Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Repairing a laminate kitchen worktop is often a pretty tricky DIY job. These types of worktop can be chipped or scratched with sharp or heavy objects, and placing hot pans on them will normally end up with scolding of the laminate surface. In all cases, there are few options for repair; some manufacturers will supply various repair compounds, but I must admit I’ve had limited success with such laminate worktop repair kits. read more »

Wooden worktops should be re-oiled at least once a year to keep them in good condition. Also standing water will damage wooden worktops quickly so take care to wipe the surface down throroughly to absorb all moisture, immediately after any spillage has occured. Dents in a wooden worktop can be repaired using normal woodfiller but choose a colour that matches the worktop colour as closely as possible. read more »

Changing a kitchen worktop is a good way of revamping a kitchen, and can therefore make a big impact. The main complication is that you must remove the sink and hob so although you may be able to disconnect the water supplies and waste pipes, any work on the hob must be carried out by a professional. You could also consider fitting an upstand along the back edge of the new worktop. read more »

Changing over a kitchen tap is straightforward as long as you have isolation valves fitted below the kitchen sink. Otherwise, you will need to isolate hot and cold taps further down the pipes. Changing a cheap tap for a more stylish or expensive one is a good option for a quick kitchen revamp – especially if you combine the work with maybe repainting the units for example. read more »

Splashbacks can be made from glass, tiles and stainless steel and are often fitted above a sink or cooker for visual impact and to protect the wall. Some splashbacks require screw fixings, others need to be fixed in place with a silicone sealant – below is the simplest option which is just self adhesive. read more »