Topic: 🔧 General household
General household: how-to guides
Everyday fixes, maintenance jobs and small repairs that fall between the specialist trades.
66 guides in this topic
Practical, honest write-ups for jobs a Kent homeowner might tackle themselves: with clear stops where a specialist takes over.
How to build a garden summerhouse
A practical UK guide to building a timber garden summerhouse from scratch: preparing the base, building the frame, cladding the walls, and weatherproofing the roof.
Read the guideHow to build a pergola
A practical UK guide to building a garden pergola: from marking out post positions and setting posts in concrete to fixing beams, laying rafters, and finishing the timber.
Read the guideHow to build a raised deck
A practical UK guide to building a raised timber deck in your garden, from digging post holes and building the frame to laying boards and finishing the edges.
Read the guideHow to build a wildlife pond
A practical UK guide to digging, lining, planting, and finishing a garden wildlife pond that attracts frogs, newts, dragonflies, and other wildlife.
Read the guideHow to build a workbench
Step-by-step UK guide to building a solid timber workbench for your garage or shed: frame, legs, shelf, and worktop covered from start to finish.
Read the guideHow to build garden gates
A practical UK guide to building a timber garden gate from scratch: framing, bracing, and fitting boards so the gate stays square and lasts for years.
Read the guideHow to clean a MagnaClean filter
How to clean a MagnaClean filter safely, including cooling the heating, isolating valves, removing sludge, checking seals, and when to call a heating engineer.
Read the guideHow to create a garden border
A practical UK guide to creating a new garden border from scratch, covering layout, turf removal, soil preparation, and edging for East Kent gardens.
Read the guideHow to deck a sloping garden
A practical UK guide to building a raised deck on a sloping garden: setting posts, framing, laying deck boards, and finishing the edges for a safe and level outdoor space.
Read the guideHow to erect a concrete fence post
A practical UK guide to setting concrete fence posts with gravel boards and panels: from marking out the line to packing with postcrete and fitting the panels.
Read the guideHow to fit a bath panel
A practical UK guide to fitting a bath side panel: measuring, trimming to size, securing the clips, and sealing the edges for a clean, watertight finish.
Read the guideHow to fit a bathroom basin
A practical UK guide to removing an old bathroom basin and fitting a new one: including fitting taps, connecting the waste and trap, and checking for leaks.
Read the guideHow to fit a cat flap
A practical UK guide to fitting a cat flap in a uPVC door, including marking, cutting, removing the bead, fitting the frame, and sealing the edges neatly.
Read the guideHow to fit a cooker hood
A practical UK guide to fitting a kitchen cooker hood: choosing the right type, marking the height, ducting through an external wall, wiring safely, and testing the extraction.
Read the guideHow to fit a curtain pole
A practical UK guide to fitting a curtain pole straight and securely, including tips on wall fixings, bay windows, and avoiding common mistakes.
Read the guideHow to fit a dado rail
A practical UK guide to fitting a dado rail: marking the height, planning your joints, cutting lengths, fixing to plasterboard or masonry, and painting for a clean finish.
Read the guideHow to fit a garden gate
A practical UK guide to fitting a garden gate: covering post checks, hinge placement, hanging the gate level, and fitting a latch that works reliably.
Read the guideHow to fit a heated towel rail
A practical UK guide to fitting a heated towel rail: choosing the right valves, connecting to your central heating, and getting a watertight result first time.
Read the guideHow to fit a kitchen worktop
A practical UK guide to measuring, cutting, and fitting a laminate kitchen worktop: including making sink cut-outs, joining lengths, and sealing the edges properly.
Read the guideHow to fit a loft hatch
A practical UK guide to fitting a new loft hatch: marking out, cutting the ceiling opening, building the frame, and finishing it off properly.
Read the guideHow to fit a loft ladder
A practical UK guide to fitting a loft ladder: checking the hatch size, framing the opening, fitting the ladder box, hanging the sections, and draught-proofing the hatch.
Read the guideHow to fit a picture rail
A practical UK guide to fitting a picture rail: marking the height, finding fixings, cutting and coping corners, fixing to the wall, and painting for a neat period finish.
Read the guideHow to fit a smoke alarm
A practical UK guide to fitting a battery or mains-powered smoke alarm: choosing the right type, finding the best position, drilling and mounting, and testing the alarm.
Read the guideHow to fit architrave
A practical UK guide to fitting door architrave — how to mark the reveal, cut accurate mitres, and nail the trim so it sits flush and tight against the door frame.
Read the guideHow to fit carpet
A practical UK guide to fitting carpet with gripper rods and underlay: from measuring and preparing the floor through cutting, stretching, and tucking for a neat finish.
Read the guideHow to fit roller blinds
A practical UK guide to fitting roller blinds: measuring for recess or face fit, marking bracket positions, drilling and fixing, and fitting the roller tube for smooth operation.
Read the guideHow to fit stair spindles and a handrail
A practical UK guide to replacing stair spindles and fitting a handrail: covering spacing, cutting angles, fixing methods, and getting a clean, professional finish.
Read the guideHow to fit trellis to a fence
A practical UK guide to fitting trellis panels to a fence or garden wall, with advice on fixings, spacing, and choosing the right brackets for the job.
Read the guideHow to fit venetian blinds
A practical UK guide to fitting venetian blinds: measuring for an inside recess or face fit, drilling the brackets, and clipping the headrail in so the blind hangs level.
Read the guideHow to fix a crack in a ceiling
A practical UK guide to fixing cracks in plaster and plasterboard ceilings properly, so they stay filled and do not reappear after the next coat of paint.
Read the guideHow to fix a storm-damaged fence
A practical UK guide to fixing a storm-damaged garden fence: resetting posts, replacing arris rails, and fitting new panels, inspired by Charlie DIYte on YouTube.
Read the guideHow to fix a wobbly gate post
How to fix a wobbly garden gate post in the UK: diagnosing the cause, resetting in concrete, using repair spurs, and when a full replacement is needed.
Read the guideHow to install a burglar alarm
A practical UK guide to installing a Yale-style wireless burglar alarm at home: choosing sensor positions, fitting the panel, and testing every zone.
Read the guideHow to install a fence
A practical UK guide to installing a garden fence from scratch: planning post spacing, setting posts in Postcrete, fitting panels, and adding gravel boards.
Read the guideHow to install a Hive smart thermostat
A practical UK guide to installing a Hive V3 smart thermostat on a combi boiler: covering isolation, wiring the receiver, pairing the thermostat, and setting up the app.
Read the guideHow to install a log burner
A practical UK guide to installing a log burner or wood burning stove, covering building regulations, hearth preparation, chimney lining, and the first fire.
Read the guideHow to install a water butt
A practical UK guide to fitting a water butt to your downpipe: from choosing the right spot and cutting the pipe, to connecting the diverter and testing the flow.
Read the guideHow to install curtain rails
How to install curtain rails safely, including measuring, bracket spacing, and choosing fixings for plasterboard, brick, block, and lintels.
Read the guideHow to install a fence post spike
A practical UK guide to driving a metpost fence spike into the ground straight and true, without digging, inspired by The Building Sheriff on YouTube.
Read the guideHow to install kitchen base units
A practical UK guide to fitting kitchen base units from scratch: levelling legs, fixing to the wall, and joining carcasses so the whole run sits square and solid.
Read the guideHow to install log roll edging
A straightforward UK guide to installing log roll edging in your garden — from marking out and pegging to cutting corners and keeping everything level.
Read the guideHow to insulate a loft
A practical UK guide to installing loft insulation yourself, from clearing the floor and choosing the right roll depth to protecting eaves and finishing the hatch.
Read the guideHow to lag pipes
A practical UK guide to lagging and insulating water pipes and central heating pipes, preventing burst pipes in cold weather and reducing heat loss throughout the year.
Read the guideHow to lay a garden path
A practical UK guide to laying a garden path with paving slabs: including excavating, compacting a sub-base, laying on mortar, cutting edge pieces, and pointing the joints.
Read the guideHow to lay a gravel driveway
A practical UK guide to laying a gravel driveway: from excavating and compacting a sub-base to fitting edging restraints, laying weed membrane, and spreading gravel to depth.
Read the guideHow to lay a gravel garden path
A practical UK guide to laying a gravel garden path (marking out, edging, membrane, and gravel depth) based on the Wickes how-to video.
Read the guideHow to lay artificial grass
A practical UK guide to laying artificial grass, covering excavation, sub-base, weed membrane, rolling out and cutting the grass, securing the edges, and brushing in sand.
Read the guideHow to lay composite decking
A practical UK guide to laying composite decking: building the sub-frame, fitting the boards with hidden clips, and finishing with fascia for a clean, low-maintenance result.
Read the guideHow to lay decking
A practical UK guide to laying timber garden decking, from building a solid sub-frame to fixing boards, finishing the edges, and treating the wood for a lasting result.
Read the guideHow to lay stepping stones
A practical UK guide to laying stepping stones in your garden: marking out, excavating, bedding on sharp sand, and levelling each stone flush with the lawn.
Read the guideHow to lay turf
A practical UK guide to laying turf in the garden, from preparing the soil and ordering rolls to laying, firming, watering, and aftercare.
Read the guideHow to mix concrete
A practical UK guide to mixing concrete by hand or with a cement mixer: covering ratios, loading order, consistency checks, and how to get clean, usable concrete every time.
Read the guideHow to oil decking
Practical guidance on picking the right weather window, cleaning the boards, carrying out a water absorption test, and applying decking oil generously along the grain.
Read the guideHow to plant a tree
A practical UK guide to planting a tree correctly: choosing the right spot, preparing the hole, staking, watering in, and giving it the best start in your garden.
Read the guideHow to plant spring bulbs
A practical UK guide to planting spring bulbs in the garden, including timing, depth, spacing, and what to do after they flower.
Read the guideHow to power flush a central heating system
A practical UK guide to power flushing a central heating system: from diagnosing sludge and connecting the machine through flushing each radiator and dosing with inhibitor.
Read the guideHow to prepare ground for new turf
How to prepare the ground properly before laying new turf in a UK garden: clearing weeds, digging, levelling soil, and adding fertiliser for a healthy lawn.
Read the guideHow to prevent pipes freezing
A practical UK guide to insulating exposed pipes and protecting your plumbing from freezing during cold winters, inspired by Plumberparts on YouTube.
Read the guideHow to repair a fence panel
A practical UK guide to repairing or replacing rotten fence panels and arris rails, so the fence stays solid without a full replacement job.
Read the guideHow to repair a fence post
A practical UK guide to repairing a rotten or storm-damaged garden fence post: diagnosing the problem, using repair spikes, and when to replace outright.
Read the guideHow to replace a bath waste
A practical UK guide to replacing a leaking or corroded bath waste and trap, covering tools, sealant, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Read the guideHow to replace a ceiling rose
A practical UK guide to replacing an old ceiling rose with a modern pendant light fitting, covering wiring, fuse isolation, and fixing, inspired by Ultimate Handyman on YouTube.
Read the guideHow to replace a TRV head
A practical UK guide to replacing a thermostatic radiator valve head yourself, including checking the pin, choosing a replacement, fitting the new head, and testing your radiator.
Read the guideHow to test an RCD
How to test an RCD safely at home using the Test button on a consumer unit, plus what to do if it does not trip or reset in Sandwich, Kent.
Read the guideHow to treat rising damp
A practical UK guide to diagnosing and treating rising damp in walls: from drilling injection holes and applying damp-proofing cream to re-plastering and redecorating.
Read the guideHow to use compression pipe fittings
A practical UK guide to making leak-free compression fittings on copper and plastic pipe, covering olive types, tightening technique, and common mistakes to avoid.
Read the guideOther topics
🌿 Garden & outdoor
Lawn care, hedges, fences, patios, pressure-washing and outdoor upkeep for a Kent garden.
🎨 Painting & decorating
Masonry paint, interior finishes, wallpapering, caulking and silicone work done properly.
🚰 Plumbing
Radiators, taps, toilets, waste pipes, stopcocks and everyday household plumbing repairs.
💡 Electrics
Light fittings, sockets, switches and small electrical jobs (with clear stops where a qualified electrician takes over).
🔨 Carpentry & joinery
Flat-pack furniture, shelves, plasterboard, stud walls, lofts and timber work around the house.
🧱 Brickwork & masonry
Plastering, rendering, brick garden walls, patios, mortar work and stonework repairs.
🚪 Doors & windows
Hinges, latches, locks, draught-proofing, sash windows and everyday door and window fixes.
⬛ Flooring & tiling
Laminate, vinyl, engineered wood, tile-and-grout and flooring transitions.
🏠 Roofing & guttering
Gutter-clearing, small roof-tile fixes, fascia and downpipe maintenance.