Hints & Tips

[dontknowitall]

One I taught myself ... easy way to make two level marks on the wall ...

When measuring for two holes to be drilled (e.g. radiator, curtain rail, picture or whatever), place two pencil marks on your spirit level at required distance apart. For example, when two holes 435mm apart, draw two pencil lines 435 apart on your spirit level.

Measure and mark first hole on wall, then put one mark of spirit level on this. Tilt spirit level until level and mark second hole on wall from your spirit level mark. Voila!

Also - although most people will know this one - when drilling holes use a tiny drill bit first then increase in size as necessary. And when drilling through tiles, drill slowly with a tile drill bit.

[johnmcginty]

When siliconing use masking tape and latex gloves , get some fairy liquid and equal parts water and wet your finger in the solution then smooth off, no more than 30 cm at a time, wait a minute then take off the masking tape , it gives a very professional finish

[NickH]

When you've been asked by a widow to give a quote for a bathroom refurb dont walk into the room and say how badly its been done in the past. Might just turn out her recently passed away DIY enthusiast husband did it. Might not get the job.

[Bernie2]

Hmm!

I opened my gob and told the woman her rising main looked knacked as a joke. I'd only gone to repair a burst.

She went mad and got scared it was all going to burst.

[Platinum]

Originally Posted by MarkB

When removing a radiator, count the number of turns it takes to close the locksheild and write it on a piece of masking tape stuck to the radiator.

Sorry Mark B

Not questioning your tip... But can you explain the purpose of doing this for me ( I'm not getting the ingenuity, a bit slow on the uptake today!)

[Plouasne]

Originally Posted by Platinum

Sorry Mark B

Not questioning your tip... But can you explain the purpose of doing this for me ( I'm not getting the ingenuity, a bit slow on the uptake today!)

So that you can easily re-balance the system, by counting the number of turns to close the valve, and then when it comes time to re-commission the system if the valve is opened to the same or just about the same position, it was before it was shut there should be no problems in balancing the system

[Platinum]

of course! Thanks for the quick reply plouasne

[MarkB]

Originally Posted by Plouasne

So that you can easily re-balance the system, by counting the number of turns to close the valve, and then when it comes time to re-commission the system if the valve is opened to the same or just about the same position, it was before it was shut there should be no problems in balancing the system

Thanks Plousane - I couldn't have put it better myself

Mark

[justlead1]

Whem working in an area that suffered from dezinc. I often had trouble with gate valves on the cylinder cold feed jamming shut due to the threaded spindle snapping off. leaving the valve shut and a cistern full of water. A quike way i found to get on was to un do the body of the valve, remove the snapped of threaded brass from the gate, insert a plastic raw plug and screw in a No. 12 screw (not on hot water and ball valve tied up) making sure the hot taps were open, using a claw hammer pull on screw head and remove gate. Hold palm of hand over until flow from taps stops. Refit head of valve. This allows to replace the offending valve at your leisure. Needless to say not on any thing over 3 metres head.

[david williams]

fairy liquid great for removing air locks in central heating systems