Easier, simpler DIY projects

DIY does not have to be a daunting task, but the problem with many projects is that they are viewed in their entirety rather than as do-able smaller tasks.

As an example: If you think about renovating an existing bathroom and you would love to replace the bathroom suite, when viewed as a complete project is doesn’t seem that easy. An entire bathroom replacement can appear scary:

• Where do you start?
  
• How is it done?
  
• What do you need?

Over the years I have discovered that by breaking down a large project into smaller tasks, it seems less intimidating. Instead of seeing the entire project – break it down:

• Replace the toilet
  
• Replace the sink
  
• Replace the bathtub

When you see them as smaller, individual projects they don’t put you off by the scale of work that needs to be done in order to complete. Let's look at the smaller projects and see how they could be done:

Replace a toilet
Before you do anything else - switch of mains stopcock. Flush the toilet and use a bucket and sponge to remove any remaining water. Unscrew the cistern from wall, remove water supply pipe and uncouple bolts connecting cistern to the toilet. Depending on how the toilet is fixed you will either unscrew the sanitary bolts or, as was the case with my toilet, break the toilet to be able to remove.

Removing and replacing a toilet takes about two hours if you have to break up the toilet. The only mess you have to deal with is the broken pieces. If you are not replacing the toilet immediately, block the drain pipe with a couple of plastic bags to prevent the smell wafting up from the sewer pipe.

Replace a basin
Once again, switch off the mains water stopcock. Replacing a basin is probably the easiest project. After unfastening the hot and cold water inlets, or cutting the pipes, the basin in removed. Once removed you are ready to install and fit your new vanity and basin. Where copper pipes needed to be cut you will to add a Conex fitting to allow you to add the new braided hose connectors.

Both the above projects were explained in detail in the August issue of Easy DIY magazine. Replacing both the toilet and basin took two days from start the finish, and that included also laying a new bamboo laminate floor. If you view every project in this way, doing-it-yourself becomes more do-able and less daunting. Planning for small, individual projects becomes easier and it's far simpler to find out what you don't know.

Find more how to's in the relevant sections on Home-Dzine.