electrolyte*

Storing away the tools!

Saturday marked in some ways the end of my major ‘doing up my flat’ build. It all started over 2 years ago, without any clue what I was doing, a new tool box, drill and a readers digest D.I.Y book. Since then I’ve learnt how to wired and also the importance of double checking that the electricity is off first! How to fit a kitchen, plumb, sink pipes into walls, fit skirting boards, line walls, install fireplaces and loads more.

Spare room without carpet

Each room has it’s own story to tell and I’m glad to say that I’ve survived with all fingers in place, although there’s been some close shaves. So it’s with this final D.I.Y post for now that I sign off by saying that it’s been fun, hard work, exciting and a great experience!

Hallway before carpets and after

This first post in a while also marks having at last the internet at the flat after 2 years without, woo hoo!

I guess this post has been long over due, updating how the DIY has been going. Things have been quite busy and lot’s of progress has been made, here’s a few snaps with some updates.

Above: Showing the state of the front room before

Above: The front room as it is 1st thing this morning! Very happy with the final delivery of the sofa, at least now there is something to sit on.

Above: Boxing in some very messy pipe work in the kitchen. Bit of 1 X 2″, ply on the front, sorted!

Above: Kitchen is finally getting a fresh lick of paint on the walls. Just need to renew and rehang all the internal door in the flat. The Hallway is complete apart from the carpet, photo’s of that to arrive later.

And finally …

If your about to sort out any wiring, always switch off the electrics at the mains. I was shifting the main switch to the shower [Shown above], thought I’d turned off the mains but hadn’t and discovered this moments after taking the photo! It was only because I have a modern junction box which tripped the fuse fast enough [in about 0.00003 seconds!] that I’m able to write this post today … !

So I’ve had a hole in my kitchen wall for weeks since the water pipes were sunk into the wall. After getting advice on how best to fill the hole I was advised to use plasterboard.

I’ve never used plasterboard but after 2hours of cutting and carving I managed to get it filled ready for a skim of plaster and then the tiles. So here’s what you do when you have a hole in your kitchen wall…

Protect the work surface and surrounding bit’s and bobs. Make yourself a newspaper template of the hole, trace it onto a bit of plasterboard and I used a fret saw to cut out the main shape.

Stick it in the hole and you’ll probably find it doesn’t fit! Dont worry, grab a craft knife and carve bits off, checking regually.

You may also find that the pipes aren’t set back in the wall enough and rub against the board. You’ll need to remove some of the boards back. I used a claw hammer, it’s very messy!

Then whack it in the hole and job done! Ready for plaster skim. Phew!

I’ve actually started work on this but unfortunately put my back out lifting the units! Right that’s enough about the flat, next entry has to be design/art related!!

Update 08.03.07
After a long day’s work the work surfaces are in, Hob, Sink, Fridge and Washing Machine! When they say in the fitting instructions that you need two people to fit a work surface… they really do mean it.

My top tip for plumbing in taps is to buy flexi pipes for connections. Get’s you round all those awarkward spaces under sinks.

Above Before and After

I’m please to say that I’ve finally completed the front room! Over the last few months this room has had:

* New windows fitted
* Wiring rewired and chased into wall
* Walls stripped and preped
* Skirting boards fitted through out
* New fireplace and fire fitted
* Papered and finally painted