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Common Questions
Got a question about home maintenance, tools, garden care? Whatever it is, chances are you'll find the answer here.
Painting
Can I apply acrylic paint over oil-based paint?Tools
Should I get a cordless or corded drill?
Lawn Care
Should I apply lawn feed during winter?
Mowers
How often should I change my mower blades?
Decks
How can I restore and protect my outdoor decking?
Bathrooms
Can I change a tap washer alone?
Painting
Is it OK to apply an acrylic paint on an interior wall over the top of an oil-based paint?
Yes it is, but you need to do a bit more preparaton than if you were applying it over acrylic paint. Before applying your acrylic paint, use a good sealing undercoat to seal the oil-based paint and to give your new paint something to grip. Our staff can advise you on the best undercoat for the job.
Tools
I'm about to buy my first power drill. Should I get a a cordless or a corded one?
Each has its pros and cons. The big advantage of the corded drill is that generally they're a lot more powerful than cordless drills, so they can do tougher jobs. The big plus for the cordless drill is its mobility and portability; you can take them anywhere, without being tethered to a power lead. Ideally you should have one of each, but failing that, think about what you'll be mainly using your drill for. Decide whether your greatest need is for portability, or for something powerful.
Lawn Care
Is there any benefit in applying lawn feed to the lawn during the winter months?
Very little. The lawn effectively shuts down and lies dormant through the cooler winter months and, while it will respond to unseasonal warmth and rain during this time, lawn feed will have very little effect on it.
Mowers
How often should I change the blades on my mower?
Get the blades replaced regularly. No matter how careful you are when mowing, the blades will hit things like rocks and sticks. Turn the mower over a few months, and you'll be surprised at how damaged the blades are. So for the best cutting efficiency, change the blades at least once a year.
Decks
My outdoor decking is looking very weathered. How can I restore and protect it?
First you need to strip the decking back with a good strong belt sander. This will remove the weathered effect and take the surface back to bare timber. Then you have a choice. You can apply a protective oil, which will soak into the timber and protect it from the harmful effects of the weather, as well as giving the timber decking a nice appearance. Alternatively, you can apply an epoxy finish that will sit on top of the decking, forming a very hard protective surface and preventing the weather from getting to the timber. You can get both the oil and the epoxies in either a clear finish or with coloured tints. Whichever option you choose, oil or expoxy, you should apply at least two coats for effective protection. Our staff can advise you further on this.
Bathrooms
I have a leaking tap in the bathroom. I've never changed a tap washer before. Will I be able to change the washer myself, or should I get someone to show me how to do it?
You should definitely get someone to show you how to do it the first time. While it's not difficult to change a tap washer, there are some things you need to know about when you do it, eg dismantling the spindle assembly and relacing the little rubber O-ring. Once you've been shown, you should be right to do it on your own.