The DIY Shop Blog

Simple DIY tips for home maintenance without the expense

What with budgets becoming increasingly tight and home renovation programmes being just as popular as ever, more people are attempting a spot of DIY than ever before. Doing things on your own can be a far more cost-effective alternative to getting the professionals in, so here are a few simple DIY tips to help you tackle basic home maintenance issues without the expense.

Get your toolkit sorted. Your toolkit is the foundation of any project—without the right tools to hand you won’t be able to complete the necessary tasks, and even a novice DIYer will need a few basic supplies. Things like a hammer, adjustable spanner, screwdriver set, hacksaw, pliers and spirit level will all be vital components of any toolkit, so make sure you’ve got these few items readily available.

Fix a leaky faucet quickly and simply. A dripping tap can not only keep you awake at night but it can quite literally be money down the drain, but luckily this issue can be easily solved—it’s normally the result of a worn out washer, so all you have to do is unscrew the handle of the leaking tap, remove the old washer and pop in a new one. Voila.

Bleed your radiators annually. If your radiators are warm at the bottom but cold at the top it means air has accumulated which will affect the efficiency, and that means they’ll need bleeding. There are three simple steps to doing this: first up, open the thermostatic radiator valve, run the central heating for 10 minutes then turn off the whole system. Then you’ll want to release the air by putting the radiator key into the valve on the top corner and turning anti-clockwise—any trapped air will escape and hiss out, and make sure to close the valve when water begins to drip. Repeat the process for the other radiators in the system before turning the heating back on, and finally you’ll want to check that no valves are leaking.

Seal up any draughty windows. Draughty windows can see your energy bills skyrocket, so you’ll want to check the caulk line around your glass to ensure it isn’t cracked, dry or otherwise past its best. If it needs replacing just remove the old caulk with a box cutter or stanley knife and run a new line along the seam.

Keep a torch by your fuse box. Simple but effective—you don’t want to be running around looking for a torch should a fuse blow, so always keep one close to the box (with spare batteries) and you needn’t worry.

Get the products you're after. You’re bound to need access to additional tools from time to time, whether you need to replenish your basic toolkit or want to tackle a more advanced project, and that’s where we come in. We’re one of the leading online DIY shops in the UK and can give you access to all the tools and supplies you could need, covering everything from rolling toolboxes to folding sack barrows, ultimately ensuring you can complete a whole range of home maintenance projects without the usual expense.