The social aspect of modern DIY has seen more moms being involved in what was primarily once seen as a male-dominated or male-led pastime. Being able to share the changes you have just made to your kitchen or the paint color on your new garden fence has made DIY more mainstream than ever before. Just as it’s important to know how to do certain tasks it’s just as important to know what tasks to leave well alone.
There are a number of common DIY don’ts and dos and the top five are listed below. Don’t try to do these DIY jobs if you’re inexperienced, but if you do, just be aware that you would not be the first person to get them wrong.
- Painting the front door
It always seems like a great idea at the time, but it’s one of the worst DIY ideas out there. Firstly, it’s the front door – everyone will see it and if you don’t get it right it’s not a great first impression. Sustainably sourced and professionally produced oak front doors are a great weatherproof modern way to go and these days you can get pretty much any color you want. So, do not paint the front door, keep your curb appeal intact and budget for a professional solution.
- Laying driveway pavers
Yes, there’s many a blog been written as to how easy it is to do your pavers on a weekend. However, many neglect to tell you that this is one of the most complicated jobs there is. Laying pavers is simple enough and you can come up with interesting patterns and shapes, but it is a job that needs compacting and underlay and some serious spirit leveling and drainage. All too often it can turn into a lumpy mess after the first post-installation heavy rain.
- Starting too big
If you’re going to do it, then start small. Many an unfinished DIY mess is the result of taking on a project that’s too big, such as pulling the internal walls down in a flash with a sledgehammer, but the energy fades and reality dawns as does the enormity of the job in hand. Start with a clear plan and a specific area or project in mind. It’s cliched, but do one thing at a time and start with the most logical. It’s worth having an overall house plan and then breaking this down into rooms, design aspects and functionality requirements.
- Not using safety gear, glasses and gloves
Accidents happen, and mistakes or accidents with a power tool or a hammer in your hand may not end so well should you not be wearing personal protective equipment and safety gear. Some of the worst home accidents and injuries are caused by DIY gone wrong. Safety glasses and gloves are a simple purchase and must be worn on every occasion no matter how used to the tools, drills and blades you may be.
- Boxing in piping and wiring
Yes, it looks neat, but what happens when you have a leak or need to access the wiring? Generally, it is an easy fix to simply box all the cables and piping into a seamless, wall covering. Before you do this ensure that you leave access points and hatches to be able to implement fixes and repairs.
Now that you know what to avoid, it should be a lot easier to plan your next project. Keep in mind that if at first you do not get it right, sand it, prep it and start again.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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