If you’re considering DIY and home renovation projects, you’re probably already looking forward to the work being completed. However, there are many common pitfalls that people carrying out DIY jobs can encounter, and if you want to make sure you don’t end up with a leak, lumpy walls or misaligned shelves, it’s wise to do some reading up before embarking on any projects.

Walls

Perhaps your property could do with a fresh lick of paint, or you’re thinking of hanging some new wallpaper, in which case you’ll need to make sure the walls are properly prepped. This might involve removing the current coating and plastering them to avoid any protruding lumps. Some walls will require sanding to take paint and avoid peeling, while if you’re hanging wallpaper you’ll need to get the measurements exact.

Paper will require smoothing over to remove any air pockets and if you’re paining, you might need to apply a few coats to create a smooth and consistent finish. It’s useful to cover skirting boards with masking tape to avoid any mistakes or drips.

If you’re planning to put up shelves, using a spirit level is vital to avoid wonkiness. It’s also worth thinking about what’s behind the walls you plan to erect shelving on – you’ll need to take extra care if there is pipework behind them as you won’t want to drill into these. In the same vein, make sure you know where your home’s stopcock is, so you can turn the water supply off if necessary before you begin work.

Bathrooms

Making changes to the bathroom is a popular way of renovating a property and making it more appealing. If you’re considering using wood – perhaps to make panels for the bath – remember to use primers or the wood will swell and could rot. You might also need to give some thought to the ease of being able to remove such panels in the event of a leak, when you will need fast access to the bath’s pipes.

Installing new tiles is a great way to spruce up a bathroom, but this can be more complicated than simply pulling up a carpet or other floor covering and laying the new surface. The sub floor material needs to be stable; otherwise, tiles may pop up or crack.
In terms of tiling walls, getting the spacing and alignment spot on will be your main consideration to create a professional look, but it’s also important to mix the grout properly or you risk it not setting and tiles coming loose.

When purchasing tiles or wallpaper, be sure to buy more than you need. Tiles can easily break or need to be cut to fit, while paper – when cut to size – might leave numerous smaller sections that would look inconsistent on the walls.

Plumbing

Plumbing in a toilet, bath or shower can also be a difficult feat – especially for someone who is approaching the task with no prior experience. If you’re confident you can complete the job, it will require lots of prior reading and preparation, but if at any time you feel out of your depth, it could be the best step to employ a professional.

By getting the experts in to deal with jobs that require a set standard of skill, you can be confident of the end result. It can also be much quicker to utilise the skills of a professional and potentially save you money, as having a go yourself could cause more harm than good.

Wiring

The same can be said when it comes to wiring. If you plan to install a new light fitting, you might be able to complete a simple job yourself, but if you require a whole new lighting structure it would be wise to bring in the professionals.

DIY fans run the risk of electric shock, so to eradicate the threat always turn off the circuit breaker or remove the fuse when carrying out electricity-related tasks. If your property was built before 1940, you might need to root around for more than one circuit breaker.

It’s also vital to make sure receptacles are wired with the correct grounding and polarity – it’s worth remembering that homes built before the 1960s may not have a grounding path, thus you will need to seek out expert help.

For more top tips when it comes to DIY, as well as the latest trends in home renovation, visit housefixer.co.uk.