Refurbishing Your Home? DIY Safely |
Posted: June 9, 2017 |
DIY home improvements can be fun and even exciting when you get everything right. However, with the job being 'Do It Yourself' there is unfortunately lots of scope for disaster, which is when the fun can stop.
Whether you're putting in a new bathroom, putting a rockery in the garden, or simply painting the bedroom, there's plenty of scope for disaster to strike when basic safety advice and guidance is not followed.
DIY disasters cost homeowners millions every year in property damage and personal injury, so here are some useful tips to help you protect your property and yourself from damage:
Don't Rush
You must tackle one job at a time, otherwise you'll end up with exposed floors, holes in walls and half built cupboards everywhere - very quickly. Planning is key, and although it might seem easier to assume you know what you're doing and jump straight into getting everything done at once, it's highly likely you will quickly begin to regret rushing in.
Consider the following for each job before you start it:
Try to approach every job separately so you can give it your full attention and focus. And try to think practically about which jobs should be prioritised. Remember that there will always be some projects that you simply cannot and should not complete yourself. You must be realistic about when you need to pay a professional to come and complete a project for you. Jobs like plumbing, gas and electrics should never be attempted by an amateur, as the results of a bodge job in these areas could be horrific.
Be Tidy
Use old sheets and blankets to cover up floors and carpets. If you're really wanting to protect your carpets, get some large plastic sheets from a DIY store so you know any spillages won't seep through to your precious flooring. If you have any furnishings or items that are particularly precious, take them out of the room you are working in completely. You could put them in a garage or shed or self-storage if you want to keep them completely safe.
Make sure any cables or wiring from electrical equipment is tucked away or covered so it isn't a tripping hazard and consider using a bucket or tub for tools like paintbrushes and scrapers as these can easily be lost under sheets and rubbish.
Be Legal
Do you need planning permission to complete the job you're attempting? This is always something worth checking to ensure you're doing everything legally.
Remember to leave your ego at the door and think practically about the job you are attempting. The more you take your time to consider a job, the more likely you are to complete it to a high standard. Plan well by considering all aspects of the job: protect your home by putting sheets down and using cheap self storage in the short term to protect precious items. Remember just as self storage can make moving house less stressful it can also relieve the stress associated with refurbishing your home.
And don't forget to protect yourself by working safely and calling in the professionals when necessary.
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