Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Yes, theoretically simple, but anyone who has tried hanging pictures and mirrors knows there can be a few problems along the way. First you need to consider what type of wall you are working with – for example a solid (masonry) wall or a hollow (stud) wall.

In general, masonry walls will accept some picture hooks and masonry nails. However, for heavier pictures, a screw fixing is required with the appropriate size of wall plug, to ensure that the weight of the picture will be supported. read more »

A door closer is fitted to a fire door. Fitting a door closer to an existing door will not make a fire door, but some doors can be upgraded to provide greater fire resistance; a door closer will be part of this upgrade. Fire doors are basically hung in the usual way, but doors and hinges are fire rated and the doors are fitted with door closers and intumescent strips. Intumescent strips swell after exposure to heat and therefore create a tight seal. Seek professional advice on upgrading doors. read more »

Fitting a curtain pole is a straightforward job but you do need to know what the wall structure is so that you use the correct type of wall plug and fixing. For more information on this, check out my guides ‘Fixing into masonry walls’ and ‘Fixing into hollow walls’. In terms of positioning the pole, there is no hard and fast rule, as you simply need to position it so that it looks right in the space available above the window. However, as a general rule, it should be positioned halfway between the horizontal edge above the window recess, and the coving or ceiling. Use a cable, pipe and stud detector to help find safe fixing positions when fitting a curtain pole. read more »

When fitting guttering, base decisions on which way a run will flow according to the position of gullies and drains, because this is where the downpipes must be directed. Some downpipes will terminate above ground and others underground, so take this into account when deciding whether you need a downpipe shoe at the bottom, or just to let the pipe run directly into the drain. read more »

Although fence panels and posts are normally supplied treated and therefore with some degree of protection from the elements, you still need to re-coat the wood periodically in order to protect it. Maintaining a fence correctly therefore means applying a wood treatment or wood preserver, ever few years. You may choose to apply a clear wood preserver or, as shown below, introduce a colour to revive the look of the fence as a whole. read more »