Home repair and project guides
Short, practical sequences for the jobs people actually do at home — what to check first, the order to do it in, and the products for each step.
Paint
Repair peeling paint
Why paint lifts, and the preparation that stops it coming back: remove what is loose, fill and smooth, prime, then two finish coats.
Read guide 6 min guideTreat a damp wall
Painting over untreated damp guarantees the damage comes back. Find the moisture source, dry the wall, treat it, then prime and repaint.
Read guide 5 min guidePaint an interior room
Measure the walls, protect the room, prepare and prime, then cut in the edges and roll the walls.
Read guideWaterproofing
Find the source of a leak
Trace where the water actually enters before buying any coating: check slope, joints and pipe entries, and rule out plumbing first.
Read guide 5 min guideWaterproof a terrace
Repair cracks and correct drainage, prime and reinforce the joints, apply the full roof membrane, then let it cure before rain or foot traffic.
Read guide 5 min guideTreat a damp interior wall
Stop the moisture at its source, strip back to sound plaster, apply a damp-proof treatment, then restore putty, primer and paint.
Read guideElectrical
Plan home wiring
List every point, group the circuits, size the wire and protection for each, and have a licensed electrician do the work.
Read guide 6 min guideChoose an MCB
Load, cable rating, pole and curve — how to read an MCB, and when to call an electrician instead.
Read guide 4 min guideAdd an LED light
Isolate the supply, confirm what kind of fitting the point takes, mount and connect it, then restore power and test.
Read guidePlumbing
Fix a leaking tap
Shut off, find where the water is actually escaping, replace the worn part, reseal and pressure-test.
Read guide 7 min guidePlan a bathroom
Mark every fixture, plan hot, cold and waste routes, and buy the pipes, fittings and fixtures as one compatible set.
Read guide 5 min guideClear a slow drain
Remove visible waste, clean the trap, flush the line and check for leaks — and when the blockage is further down.
Read guideHardware
Hang a heavy shelf
The wall decides the fixing. Check the wall type, mark level holes, drill and anchor, then fasten and load-test.
Read guide 5 min guideFit a cupboard lock
A cupboard lock with the concealed hinges and fixings for one cupboard door.
Read guide 4 min guideSecure two room doors
Tower bolts, 5" butt hinges and door catchers to bring two room doors up to the same standard. Door locks are not stocked yet.
Read guide 4 min guideSeal a wet-area gap
Remove the old sealant, clean and dry the joint, apply a steady bead, then tool it smooth and let it cure.
Read guideDIY tools
Build a home toolkit
The tools that cover most household repairs, bought once rather than one emergency at a time.
Read guide 3 min guideSpray paint a surface properly
Clean, sand and degrease the surface, then Mask everything you are not painting. A short checklist before you press the cap.
Read guide 3 min guideFree a seized bolt without breaking it
Clear loose rust and dirt from the thread, then Apply a penetrant and wait, do not force it. A short checklist before you press the cap.
Read guide 3 min guideUse an aerosol safely indoors
Check the label allows indoor use at all, then Open a window and cross-ventilate the room. A short checklist before you press the cap.
Read guidePower tools
Choose a drill
Impact or rotary, corded or battery, and which bits you actually need — matched to the material you are drilling.
Read guide 4 min guideUse an angle grinder
Fit the correct disc, set the guard, secure the work and cut away from your body.
Read guide 4 min guideChoose corded or cordless
How often you will use it, whether a battery is included, runtime against mains power, and the battery platform you already own.
Read guide 4 min guideMatch the tool to the material
Identify the material first, match the tool family to it, and check the tool takes the right accessory — sold separately.
Read guide 3 min guideWork safely with power tools
Read the manual before first use, fit and set the guard, clamp the work rather than holding it, and wear eye, ear and hand protection.
Read guide