There’s no shame in being a rookie when it comes to DIY home improvement – it’s just a matter of knowing which jobs you can tackle on your own and which to leave to a professional.
If you’re a recent home-buyer, you probably don’t have piles of cash lying around, but there are still a few things that might require attention in your home, especially when you first move in.
When issues arise it can be a difficult choice between spending your hard-earned or simply rolling up your sleeves and learning some new skills.
Read on to discover three DIY jobs that don’t require expert attention – and better yet, each will cost you less than $20 to complete:
Shopping list
- Screws
- Kitchen Rail, like this one from IKEA and matching hooks
- Plaster joining tape
- Fine sandpaper
- Plaster compound
- Draught-stopper
Borrow from a friend
- Drill
- Stud finder
- Hacksaw with fine blade
- Spirit level
- Paint scraper
1. Hang a kitchen rail
Are you a budding chef but always find your kitchen implements are just out of reach?
A well-placed hanging rail can add style and functionality to your cooking area, as well as being a great way to show off an array of kitchen tools.
A kitchen rail can be a handy way to keep utensils and tools within reach. Picture: IKEA
- Choose the location for your rail, and find the nearest joist using the stud-finder – this is where the screws will attach to secure your rail.
- Using the level, mark the places for the two screws. Make sure they’re exactly in line with each other.
- Drill in the screws, ensuring you leave enough space for the rail backings.
- Affix your rail and, using the pre-purchased hooks, hang your favourite kitchen items right next to the action.
2. Seal a crack in the wall
Sick of looking at unsightly cracks or holes where picture hooks once were? Patching them up is easier than you think.
- Scrape down the wall surface, making it as clear and smooth as possible.
- Sand off rough edges with the sandpaper, and wipe any dust away.
- Cover the crack with joining tape and apply the plaster compound with the paint scraper.
- Apply a second coat of plaster, and allow to dry completely. The wall is now ready to paint.
3. Attach a draught-stopper
If you feel a breeze every time you walk past the rooms, you might want to seal up the gap under the front door.
Fortunately, this is a super easy fix!
A door seal will stop the draughts from getting in. Picture: Getty
- Measure your door along its base, then use the hacksaw to carefully cut the door seal’s metal strip to size.
- Mark the places for each of the screws to go in, right at the bottom edge of the door, ensuring the strip entirely fills the gap beneath the door.
- If your door is made of hard, dense material, you may need to drill pilot holes for the screws.
- Using screws that are long enough to go through the strip and about 3mm into the door, attach the strip.
Now you can put up your feet and admire your handiwork.
Article repurposed from 3 DIY jobs even a total newbie can master by Erinna Giblin. Author at realestate.com.au.
