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Index, by topic, of all the pages on
the diydata.com web site
Angle grinder
- the various features and what to look for
Architrave
- a step by step guide to fitting architrave around doors, windows and loft hatches.
Basement conversions
explained.
Bathroom design
Bathroom electrical installations
- a guide to the zones
Bench grinder
- the various features and what to look for
Books
Carpentry and woodworking books.
Construction books for home and garden.
Decorating.
Eco-friendly diy books.
Electrics books.
Garden Design.
Gardening books.
General diy books, electrics and plumbing.
Plumbing books.
Property development and investment books
.
Brickwork
-
Calculating the number of bricks required
Building a garden wall
Checking as you build a wall
Foundations for a garden wall
Pointing styles and techniques
Repointing walls
- a step by step guide.
Replacing bricks in cavity walls
Brickwork Bonds
English bond wall
Flemish bond wall
Stretcher bond wall
Stretcher bond wall with piers
Stretcher bond piers
Bricklayer's Tool Kit
- the different tools used in bricklaying explained
Building Regs
Building Regulations (England and Wales)
- when do you need approval.
Building Regulations and electrics
(Jan 2005 changes)
April 2002 changes
to the regulations.
Building Regulations (England and Wales)
- a list of the approved documents and links to them on the Planning Portal.
see also
Planning Permissions (England and Wales)
- what you need permission for
Planning Permissions (England and Wales)
- producing your own drawings
Burglar Alarms
- the different types of burglar alarm available for home use
Catches
- different types of cupboard catch explained
DIY CCTV Systems
– What to consider when buying cctv cameras, dvrs and systems
Cement, concrete etc.
Central heating - see
plumbing
Chasing
cables and pipes into walls
Check for winter
- some checks around the house to avoid winter problems
Circular Saw
- the various features, what to look for, how to use and maintain
Cladding
- external timber and uPVC plank cladding explained
Clamps
- different types for different jobs
Colour Wheel
and how to use colours in decorating.
Colour
to overcome different decorating problems.
Concealed Hinges
– the choice of hinges for your kitchen cupboard
Concrete
- Calculators for concrete volumes - squares, rectangles, circles and triangles.
Metric calculator
or
Imperial calculator
- Calculators for working out the quantities of cement, sand, gravel or all-in ballast required for a volume.
Metric calculator
or
Imperial calculator
Mixing concrete
- a 'how to guide' for mixing concrete by hand, with a mixer or using ready mix
Planning concrete
- the thickness, slope etc for different uses of concrete (paths, patios, driveways etc)
Condensation
- the causes of condensation
Condensation
- how to overcome condensation.
Conservatories
- building confidence in getting one installed
Cordless angle grinder
- the various features and what to look for
Cordless Screwdrivers
- the various features and options explained.
Cornice and coving
- the different materials and adhesives
Cornice and coving
- cutting the mitres for internal and external corners
Preparing for putting up cornice/coving
Putting up cornice/coving
How to avoid cowboy builders and tradesmen
Cupboard Stays
- different types and how they work
Dado rails
- a step by step guide to putting up dado rails.
Dish washer
- guide to connecting dishwashers to the water supply and waste.
Doors
Choosing a door
Fitting a door frame
Glazing doors
Hanging doors
Garden
drainage problems
- a brief discussion
Drawer runners
- the options available explained
Drills - hand and electric
- different types and their uses
Drill bits
Dry rot
- how to identify and treat
Electric Drill
- the features of electric hand drills
Electric sanders
- the different types available to reduce 'elbow grease' when sanding
Electrics (relevant to United Kingdom)
DIY books - electrics
Replacing ceiling lighting rose
Downlights
for effective lighting
Electric cables
Electric cables -
2004 changes to colours of cables
Electrical circuit protection explained
- Fuses, MCBs, RCDs and RCBOs
Fuses
- Electrical circuit protection explained
Ingress Protection
- understanding IP classifications
Junction Boxes
- The types available and their uses
Miniature Circuit Breakers
- Electrical circuit protection explained
Residual Current Device
- Electrical circuit protection explained
Residual Current Breaker with Overload protection
- Electrical circuit protection explained
Two way/changeover lighting circuit
Understanding electric lighting circuits
Understanding ring circuits and other power circuits
Energy efficiency:
10 free ways to be more energy efficient
8 low cost ways to be more energy efficient
UPVC
fascias, soffits and bargeboards
Euro cylinder lock replacement
- a step by step guide to removing and refitting a euro cylinder type lock
Extractor fan
- Choosing the right extractor fan for your bathroom
Fencing
Board fencing -
the posts and rails
Erecting a
chain link fence
Erecting a
wooden panel fence
Wooden fence posts
Fireplace Design, Fireplace Installation & Fire Surround Options in the UK
Fixings for different types of walls
- how to make strong fixings to brick, block, stud, plasterboard, lathe and plaster, and dry lined walls
Fixings for hollow walls and surfaces
Fixings for solid walls
Flat roofs
Laying a
felt roof
(three layer, cold adhesive)
Repairing
Felt Roofs
Floods
- precautions for around the home
Flooring
Floor
soundproofing
Self-levelling floor compound
for concrete/solid floors.
Timber Flooring:
Timber floor finishes
- varnish, oils and waxes explained.
Removing old finishes
- a guide to removing paint, varnish, oil wax and polishes from timber floorboards.
Sanding wooden floooring
- a guide to applying stain to timber floorboards.
Staining wooden floors
Timber flooring
- Solid or Engineered Timber Flooring? The Debate, which is better.
Varnishing wooden floorboards
- a guide to varnishing timber floorboards.
Vinyl flooring:
Floor preparation
Planning to lay vinyl tiles
Calculating the number of floor tiles
Setting out
Laying the vinyl tiles
After care
Garden gate plans
from Buildeazy
Gardening books.
Garden Power Tools
- hedge trimmers, chain saws etc.
Gas installations etc.
Glass
The different types of glass for use around the house
Using glass around the house
Removing broken glass from windows
(single glazed)
Fitting new glass to windows
(single glazed)
Glossaries - terms and terminology explained:
Carpentry and woodworking
Decorating
Electrics
General Building
Plumbing
Roofing
Staircase
Glues - all sorts explained
Natural Glues
Nonreactive synthetic glues
Reactive synthetic glues
Granite worktops
- a guide to selecting
Maintaining rain water
Guttering
Guttering
for rain water
Hammers
- various types and their uses
Handsaws
- various types and their uses
Hinges
- different types of hinge explained
Hot air heat guns
- for stripping paint and more
How to change a
rooms dimension
using wall pictures
How to use
home decor accessories
to create a new look in a room
Imperial/metric conversions factors
or
quick look up tables
Conversion Calculator
Interior design -
decorate your space with wall art
Insulation
Loft Insulation
- the materials and how to install them
Insulating
water tanks and pipes
Insulating internal walls
with boards
Insulating pitched roof spaces
Interior wooden doors
Kitchens
Kitchen Design
Kitchen granite worktops
- a guide to selecting
Kitchen units
- what's available in units and accessories
Kitchen updating
- advice from the Federation of Master Builders
Under Cabinet Lighting in the kitchen
- the options available, fluorescent, halogen and LED
Ladders
- types and choices
Lighting in the home
- type of light and bulbs explained
Locks
Types of locks explained
- mortice, rimlocks, nightlatch etc.
Mortise Lock
- a step by step guide to fitting a mortise lock.
Mortise Lock - changing the latch
- a step by step guide to changing the latch on a mortise lock.
Rim Lock
- an illustrated guide to fitting a rim lock
Loft conversion
- planning guide
Loft hatch
Making the hole in the ceiling
Casing the access hole and making the cover
Man made, wood based boards
Nails
Nails
- all the different types
Nail sizes
- pennies to inches
Nail tips
- points to note
Paints and Painting
Colour Wheel
and how to use colours in decorating
Paints
for use around the house
Painting stone, brick and render
Painting ferrous metals surfaces
Painting timber surfaces
Paint finishes,
the different types of problems, how to avoid and correct them
Painting flush wooden doors
- a step by step illustrated guide
Painting tips
Painting wooden panel doors
- a step by step illustrated guide
Painting wooden casement windows
- a step by step illustrated guide
Painting wooden sash windows
- a step by step illustrated guide
Preparing walls and ceilings
- a guide to preparing for painting
Preparing wooden doors and windows
- a guide to preparing for repainting
Stripping paint from wood
- the options, advantages and drawbacks
Timber finishes
, varnishes, stains and dyes
Using a paint roller
- the technique explained.
Partitions
Partitions
- Plan before you build will save a lot of effort
Partition (sound proof)
- building a partition to reduce noise
Stud Partition
The basic framework
Cladding with plasterboard
Finishing off
Tips on drylining
- from the diydata forum
Party Wall Act
- an outline of the duties and responsibilies for neighbouring parties.
Party Wall Act - a practical guide
- a practical guide from a Party Wall Surveyor.
Pests
in and out the house and their control
Picture rails
- a step by step guide to putting up picture rails.
Planning Permission
Planning Permissions (England and Wales)
- what you need permission for
Planning Permissions (England and Wales)
- changes October 2008.
Planning Permissions (England and Wales)
- producing your own drawings
see also
Building Regulations (England and Wales)
- when do you need approval.
Plaster ceilings
- the different types explained
Plaster repairs:
Lath and plaster wall repairs
- step by step guide to repairing holes in lath and plaster walls.
Plaster wall repairs (large)
- step by step guide to repairing large areas in plastered walls.
Plaster wall repairs (small)
- step by step guide to repairing cracks in plastered walls and external plaster corners.
Repairing large holes in stud walls or ceilings
- step by step guide to repairing large holes in plasterboard stud partition walls and ceilings.
Repairing small holes in stud walls
- step by step guide to repairing small holes in plasterboard stud partition walls.
Plaster walls
- lath & plaster, straight plaster, stud walling and dry lining construction explained.
Plasterboard:
Types of plasterboard
explained.
Cutting and fixing plasterboard
- cutting straight line and cutouts, fixing with nails and screws.
Filling plasterboard joints
- finishing the joints with tape and filler.
Finishing plasterboard corners
with metal plasterboard corner strips.
Plans
(FREE woodworking plans)
For the Children
- toys and things
For the bedroom
For the garden and outdoors
For the kitchen
For the workshop
Plumbing
Air Admittance Valves
explained.
Ball valves (as fitted to WC cisterns and water tanks):
Slide and Diaphragm ball valves explained.
Slider type ball valve washer replacement
- an illustrated step by step guide.
Boiler systems
- Conventional, Combi and System domestic boiler systems explained.
DIY books - plumbing
Copper pipe and connectors
for household plumbing
bending copper pipes
cutting copper pipes
Compression fittings
using solder capillary fittings
Central Heating:
Balancing Radiators
Bleeding the system and radiators
Draining an Open Vent Centrol Heating System
explained.
Fitting valves and plugs
etc to radiators.
Fixing radiators
to different types of wall.
Flushing, descaling and refilling an Open Vent Centrol Heating System
explained.
Removing a radiator
- how to remove a radiator.
Central Heating design
Centrol Heating Boiler controls explained
. Room Thermostats (Roomstats), Timers and Programmers, Thermostatic Radiator Valves
Choosing radiators/emitters
for water central heating
Limiting factors in water central heating systems
Sizing building thermal loses
Example of calculating thermal loses (Imperial)
Sizing for domestic hot water storage
Sizing pipework
U- values
- the overall coefficient of heat transmission values of some common building materials/methods
Water Central Heating pipework and controls
- the requirements of Building Regulation 2010
Central Heating explained (water)
Boiler configurations
Boiler to radiator pipework arrangements
Central Heating -
Underfloor heating
- the basic water and electric systems and the advantages/drawbacks explained.
Ceramic taps explained
- how they work and their advantages/disadvantages.
Dish washer
- guide to connecting dishwashers to the water supply and waste.
Immersion water heaters:
Adjusting
the thermostat
Replacing
the thermostat
Push on plumbing connectors
and plastic pipe for household plumbing
Showers
Choosing showers
- the different types explained
Gravity fed showers
- the system explained
Instantaneous Electric Showers
- the systems explained
Power showers
- the different types explained
Power Showers
- points to consider when buying and installing
Taps
Curing dripping taps
- fitting replacement seats and washers
Connecting taps
to the water pipes
Fixing and connecting mono-bloc
(single hole) mixer taps
Fixing taps
to baths, basins and sinks
Regrinding a tap seat
Replacing a tap washer
Replacing a Supatap washer
Toilets
Cistern - modern direct action (syphon) lavatory cistern
Cistern - modern flap flush valve lavatory cistern
- how they work
Cistern - old style Burlington Bell type lavatory cistern
Common problems with lavatory cisterns
Replacing a flap valve in a direct action cistern
Washing machines
- guide to connecting washing machines to the water supply and waste
Waste disposal units
- the basics and how to fit waste disposal units to sinks.
Waste fittings:
Bath
- Illustrated guide to the various types of waste water fittings for baths
Hand basin
- Illustrated guide to the various types of waste water fittings for hand basins
Sink
- Illustrated guide to the various types of waste water fittings for sinks
Waste pipe
Making waste pipe connections
to household drains
Waste pipes and connectors
- the different types explained
Waste traps
- the different types of water waste traps explained
Power Washers
- the options explained
Roofing
Using
Corrugated Roof Sheeting
Laying a
felt roof
(three layer, cold adhesive)
Repairing
Felt Roofs
Felting and battening
- a step by step guide to putting on the felt and battens for a slate or tile roof
Glossary of roofing terms
Pitched roofs
- cut and truss roofs explained
Repairing plain tile roofs
- a guide to the practical aspects of repairing plain tile roofs
Repairing slate roofs
- a guide to the practical aspects of repairing slate roofs
Replacing ridge tiles
- a guide to replacing loose and dislodged ridge tiles on the roof
Using interlocking tiles
- a guide to the practical aspects of roofing with interlocking tiles with side overlaps
Using ridge tiles
- a guide to the practical aspects of fixing ridge tiles to slate and tile roofs
Using plain roofing tiles
- a guide to the practical aspects of roofing using plain tiles
Using slates
- a guide to the practical aspects of roofing with slates
Router cutters
- different types, material and uses
Routers
- the various features, what to look for, how to maintain
Safety
for the do it yourself person
Sandpaper & glasspaper
- types and their uses
Screwdrivers - cordless
- the various features and options explained.
Sealants
- types explained
Self-build
- advice from the Federation of Master Builders
Shelving
Types of shelving to choose
.
Fitting long shelving with brackets
- an illustrated step by step guide.
Fitting short shelving with brackets
- an illustrated step by step guide.
Fitting shelving to an alcove
- a step by step guide.
Fitting shelving to a corner
- a step by step guide.
Materials explained
- solid timber, chipwood, mdf, blockboard, plywood etc.
Skirting board
- a step by step guide to cutting and fitting skirting board.
Sliding Wardrobe Doors
- How to fit DIY sliding wardrobe doors between uneven walls
Smoke alarms
- different types and their features
Solving the problems of an irregularly sized bedroom
- design ideas for small and large bedrooms
Sound Proofing
Background to soundproofing
your property - why and how to soundproof
Floor
soundproofing
Noises from your neighbour
and how to soundproof party walls
Partition (sound proof)
- building a partition to reduce noise
Suspended Ceiling
to improve sound proofing
Suspended Ceiling
to improve sound proofing (alternative method)
Solar energy
- design, install and use
A simple
solar panel
Solar energy
- Why install thermal solar panels ?
Spanners and wrenches
- the different types and uses explained.
Staircases
explained will illustrations and glossary plus
repairing staircases
.
Staircase requirements
- Building Regulations and other design details
Staircases for Loft Conversions
- Building Regulations and other design details for stairs in loft conversions.
Staircase - Basic design
- guide for planning a basic staircase
Stucco/Rendering mixes
Stucco
- uses and application
Suspended Ceiling
to improve sound proofing.
Telephone sockets
- adding some around the house.
Tiling
Ceramic tiles - basic styles
- The basic shapes and tile types explained
Estimating wall tiles
- A guide to working out how many tiles are required for a tiling job
Estimating tile finishing strip
- A guide to working out how many finishing strips are required for a tiling job and how to cut it to get the most out of it
Preparing surfaces for ceramic wall tiles
- A guide to preparing the surface whether wallpaper, paint, tile or timber
Setting out ceramic wall tiles
- A guide to making the job look professional
Fixing ceramic wall tiles
- A guide to fixing ceramic wall tiles
Cutting ceramic tiles
- A guide to cutting ceramic wall tiles
Grouting wall tiles
- A guide
Tiling tools
- the different tools required for wall and floor tiling explained.
Timber joints - simple
Box joints
Frame joints
Mortise and tenon joints
Timber rot
- dry and wet - how to identify and treat
Tools:
Bricklayer's Tool Kit
- the different tools used in bricklaying explained.
Circular Saw
- the various features, what to look for, how to use and maintain
Clamps
- different types available for different jobs
Cordless Screwdrivers
- the various features and options explained.
Drills - hand and electric
- different types and their uses
Drill bits
- different types for different jobs
Electric Drill
- the features of electric hand drills
Garden Power Tools
- hedge trimmers, chain saws etc.
Hammers
- various types and their uses
Handsaws
- various types and their uses
Hot air heat guns
- for stripping paint and more
Ladders
- types and choices
Router cutters
- different types, material and uses
Routers
- the various features, what to look for, how to maintain
Sandpaper & glasspaper
- types and their uses.
Screwdrivers - cordless
- the various features and options explained.
Spanners and wrenches
- the different types and uses explained.
Tiling tools
- the different tools required for wall and floor tiling explained.
Underfloor heating
- the basic water and electric systems and the advantages/drawbacks explained.
Vinyl flooring
Floor preparation
Planning to lay vinyl tiles
Calculating the number of floor tiles
Setting out
Laying the vinyl tiles
After care
Wall chaser
- the various features and what to look for
Wall Fixings for hollow walls and surfaces
Wall Fixings for solid walls
Wallpapering
Types of Wallpaper
- the different types explained.
Symbols on labels
- the symbols on wallpaper labels explained.
How many rolls?
- Calulate how many rools of wall paper you will require.
Stripping wallpaper
- a step by step guide to stripping different types of wall paper.
Preparing different surfaces for hanging wallpaper
- new and old plasterboard and plaster walls etc.
Cutting and pasting wallpaper
- a guide to setting out the start lines, cutting and pasting the wallpaper.
Hanging wallpaper
- a step by step guide to hanging wallpaper.
Hanging wallpaper around architrave.
Hanging wallpaper around electrical fittings
.
Hanging wallpaper around a recess at door and window surrounds.
Washing machines
- guide to connecting washing machines to the water supply and waste.
wetNfix
- repairs for wall plugs
Wet timber rot
- how to identify and treat
Windows
Sash windows - the basics
Sash windows - renewing sash cords
Winter checks
- some checks around the house to avoid winter problems
Wood screws
- the basics
Wood screw
clearance and pilot hole
sizes
Worktops, Granite
- a guide to selecting
Woodworking Plans (FREE)
For the bedroom
For the garden
For the kitchen
For the workshop
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