DIY for beginners
9-How to fit a smoke alarm (smokey & the bandit theme?) What you need. Screws (should be provided with the shelf – if not then use screws that fit into the screw holes) washers Masonry plugs (rawl plugs) Pencil Hammer A drill with a masonry or wood drill bit (depends on what you’re are attaching the alarm too) A smoke alarm a battery Fitting a smoke alarm is a good idea, and it's not hard at all... Step 1 Decide where you want it! It's best to have them on the ceiling near or in the kitchen or in a hallway. Step 2 Get a ladder and get to the ceiling with your alarm and a pencil. Hold the alarm up and mark where the holes need to go. Don't do it near a light fitting! To be sure you don't drill into electrical cables it's a good idea to use a no-contact current & voltage detector (cheap and useful) – simply turn the device on and bring it to the ceiling to see if it detects a current close (which means there could be wiring inside the ceiling). Step 3 Get your drill out and drill where you have marked with the pencil. Use a drill bit that's the right size for the masonary plugs (if it's wood you're putting it onto then just screw it straight in). Step 4 Get up there and tap in lightly the masonry plugs with a hammer so they are flat with the ceiling. Put a washer over each screw so it sits by the screw head. Now screw the alarm into the masonry plugs with the screws that will have been provided with it. If you need screws then use ones that fit the holes in the alarm... Done! 10-How to fit a new toilet seat (elvis theme?) What you need. A new toilet seat with fittings (available from most good hardware shops) Pliers Nothing breaks the concentration like an annoying busted toilet seat... So fix it! It's easy and and quick and worth it. Step 1 Now remember this is for regular toilet seats, not your space-age fruity designs which may have special fixtures... The seat is attached by 2 metal bolts that hold the seat hindge to the bowl. At the back under the seat will be 2 wing nuts, or jst plain nuts. Use a spanner or the pliers to undo the nuts if they are tight, turn them anti-clockwise to undo. Once the nuts are off you can simply lift the old seat upwards and the bolts will slip out, nice. Step 2 Now you need to get the new seat, and put the 2 bolts attached to the seat back through the holes in the bowl. Remember to add any washers that may be provided with the seat. Now add another washer to the end of the bolts on the underside of the bowl, and do up the nuts a little. Now adjust the seat so it is positioned perfectly for optimal comfort, and tighten up the nuts! Bingo, a comfy crapper. 11-How to read your electricity and gas meter. If you swap over your gas or electricity and you have meters then you'll need to give them a reading. It's rather simple really... Step 1 You need to find where your meters are. They could be inside or outside in an external box of cupboard. Usually you'll need a special key to upen a box, it is often a triangular-ended key that is available from your gas supplier. Get it open! Step 2 Now to read the guages. Reading either is the same, work your way from the left to the right guage, writing down the lower number next to the needle, so if the needle is betwen 6 and 7, then wrte down 6. Do this for each dial as you go until you will have a long number. That is your reading! 12-How to unblock a toilet! It's not a fun job but someone has to do it... What you need. A large plunger Powerful drain un-blocker thin hosing (for last ditch efforts) Step 1 Stop flushing it and turn off the water supply (see our article – click here). Bail out as much water as you wan with a bucket. Get the plunger out and place the rubber end over the hole at the bottom of the toilet, and pump the handle up and downwards as if your life depended on it, creating suction in the pipe. This usually fixes the problem, just remember, don't flush whatever has appeared without breaking it up first. I know it's grim but you could just block it up again... Step 2 No luck? Get the drain un-blocker and squirt it down the bottom of the bog into the u-bend, and leave it for as long as it says on the bottle. This can help break it up a bit, once done flush it and see what happens... Step 3 If the evil deed is still offending then it's time for the thin hosing... it needs to be long and bendy but tough, like very flexible garden hose, or hosing from a local hardware shop. Basically shove the hose down the toilet and try to get it round the bend to break up the blockage. Don't be too aggressive but work at it to get it right round. If you still find it is blocked then it could be a messy job, so probably best to get a professional in. 13-How to survive a gas fire in your home! Leaking gas in your home is a serious problem and a fire can be disastrous, so be prepared… Step 1 If you smell gas, don’t walk in puffing a cigarette or with naked flame or you could go up in flames. Turn off the gas supply first (see our article – click here). This is essential to ensure that once the fire is out the gas doesn’t continue to leak. Step 2 If you find a gas fire then try to smother it with a cloth, blanket or rag, if you can wet the rag that helps too. Alternatively you can use a type B fire extinguisher. Step 3 Try to ventilate the room by opening windows. Call the fire brigade, even if you think you’ve put the fire out as they can check for more potential hazards. 14-What to do in the event of a break-in at your home. Finding that your home has been burgled is gutting, but be sensible and follow these instructions. Preventing a burglary is the best way to avoid it… Step 1 Don’t go telling strangers you’re away, they could mention it to someone, who will mention it to someone and the next thing you know you’ve got no TV. Don’t leave an answer phone message or note on your front door for neighbours, as you never know who’ll see or hear it. Get a good set of door locks, if it can be opened with a good shove or some basic lock picking then it’s not much use. Lock your windows too, simple latches are easy to open once a window is smashed. If you can then get a burglar alarm, often the sight of an alarm box outside is enough to discourage the scoundrels. Motion sensor outside lights are also a good idea, they aren’t expensive and are available from most good hardware places. Step 2 If you come home and find that a window is open or a door has been tampered with, then don’t go into your home – call the police on your mobile, or go to a neighbours’ house. If the burglar is still inside you don’t want to confront them, no matter how angry you are, they could be armed. If you find a thief inside your house then try and get out, if you are trapped then move aside and allow them to leave – don’t attempt to attack them or you could get hurt, or jailed if you do them damage (in the UK). Step 3 Try not to touch anything in your house until the police have finished inside, as you don’t want to destroy any evidence that could help catch the rascal. 15-How to turn off the gas supply. What you need. A wrench It’s good to know where your gas shut-off valve is, in the case of a gas leak or fire. Step 1 Find it… The valve can be found in a whole number of places depending on the sort of building you live in, so look around. Usually the valve is outside, often near the gas meter – it could be in a sealed box or on an external pipe. It will look like a nut or adjustable end in the pipe. If you live in an apartment then it could be located in a shared hallway in an enclosed box or cabinet inside, or in a utility area within your flat. Step 2 Use the wrench to turn the valve a quarter either way – this will close the valve and turn off the gas. Easy! If you find that the valves is stuck or not moving, then try the other direction. If this doesn’t work then call in an expert as the valve may be damaged and might need replacing - not something you should do unless you’re a qualified technician. You’ll also find that there will be a valve on the gas pipe going to each gas-powered appliance. This is usually a hand-adjustable valve, turn the valve a quarter clockwise. Test the appliance to see if it still has gas to ensure it is definitely off. 16-Home maintenance insurance - A Simple Guide What is home maintenance insurance? It is basically insurance that will cover you against home repairs and emergencies. Different policies cover different things, but for a one-off or monthly fee you can get the following done – • Plumbing and water supply pipe maintenance – includes things like dripping taps, leaks etc. • Internal electrics, burn out wires and sockets. • Other home emergencies, like roofing, windows, loss of keys and house pests like cockroaches. • Gas pipes cover for leaks, and any repairs required. Whilst some home repairs can be done yourself, it is best to get a qualified expert to fix things like piping, gas an electrical problems – this will ensure your safety and should mean your home is up to the required regulatory standards. For more information on home maintenance and repairs insurance, click here –
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