Posts filed under ‘DIY’
DIY help: Celebrity builder Tommy Walsh on how to lay a hardwood floor
This is a legacy post from the findaproperty.com blog which is now maintained as an archive within the Zoopla blog. Links have been preserved.
Celebrity builder Tommy Walsh is sharing his DIY tips and hints exclusively with FindaProperty.com.
This week he shares his tips for laying a hardwood floor.
1. Measure the floor space accurately before purchase, and allow 10% extra for mistakes or accidental damage.
2. Try to avoid overlaying existing floors. If you do lay over existing flooring, either remove the skirting or cut a slot for the new flooring to fit under, while the skirting’s still in position. Always allow a gap all around the room of 10-15mm between flooring and wall to allow for expansion and contraction. The skirting will cover the gap.
3. Ensure whatever you’re fixing the new flooring to is flat and level (whether it is floor joists, old flooring , or plywood sub-floor). Flooring should be fixed secretly through the tongue using a porta-nailor (which you can hire). This allows you to fix the floor securely without the fixings being visible.
4. Open three or four packs of flooring at a time and select boards randomly from them in case there are any slight variations, this way you won’t see them in the finished floor.
5. Floor nails are specially designed for the job, and come in three main sizes: 1 ½“ ; 1 ¾” and 2”. Nail size is generally not a problem when fixing to joists, but when fixing to an overlaid floor, or fixing to plywood, pipework in the floor void may be compromised. Always check the fixing nails won’t pierce the sub –floor beforehand.
6. Noise pollution from hardwood floors can be a major issue for your property neighbours if you live in a non-purpose built flat, particularly in Victorian-style conversions. In these cases, you may have to invest heavily in sound proofing the floor, and create a floating floor which is glued together onto a sound proof underlay membrane. Seek expert advice.
7. If renewing suspended ground floor flooring to make the ground floor warm, install blown polyurethane insulation cut between the joists supported on roofing battens, fixed to the sides of the joists, allowing air circulation to continue uninterrupted underneath. Also, never block the air vents to avoid draughts. It could have disastrous consequences for the floor, with rot and infestation if the natural air flow is interrupted.
8. I would recommend using wide engineered pre-finished flooring to fulfil your dreams, and also do a bit for the environment!
*To see more DIY tips, products and deals visit Trades Supermarket.
How to do safe DIY this bank holiday
This is a legacy post from the findaproperty.com blog which is now maintained as an archive within the Zoopla blog. Links have been preserved.
With the bank holiday fast-approaching the thought of that daring DIY project (which you’ve been putting off the entire year, no doubt) has probably crossed your mind. But before you get stuck in at home with the hammer and ladder, you’d be best advised to take a moment to think through the planning, products and precautions of your DIY project.
Do as I say, not as I do and stay safe this bank holiday if you spend it up a ladder
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (it’s a real charity, we checked) estimates that more than 200,000 people a year end up in hospital as a result of DIY and gardening injuries, so it goes without saying that you don’t want to be one of them. The secret, according to workplace product supplier Singsby, is to take home health and safety as seriously as work health and safety.
Tips to keep you safe this bank holiday:
• Plan ahead – this is one of the most important points in DIY; check you have the necessary tools and equipment and – obvious as it may seem, you’ll know what you’re doing before you start.
• Buying products – generally a more expensive product will nearly always last longer than a cheaper one. You’ll get what you pay for.
• Read instructions and warnings – there’s a reason why they come with the tools and equipment so make sure you thoroughly understand what they’re saying especially if you’re using them for the first time.
• Time it – things usually take longer than you expect so make sure you have enough time to finish the job. Bear in mind that only doing half a job will look worse than not doing it at all.
• Ladders – these are a major cause for accidents so replace old rickety ones. Also make sure the feet of the ladder are on a secure and level surface, rest the top on something solid and position the foot of the ladder one measure out for every four measures in height. Finally move the ladder rather than over-reach.
• Drilling holes – double-check there are no pipes or cables nearby.
• Tidy up – put tools away as you go along this will give you a safe area to work in and you’ll be able to find things easier – plus less cleaning to do at the end.
• Nails – those which are sticking out of wood are common dangers so always remove them straight away.
DIY help: Celebrity builder Tommy Walsh on how to fix a warped wooden floor
This is a legacy post from the findaproperty.com blog which is now maintained as an archive within the Zoopla blog. Links have been preserved.
Celebrity builder Tommy Walsh is sharing his DIY tips and hints exclusively with FindaProperty.com.
This week he answers the question: how to fix a warped wooden floor?
Natural wooden floors add a nice touch to any property. They create character in new builds, and leave a sense of authenticity in older properties. The juxtaposition between old and new can often create stunning results, but it’s not without its problems. In this week’s blog, we will be looking at how to prevent the age old problem of warping.
Warping often happens as a result of exposure to too much moisture or too much sun, which can cause the floor to swell, or even worse, shrink. The best way to prevent it is by ensuring the floor is correctly finished. It might sound a bit silly, but a thin coat of mineral oil can do wonders on a wooden floor, and can help to absorb moisture. When applied regularly (i.e. once a month), it can help to enhance the sheen of the floor.
Freak temperatures can wreak havoc on a wooden floor, so try to maintain a consistent temperature in your property, without jumping from extreme high temperatures to extreme low temperatures and vice versa. A good dehumidifier can help to regulate the atmosphere, so it’s worth investing in one.
Frequent problems with warping could be a sign of a damp property, so ensure you get it investigated. If your floors, do become warped, don’t despair – warping is treatable, and the best way to treat it is to put some damp towels over the warped area for a couple of days; re-screw the floor down, and fill any holes, with the correct filler. However, an overly warped floor can be dangerous, and should be replaced.
*To see more DIY tips, products and deals visit Trades Supermarket
