GUEST POST: - Simple Home Repair and Renovation DIY Tips for the Novice

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Simple Home Repair and Renovation DIY Tips for the Novice

If the thought of doing any renovations or repairs yourself makes you break out in a cold sweat, you more than likely have your handyman’s number programmed into your mobile. DIY projects need not be a chore however – the satisfaction of learning how to make small improvements here and there is well worth the patience and time required to complete basic projects.

While there are some tasks that are better left to the experts, you can save a fortune by learning how to fix basic elements in your home. Once you have gotten more confident, you can even try fun projects such as ‘upcycling’ or building your own shelves.

DIY Basics Explained

The first thing to keep in mind for any repairs around the home is to have the right tools. You can purchase basic tool kits for affordable prices or even borrow one from a friend or family member if you don’t plan on putting it to use on a longer term basis. Key items in your tool box should include a hammer or two, a wrench, spanner and a selection of screw drivers in different sizes and shapes. Pliers, household adhesive, sandpaper, a scraper and the usual assortment of nails, nuts and bolts will also come in handy once you get more into repair projects.

Some basic repairs that you can easily do yourself include the following:

·     Hanging – you can use plastic coated safety nails to hang paintings or photographs on your wall. If you will need to drill a hole in the wall however, you might want to ask your handyman service to assist with this step.

·     Door knobs and other fittings – replacing door knobs, handles, numerals and even hinges can be done with the help of your screwdriver collection, hammer and extra nails. If you struggle to unscrew very small nails, you can even use the edge of a butter knife.

·     Curtain rails – if you want to change from curtain rails to wooden loop style curtains, you can complete this process armed with a chair or secure ladder, along with a bit of patience. Replace the hooks with the wooden rings you purchased along with the curtains while you are sitting down, and then return them to the rail from the far edge inward on each side.

·     Wallpaper – this job can get messy, and takes a fair amount of patience and concentration. It is often easier to wallpaper parts of the wall with a band of colour or print. Start from the bottom left corner and work your way along the bottom edge, smoothing each piece as you go along. Adhesive wall art is a lot easier to place, with no glue or mess involved.

Once you get the hang of trying small fixes on your own, it becomes a lot easier to manage other projects. And if all else fails, your favourite handyman will always be around to help you out.

Author Bio

The Silver Saints provide a full range of handyman services in and around London. No job is too big or too small for our Saints. When all else fails, let the premier handymen in London assist.