Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

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 »

Patio slab pointing fails for a number of reasons – some simply to do with age, others relating to the method used for laying and pointing the slabs in the first place. Dry pointing (where a dry mortar mix has been used) has got a tendency to fair worse than a wet mortar mix, but if the slabs haven’t been laid properly in the first place, pointing doesn’t stand much of a chance anyway. read more »

Maintaining decking and keeping it in a good state of repair not only keeps it looking good, but also safe. Decks should really be cleaned down thoroughly at least once a year, and although you don’t necessarily need to re-coat with wood preserver annually, the more regularly you do it, the longer your deck will last. read more »

A simple way of making an outbuilding or shed more burglar proof is to fit a hasp and staple that can then be secured with a padlock. The example below shows fitting to a shed, as although sheds often come supplied with some form of bolt, a hasp and staple will add a further level of security. read more »