had another block last week, called Anglian Water who came and cleared it and booked in a level sensor for the line, fitted today by other engineers.
Talking to them, it seems foul waste gets into the normal drains when this happens...so they like to be ahead of problems, its costing them in fines.
Nice to see them being proactive

 

[gbb]

And today's project (and for the next few weeks going by my normal loss of interest after 4 days)...glossworks in the hall stairs and landing. 13 doors and frames plus skirts takes a fair bit of work anyway but....imagine paint peeling off like sunburned skin, that's what's happened in patches, getting worse as time goes on.

Never had this problem before, it looks like perhaps something was on the existing paint and it's disagreed with the new paint. Always (Well for a long time anyway) used water based, i know it's not as durable but its quick drying, plus having a dog and kids around, a bit of a neccessity really .
So...down to wickes this morning, small electric sander, wood filler, (the architraves have taken a bit of stick over 60 years). and set to it later.
I might resurfacing a few weeks

 

[Fastpedaller]

And today's project (and for the next few weeks going by my normal loss of interest after 4 days)...glossworks in the hall stairs and landing. 13 doors and frames plus skirts takes a fair bit of work anyway but....imagine paint peeling off like sunburned skin, that's what's happened in patches, getting worse as time goes on.

Never had this problem before, it looks like perhaps something was on the existing paint and it's disagreed with the new paint. Always (Well for a long time anyway) used water based, i know it's not as durable but its quick drying, plus having a dog and kids around, a bit of a neccessity really .
So...down to wickes this morning, small electric sander, wood filler, (the architraves have taken a bit of stick over 60 years). and set to it later.
I might resurfacing a few weeks

A friend recommended Bedec water-based paints to me, and my experience of them is good (even covering old varnish!). My friend painted his brown UPVC door with white bedec, and it was good until he sold the house a few years later.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Not DIY although I've rodded the drains between our house and the main sewer enough times over the years.
Our terrace with the main drains running outside has suffered blockages moderately regularly over the last 30 years, we used to think it was a neighbours daughter who had to wear pads, someone years ago said there were pads found during a clear out.
But she's long gone, collapsed drain perhaps, cement in there...who knows. Had another block last week, called Anglian Water who came and cleared it and booked in a level sensor for the line, fitted today by other engineers.
Talking to them, it seems foul waste gets into the normal drains when this happens...so they like to be ahead of problems, its costing them in fines.
Nice to see them being proactive

In our rural village, we have septic tanks - they seem to generally cope and (unless they need regular emptying) halve the annual water bill.
Some people in the Village (also championed by the Parish Council) tried to get us on mains sewerage. Anglian Water rejected the idea as too costly/difficult. I'm sure adding such pipework is far easier during the house-building phase rather than 50 years after! Anyway (the focus of this note) most of our properties have bathrooms and kitchens at the rear, and if the water company installed the big pipes in the road there would be the issue of 'turning the water' through 180 degrees to get from rear of property to front. This would (IMHO) create ongoing regular blockages. Any changes of direction in the pipework are liable to blockage and 'rodding points' are (or should be) provided for um.... rodding!