Lockdown DIY guide

With the third national lockdown continuing, people are spending a larger amount of time than usual in their homes, and taking on DIY tasks has proved to be a popular way to keep active. One of our valued advertisers, RGB Building Supplies, has put together top tips on how to tackle three of the most popular DIY jobs.

Phil Sparks, manager at RGB South Molton, says, “We would always encourage people to give a job a go, but for complex projects, or anything that involves electrics, gas, or plumbing, please wait until a qualified professional can do it - with safe social distancing of course.”

Achieve a professional paint finish – preparation is key

Before opening the can, the surface that’s about to be painted needs to be prepared. This includes giving it a quick wipe with ideally a sugar soap spray, filling holes, sanding if necessary and masking off the areas. To get a smooth finish, paint a whole section at once, whether that’s a wall, door, or floor and do it in long strokes. Then remove the masking tape before the paint is fully dry. Top tip: the better the quality of the brushes and roller, the better the finish.

Repair fencing – use the right fixings

Having had winter storms batter North Devon, many people have fallen or wobbly fence panels in their garden that were damaged, which they now have time to repair. Give the fallen panel a once over to check it’s not too damaged and if it is it will need replacing. If OK to repair, remove any loose nails, then line up the edge of the panel with the post and fix. Use fixings, which are either galvanised or stainless steel for durability. Top tip: Ask a member of the household to hold the panel when fixing it to the post.

Putting up a shelf – have a spirit level handy

This is one of the simplest jobs you can do, but one that can go very wrong. Firstly, what type of wall is the shelf being fixed to? Different fixings are required for putting up a shelf into a plasterboard wall, compared to a brick or masonry wall – don’t be afraid to speak to the retailer and ask for the right fixings. Hold a bracket at the right height using a spirit level to ensure it’s vertical, then mark the holes with a pencil. Drill the hole, then attach the bracket with the fixings. Repeat for the second bracket, but use a spirit level to check the shelf will be flat. The shelf can then be fixed to the brackets. Top tip: Use a drill bit that is a size smaller than the screws.