Tradespeople Tips and Tricks

If you’re thinking about taking on a DIY project (when safe and suitable), want important knowledge to maintain your home or know when issues need a professional to address and more, this blog is for you.

Here are the tips and tricks taken from industry professionals!

5 Tips From an Electrician

First, we'll summarise the five top tips from an electrician. Of course, any actual electrics work is not DIY-friendly, but you’ll still want to know when and why it might be time to hire a professional electrician.

In brief, here is what a professional electrician advises:

• Regular Inspections - Hire a qualified electrician to inspect your electrics at least once a decade or sooner if your electrics are worn down or/and seem like there’s any chance they’ve become less safe.
• Do Not Overload Sockets - Do not plug too much or otherwise use too much energy from one socket for a few sockets that are together. This means you should avoid fully using up an extension cord or double adapter for a single socket. You can have more sockets added if needed to ensure safety, as overloading can be dangerous.
• Surge Protection - It is also advised to hire a qualified electrician to add surge protection equipment to your home’s primary electrical panel. This can improve safety, among other advantages.
• Have Your Home Rewired - Your home’s electrics should be re-wired every 20-25 years or sooner if there’s any concern that your electrics may be unsafe or if your home has old electrics from pre-1995. If in doubt, hire a professional to check your electrics to determine if rewiring is needed. Legally, a duty of care applies, too.
• Electrical Safety - Do not attempt direct electrics works and only those that are DIY-friendly. Essentially, all you can do DIY is turn the power back on at the mains after a power cut once you do so safely and by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

5 Tips From a Painter and Decorator

Thinking about revitalising the look of your home’s interior? If you want to know the top tips about painting and decorating, this is section is for you.

Here is some paint and decorator tips:

• Follow Instructions Closely - Whether you want to paint trim in your living room, repaint several rooms in your home or add fresh wallpaper to a bedroom, always follow the instructions to a T to ensure the work goes well with a good outcome.
• Paint in the Light - It’s essential that you paint in a well-lit area (preferably with natural light) and that all areas being painted are well-lit. Otherwise, you may not paint evenly.
• Paint Top to Bottom - When painting by yourself, it’s crucial that you paint from top to bottom. Otherwise, freshly applied paint at the top will drip down and mess with your project, whereas painting at the top first gives it time to dry so you can achieve an even outcome.
• Utilise the Correct Tools - Do not forget to use the right tools for the job. Along with choosing ones that are of sufficient quality (the higher the quality the better, of course), it’s important you know of everything needed for the job in question. If in doubt, consult with a professional.
• Add Wallpaper With Care - If you wish to add new wallpaper to your home, ensure you add smoothly and carefully. You can use a suitable tool (e.g. a smoother application), but just do so cautiously to avoid stretching the wallpaper. All in all, smoothen it out but without stretching or/and ripping. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for specific clarity in relation to your chosen wallpaper product.

5 Tips From a Plumber

When it comes to DIY-friendly plumbing work, it’s important to consider the top key advice so that you pull things off properly. Again, if in doubt, consult with or hire a professional plumber.

Here are your top five plumbing tips:

• Read Safety Labels - Always check for safety labels when performing plumbing work with any products or equipment being used (e.g. a sealant). And, of course, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions too. Be sure to opt for quality and suitable tools.
• Get a Universal Safety Key - A universal safety key can be used for a range of DIY jobs and can prove a cost-effective solution. Always buy from a reputable supplier, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and never use it in an unsafe way. If in any doubt, consult with a professional plumber for advice. This key can act as a several-in-one spanner for certain plumbing jobs.
• Replace Your Showerhead - Unless your shower is new or/and works perfectly fine and within its life expectancy, you may want to consider having a new showerhead installed. This could enhance your showering experience with improved water flow, temperature control and more.
• New Pipe Tech - You should hire a plumber to replace existing pipework (where suitable and affordable - unless, of course, mass pipe replacements are needed for one reason or another) with modern alternatives. Modern, flexible alternatives can be a great replacement for old copper pipes.
• Avoid Cheap Pipe Materials - Ensure you have quality pipes and other plumbing materials installed. If in any doubt, hire a professional. Also, again, not all plumbing work is DIY friendly either way, so always verify this.

5 Tips From a Builder

DIY building efforts must also be undertaken carefully and only when suited. In this area, you’ll want to know what the top builder tips are.

Here are five tips from a builder:

• Be Sure to Read the Instructions - As with many areas of DIY work, it’s important to ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to a T. Also, consult with a professional if in any doubt.
• Quality Tools - Having quality tools not only improves the chances they’ll last longer (saving you money over time) but, more importantly, contributes to making a project safer by helping to ensure the project goes well and that your construction, repair or installation is firm in place. Of course, following the manufacturer’s instructions and more also ties into securing a high-quality, safe end result.
• Safety First - Always put safety first. Take any and all necessary safety precautions. Ensure to research the safety needs for any given project from reliable sources or/and consult with a professional builder directly. If at all unsure still, hire a professional to err on the side of caution. This can ensure a good outcome and keep you and others safe from harm or injury.
• Don’t Rush It - When taking on a DIY project (and even if you have the right skills and knowledge), it’s still important to take your time for a safe and high-quality end result. Of course, you’ll still need to balance this with any deadlines that must be adhered to.
• Go With High-End Materials - Along with using high-end tools, be sure that you opt for quality materials; again, this can easily improve safety along with the quality and durability of the work.