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.

www.diy-extra.co.uk

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

New, easier to use design for www.diy-extra.co.uk

Our main site over at www.diy-extra.co.uk has recently undergone a complete overhaul, stripping out some of the less useful pages, adding in lots of new stuff and making the design cleaner and easier to use.

Take a look and let us know what you think http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/

Cool Off in the Hot Weather...

As the summer heats up, Tooled-up.com are slashing prices on a number of their free-standing and clip on fans. If you are anything like us, a good quality, quiet fan is essential for a good nights sleep at this time of year. With domestic fans starting from just £12.95 and rising up to £51.95, there is something for everyone.

Head over to http://www.tooled-up.com/ and take a look!

Free World Cup Tape Measure at Tooled-Up

Tooled-Up.com are getting in the World Cup Spirit and want all their customers to join them. To show their support for England they are giving away Free England Tape measures with every order over £30.

Spend over £30 and get a free 5m Stanley England Tape Measure while stocks last.

Spend Over £60 and get a free 8m Stanley England Tape Measure while stocks last.

And while you are at the site why not enter the fantastic competition where you get a chance to win an Official Adidas JO’BULANI Final ball worth £80.00.

Home Improvement Packs

As of the 21st May 2010 you no longer need to pay out for a Home Improvement Pack (or Home Information Pack) when you are selling your home. This is welcome news to sellers as the packs can cost between £200 and £400 and can increase the time taken to complete on a sale.

HIP's were introduced in the 2007 with the aim of making the sale of a property safer for the buyer by requiring the seller to disclose certain information about the property, including evidence of property ownership and sustainability info (for new properties). The HIP also included the Energy Performance Certificate and this alone remains as a requirement for anyone selling a property.

Good news for both sellers and estate agents, but probably not so good for the thousands of companies that sprang up to supply HIP's to the housing market.

You can find out more info about the suspension of HIP's and what is still required of sellers Here.

Dremel 200 Series

Dremel has introduced a new dual-speed multi-tool, compatible with all Dremel accessories and attachments, at a great value price. A versatile tool for detailed applications, the Dremel 200 Series is the perfect entry-level multi-tool for the novice and occasional user.

The new Dremel 200 is recommended for all light DIY and hobby projects, such as engraving, grinding, cutting, sanding, carving and polishing. It has a 125 watt motor and two-speed setting (15,000 and 35,000 RPM) for better control and accuracy on all projects that require an eye for detail. It also incorporates a hanger bail to attach the tool to a tool-holder. The Dremel 200 can be used with all the other attachments in the Dremel range, such as the Flexshaft which provides greater ease of working.

The Dremel 200 Series corded multi-tool comes with five high quality Dremel accessories: a sanding band with mandrel (407), another mandrel for mounting different accessories (402), a 1/8" aluminium oxide grinding stone (932) and two 32mm cutting wheels (426).
Available now from http://www.dremel-direct.com and at B&Q from September. SRP is just £34.99.

"By offering an entry-level rotary tool at such a competitive price point, there's now a Dremel offering for every budget," comments Dremel Brand Manager, Nick Longford.

For more info, visit the Dremel website: http://www.dremel.co.uk/

Self Build & Home Improvement on the Increase

Interest in both self build and home improvement continues to grow, according to a recent survey from The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show. Twenty nine percent of visitors to the Show, held at the NEC in March, are currently involved in a self build project, compared to 20% in 2009, with 38% involved in a renovation project, compared to 34% in 2009. This homeowner confidence is mirrored by recent news from the Nationwide that house prices in the UK have risen by 10.5% in the year to the end of April.

Homeowners keen to improve, extend, renovate or even build their own home should visit The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show, on at Sandown Park on 26 and 27 June. Visitors can pick up the latest in innovative products and services, inspirational design ideas, restoration tips, cost saving ideas and eco friendly solutions – all under one roof. Bring along your plans or drawings, meet with the experts and get great advice and information from the free seminars and masterclasses.

The Show is co-located with The Kitchen & Bathroom Show, the UK’s only dedicated kitchen and bathroom consumer show. Individual manufacturers and suppliers often not seen on the High Street, will inspire with bespoke designs, the latest technology and a fabulous array of colours and styles. New this year is The Kitchen & Bathroom Design Experience where visitors can bring along their room plans and get a one-to-one consultation with experts from The Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom Specialists Association (KBSA) and Essential Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom magazine.

The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show and The Kitchen and Bathroom Show are on at Sandown Park on 26 and 27 June. The Shows feature over 150 exhibitors, 30 free seminars and masterclasses and the chance to Ask the Experts. For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or www.kitchenandbathroomshow.co.uk. Tickets give entry to both Shows and are £5 in advance by calling 0844 5811377or £8 on the door (children under 16 go free).

The Top 5 guides @ www.diy-extra.co.uk

Diy Extra is growing all the time, with new guides and articles being added on an almost daily basis. Here are the top 5 guides from the last few days.

1. Central Heating Problems

2. Bending Copper Pipe

3. Building Metal-Framed Stud Walls

4. Removing a Cast-Iron Bath

5. How to Paint Walls and Ceilings

To see all of the latest guides, articles and features, visit www.diy-extra.co.uk now!

Dremel Launches New Range of Detail Abrasive Brushes

The new brushes are compatible with all Dremel multi-tools including the fast-change SpeedClic system. They have been developed specifically for cleaning delicate surfaces and getting into tight, intricate shapes for tough restoration projects without damaging the workpiece.

The Coarse 36 Grit brush is designed for light rust removal from metal or steel.

The Medium 120 Grit brush is for light paint removal from wood.

And the Fine 220 Grit abrasive brush removes tarnish from brass.

Other applications include cleaning aluminium, plastic and vinyl. They will also smooth wood and de-bur after carving or routing.

The three wheels are colour-coded for easy identification. There's also no need for compound any more - the abrasive is impregnated within the rubber wheel so the grit will last for the life of the accessory.

"These new detail abrasive brushes will improve the sanding capabilities of our tools," says Nick Longford, Dremel Brand Manager. "They will remove the exterior, surface layer without damage to the base layer below. They also allow sanding of contours and details, as well as in hard-to-reach areas".

Priced £6.99 (SSP) each, the abrasive brushes will be available online at http://www.dremel-direct.com

Money off at tooled-up.com in April

£5.00 Off Orders Over £50.00

Code - APR5LESS

Start 01/04/2010 End 30/04/2010


£10.00 off Orders over £100.00

Code - APR10LESS

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Paint Safety...

Painting is something almost everyone will have a go at themselves. However, there are a few safety issues you should think about before opening that tin of paint or varnish.

Paint Safety Tips

1. Wherever possible, use paints which contain low or no VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds). VOC's can pollute the environment and can cause problems for asthma sufferers, amongst others.

2. Always ensure adequate ventilation when using paint, varnish or anything solvent-based. Ventilation should be provided as the paint or varnish dries, not just when it is being applied.

3. Avoid smoking whilst painting or in the vicinity of drying paint. Solvent-based paint can give off flammable fumes.

4. If you spill any paint outside, ensure it is soaked up with sand or soil. Do not allow any paint to enter the drain.

5. If you get any paint or varnish in your eyes, wash out immediately with lots of cold water, holding your eyelids open as much as possible. Check manufacturers instructions for this event and contact a doctor if any adverse symptoms persist.

6... For the rest of this article, check out www.diy-extra.co.uk