Home Improvement Ideas From Let Me Build It!

As is the case with lead pipes, mild steel pipes should be replaced wherever possible because their expected lifespan will by now have been well exceeded.  They are probably badly corroded on the inside and this will have a substantial affect on the expected flow volume.  Also, connections to mild steel pipework with copper will have the effect of creating additional problems through electrolytic corrosion, and any such connection could well become another separate blockage problem within a the space of a few years.

Bearing this in mind, if such a connection cannot be avoided, or is desired on a temporary basis until the mild steel pipes can be replaced, use the steps below to make it.

Both lead and mild steel pipes can be joined using appropriate compression joints, which employ a rubber compression ring.  A threaded joint would, however, be preferable, either an external thread which consists of a male iron thread or an internal thread which consists of a female iron thread.

The threaded connection is achieved by first applying polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) jointing tape for a few turns onto the male thread of one of the pipes in clockwise direction.  This is then wound into the female thread of the associated fitting to form the sound bonded joint.

The copper or plastic pipe is made as a compression connection onto this joint.  Jointing paste can be used rather than PTFE tape, but care must be taken to confirm that it is acceptable to use it with the pipe’s contents, as indicated on the tin.

Gravel paths are growing in popularity with DIY homeowners, in part because they are so easy to install.  They also improve the look of your garden and prevent dust from rising and muddy paths in wet weather.  Another good reason to use gravel for pathways and open spaces is the sound that is made when it is walked on; there is a good chance you would hear it if an unauthorised person was on your property.

There are many different kinds of gravel to choose from, and they differ in size and colour.

Chips of green basalt are pricey, but work well on pathways.  The small pieces need a firm border to keep them on the pathway, and must be laid between 40 and 50 mm deep.

Pea gravel is a mix of small cream, black, brown, and grey stones.  It is very good for borders and garden paths.  This is a cost-effective kind of gravel, and should be laid 30 mm deep.     

Granite chippings are chunky and come in single colours such as grey, red, and black – but can be mixed.  This type of gravel tends to be on the expensive side, but is perfect for a modern garden.

Beach pebbles come in a mix of cream, greys, and white; they can be used for pathways, but are better for borders or for decorating.  One popular option is to combine beach pebbles with pea gravel in a pathway.  Beach pebbles tend to be on the expensive side.

Flint chips are very resilient and make an attractive garden pathway.  Flint chips are easy to find but expensive when compared to pea gravel.

Stone chippings provide a firm and less noisy pathway.  They come in grey or brown and provide an unusual but none-the-less attractive finish to a garden path.

A cost effective way to furnish a room is to buy wooden pieces at car boot sales or second-hand furniture shops.  It saves even more money if you are able to do the restoration on these pieces yourself.

To start the restoration process, clean the piece thoroughly with warm soapy water.  When the piece is dry, put on protective gloves and coat it with paint stripper, and then leave it on for the recommended time period so that it will completely penetrate the varnish (or paint).  Use fine wire wool to take off the softened varnish, replacing the wire wool as soon as it gets clogged with material.  When the varnish is removed, sand the piece with fine sandpaper, always working in the direction of the grain.  Do this until all that is left is the original wood.

Wipe the wood down with white spirit using a clean, lint free cloth; this will serve to both remove any dust and neutralize the paint stripper.  Do not skip this step because if the paint stripper is not neutralized it could negatively affect the new finish.  Next, apply wood restorer to the entire piece with a clean cloth; this should be applied using a circular motion, and will help to get rid of marks and bring back the natural look of the grain.

There are a number of ways to finish off the piece including painting, staining, varnishing, oiling, or waxing it.  Which finish you choose will depend in large part on the purpose of the piece.  A piece such as a chair that will be used a lot will need a hardwearing finish, and in most cases should be varnished.  A table may only require a few coats of wax or oil.

Whichever finish you opt for, follow the instructions on the packaging to the letter, and do not skimp on the number of coats you apply; along with making the piece look great, the finish helps to protect the furniture from wear and damage.

Cellular blinds are not as well known as other types of blinds, such as Roman blinds or roller blinds. However, cellular blinds are just as effective as the other types of blinds. The cellular blind is made from a series of hexagonal cells, which are placed side by side. A cellular blind is considered to be an energy efficient product.

The energy efficiency of the product is dependent upon the number of cells contained within the blind. The greater the size of the cells making up the blind, the greater amount of air that can be trapped, hence, the larger the cells of the blind, the greater the insulation the blind provides. 

Cellular blinds, also referred to as honeycomb shades, are sold by many retailers. Cellular blinds are available in a variety of colours and designs. They are designed to allow a certain amount of light to enter into the room.  In addition, they can be designed to be raised and lowered in both directions. Some retailers stock motorised versions of these blinds, allowing for the lowering and raising of the blind at the touch of a button.

Blinds are becoming an increasingly popular choice for windows, they are easy to care for and take up less space than curtains. They come in a variety of colours and designs and can be easily matched to a home’s existing decor. Blinds are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Blinds are a common choice for the kitchen or bathroom, in which the window is usually found above a sink or worktop, rendering it difficult to reach. A motorised cellular blind is a wise option for rooms of this kind as the householder is not required to reach over worktops to operate the blind.

Wood floors are an attractive part of any room, and are usually more elegant and sophisticated looking than floors that are carpeted.  Before a wood floor can be brought to life with stain or finish, however, it will need to be sanded.
 
If you have a large expanse of wood floor, you will want to use a belt sander for most of the job, and a rotary sander for hard to reach areas such as corners and edges; a handheld sanding block will be needed for the final bit where the corners and edges actually meet the wall.

The worst part of sanding is the amount of dust that is kicked up, and you will need to wear a face mask and goggles.  Due to the level of noise you may also want to include ear defenders.  Wear clean old clothes and soft-soled shoes, and open all the windows in the room.  Seal door edges to prevent dust escaping to other rooms. 

Normally, three grades of abrasive will be sufficient, and the one you start with will depend on the condition of the floor.  You should always finish with a fine grade (120-grit) abrasive.

When using a belt sander do not let it run with the abrasive on the floorboards if the sander is not moving, as this will cause uneven sanding and may even gouge the floor.  The sander must be tilted away from the floorboards so that the abrasive is not touching them before switching the machine on and again before switching it off. 

When sanding, manoeuvre the machine over the floorboards starting at one corner and moving up and down the room until all the floorboards are smooth, even, and clean.  Use the rotary sander or sanding block with fine grit sandpaper to finish off any flaws, edges, and corners. 

Use a soft brush to sweep dust from window frames, door frames, skirting boards, mantle pieces, and any other surface, then step outside and shake dust from your clothes and shoes.  Sweep and scoop up any dust remaining on the floor.  Finally, go over the floor with a vacuum cleaner with soft bristle brush attachment, and you are ready to stain or finish your freshly sanded floor.

House insurance or as it is most commonly known, home insurance, is a type of policy designed to protect homeowners against a number of factors that could damage their property or the belongings within that property.  Most insurance policies cover losses equivalent to the cost of completely rebuilding the property, repairing damage to the property or the cost of replacing or repairing items within the property.  However, policies can also be tailored to include cover for bankcards, personal money, individual high value items or expensive sports equipment. 

Many mortgage lenders in the United Kingdom require the home insurance policy to cover the total cost of rebuilding the home, in case it is completely destroyed.  Always be accurate and honest about the level of cover required.  Unless the insurer offers an unlimited amount of cover the cost of the property and its contents will need to be valued.  Every insurer is different and the terms of the policy need to be checked.

As more and more people look for cheap house insurance, the United Kingdom is seeing an increasing number of policies being purchased through price comparison sites.  Installing a home security system can frequently reduce the cost of the policy.

The main problem facing DIY enthusiasts attempting to tile internal corners of the home, such as bathrooms and kitchens, is that the corners are not normally perfectly square. As a result, small bits of tile need to be cut into the often unusual shapes required. The cut line of the tile can be made by measuring the gap at the bottom and top to allow for the deviation, which is the simplest method of doing this. Another way is to take the tile that has to be cut and place it on top of the previous tile in the row and use a third tile on top of this with one of its edges pressed into the corner and use its other edge to draw the cut line.

Equally with external corners, walls cannot be assumed to be perfectly square but here, there is another rather trickier problem to be addressed: the cut tile’s unglazed edge has to be hidden. To achieve this, one wall is finished with tiles that have been cut to fit in the usual way and those on the other wall are placed in such a manner that they overlap those on the first wall. The job is then completed by using grout on the exposed cut edges.

An even neater finish can be achieved by starting the second wall with complete edging tiles, although in this case the walls would have to be perfectly vertical.

Tiling can be a tricky job but with adequate care and attention, the tiling of corners can be successfully overcome.

There are many bathroom suites and accessories available that will enable you to add a luxurious feel to your bathroom.  From solid wood cabinets to simple accessories such as fluffy towels, there are many types of furniture and accessories available to help you add extra luxury, style and comfort to your bathroom.

You can create a luxury bathroom not only by adding a stylish bathroom suite or accessories but also by selecting the right lighting.  Choosing the correct lighting will enable you to create a luxurious atmosphere and will leave your bathroom looking stylish and impressive.  Spotlights, stylish ceiling lights and mirror lights will help to add luxury to your bathroom.  You can even opt for bath or spa lights to create a cosier, intimate feel.

If you are willing to spend a little extra for more luxury, then you can consider adding luxury items such as spa baths, elegant glass walk-in Triton showers or whirlpools to your bathroom to create the perfect retreat.  Spa baths look particularly impressive with extra lighting installed and you can easily add accessories such as towels and spa products for extra luxury.

Underfloor heating is also an ideal choice for those wishing to add extra luxury and comfort to their bathroom.  There are many underfloor heating systems available that are easy to install and suitable for different types of floors such as wood.  Underfloor heating will keep your bathroom warm and cosy, providing you, your family and your guests with extra luxury.

Basic Steps

Floating shelves do not form part of an overall structure, like a bookcase, but they can still be ideal for displaying ornaments or photographs.

Some shelves are sold complete with screw fittings secured at a perpendicular angle to the wood, with fittings that allow them to be secured directly to rawl-plugs inserted into the wall. However. They are only suitable for supporting light objects. It is advisable to be wary about using floating shelves to support heavy items, such as a large collection of books. Nevertheless, if constructed properly they will cope with a reasonable weight. Brackets are an excellent way of securing such shelves.

Securing the Bracket and Shelf

Brackets and shelves can be purchased from any DIY store. The bracket is a long, thin strip, which contains a section to accommodate the shelf and holes for screws.

The first thing you will want to do is secure the bracket to the wall using screws that pass through the bracket holes. It is essential to determine the nature of the wall that is to support the shelf. The likeliest scenario is that it will be plaster, in which case you must first screw the appropriate rawl-plugs into the wall. You can use the bracket to determine the position for the plugs, marking it with a pencil.  Another essential is that the screw points on the bracket are in a vertical line, so always make your measurements while using a spirit level resting on the surface of the bracket.

Once these are secured, fix the screws through the bracket. You will know if the plugs are a success when you feel the screws biting into them, securing the bracket in position. The brackets will now be strong enough to accommodate the shelf, which is simply slid into position.

Wooden blinds are a versatile option for the home, especially for bedrooms and living rooms. Wooden blinds are made from lightweight wood that can be stained to produce the right effect and colour. Unlike wooden floors, wooden venetian blinds are known by their colour, rather than by the actual wood they are made of. For example a ‘walnut’ wooden blind will be the colour of walnut wood rather than made from actual walnut wood.

Wooden blinds are typically not suitable for kitchens or bathrooms as a damp environment may have a damaging effect on the wood and may warp the slats.

The fashion for wooden floors has increased the popularity of wooden blinds to match. The advantage of wooden blinds is that when the décor, furnishings or upholstery in a room is changed, unlike patterned or coloured curtains, the wooden blinds do not have to be changed. Wooden shutters create a clean, modern look so popular in homes today.

The most popular wooden blinds are venetian blinds that are produced in different natural wood or wood-stained colours. Venetian blinds come in variable slat widths depending on the size of the window being covered. In general, the smaller the size of the window the narrower the slats, and the larger the window the wider the slats. Venetian blinds are hoisted up by string ladders or woven tape ladders.

Roller blinds and roman blinds are also available in wood. The most commonly used type of wood is bamboo, which is light, sustainable and inexpensive and can be stained or painted effectively.