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Made in the UKDIY’s Got Talent?!
Here we go again! Another round of Britain’s Got Talent hits our screens and it seems the nation divides into two camps – love it or hate it – with perhaps an additional small minority who haven’t a clue about the very existence of “BGT”!
But here at DIY Homefit it did get us thinking about the range of talents and abilities that people display when it comes to DIY. In many ways it mirrors BGT: there are those who are indeed talented and don’t they know it, others with equal talent but more modesty – who endear themselves to the audience – and then there are those who do not have talent but think they do!
In the spirit of this latter group of people we thought it would be worth having a quick look at some common DIY disasters: cases where DIY definitely does not have talent! We’ve given the big BGT red cross to each disaster and ticked how you can avoid it happening!
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Drilling through water pipes or electricity cables |
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Most DIY shops sell detectors to identify where water pipes and electrical cables are located in the walls. So whether your DIY task is installing modern fitted bedroom furniture or kitchen cupboard replacement this would be well worth the investment!
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Electric shocks |
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If it doubt always seek professional help for any kind of electrical wiring or installation. Be aware that all electrical work in homes – whether carried out professionally or as DIY – must meet the safety requirements of the Building Regulations. |
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Home emergency |
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If you are not careful with the above two areas then you may be unfortunate enough to affect a utility such as heating or power or drainage, and may end up having to use home emergency cover to sort it out. The moral of the story is to avoid tackling jobs that are beyond your capabilities. |
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Breaking glass |
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It is so easy when doing DIY – whether during the work itself or when carrying items around – to break glass either as part of existing items in the home or as part of the products you are fitting. Take extra care at all times and check out your insurance accidental damage to see if you would be covered if anything did go wrong. |
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Dropping items |
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It’s not just glass that can get damaged during DIY! Existing furniture, mirrors or ornaments can wasily get broken or damaged so make sure to move everything out of the way before you start and, again, check your home insurance to see where you stand in case the worst happens. |
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Spilling paint |
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We have probably all done this! As part of the room is being decorated the other is being soaked by paint leaking from an overturned can! Always cover carpets and furniture with dust sheets during DIY to avoid unnecessary damage. |
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Self-assembly furniture collapsing |
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Unlike some other manufacturers at DIY Homefit all our products come with comprehensive instructions and there should therefore be no problems along these lines! We also have a Technical Tips page on our website. If in doubt have a dry run to practise assembling the trickier parts before final installation. |
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Shoddy workmanship |
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If a thing is worth doing it is worth doing well! Not only do you want your DIY project to look good but it also needs to be safe for you and your friends and family. Don’t rush a job to get it finished but make sure it is done well and is fit for purpose. |
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Falling |
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If you are using a ladder or standing on something else during your DIY project be very careful! So many accidents happen this way. Make sure your ladder is secure and ideally get someone to hold it for you. No DIY job is worth your personal safety: if in doubt, don’t take risks but get help! |
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Other injuries |
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Always put yourself first and avoid risk to yourself and others. Always read the manufacturers’ instructions for products and tools and wear suitable protective clothing where needed. Again, no DIY job is worth your personal safety: if in doubt, don’t take risks but get help! |
So – how to avoid the above disasters? The two key principles are “use your common sense” and “if in doubt, ask advice”!
Fortunately all our products at DIY Homefit are easy to install and come with comprehensive instructions. If, however, you are not confident about fitting them yourself and would like some help then check out our “Find a Fitter” page to help you find an expert in your area who may be able to help you!