7 Common DIY Mistakes
Mistakes can happen all the time but, there are some mistakes that happen a lot more often than others. DIY mistakes generally occur with amateur DIY-enthuses who are learning. However, they say sometimes the best way to learn is through mistake. Consider these seven common mistakes to avoid them the next time you are working a project.
You might think you are saving yourself time and money by purchasing cheaper materials but, that is not always the case. This is not to say you have to buy an expensive paint brush for example, if you're only using it for one job however, it is still wise to stay away from budget brushes because they have fewer bristles which make an untidy finish. Cheaper brushes also mould easier and the brittles can stick to walls your painting which can be a pain if you've got to pick them out. Synthetic brushes are fine for the DIYer, and they keep their shape, while natural bristles tend to splay out after use.
If you planning a paint job, make sure you clean the walls and skirting boards beforehand, as well as vacuum any dust floating around which will stick to wet paint and ruin your work. Always keep a dust sheet down until all the paint has dried (especially gloss paint). However, remember to take care with wooden floors, as the dust sheets can slide around which can be dangerous if you have any dangerous tools lying around.
It's important to double check measurements whether it's for wallpaper, carpet or wooden floorboards, before you make any cuts. However, don't cut your materials too short because it will waste your time, materials and money. At best, cut slightly more off, it's easier to cut back than add.
With any job it's important to think ahead, especially complex jobs. Don't just rush into a job especially ones involving bathrooms or kitchens which are used every day.
Whenever you are fixing a shelf to a wall, remember your spirit level, because without it, could lead to numerous problems later on. It may not seem like an important tool at the time but, believe me, it's very important, especially if you don't want things falling off it. Use a spirit level to establish a level edge and then use a pencil to draw a guideline to work by.
When putting up shelves and pictures on a partition wall, you must locate the weight-bearing studwork behind the plaster for support, or screws and nails will come out under the slightest weight. These wooden posts, which are the backbone of the wall, may not always be where you want your nail to go, but in this case, you can always use cavity fixings, which anchor screws and nails into the plaster.
Painting a skirting board can be a painstaking job as you try to keep the paint away from the floor. The obvious solution is to pull back the carpet edge (if you have carpet), although this is not always practical, but spending five minutes fixing masking tape along the edge of the carpet will do the trick. If you are staining a wood skirting board, remember to protect the joining wall with tape too.
Buying Essentials
You might think you are saving yourself time and money by purchasing cheaper materials but, that is not always the case. This is not to say you have to buy an expensive paint brush for example, if you're only using it for one job however, it is still wise to stay away from budget brushes because they have fewer bristles which make an untidy finish. Cheaper brushes also mould easier and the brittles can stick to walls your painting which can be a pain if you've got to pick them out. Synthetic brushes are fine for the DIYer, and they keep their shape, while natural bristles tend to splay out after use.
Preparation
If you planning a paint job, make sure you clean the walls and skirting boards beforehand, as well as vacuum any dust floating around which will stick to wet paint and ruin your work. Always keep a dust sheet down until all the paint has dried (especially gloss paint). However, remember to take care with wooden floors, as the dust sheets can slide around which can be dangerous if you have any dangerous tools lying around.
Measurements
It's important to double check measurements whether it's for wallpaper, carpet or wooden floorboards, before you make any cuts. However, don't cut your materials too short because it will waste your time, materials and money. At best, cut slightly more off, it's easier to cut back than add.
Planning
With any job it's important to think ahead, especially complex jobs. Don't just rush into a job especially ones involving bathrooms or kitchens which are used every day.
Lack of Spirit Levels
Whenever you are fixing a shelf to a wall, remember your spirit level, because without it, could lead to numerous problems later on. It may not seem like an important tool at the time but, believe me, it's very important, especially if you don't want things falling off it. Use a spirit level to establish a level edge and then use a pencil to draw a guideline to work by.
Lack of Support For Shelves
When putting up shelves and pictures on a partition wall, you must locate the weight-bearing studwork behind the plaster for support, or screws and nails will come out under the slightest weight. These wooden posts, which are the backbone of the wall, may not always be where you want your nail to go, but in this case, you can always use cavity fixings, which anchor screws and nails into the plaster.
Unprotected Floors
Painting a skirting board can be a painstaking job as you try to keep the paint away from the floor. The obvious solution is to pull back the carpet edge (if you have carpet), although this is not always practical, but spending five minutes fixing masking tape along the edge of the carpet will do the trick. If you are staining a wood skirting board, remember to protect the joining wall with tape too.
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