Stuck for some DIY advice? YouTube it

IT’S Saturday evening, you’re stuck in the middle of a job, the local DIY shop is closed, and suddenly you need a quick piece of advice on what to do next. You phone a friend and quickly discover he hasn’t a clue either.

What do you do? YouTube it. Okay, so this mightn’t suit everyone, but for the amateur DIY enthusiast out there, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. For most of us driving a nail into a piece of wood or drilling a hole in masonry is a big deal and quite often we feel embarrassed to ask what we consider to be a ‘silly’ DIY question.

There’s no such thing in DIY as a silly question, of course, but when it comes to making, repairing, painting, enhancing or preparing DIY pursuits and you’re feeling a little perplexed – as happens - know that YouTube is full of lots of handy DIY tips. It’s full of nuggets of info about getting started on simple DIY jobs, and how to maintain or repair things like tiles, drainage, gardening, wood, basic plumbing and electrical jobs. It really is a one stop shop for DIY buffs and you need never feel alone when wondering what to do next.

Of course the wise DIY enthusiast will have fully researched his or her job beforehand. This is always the best advice and again it helps to skim YouTube to see how it’s done. Remember how we used to view DIY shows on TV all the time during the 1990s? Well, YouTube is now the new point of enlightenment for bewildered DIY souls.

However, it goes without saying that more serious jobs require a more serious and professional approach as you’re unlikely to consult YouTube for advice when it comes to rewiring your home or pouring its foundations. But for the simple little DIY jobs, it can often be the most helpful tool.