Your ultimate guide to basic DIY home projects

There’s nothing more satisfying than mastering DIY. No matter the project, DIY is a great way to learn a new skill and save money on basic housekeeping projects, from leaking taps to painting walls. But how do you do it yourself?

Harris Brushes, leading provider of DIY painting and decorating tools, has explored five of the most commonly searched-for housekeeping tasks and provided handy tips on doing it yourself.

There are few things more unsettling than a leaking tap. The slow and steady drip can leave you feeling on edge in your own home, so it’s best to fix the issue as soon as you can.

Before channelling your inner DIY champion, you’ll need to gather some essential tools. This includes an adjustable spanner, replacement O-ring, flathead screwdriver, rubber washer, tap seat insert kit or grinder tool, Allen key and cleaning supplies.

Turn the water off, remove the tap with a flathead screwdriver or Allen key if necessary, and check the tap seat (the opening hole of the tap). If the seat is damaged you’ll notice the area is uneven—you can repair the area by inserting and twisting a seat grinding tool until the surface is free of bumps or replacing it with a new seal altogether.  

If the seat is covered in limescale, this could be the cause of the incessant dripping. If limescale isn’t the issue, you might have to replace the rubber washer with a newer version. It could also be a faulty O-ring, which can be removed by hand or with scissors.  

There are a lot of possible issues here, so it’s no wonder "how to fix a leaking tap" has an average monthly search volume of 2,900! If you’re looking for professional advice, you can submit your questions to MyBuilder online for free. 

A fresh lick of paint makes all the difference. If your home is in need of a little TLC, painting is likely one of the first things you’re going to try. And you’re not alone!

"How to paint a wall" ties for second place in the great British guide to basic housekeeping. This is something all homeowners will have to consider at some point, especially if you’re hoping to save money and take on a DIY project of your own.

To get started with painting your wall, you need to prepare the surface and any surrounding areas. Start by covering the floors in dust sheets and fixing any holes or cracks on the walls using our handy guide above. You’ll also want to make sure the walls are clean, removing any dust with a brush or dirt with warm water and a sponge.

Next, it’s time to start painting the walls. There are many methods that you can follow—cutting in is one that will help you achieve the perfect finish. This is where you paint the edges of the room to create a frame. To make this method a little easier, you can use tape to cover any areas you don’t want to paint (light switches, skirting boards, etc).  

If you’re painting a whole wall, using a high-quality roller will save you lots of time. Stand roughly one metre away from the wall, roll the painting accessory in a slight W motion and repeat until the paint is evenly distributed. This technique, known as the wet edge technique, makes sure the painted edges are still wet, and is used by professional painters to ensure even paint coverage on a wall quickly. 

Place your roller 15–30cm further to the left or right of the area you’ve just painted. Then, roll up and down in a “W” motion, bringing the paint roller across to meet the wet edge of the paint.  

Repeat this process if the paint you’re using recommends multiple layers, and remember to clean your tools immediately after use. This will keep them fresh for longer and ensure your painting projects look great. You’ll have a freshly painted wall to be proud of in no time!

Radiators are still our most common home heating solution right now, so it’s unsurprising to discover that "how to bleed a radiator" has an average of 33,100 online searches every month. But what does this mean? 

Our radiators need to be as functional and efficient as possible. Trapped air, however, can lead to cold spots on your radiator and stop you from effectively warming up your home. This is when you need to consider bleeding your radiator, a trick that is simple to master and reaps tremendous rewards.

Start by switching off the central heating. It’s a good idea to keep your eyes on the boiler at this point—you want the pressure to be between 1.0 and 1.5 bars during this process. To be safe, cover the floor around your radiator with a towel before loosening the bleeding valve in case any water comes out.  

This bleeding valve is normally on the upper right side of your radiator. Some radiators may need a radiator key or a flat head screwdriver to bleed it—these can be found at most DIY stores. Insert the radiator key or screwdriver into the valve and turn it anticlockwise to release any excess air. Once you’ve released the air, close the valve by turning it in the opposite direction and move onto the next valve, if needed.

Before switching on your heating, double check your boiler pressure is in the green zone. If you see red or your boiler shows low pressure, re-pressurise your boiler by following your boiler’s instructions until the meter becomes green.

Different types of boilers may be re-pressurised in different ways—some will have a reset button, whilst older boilers may have a valve. Double check the manufacturer’s instruction guide if you’re having difficulties. After all, you won’t be feeling the benefits of bleeding your radiator without doing this!

Harris Brushes provides high-quality painting and decorating tools to consumers across the nation. Established in 1928, the company has a rich history and is continuously innovating.

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