Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Deciding which kitchen worktop oil to use is always a hot topic on DIY forums, with discussions normally providing plenty of conflicting advice covering everything from product preferences, to number of coats, to application methods. As a result of all these differing ideas and options, I would imagine that most readers leave the forum more confused than ever, and still concerned about what the best options actually are. Well for me, there is one product out there that far outperforms all the other options read more »

Planning a kitchen really does need to be an operation of almost military precision because there are so many things to think about, and therefore so many things that can go wrong. However, the result of good kitchen planning is right up near the top of what I would call the ‘Home Improvement Project Gratification List’. read more »

To fix a leaking kitchen tap, or indeed any leaking tap, you must know where to turn off the water supply to the tap. First, check for isolation valves close to the tap, on its supply pipes. If you cannot find one, you will have to turn off the supply with a stop tap further down the pipe run. The main stopcock for a house is often found under the kitchen sink. It’s important to know where these taps are to turn off water supply if a leak is severe. read more »

The following sequence shows a good course of action for unblocking a kitchen sink. However, it is always best to try and stop blockages occurring in the first place. Most blockages can be avoided by using items like plug strainers which will catch unwanted food crumbs so that they do not accumulate in the kitchen waste pipes. Fat and oil can also collect in pipes if you pour excess down the sink – they simply settle, solidify and cause problems that are easily avoided if you recycle fats in another way. read more »

Kitchen unit hinges tend not to break, but the hinge plates will often loosen through wear and tear. Sometimes you can use a strong adhesive to fill the hinge plate holes before pressing the plate back in position. However, if this doesn’t work or the fixing holes for the plate are too damaged, another option is to move the plate slightly making new fixing holes – this also means you have to move the hinge on the door. read more »