Get those jobs done with a little help from DIY guru Julia Gray. This week: how to build a garden shed.
Top tips for... erecting a shed
:: Like any other building, wooden garden sheds need a sturdy, level base in order to stand the test of time and survive the elements. This means mixing and pouring a concrete slab for your shed to sit on.
:: It is, of course, crucial that the base is the correct size for your shed. One that's too small is obviously no good, but neither is one that's too big because rain will bounce off the concrete and soak the shed's timbers. To get it right, take the exact measurements of the shed's floor and subtract 2cm from the width and length to give you the size of your base. The concrete should be around 7.5cm thick, unless you're laying it on soft soil, in which case it should be around 10cm thick. Roughly half of the concrete should be above ground level.
:: To prepare the ground, clear away any plants and debris, remove enough topsoil to allow the concrete to sit at the correct depth (see above) and compact the soil with a rammer (a long-handled metal or wooden tool used for compacting). If the soil Is really soft, you'll need to lay a 5cm layer of compacted hardcore underneath the concrete.
:: Before you put the shed together, protect the timbers with two or more coats of wood treatment, preservative or stain, following the instructions on the tin. Ensure that you coat the floor and joists really well and don't forget to do the internal timbers. As an extra precaution against damp, you'll need to insert a damp-proof membrane between the base and walls of the shed when you build them.
:: When erecting the shed, get someone to help you, allow plenty of time and don't attempt the job if it's windy. Above all, follow the assembly and aftercare instructions carefully and your shed should last for years to come.
DIY news bulletin
:: Removing tile grout is never fun, but it's much easier than you'd imagine with the Dremel Wall And Floor Grout Removal Kit. This is designed to remove grout from between wall and floor tiles of any shape and size, in a fraction of the time and with much less effort than it takes to do by hand. Once you've tried it, you'll never want to use a grout rake again!
The kit comprises a metal grout-removal bit, which attaches to a Dremel power tool such as the 300 Series, and a plastic guide that keeps the bit centred between the tiles. The guide also lets you adjust the depth of the cut, while the Dremel 300 Series lets you adjust the speed so it's easy to control what you're doing.
The Dremel Wall And Floor Grout Removal Kit costs £10.98 and until December, you can buy it with a Dremel 300 Series multi-tool for the special price of £37.99 from www.dremel-direct.com.
:: If your kids have gone back to school, cheer them up with Spin Collective's new easy-to-apply chalkboard wall stickers. An alternative to bulky blackboard easels, these self-adhesive stickers are fun and functional - wipe them clean to reuse them, just like a conventional blackboard - and don't take up any floor space.
Prices start at £16 for an oblong chalkboard sticker with rounded or square corners, and all the chalkboards come with a free box of chalk. See the range at www.spincollective.co.uk, where there are instructions for applying the stickers to the wall.
Ask the expert
Q: How do I seal an exposed-brick wall? I've got one behind my bed and I don't want to be covered in dust and debris when I sleep!
A: Prepare the wall by giving it a good clean with a wire brush, then wash it with sugar-soap solution. When the wall's dry, apply a couple of coats of concrete sealer with a paintbrush, following the manufacturer's instructions and working the sealer well into the bricks and mortar. Allow the sealer to dry thoroughly between coats.
Seasonal task
Give all your home's painted woodwork a good clean - skirting boards, banisters, door frames, etc - so you can see what needs touching up or repainting while the days are still reasonably light and long.
