If you’re looking for something to do while at home during coronavirus, you could give some basic DIY tasks a go. And no…we aren’t talking blocked drains here! Rather, some simple, affordable and quick jobs that all amateur DIYers can complete.
Repairing Torn Roof Felt
It’s possible to repair torn felt on a shed roof by putting a piece of new felt underneath. However, before sticking the new piece down, you’ll need to make sure the sealant has thoroughly dried. Here’s what you need to do.
- Carefully lift the torn felt, spraying roof and gutter sealant under it, as well as the area surrounding it. Leave to dry based on manufacturers instructions.
- Cut a new piece of felt that properly fits underneath the tear. Slide it into place and stick it down.
- Lifting the torn part, spray sealant underneath and leave it to dry.
- Press down while spraying sealant along all of the joints.
Fixing Creaking Stairs
Check underneath your stairs. If you have direct access to them, then they can be repaired from underneath. Often, however, the underside of stairs are plastered over. In this case, the repairs would be easier to complete from above. This is the scenario we have used below.
- Creaking stairs can be fixed from above by screwing the front of the thread onto the riser. Clearance holes should be drilled for the thickest part of the screw, through the thread and pilot holes which are at the top.
- When drilling clearance holes, ensure the screw sits just below the surface when they’re screwed into position. Put PVA adhesive into the holes and finish with wood filler if you don’t have a carpet.
- If the noise is coming from the back of the tread, some triangular moulding can be inserted in the angle between the tread and riser. The current regulation for tread width is no less than 220mm.
- Alternatively, metal brackets can be used. Just make sure to cut a space out using a chisel and mallet to guarantee a flush surface.
Removing & Replacing Sealant
In time, sealant around sinks, baths and showers can go mouldy if it becomes defective and allows water in. Thankfully, the task of removing and replacing it isn’t too tricky. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Using a sealant removal tool, scrape away the old sealant thoroughly, ensuring there are no traces left behind.
- Clean the area with mould remover if the old sealant suffered from mould. Ensure you give it enough time to work it’s magic.
- Once the area has dried out, apply your new sealant with a cartridge gun, according to manufacturer’s instructions. Start at one end and work towards the other. Do this slowly while maintaining an even pressure.
- Smooth down with a sealant smoother, leaving it to dry. If you don’t have one of these, you can use a wet finger. Don’t use a dry finger, as the sealant will stick to your skin and is a nightmare to remove!
Paul Petersen is a seasoned home improvement expert and DIY enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He began his career as a carpenter, honing his skills in woodworking and structural design. Over the years, Paul expanded his expertise to encompass a wide range of home renovation projects, from kitchen remodels to landscape design.