*Collaborative Post
Picture the scene. It’s another cold winter morning, and you’re struggling to get out of bed because you’re just so cosy. You know you have to get up and face the day but there’s one big hurdle in front of you before you can even think about getting dressed; the dreaded run to the bathroom. Continue reading “Baltic Bathroom? Keep it warm this Winter!”
*Collaborative Post
So, you’ve been thinking about sprucing your home up for a while, flicking through interior design magazines every night, watching repeats of Grand Designs and browsing through the IKEA website, drooling over the images of stunningly redecorated rooms. The only thing is that’s it’s all just too expensive, with new furniture costing hundreds. Although you may lust after a dreamy new interior, your decorating budget just won’t stretch, and you’ll be stuck with your dated décor forever.
Fear not! There are so many ways you can freshen up your interior without breaking the bank. Continue reading “Tips and tricks for decorating on a budget”
*Collaborative Post
Roof replacements are one of the most expensive repairs you’ll ever have to do on your house and one that homeowners dread the most. This is why many try to patch here and there, hoping that the whole thing doesn’t come crashing down. But in some cases, there is no way around it and you’ll have to have the roof replaced before things get dangerous. Let’s take a look at some of the signs that you may need a new roof ASAP. Continue reading “5 Signs that you May Need a New Roof”
Remember when everyone used to be involved in DIY projects in school? Maybe it was making a chocolate mould, or maybe a basic electrical circuit with a motor and a light. Whatever it was, unless it was a group project, you probably remember it rather fondly. After all, that sense of creating something and knowing that it belonged to you first and foremost is not a feeling which can be recreated easily. However, back then, even if the projects were somewhat basic, they were also usually held back by the cheap or half-broken equipment that your parents or the school provided you with. Well, if you’re a bit older now, maybe you can go ahead and get involved in some arts and crafts, with some fancy DIY projects but a with some better equipment. No more drying out glue sticks, get some proper spray tec glue guns, and definitely no more blunt scissors. Some mid-range scissors for just over a tenner will probably last you more than you can imagine. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s see what projects you could actually do in your spare time. Continue reading “DIY Creativity Bonanza: Plastic Spoons And More!”
*Collaborative Post
You might rock that hat, but you do know what you’re doing, don’t you?
Let’s be honest for a moment, shall we? You may be a pro at changing the lightbulb, and your skills at upcycling your furniture may be second-to-none. Still, there are jobs that you probably shouldn’t take on unless you have the training and qualifications under your belt. So, for your safety and that of everybody in your home, these are the DIY jobs you should probably leave to the professionals (for more DIY tips, check out this guide)
There are simple DIY jobs you can take on yourself. Unblocking the sink, for example, is relatively straightforward, as you can easily make your own or buy products in the local supermarket that will do the job for you. Unclogging your loo isn’t too difficult, either. However, considering the network of pipes running through and around your home, you don’t want to take on more intensive work as you may spring a leak, causing structural damage, damp, and mould around your property. Get a plumber in and leave the technical DIY jobs to the professionals!
Changing a fuse in your plug is one thing, but messing with wiring or circuit boards is a big no-no. Not only do you run the risk of an electric shock or fire when installing or removing wiring, but you may be breaking building codes too. Electricians go through years of training, and they know what is safe and what isn’t. Chances are, you don’t, so if you don’t want to hurt yourself, or at the very least, be without power for the night.
A few loose shingles on your roof may be easy to replace (assuming you don’t have vertigo), but replacing a roof yourself probably isn’t within your remit. Professional roofers have the right tools for the job and have safety harnesses which protect them when working at great heights. This goes as far as replacing your conservatory roof, too. Here is a great guide to this kind of thing, as you are liable to cause an accident and problems to your home comfort if you make any catastrophic mistakes.
Knockdown any walls outside your home, by all means, but when it comes to the inside of your home, you may create some dangerous problems. You need to consider the home’s structure for starters, as you may end up in a pile of bricks and mortar if you loosen your home’s supports. Many walls also contain plumbing and electrics, leading to other issues around your home. No matter what your reason for knocking down an internal wall, always consult a structural engineer, and seek permission from the local council if you are thinking about home renovations. A local builder will understand regulations, so despite your passion for creating holes in things, let the professionals have the hammer and hand this DIY job over to them!
No matter what appliance you have bought, be it an oven, water heater, or central heating system, always call out a qualified professional to do the job for you. Everything needs to be fitted correctly, and if you don’t know what you are doing, you are liable to cause a gas leak and possibly spark an explosion. Of course, gas is toxic too, so everybody’s health is in danger if the problem goes unnoticed. While you can still test for gas leaks yourself, your family’s safety is paramount, so bring in the pro.
They are just some of the DIY jobs we think the professionals are best suited for. There are probably others, so when in doubt and you don’t feel 100% confident in something, pick up the phone or go online and find somebody who can do the job for you. Despite the expense, it will be worth it, for you and your home.
*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.
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It may seem like we are always trying to get rid of unwanted pests and bugs in our garden but are we going too far at times? Not all bugs are actually pests and if you start to look into their roles you will find out that some are vital to our eco-system. We are now all very aware of the huge role bees play in the pollination of our plants, flowers and trees. One way to encourage bees to your garden Continue reading “DIY: Building a Bughouse”
Finding the perfect gift can be difficult especially as you get older and also as you become a parent and extra celebratory days come along such as Mother’s and Father’s Day. Which is why last year I decided to have a go at creating my own special personalised gift Father’s day present for my husband.
After looking for inspiration on the internet I chose the idea of creating a family picture made up of our names. Using scrabble pieces to spell them out and linking them up was a perfect choice because he loves the board game. Continue reading “DIY: Personalised Gift”