Regular readers will know that I try my hand at just about anything around the house! In fact, my tagline here at Desperate Houselife is “Love of all things DIY”. And, I truly mean it. I love fixing things around the house. I love experimenting, and making things from scratch. But, sometimes, things are a little out of my comfort zone. When it comes to DIY, it’s important to know your limits, and respect them. If you don’t, things can get dangerous. Not only that, but I want my house to look its best. So, I don’t mind handing over a few jobs to the experts. But, I have to say, I do like to get involved and help out where I can! Here are some of my recent projects that needed a little helping hand.
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BALTIC SEA (July 8, 2011) Hull Technician 1st Class Kenneth Bryant grinds a weld on a damage control training pipe patching aid aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52). The pipe will help Sailors build their damage control pipe patching skills. Carr is on a scheduled three-month deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gary Keen/Released)
Plastering
Let me start by saying that I’ll tackle pretty much any interior design work in the house. But plastering is a nightmare. It’s impossible to get the finish smooth without the right tools and technique. You’ll spend hours trying to get it right. Trust me, I’ve tried it a number of times before. That’s why I called the experts when we redecorated the bedroom last year. The professional plasterer finished the whole project in less than an hour. It looked smooth, and I couldn’t possibly have achieved the same finish. When it comes to plastering, avoid the stress, and let the experts handle it.
New boiler
Plumbing is one of the few things I simply don’t DIY! It might seem like a relatively straightforward job, but appearances are deceptive. I don’t mind getting under the sink and tightening a few pipes. But, when our boiler finally gave out this year, I had to turn to the professionals. Remember, the pipes and plumbing are intricately linked throughout the home. One small mistake could have all sorts of consequences elsewhere. Plus, the cost of water damage is very, very expensive. Water destroys carpets, electric circuits, and floorboards. When it comes to the boiler, it’s also connected to the gas line, so it just wasn’t worth the risk.
A Wrought Iron Bed
I recently had a wrought iron bed made specifically for our house. Now, I can’t say there are many cases when I need to weld things around the house! But, I certainly wasn’t about to start now. I think I made the right call by hiring the experts. It was only a simple aluminium welding job, but it’s a dangerous, and highly-skilled task. Without the correct equipment, the bright flame will damage your eyes. The sparks can also cause injury, not to mention they’re a fire hazard. The result was a beautiful piece of furniture, so I’m very happy.
Our garage renovation
Loyal readers will know that we renovated our garage just last year. The project was so much fun, but we certainly didn’t take it on lightly. We knew that we risked altering the structural quality of the house, so we brought in some expert help. You should do the same for any home conversion or if you’re knocking down any walls. One wrong move, and you risk weakening the entire property. We used a structural expert and an architect to assess our home first. We only started work when they gave us the go-ahead. You just never know which one is a load bearing wall!
You can never be too proud to ask for a little help with your DIY projects. Good luck!
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