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Your DIY questions answered
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Online searches for ‘DIY’ hit a 16-year high during the UK's first lockdown, as we found new ways to spend our time.*
When it comes to giving our homes the DIY treatment, the internet can be a very valuable resource and it’s no surprise the nation has been frantically Googling a number of key DIY terms to help brush up on their renovating skills.
Are you ready to tackle your next lockdown project?
With plenty to do around the home, now is the perfect time to tick off any jobs that have been lingering or forgotten about.
To help you complete your projects this month, we’ve given you some of the most common DIY questions and searches, along with the solutions to fixing them.
How to bleed a radiator
Checking your radiators is essential at this time of the year. If you’ve noticed that they’re not heating up as they should, they probably have air bubbles in them and need bleeding. To do this, simply put the bleed key into the valve and slowly turn anti-clockwise. Have your cloth ready to shield your hand and a small bowl to catch any drops of water. If there is trapped air, you should hear a hissing sound as it escapes. As soon as any water begins to drip, close and tighten the valve.
How to stop a sofa sagging
After a while, you might notice your sofa starting to look lifeless or worn. There are a number of things you can do to prevent sagging. Check your cushions to see if they need topping up on the inside with more material, fibrefill, or foam padding.
How to hang pictures
It's important to know how to hang pictures, whether you are hanging photo frames or turning a wall into a feature wall with a single piece of art. When putting up a picture, make sure to use a spirit level to ensure it is straight and try to avoid hanging your pictures too high. Once you have attached your fixing to the wall, test it by pulling it down before hanging anything on it.
How to fix a dripping tap
Dripping taps can be costly to fix and are likely to need a replacement internal rubber seal. Before doing anything, make sure to turn your water off and then switch on the tap to release any leftover water. Replace the washers on either end of the spindle with new ones before reassembling the tap and turning the water back on.
How fit laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is often seen in many homes and consists of four layers of material that are sandwiched together. When installing laminate flooring, it is important to do the following steps. Always fit underlay boards before you begin to help even out the floor, leave around 12 mm between the boards, as laminate flooring expands. You need to then make sure the boards are lying the same way and in the same direction before trimming the skirting and doorways.
How to make a toilet flush
Some of the most common reasons why a toilet won't flush is the flapper being damaged or the water levels being too low. The flapper is found at the bottom of the toilet and replacements are usually inexpensive to buy. However, if the water is more than an inch below the overflow tube, you will need to adjust the fill valve to top it up.
How to stop creaky stairs
Creaky stairs are usually caused by a piece of wood rubbing against something. This is because a tread moves against a riser, causing the squeak. Solving this can be done by securing the connection with either nails, screws or glue molding the joint between the two sections.
We’ve answered some of the most common DIY questions to help you around the house. So before calling in the professionals, assess the situation to see whether you can minimise costs and keep your home running efficiently over winter.
For more information on home improvements and renovations, speak to our team today or browse our latest properties.
*Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)
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