How to Make Do and Mend...

The old Second World War slogan of ‘Make Do and Mend’ is starting to become fashionable again as many more people are now choosing to repair items rather than throw them away and replace them. Moreover, more and more people are also endeavouring to carry out DIY tasks themselves as this will save them the cost of getting in professional tradesmen or engineers in to do the job.
If you are thinking of becoming one of these one-stop Mr or Mrs Fix-its then you will need to consider a few important things beforehand. After all, you will want to ensure any repairs you make or projects you undertake will be to a good standard; and to do that, you will need to make sure you address four key aspects.

Have a Positive Approach

There will naturally be times when you feel less than enthused about dealing with leaky rain barrels or replacing wall panel heaters. After all, you will most likely be at work all day and thereby want nothing more than to relax a little during your evenings and weekends at home. At these times however, you need to remember that the money you will be saving may well help you to achieve other things in the future which will provide you and your family with greater satisfaction. Without doubt, having a positive approach will make your life as a ‘Designated DIY-er’ that much easier!

Get the Knowledge

Of course, you cannot expect to make repairs or carry out DIY projects which you know little or nothing about. Therefore, you need to ensure you have a decent working knowledge of any task before you commit to it. The best way to go about this is to seek out advice from someone who knows; however, we live in the Digital Age so you will find there are plenty of handy reference articles and ‘How To...’ videos on the Internet which can be equally helpful.

Be Realistic

Whilst it is admirable to be enthusiastic and ‘up for the challenge’, it is important to be aware of your limitations. If you encounter a job that is clearly the preserve of a qualified professional then be realistic - do not take it on. Attempting a job that is far beyond your capabilities can have disastrous consequences to your finances and/or your personal wellbeing.

Have the Right Tools at Hand

Obviously, you will need the right tools to tackle the many and varied jobs which will come your way. Fortunately, we here at DIYshop.com can be of great assistance in this respect as we are one of the leading online DIY shops in the UK. Indeed, we have a wide range of high-quality tools available, all at ultra-competitive prices, so you can be sure your finances will still be in good shape after you’ve sourced your essential bits and pieces from us.
To find out more and view our great range of products in more detail, simply browse our pages further.

When it comes to the garden, DIY stores UK need to offer a good variety of products that can suit the individual tastes of enthusiasts. At Diyshop.com, that is no problem because we love creating garden environments as much as you. We have a fantastic range of products to offer you that can allow you to create something unique, individual, magical and poetic. Britain is blessed with a gorgeous range of flowers and natural landscapes that can and really should be made the best of.
One of the best ways to do this is with a Winchester Garden Arbour. This evocative piece of garden furniture is a testament to stylish design and functionality, providing a perfect place to sit during those heady summer months. Its arched roof is perfect for keeping the sun off without creating a huge shadow or obstructing your view to such an extent that it becomes prohibitive. With some able bodies the arbour can also be quickly moved around so you can always make the most of the sunshine and your garden. Alternatively it can be set in one position. It is often best when set with its back to a bush, which may perhaps grow over the structure over time. The roof is made of high grade metal and the structure has an enclosed back as well as storage space beneath the hinged seat. This can make it perfect for storing various items that need some cover and protection from the elements, even in summer. The structure itself has been pressure treated, so you can have more confidence that it isn’t going to rot, even though it has a natural timber finish. This Winchester Arbour is available for less than £300, which represents excellent value for money for a beautifully designed piece of garden furniture that will last for decades and grow into your garden.
We also have a great range of garden benches which can be combined with the arbour. One such product that might go well with it is our wooden cast metal bench with its contrasting two tone materials giving it a stark yet pleasing aesthetic appearance. The flat pack contains the back support which has a plastic cast iron effect lattice built into it so you don’t have to assemble the back piece separately. The back will weigh less than you first imagine, but its look is very authentic as well as being able to stand up to the elements particularly well. It also includes 2 cast iron effect legs with arm supports which have a Verdigris finish. Along with the 5 wooden panels that make up the seat, the entire pack is very easy to assemble and can be completed quickly. It is available for under £30 and will suit a wide variety of different gardens, patios and yards. We also have a wicker resin finish bench which is beautifully realised. Its dark tones will go perfectly on a patio or at the bottom of a garden.

Keeping Businesses Safe And Smokers Happy...

Smoking has gone through a radical cultural change over the past 30 years as the health issues associated with it became more pressing. The ban on smoking indoors forced many to give up, but for the rest it forced them outside. This has presented many commercial properties, pubs, recreational facilities and even homes to invest in cigarette bins. The obvious danger for any building is the fire hazard that cigarettes represent. Even not stubbing out a cigarette properly can result in undergrowth catching fire if the conditions are right. Also, you many never know what sort of environment the cigarette is being thrown into, which is a particular problem if you have cars around, children, animals or anything else that might be vulnerable to it. This is all to say nothing of the fact that having lots of cigarette butts on the floor and in the undergrowth is an eyesore and can really damage the impression that others may have of a company or home.
At Diyshop.com, we have a good range of different types of cigarette bin, from wall mounted cigarette bins to free standing ones. If you are a company who has a designated smoking area, then you can mount a discreet cigarette bin on a wall for as little as £12. This will have a very low profile, as opposed to the more high capacity ones that have the familiar long tubular shape. It literally is a box on the wall that is made from 6 mm steel and comes with a cylinder lock and two keys. It can be opened quickly and rapidly emptied so you’ll always have a safe and clean environment. It also comes with a back panel where the cigarette can be stubbed out for safety. Some other boxed varieties have removable trays which are locked to prevent vandalism. This type of wall mounted cigarette bin typically also has weather resistant hoods to prevent any rain from getting into the tray, causing more mess and increasing the amount of clean-up time required.
We also have wall fixed cylindrical bins which automatically extinguishes the cigarette when it is dropped into the tube. This is perhaps the most safety-conscious option for those businesses who want to be confident that smokers aren’t presenting a fire hazard. The cigarettes can be easily and rapidly emptied from the bottom.
It is always important not to bracket or discriminate against smokers, since such a broad spectrum of people do it. This is why we also have cylindrical floor mounted cigarette bins which have been designed to fit in with more elegant surroundings. Whether these are for expensive commercial properties or hotels, these floor standing bins are vandalism resistant and securely fastened to the ground. They are also able to stand up to the elements and will only take the minimal of cleaning to keep the looking and operating as intended. It comes with a great finish on stainless steel and has a heavy duty lock with a standard key.

Ingenious Mobile Device Charging From DIY Shop...

Ingenious Mobile Device Charging From DIY Shop

Battery life is the bane of mobile device users everywhere, from those with tablet computers, laptops to smaller devices such as mobiles and Mp3 players, having your battery run out can cause havoc. DIY shop fortunately have a number of different solutions to the problem that can allow you to either charge your phone quickly and efficiently, or find an outlet in a public or commercial zone where you can recharge potentially for as little as £1 for 20 minutes of charging. As a business, being able to offer a convenient device that allows people to charge is a great way of attracting them to your store or facility. Our Mobile Phone Charging Vending Machine is the perfect solution which is adapted to the UK mobile market. It supports charging of most of the leading mobiles in the country including BlackBerrys, iPods and Mp3s. All that is really required is to mount the device on a wall or stand it on a counter and plug it into a socket nearby. It is perfect for facilities where that extra bit of customer service goes a long way, such as in gyms, cafes, restaurants and even shops and public information areas. Maintaining the device is no problem as well, since it requires no restocking with only the cash box needing to be emptied after a certain amount of use. This is a great service to offer customers where you can keep an eye on the phone while they shop or eat in your store or go about their business elsewhere. The 20 minutes should be enough to breathe much needed life into a device for a short period which can allow for vital usage.
A great device for charging at home is the Phone Charging Station. People typically own a wide variety of different mobiles and devices which may both need to be charged at the same time, potentially from the same socket if travelling. With enough space to fit in Mp3 players alongside mobile phones, you can charge up to 4 different devices at the same time, which can satisfy the entire family at once.
Alternatively we can offer emergency chargers which are an ingenious way to get some power to your phone quickly. These little devices can be easily carried around and simply require a single AA battery. This connects through a multitude of different adaptors to almost any phone on the market including those from Nokia, Motorola, and in particular Sony Ericsson’s older line of phones that use their own adaptor standard. Aside from actually carrying spare batteries around at the fit the phone, this is a great way to be able to always reliably get more life out of your phone. All you need is a paper shop or other store that stocks the most common types of batteries and you will be able to get some charge in a matter of minutes. The emergency charger is available from DIY Shop for under £10 which is a great price for something that could provide you with an emergency phone call.

Cost-Effective Wall Mounted Heaters From DIYShop...

Cost-Effective Wall Mounted Heaters From DIYShop

Electric panel heaters are great for rooms that perhaps aren’t receiving the heat they should from traditional radiators. This is particularly true in old houses with high ceilings where the heat can often be lost, leaving them feeling frigid and cold. Alternatively, our electric panel heaters, wall mounted range, are also great for conservatories that were not constructed with any built in heating. It can be quickly apparent during the winter months that the conservatory is too cold to use, so installing a heater like this could effectively get you an entire new room during the depths of winter. If you have wall-space to spare, then a slimline panel could save on the floor space used by a mobile standing heater which can be cumbersome and get in the way. At DIYShop we can offer these highly efficient stainless steel element double insulated options for under £120, making them exceptional value for what they could potentially get you. These are also great for those flats where a temporary heating solution is required. Electric panel heaters UK should be built to be easily transportable so those people who are renting can take their heating solutions with them, those further increasing the value of such an investment.
Our Ambient Air Electric Panel Heater 2 KW is very easy to program. It comes with an electronic thermostat with a large LED display and has a round the clock timer function that can be switched on and off. It is also easily mounted on ‘H’ wall brackets making it very simple to setup and use quickly.
Safety is a concern for all, particularly those older people who are relying on a heater to keep them warm. A heater like this comes with a safety cut out switch which will activate if the heater is covered, preventing it from overheating and becoming a fire hazard. The element is double insulated too, which can provide more safety and peace of mind. Panel heaters like this are also great for business environments and potentially even garden buildings such as larger garden offices. Versatility like this is at the heart of such a device.
Alternatively, if you are looking for something that has a little more style to it, then we also have a Plasma Effect Electric Fire which is also wall mounted. It comes with both 1000w and 2000w heat settings which should be more than enough to heat an entire room. The plasma effect as you might imagine, is pleasing and realistic, responding to heat adjustments with more flames. The flame effect can however be used even if the device is emitting no heat, however, making this an aesthetic investment as well. As before, the device comes with a safety thermal cut off which can offer protection and peace of mind, even if you happen to leave it on all night. The 6 LED bulbs are built to last offering around one hundred thousand hours of use for a very affordable device costing just over £100.

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.

Is it time to give your garden a boost...

Is it time to give your garden a boost?

Summer may be fading into a dim and distant memory, but that’s no reason to let your garden fall into disrepair. You may be spending less time outside at this time of year but with a bit of maintenance your garden will stay looking good no matter what the weather decides to throw at it, and you could even boost its functionality for an outside space that performs on every level. Giving it a quick update couldn’t be simpler, and if you do it before the bad weather really sets in you’ll have a space that will be ready and waiting for the sunshine again.

Bring your garden up to scratch

At this time of year it’s all about upkeep (unless, of course, you want to go for a full-on refurbishment project), and you’ll want to start by making sure your lawn hasn’t turned into a jungle after our usual summer combination of sunshine and rain. You of course won’t need to pay it much attention during the winter months but a final once-over will ensure it stays looking good for the foreseeable future, so get the mower out and make sure it’s short enough.
You’ll want to pay some attention to your flowerbeds too. Dead-head any flowers, pull up any final weeds and plant a few bulbs for the spring to ensure you’ll have a bit of colour, and you could always look into planting some seasonal flowers so you’ve got a bit of interest over the next few months. Or, why not give your decking area or garden furniture a bit of TLC? You could give any wood a fresh stain or another coat of varnish, adding a protective layer and ensuring it can withstand the elements with ease.

What products could you need?

The type of products you’ll need will all depend on how much of an upgrade you’re going to give your garden. You might need to invest in a new lawnmower, some garden tools, perhaps a few bulbs or another tin of varnish, but you might want to think outside the box too. Investing in rain barrels could be a great idea as you’ll be able to catch and store a lot of water over the next few months, and making sure your outside tap is up to scratch is essential. If it leaks or drips it could pose a slip hazard when temperatures drop and the water freezes, and if you live in a household of smokers (or if you entertain a lot) you might even want to look into the possibility of outdoor cigarette bins to keep your outside space spick and span.
There are plenty of other products you might need if you’re going to get your project underway, and here at diyshop.com we’ve got it covered. We can give you access to all the tools and supplies you could need to bring your garden up a notch, so take a look around and you’ll soon be giving your outside space the boost it deserves.