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Your home improvement questions answered
Q How do I prepare my wooden fence before painting?
Sally Gregory, Cambridge
A Jimmy Englezos, Project Manager at Ronseal, says… Plan your project for a warm day when the weather forecast is dry for the whole day. If it’s been raining, allow the fence to dry thoroughly before starting (unless you’re using Ronseal FenceLife
Plus, then you can get going five hours after rain as it sticks to damp wood). Use a stiff brush to remove any dirt or debris from the fence. If there is any loose, flaky paint, use a brush or sandpaper to remove it.
Cover any plants with a dust sheet and tape off any areas you don’t want to get paint on. Thoroughly stir the paint you’re using until the colour is consistent throughout, then check that you’re happy with the colour by testing it out on a small area of the fence – remember that if the fence was previously painted in a dark or bold colour, it may take more coats to get the desired colour with the new paint. Now you’re ready to paint! Q What are some simple steps I can take to make my home greener and save money in the long run?
Fred Murray, Nottingham
A Katie Watts, Consumer Expert at MoneySavingExpert.com, says… Going green at home doesn’t have to cost the earth. Switching to a cheap green energy supplier or tariff can save you an average of £293* a year if you haven’t switched in a while. Your bills go towards the supplier buying renewable energy – such as wind and solar – to cover what you use. Concentrate on using less energy at home
– dial the heating down a degree and turn off lights and electricals at the wall. A smart thermostat can help control the temperature and you can turn down radiator valves in rooms you don’t use as often to reduce heat wastage.
Also, consider whether you really need a new mobile phone when your contract expires. By getting a cheap sim-only deal, you’ll save money and help protect the environment from chemicals in the batteries of thrown-away phones. If you do need a new handset, look at a cheaper refurbished model. Food waste also increases your carbon footprint. ‘Best before’ dates are usually just when food is no longer at optimum quality – so if it looks and smells fine, there’s no need to chuck it.
*Correct as of 6th May 2021.
Q I want to update my kitchen without fully replacing everything. What’s the best way to paint kitchen cabinets? Lesley Murch, Devon A Craig Phillips, Brand Ambassador at Frenchic, says…
Painting your old kitchen unit doors, drawers and side panels couldn’t be easier with Frenchic paint. It’ll give your kitchen a brand-new look for a fraction of the price. Before painting your cupboards, you need to give them a good clean with sugar soap to remove all grease and dirt that may have built up on the areas you intend to paint.
Next you will need to sand down your cabinets with a light sandpaper. Once sanded, vacuum all of the dust and then use a damp cloth to wipe all areas clean. Make sure to wait until the cabinets are completely dry, then you can apply your paint. Frenchic Al Fresco paint is hardwearing, cures within 48 hours and requires no sealant. If you choose the Original or Lazy range, I would recommend using a finishing coat. You can apply the paint using a paint sprayer or paintbrush – either way you will get a fantastic result!
Q I really want to make my garden look a bit nicer, but it doesn’t get a lot of sun. What varieties of plant should I look for?
Lisa Becker, Poole
A Jo Lambell, Founder of Beards & Daisies, says…
You don’t need loads of sunlight in order to have a thriving garden. In fact, there’s a plethora of plants that will flourish in shady conditions. Here are three to choose from and all of them are super easy to look after, too.
The red sword-shaped leaves of the Cordyline makes it a colourful statement and will brighten up your outdoor space without needing an overwhelming amount of sun. In fact, it will do better in a semi-shady spot as its beautiful red foliage can fade if exposed to too much strong sunshine. Treat this plant well and over time it will reward you with blooms – as it matures, the Cordyline has the ability to produce white flower spikes that are beautifully scented.
Dryopteris goldieana are another great choice. There’s something so elegant about the feather-like fronds on a fern and this variety, which naturally grows all year-round in woodlands, is no exception. As the fern ages, its yellowgreen leaves will turn a richer shade.
The fern is happy growing in shady spots in your garden, and in the wild, you’ll often find it growing on moist soils in woodlands. Full sunlight could result in this plant’s leaves being scorched.
Despite their colourful blooms in shades of pink and purple, you’d be forgiven for presuming the Astilbe Gem Mix loves sunlight. However, Astilbes are shade-loving plants, and will thrive in darker spots in your garden. Plus, they’re happy to grow in both containers and flowerbeds, making them a versatile option for all outdoor spaces. And just in case you weren’t already sold, this plant is likely to attract bumblebees and butterflies to your garden!
Q I’ll be working from home in my flat, at least part time, for the foreseeable. Do you have any tips for soundproofing my office on a budget?
Sarah Howard, Hartlepool
A Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics, says… As many more of us live in flats than in the past (43 per cent of Londoners!), noisy upstairs neighbours are complaints we’re very familiar with. Ceiling soundproofing is more affordable and easier to install than you think. If you’re a DIY aficionado, you may even be able to take care of it yourself. If the noise is coming from above, you can significantly reduce it by creating an isolated, floating ceiling with acoustic hangers, such as Oscar’s Iso-Mount Type 1 and 2. This will stop the vibration that causes the transfer of unwanted noise from floor to floor. To ensure level insulation, find the lowest point of the lowest joist as a reference before you start. For each mount, make sure it has a maximum point loading of 18kg, so each square metre can have up to 54kg of loading capability – this should be more than adequate for most domestic ceilings. Once you mark and fix the bracket positions, a simple clip-together installation using a standard clip-on steel channel will enable you to carry out all work from the room below. So, your neighbours never need to know.
If the noise is coming from within, which is likely if you’ve got the kids at home running amok during the holidays, there are ways of making it more bearable. Try and avoid smooth, flat surfaces as they’re the worst for creating an echo. They will exacerbate any unwanted sounds and bounce them around your home. Carpets, wall hangings and soft furniture will absorb a lot of sound and prevent an echo – opt for a rug if you don’t want to overhaul the flooring, adding an anti-slip backing if you‘ve got laminate.
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If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to Ask the Experts, Your Home, Immediate Media Co., Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST or email asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk