On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me... Five Gold Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves And a partridge in a pear tree.
In this 2005 public information film we see an elderly man who has enlisted a DIY handywoman neighbour to make some changes around the home and reduce his chances of injury.
Bricklaying in the cold? Frostproof your cement based mortar
If you are bricklaying in the snow and frost then Bond IT Frostproofer and Hardener is what you need. Use a small amount of it to replace some of the water you would normally use when mixing mortar. This allows the cement mix to gain strength faster and become frostproof quickly.
Ideal for working in cold weather when there is a risk of frost damage to fresh cement.
Bond IT Frostproofer and Hardener is a high performance building chemical that increases frost resistance and accelerates setting time of cements by improving the rate of hydration. Specially developed for bricklaying and rendering at very low and sub-zero temperatures.
Adding Bond IT Frostproofer and Hardener to the mortar mix will improve workability and increase strength gain and resistance to water penetration.
It allows up to a 15% reduction of gauging water, and can also reduce curing times and shrinkage. It's chloride-free and you simply add it to the cement mix.
Reduce the amount of gauging water as appropriate (maximum reduction 15%). At temperatures below 4˚C using hot water is recommended.
If you need a filler or caulk for fillings gaps in skirting boards, window frames, cracks, door frames etc then DEC-MATE is what you need.
It's an easy-to-apply, quick drying, interior decorators filler and caulk. DEC-MATE remains permanently flexible and can be smoothed and over-painted within 1-2 hours of application. Has good adhesion to most building materials.
DEC-MATE comes in a 310ml cartridge and is white in colour.
You can use DEC-MATE for sealing door and window frames as well as interior sealing of skirting boards, plastics and polystyrene coving.
DEC-MATE is also suitable for sealing interior partition joints around fitted furniture and for repairing small cracks and joints with low movement in plaster and wood.
Here's some information and video for people who own and renovate old houses. It's likely you may encounter lead paint, and it's best to be prepared and fully informed.
Up until the mid-1960s, lead was used a lot in household paint. It was most commonly used for windows, doors, woodwork, and for some metal items.
Lead is dangerous if you breath it in or swallow it.
Dealing with lead paint in good condition
Simply paint over it with a coat of new paint. This will seal in the lead and prevent it from causing any harm.
Dealing with lead paint in poor condition
If you have to remove lead paint to redecorate, use methods that don’t create dust or fumes, for example:
Use a hot-air gun to soften the paint, rather than burn it off which creates fumes
If you are using a hot air gun, keep surfaces moist when removing paint, and make sure your gun is set to below 450˚C.
How do you know if you have lead paint in your house?
If your house or flat has been built in the last 40 years, then it is unlikely you will have any lead paint.
For those living in older properties with thick paintwork, lead paint could be locked into the paint layers. This is not a problem if the paintwork is in good condition and you don’t plan to redecorate.
You can buy test kits from some retail or trade paint shops if you are still not sure.
Reduce heat loss through walls and save on your energy bills
Applying Remmers Facade Cream is a bit like 'Scotchguarding' your walls. It helps reduce heat lost through brick or stone masonry walls by up to 30%.
Simply apply Remmers Brick and Stone Waterproofer, an 'invisible' waterproofing cream and allow it to soak in.
How do you save money on energy bills?
Simple. You will certainly reduce the heat lost through your walls and a dry brick conducts just 30% of the heat lost through a damp one.
Easy to apply, hand cream consistency waterproofing and energy loss reduction product.
Use it on:
Brick walls
Stone walls
Render walls
Pebbledash walls
Concrete walls
Most types of external walls
The upshot is that over the coming months your walls will continue to dry out and become increasingly good at insulating you from heat loss. This gives you an amazing reduction in heat loss through the walls and thus savings in fuel useage.
The product is non toxic, safe and even helps reduce future growth of algae and lichen on your walls as there is not enough water available for them to grow!
What can you use it for?
Stop damp through brick and stone walls
Reduce heat loss through walls
Brick external waterproofing
Reduce frost and water damage to masonry walls
Waterproof surfaces
Make surfaces water repellant but breathable
Stop moss, algae and lichen growing
So easy to apply...
Apply by brush or roller to the wall
Allow to penetrate (this takes about an hour) and the cream soaks in to makes your walls waterproof to even the most driving rain.
Coverage...
One 5 litre bucket is normally enough to treat 20-25mtr sq (250 sq ft) of walls. This will depend on the roughness of the surface and the porosity of your wall.
After preparing joints and surfaces, insert Backing Rod to required depth and apply primer if necessary. Insert cartridge into sealant gun and firmly squeeze out Sikaflex-11 FC into joint making sure that it has full contact with the side of the joint.
Fill the joint, avoiding air getting trapped. Sikaflex-11 FC must be pushed firmly against joint sides to ensure a good stick.
Use masking tape where sharp exact joint lines or really neat lines are required. Remove the tape whilst the sealant is still soft. Sleek joint with smoothing liquid for a perfect sealant surface.
Bonding
After preparation apply Sikaflex-11 FC+ in strips or spots on the surface which you are sticking at intervals of a few centimeters.
Use hand pressure to set the thing you are sticking into position. If necessary, use adhesive tape, wedges, or props to hold the assembled elements together for the initial hours of curing.
An incorrectly positioned element can be easily unfastened and repositioned in the first few minutes after application.
Apply pressure again.
Optimum bonding will be obtained after complete curing of Sikaflex-11 FC+, i.e. after 24 to 48 hours at +23°C for a thickness between 2 to 3 mm.
When DIY jobs go wrong – and you've got the video camera rolling!
You know what's it like – you've shot hundreds of hours of DIY video footage and not one accident! Now watch the successful (or unsuccessful DIYers) in action. Just a bit of fun for the run up to Christmas complete with Andy the Handy Man by George Formby.
Let us know if you have any more!
Want to sing along?
Andy the Handy Man by George Formby
Now I'm a jack-of-all-trades, as busy as a bee, Should anything need fixing, just get in touch with me, If your water cisterns frozen, or the baby's face turns blue, Ring me on the telephone, cos I know what to do.
They call me Andy, George Andy, Andy the handy man, My job is dandy, dandy, I do the best I can, I'm always at your service, that you may depend, And don't forget it's never too late to mend.
(Repeat)
As an artist I draw faces, my profiles are divine, But when it comes to figures, that's where I'm not so fine, A girl told me last night, I didnt know where to "draw the line" Oh, it comes in handy being a handy man.
Now in the park one morning, a bulldog I did see, I fairly stood and shivered when it came and sniffed at me, I didnt even move when it mistook me for a tree, Oh, it comes in handy being a handy man.
They call me Andy, George Andy, Andy the handy man, My job is dandy, dandy, I do the best I can, I'm always at your service, that you may depend, And don't forget its never too late to mend.
A baby once was christened, the parson said "well, well", He isn't like his mother or his father you can tell, Who does the child remind you of? And the choir began to yell, "Oh, it comes in handy being a handy man".
A girl gave me a gold watch, I said "it's rather light", "It's got no works inside it, now surely that's not right", She said "now don't you worry, I'll give you the works tonight!", Oh, it comes in handy being a handy man.
Additional couplet I went to mend a bath once, imagine my surprise, When the outline of a female inside the bath I spied, I thought Id better make quite sure, but the soap got in my eyes, Oh, it comes in handy being a handy man.
Bond IT's mission is to pursue a process of brand development and product innovation, whilst providing exceptional quality and service at competitive prices.
So, what does that mean for the DIY customer? Well, it shows that Bond IT intend to offer you an unrivalled package of quality, availability, service and price!
Bond IT manufacture Trade and DIY products in the following areas:
Sealants
Adhesives
Building chemicals
Waterproofing products
Roofing compounds
Polyutherines
Adhesive tapes
Ceramic tile adhesives
Bond IT has built up an enviable reputation in the marketplace by offering superior service, excellent quality and customer satisfaction to the merchant, DIY, glazing and roofing sectors.
Bond IT's slogan is "Never Compromise on Quality" which is reflected in their products and they now have a comprehensive range of Trade and DIY products meeting all applications and prices - each being clearly identifiable whilst maintaining an overall brand image.
Since Bond ITs foundation they have had a reputation for being at the forefront in the developement of new and innovative Trade and DIY products, offering unrivalled value of money.
Bond IT have grown, not only in their established market sectors, the United Kingdom, but also overseas, where their product formulations have excelled in performance in extreme temperatures and climates.
The Cleanfix Scrubby, 6” battery-powered scrubber which weighs only 6 lbs.
The Cleanfix Scrubby cleans really effectively as well as offering easy and comfortable cleaning of all hard to reach areas and tight spaces without the nuisance of a mains cord.
The Cleanfix Scrubby is extremely light weight at only 6 lbs including the battery which is a 9.6v rechargeable battery combined with a 1 hour quick charger, make the Scrubby a great cleaning tool to have on your trolley as well as complimneting your current floor cleaning machines.
The 6” brush and free space around the motor allow the Scrubby to function well in the corners, skirting boards, walls, ceilings etc. Now all the hard to reach places can be easily cleaned with the Scrubby without any hassle.
Specifications
Battery: 9.6v
Brush speed: 350 rpm
Working width: 6”
Runtime: approx. 1.5 hours
Net weight: 6 lbs
Great for cleaning floors, stairs, walls, ceilings, bathrooms, spa areas, spot cleaning on carpets, swimming pools, and much more!
The electric multi-tester tool's instructions infuriated customers with a comment that read: "Even a woman or child could spot a good or bad bulb or fuse."
Customers who have bought the electric multi-tester tool have expressed their anger at the sexist remark.
Homebase said it "sincerely apologises for any offence caused by the genuine oversight in the wording on the instructions".
Homebase added: "Homebase stock in the region of 30,000 products in stores and we will be addressing this error with our supplier."
Homebase has opened an investigation into the sexist comments but has not revealed the specific product in question.
DIYsupermarket.com is pretty sure we don't have any sexist instructions, but if we find any, we'll be down on them like a ton of bricks!
We are pleased to announce that we are selling four new Cleanfix heavy duty machines, amongst them is the Cleanfix FloorMac Scrubber and Floor Buffer.
The FloorMac is a very high quality rotary machine and is ideal for many cleaning tasks, such as:
Polishing wooden floors
Polishing vinyl floors
Polishing stone floors
Polishing tiled floors
Polishing Antico
Polishing Laminate, Karndean etc
Scrubbing clean hard floor surfaces.
Cleaning any type of carpet type to almost touch dry.
Take a look at the Cleanfix FloorMac video and see what it can do and how it works.
The Floormac is extremely easy to use for a DIYer, with an antivibration system which means the machine goes exactly where you want it to, unlike traditional polishing machines which swing from side to side. This makes it ideal for cleaning or polishing the most awkward of areas.
UK DIY giant B&Q has reported a big rise in sales thanks to a resurgent interest in DIY and recent good weather. Sales at B&Q effectively rose by 5.7% in the 13 weeks to the end of October, compared with 2008.
Rising DIY sales, together with cost savings, meant B&Q saw retail profits of £43m, up by 45%. All in all this gave a boost for Kingfisher B&Q's owner, which reported a 28.3% rise in group retail profits to £227m.
B&Q saw sales of larger items rise significantly, with kitchen appliances up 27%. Outdoor DIY products also sold well rising by 11%.
"This is a strong set of results," said Kingfisher chief executive Ian Cheshire. He did, however, warn that the group would receive "no early help from improved consumer demand".
Analysts said the group was well positioned for the months ahead, with costs falling and income rising.
"Kingfisher enters its final quarter in extremely good shape, with earnings growth continuing to progress apace," said Richard Hunter from Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers.
We've had a lot of correspondence asking about PU Paint, so we thought instead of emailing back individually, we'd create a blog to tell you.
Polyurethane paint, sometimes referred to as PU Paint or PUP, gives a tough gloss protective finish for your DIY project and can be applied to almost any surface. There are several types of polyurethane paints, but the one we mainly refer to is the two part Polyurethane paint rather than pre-mixed PU Paint supplied in spray cans.
Polyurethane paint is resistant to solvent spillages and have a good impact resistance, so are ideal for garages, workshops, utility rooms, balconies etc. Commercially they are good for dance floors, gym floors, warehouses and other floors which take a lot of punishment.
Water based polyurethane coatings are used for painting anything from painting aircraft, cars, boats, marine and industrial equipment.
We hope this answers your questions!
Polyurethane is available in many colours as well as clear.
Warning
Due to the strength of the solvent fumes, use plenty of ventilation when working with polyurethane paints. PU Paint is extremely flammable so never use near a naked flame. Always wear proper eye protection and avoid skin contact for prolonged periods.
Shipping your Ardex K 301 is always going to be a bit pricey considering they weigh 25kg each. So, it's worth buying it in bulk so the cost can be spread out.
We've put together some bulk purchases of Ardex K 301 for your convenience.
ARDEX K 301 is a fast setting exterior self-smoothing levelling and resurfacing compound which comes in 25kg bags with FREE delivery from DIYsupermarket.com
ARDEX K 301 is suitable for a wide variety of Professional and DIY jobs, it's a really versatile product that's popular with flooring and building professionals and is easy to use by competant DIYers.
If you have damaged concrete surfaces outside or in, it's perfect for making repairs.
ARDEX K 301 is great for repairing concrete drives, paths, balconies and even patios.
ARDEX K 301 is often used by the trade for larger areas such as car parks, courtyards, playgrounds, etc. It can be applied by trowel or pump to pre-level floors prior to the application of a damp proof membrane.
Pack size is 25kg with a coverage of approximately 1.6kg ARDEX K 301 powder/m²/ mm which meansapproximately 7.8m² at 2mm thickness per 25kg bag.
ARDEX K 301 is a grey powder consisting of special cements, graded aggregates and high quality synthetic resins. When mixed with water, a fluid mortar is produced which sets within 2 hours and can normally be walked on after approximately 2-3 hours at 20°C.
ARDEX K 301 can be applied from 2mm to 20mm in thickness. The set and hardened ARDEX K 301 is usually ready to receive light wheeled traffic after 48 hours at 20°C, so is perfect for that concrete drive!
Note: ARDEX K 301 replaced the now defunct ARDEX K 300.
We all like to listen to the radio when we're DIYing, well we've gone one further – web radio. We have our new DIYsupermarket.com Radio channel complete with playlist with a DIY theme.
Check it out and enjoy!
Got an idea for a track? Drop us a line and let us know and we'll add the track to the playlist.
The Milwaukee M12 Cordless Drill Driver C12D offers fade free performance. It's a hand held beauty packing real punch and lets you screwdrive and drill away long after lesser models have run out of steam. As used by trade professionals everywhere and is now available to DIYers.
Comes with a case, charger and 2 x 1.5 A Li-ion batteries.
We'll post the rest of the M12 Power Tool Range as they arrive, so keep an eye out!
Homebase worker switches on the Christmas lights in Portishead
Rather than inviting Hollywood star or local homeowner Johnny Depp, Nigel Parker, 21, who works at Homebase in Portishead was chosen for the honour following a campaign on Facebook.
"I was amazed and delighted to be asked," said Mr Parker. "It's just a privilege and not something I'd ever thought about before."
He was also joined by three Bristol City players, the players, Liam Fontaine, Nicky Maynard and Cole Skuse, were watched by a large crowd who chanted "Nigel, Nigel" as Mr Parker turned on the lights.
"It's such a high accolade and to be compared with someone like Johnny Depp is amazing," said Mr Parker.
"I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and supported me," he added.
Nigel's name was put forward during a meeting of the town's Christmas lights committee.
"He's such a pleasant chap that people queue up to be served by him," said Barry Randall of the town's Christmas Lights Committee.
"It was suggested we should have a local personality as we like to honour local people who've made a mark in the community," said Mr Randall.
"He's always got a smile and a nice word for you."
Celebrities who have turned on Portishead's Christmas lights recently include Carol Vorderman in 2007 who has a house in the town and Chris Harris in 2008 who is well known locally for playing pantomime dames.
The electricity bill for Portishead's lights is about £2,000.
