Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

The Guardian, Saturday 20 November 2010

I plan to lay cork tiles on a concrete kitchen floor. Would you recommend self-adhesive or ready-sealed?

“Both are easy to use,” says DIY guru Julian Cassell. “Prepare the floor properly and you’ll have no problem. First, it must be dry, so if it is newly laid, wait three months. It must also be level – if not, use a self-levelling compound (around £15 for 25kg, from DIY outlets). The floor must also be spotless, as even tiny pieces of grit may show through to the cork surface. Before fitting, give the floor a coat of PVA solution (one part PVA to five parts water) and leave to dry. Once the tiles are down, apply further sealant.”

The Guardian, Saturday 16 October 2010

Our bath has a very slow-running drain, but as we have a septic tank, we can’t put any toxic or abrasive chemicals down it.

“Try an eco-aware product such as Earth Friendly Drain Cleaner, £7.80,” says DIY expert Julian Cassell. “But check the simple things first: if you can gain access to the trap under the bath, unscrew the plastic compression fittings that connect the waste pipe sections and make sure there are no blockages. If clear, reassemble the trap, checking the washers and seals are correctly positioned. Another option is a drain auger – a long spring that is fed down the plughole or into the waste pipe, to burrow into any blockage (Monument 3344k Drain Auger, £8.95, from tooltray.com).”

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The Guardian, Saturday 9 October 2010

We’re trying to sell our flat, but the open-plan kitchen and sitting area – separated by a rectangular arch – is, apparently, a deal breaker. Any stylish (inexpensive) ideas? read more »

The Guardian, Saturday 2 October 2010

Our stone chimney breast has been covered in matt emulsion. How can we restore it to its original appearance? read more »

 

Space Solves

Tile Edges

The Guardian, Saturday 24 July 2010

We are tiling our bathroom using light grey matt wall tiles. In certain places – ie, around the windows – the external terracotta edge is visible. We want it to appear white. What kind of paint is best? read more »