Tommy Walsh’s top tips for staying out of DIY trouble over the bank holiday weekend

Friday, 24 August 2012 7:00 AM

1. Starting Off
Before you even enter your shed or workshop get yourself into the right frame of mind. Take a few deep breaths and think about the job in front of you, think positive thoughts and visualise how you are going to be a successful DIYer. Negative thoughts bring panic and will result in disaster. If it’s a big job write out the plans for the days actions, setting out your priorities for the day.

2. When your plan is sorted
Time to sort out your workshop which has probably remained dormant for a while. There’s no point in starting DIY in chaos as a messy workplace will result in shoddy work. That’s why Kärcher’s range of DIY multi-purpose vacs is a must have for every DIYer.

3. When the workplace is tidy
Time for a little treat, been a busy morning but time to reward yourself with a bacon sarnie. Nobody said DIY had to be misery. Rewarding yourself will motivate you and bring you success.

4. Time to get started
DIY is a busy business and I can’t stress enough how important it is to clean up as you go. If you don’t clean up your workspace at all soon enough it’ll be messier than when you started.

5.Bank Holiday BBQ
Is it time to build a permanent brick bbq? Just remember permanent means you can’t move it once it’s done. So to be certain it’s in the right place consider; Does it catch enough breeze to keep the coals hot? Is it sheltered enough to keep the food warm? Is it near enough to where the party will be to keep you involved? Is it far enough away for your party guests to be out of the smoke? To be sure check all these against where your portable barbecue has been and if they are not all checked, move the portable one around to find the ideal location. To build the thing out of brick isn't as hard as you think. Make sure you're on solid foundations - the patio, or a pad of concrete poured onto the soil and when you build the barbecue make sure you incorporate at least three different levels on which to secure the grill.

6. Balancing heavy slabs of concrete when laying a step
When you put hefty stone or concrete slabs into place you have to watch your fingers and yet you have to lay them flat on a mortar bed. It's all a bit of a juggling act. If you buy some ice cubes from your local off licence and lay them on the mortar; put the slab of stone or concrete on top of the ice. As it melts slowly and at an equal speed the stone will slide into place.

7. Job Done
That goes to show with a little preparation, a calm mind and a tidy workspace DIY is so much easier.
Tommy Walsh recommends the Kärcher DIY multi-purpose vac available at all good hardware stores.

For more info visit www.karcher.co.uk

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