Digital TV Aerials - DIY Extra

The type of aerial you need to receive the digital signal differs from those that were used to receive the old analogue transmission. Digital aerials are all wideband, meaning that they can receive transmissions across the whole frequency band, rather than just the five frequencies of the old analogue channels. Check out the full guide to choosing and fitting digital TV aerials on DIY Extra

DIY Extra

Building a Retaining Wall with Sleepers

If you can get hold of some old wooden railway sleepers, they are an excellent alternative to using bricks of blocks for building retaining walls for raised beds. Firstly, using reclaimed sleepers will often be cheaper than buying new bricks. Building a wall with sleepers is also often faster and easier than using bricks, even though the sleepers can be heavy (you may need an extra pair of helping hands to move them into place) and because they are heavily impregnated with preservative, they can last for a very long time. The final reason to use sleepers rather than bricks of blocks is that they look really nice in the garden, giving a much more natural finish.


Check out DIY Extra for the full guide...

Tiling a Splashback

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A tiled splashback usually consists of one or two rows of tiles on the wall directly behind the sink or washbasin and is designed to stop splashed water soaking the plaster and ruining the wall. The easiest way to create a splashback is to use only full tiles, extending them slightly past the edge of the fixture. This way, no cutting is needed and the job can be completed quickly and without fuss.

Tiling a Splashback - Method 1

Measure the sink or washbasin and make a mark in the exact centre. Place a whole tile on either side of this mark and work outwards, using spacers between tiles as you normally would, until you reach the edge of the sink or just past the edge. You can then repeat the process for the second and third row of tiles if required. Lay the tiles out dry (without adhesive) first to see if the final tile sits where you want it to. You can then apply adhesive to the wall and start to attach the tiles.

Tiling a Splashback - Method 2

If the first method results in the tile falling short of the end of the sink, or if the last tile projects further past the edge of the sink than you want it to, move the middle tiles. Instead of starting either side of the middle line, place the first tile with the line at its centre. Now work outwards from this middle tile and see where the end tiles reach. This may result in a better looking finish, so it is worth experimenting.

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Cement Mixers and Ready Mix...

Ready-Mix Concrete
There are a few DIY jobs which might require large amounts of concrete at one time, including creating concrete driveways or laying the concrete slab foundation for a garage or outbuilding. In these cases it is worth considering getting your concrete ready-mixed from a local supplier.
http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/ready-mix-concrete.html

Using a Cement Mixer
Mixing concrete and mortar by hand is fairly easy to do and offers a good amount of control over the consistency of the mix. However, if you have a large amount of concrete or mortar to mix, it is often worth hiring a small cement mixer to make things easier.
http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/using-a-cement-mixer.html

Fitting a Plasterboard Ceiling

Replacing an old plasterboard ceiling is a messy task, but can often be necessary one. Ceilings, especially those on the ground floor, can be subject to a lot of stresses over time and can often crack. You can patch smaller cracks with filler, but if the cracks are being caused by an underlying problem, this will only be a short-term fix. You can read more on filling cracks and holes in plaster here.

Removing the Existing Plasterboard

As we have mentioned, removing an old plasterboard ceiling is a messy and dusty job, so a mask and goggles are essential. Clear the room you are working in and open all the windows and external doors...


Read More - http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/fitting-plasterboard-ceiling.html

DIY Extra Building Guide List

- 7 Secrets of Skip Hire
- Asbestos Guide
- BigDug - Storage Solutions- Two Rooms or One?- Planning Permission Guide
- Damp Problems
- Basement Waterproofing
- Home Information Pack
- The Energy Performance Certificate
- Home Insurance Advice
- Our Top 5 Online DIY Stores

Brickwork and Stonework 

- Building Block Partitions - NEW!


- Removing a Fireplace
- Guide to Wall Construction
- Building Walls
- Cleaning Brick and Stone
- Fitting an Airbrick
- Replacing a Brick
- Repointing a Wall
- Identifying Load-bearing Walls
- Spanning Openings (Brick Walls)
- Types of Lintel
- Preparing Masonry for Plaster
- Laying Wall Foundations
- Cutting Bricks and Blocks

Roofing

- Replacing Flashing - NEW!
- Flat Roofing Materials - NEW!


- Insulating Your Loft
- Felt Roof Repairs
- Guide to Roofing Materials
- Replacing Shed Roof Felt
- Roof Repair Tools
- Repairing Mortar Verges

Stud walls, Plasterboard and Plastering

- Building a Stud Wall
- Building a Staggered Stud Wall
- Metal-framed Stud Walls
- Stud Wall Regulations
- Cutting a Doorway in a Stud Wall
- Fitting a Plasterboard Ceiling
- Stud Walls - Fitting Pipes
- Fixing Plasterboard to Studs- Plastering Guide
- Preparing Plaster
- Types of Plasterboard
- Repairing Holes in Plasterboard
- Making a Footlifter
- Fitting Standard Architrave
- Fitting Classical-Style Architrave
- Repairing Plastered Corners
- Fitting a Plasterboard Patch
- Fitting an Insulated Lining

Concrete and Mortar

- Concrete and Mortar Guide
- Concrete Pads - A Guide
- Concrete Surface Finishes
- Repairing Exterior Render
- Replacing Concrete Slabs
- Maintaining Concrete
- Repairing Concrete Steps
- Laying a Concrete Floor

Self Build

- Self-build guide

Bosch PSB 18 Guide

The Bosch PSB 18 LI-2 Cordless Lithium Ion Hammer Drill gives great results whether hammer drilling, drilling or screwdriving. This set version of the tool comes complete with 18 Volt Lithium-Ion Battery and 60 minute charging station. The PSB 18 LI-2 is part of the 18 Volt ‘Power4all’ System, meaning that this battery fits the other tools in the system.

The PSB 18 LI-2 is the handiest tool in its class, which is particularly due to its lightweight, compact design. In addition, the setting ring with 30 pre-selectable torque settings provides the necessary fingertip control for every screw....


Read More - http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/bosch-psb-18-cordless.html

Flat Roofing Materials

Roofing Felt

Commonly glass-fibre or polyester fleece, impregnated with a bituminous material such as tar or asphaltic bitumen. Usually coated on one side with a mineral to help protect the felt from sunlight and weather damage. Available in a range of sizes, but commonly sold in 1m x 10m rolls.

Fibre-Based Felt
Generally used for garden sheds and wooden outbuildings. Fibre-based felt can be used alone or combined with a sheet underlay. Fibre-based felt is attached using roofing nails and/or roofing felt adhesive. It is relatively cheap and easy to work with and fit...

Read more about flat roofing materials (including shed roof felt)

New @ www.diy-extra.co.uk

Building Block Partitions

Non-loadbearing Partition walls are usually constructed from wooden studs and plasterboard, and in many cases you will not need to look for another solution. If, however, you are planning to build a partition wall on a solid concrete floor, it is worth considering using concrete blocks for the construction. Solid block walls can offer better sound insulation than a standard stud partition wall would and will offer a more solid fixing for shelves, kitchen cabinets, etc...
 
Read More - http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/building-block-partitions.html
 
Replacing Flashing

Flashing, the lead or metal-backed plastic strip which seals the joint between a wall and slate or tile roof, is a common point of water entry on older houses and those with flat roofs. Flashing which was fitted when the house was built is usually embedded into a row of mortar between the bricks above the joint of wall and roof. Flashing which has been added after a house has been completed (such as on a porch or flat-roofed extension) might be a metal-backed strip which is stuck over the joint with strong, waterproof adhesive...
 
Read More - http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/replacing-flashing.html
 
Einhell Multitool Review

As the name suggests, the Einhell Multitool is a corded rotary multitool and comes with a kit containing 217 attachments aimed at the diy and hobby market. The kit contains the multitool, flexible extension shaft, an adjustable hook so you can hang it out of the way while you work and the storage case containing the 217 attachments. The attachments range from polishing discs to drills and engravers...
 
Read More - http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/review-einhell-multitool.html
 
Painting Walls and Ceilings

When you are painting a whole room, you should always paint the ceiling first to avoid splashing paint on walls and woodwork. If you are planning to strip wallpaper, leave this on until the ceiling is painted and then any spotting from the ceiling will come off with the paper, rather than being on the bare wallwhere it could later show through paper or paint. Always cover the whole floor with dustsheets (unless the flooring is being replaced at the same time)...

Read More - http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/painting-walls-and-ceilings.html