Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

The Guardian, Saturday 18 December 2010

We have metal guttering and want to trap rainwater in a butt, but can’t find a company that supplies kit for metal. Can you help?

“A diverter kit fitted into a downpipe is what you need,” says DIY guru Julian Cassell. “Wickes has a plastic diverter that fits metal downpipes (£3.99). For something more heavy-duty, try the droughtbuster kit, £14.90, from doctorenergy.co.uk. At £33.60, a cast-iron diverter is steep (from combinedharvesters.co.uk), but it would be most in keeping with your pipes. Remember, you’ll also need a hacksaw to cut through the downpipe and brackets to support the pipe above and below the diverter.”

The Guardian, Saturday 11 December 2010

My walls are covered in Anaglypta paper (the pebbledash kind). If I try to remove it, the whole house will need replastering, and I am 72 and can’t face much upheaval. Do I just carry on applying fresh emulsion?

“Stripping and replastering is the best option, but there would be a lot of upheaval,” says DIY expert Julian Cassell. “Your next best option is to improve what you have, which will be quicker and less expensive. There are no products that smooth the textured surface of wallpaper, but a good decorator should be able to deal with it sympathetically. Lifted seams, dried-out overlaps and bubbling areas can all be stuck back with overlap adhesive, holes filled and sanded, and stains given an oil-based undercoat or stain blocker before the topcoat goes on. To give walls a fresh lease of life, try new colours: the World of Colour range from Focus DIY mixes old favourites with newer ones (about £12.99 for 2.5L).”

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 »