The Beginners Guide To Basic DIY

Have you been meaning to fix all ‘those things’ around the house for some time now? Well, it’s not that tricky with the right tools, a bit of knowledge, and the correct equipment in your toolbox.

You’ll ideally need: an assortment of screwdrivers, a tape measure, screws and bolts, a hammer, nails of different sizes, duct tape, pliers, utility knife, putty knife, handsaw, wrench – and you really ought to get yourself an electric screwdriver too. With tools at the ready what needs fixing? Make sure that you only buy top-quality tools for your DIY home repair projects. Seeking online reviews will greatly help, just visit BestOfMachinery for your buying guide. Here, we have listed a few of the most common problems around the home and how you can fix them without calling a professional.

A broken toilet lever

First things first, shut off the water supply before you flood your house and cause even more problems! You can usually find the valve under the sink. Next you need to remove the lid from the loo and unscrew the wing nut that holds the tank lever to the back of the handle. Make sure you keep hold of that nut for the new handle you’re going to install. Next, unscrew the nut from the back of the handle and gently pull it out of its position. To install the new handle do all of this in reverse and make sure the chain is attached once you’ve finished. Turn your water back on and voila – you have a working toilet again!

Fix a stuck door

Sticky doors are so frustrating but you somehow learn to live with them. Sometimes a new carpet can be the culprit or your house may have settled and slightly ‘squashed’ the door. Wooden doors may also change with the seasons if they go from damp to dry but you should treat the wood to try and prevent this. The space either side of the door should be about the thickness of a 2p coin so if this is why it’s getting stuck then you need your putty knife and it’s time to give the door a little shave. Sometimes the case is that the hinges are loose and a bit of drill work will stop them from slipping. It’s usually a simple fix with either sanding the wood down or re-aligning the hinges. If you are looking for a completely new internal door, click here to view some styles.

Unblock a sink

You definitely don’t need to call a plumber out for this little job. But you will need to add a plunger and a bucket to your toolbox if you don’t already have them. You should fill the sink halfway with water and then block the overflow hole. Then, simply place the plunger over the sink drain hole and plunge until the blockage appears or clears. You’ll then need to run the hot tap just to wash it all through then unblock the overflow hole. Sometimes, with a stubborn blockage this won’t be the solution and you’ll have to take things to the next level. Fine the P-trap; it’s the bendy bit of piping beneath the sink. Place the bucket underneath and unscrew it and let the dirty water fall into the bucket, then you’ll need to check the bend in the pipes for blockages and poke it all out before screwing it back together.

Grout your own tiles

When tiles go black and the grout surrounding the shower goes black it can make your entire bathroom seem dirty no matter how hard you clean. It’s a really simple thing to fix though; all you need is some grout, a spatula, sponge, and a cloth. First things first you’ll need to cut out the existing grout to around half the depth of the tile or tub using a Stanley knife. Next, use a spatula to spread the grout over the whole surface in long upwards, diagonal strokes holding the spatula at a 45-degree angle, and making sure you’re really working it in. Use a damp sponge to wipe away any excess grout. Wait for the grout to harden slightly then tidy up the corners and joints. After the grout has had time to set overnight give the tiles a good clean and fill in any gaps.

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