My disastrous D.I.Y. attempt! :(

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Last weekend I thought I’d do a spot of DIY. I’m pretty poor at DIY it has to be said but I’m ok if I take my time. The problem for me isn’t that I can’t do it, but I normally end up creating more work for myself than what I started with or injuring myself.. or both.

So, I try and give myself smaller, achievable tasks to do rather than taking on too much.

So on Saturday, attempted to complete boarding out of the loft, which I started last August. It was too hot then so I thought I’d wait until Winter.

Anyway, last week, I went out and bought the remaining packs I needed to finish the boarding, some screws etc. I did this midweek so I had plenty of time at the weekend.
:)

So off I started, the first board had to be cut around a few pipes. So, I measured it out carefully cut and it fitted perfectly. \o/ .. Oh no wrong side of the board!! The next piece was a complete mess and the one after that I cut the end of the finger and bumped my head on the rafter when I lost my temper throwing the saw into the side, which broke a glass or something. Six pieces and an hour later, the first piece was in. It was plain sailing after that. However, my daughter shouted from downstairs, “Dad, the bath room lights don’t work”. Huh??

I had got so carried away, I boarded over the low-voltage light area. Luckily, the boards where easy enough to lift in that area. Mmm.. Electrics hehe.. I changed the light bulb.. nothing!.. I had a twist and fiddle and is I did, I managed somehow to put a big crack across the bathroom ceiling.. Damn’it.

Anyway, I’ll have to get an electrician and plasterer to sort that mess out..

Nearly done, I’m starting to chuck some old stuff out. On doing so, I carefully lowered the rubbish through the hatch. I was on my own as the whole household though it would be safer to vacate the area let alone the house. As I lowered one piece of 2x3, it feel on its end and bounced into the wall taking a large bit of plaster out.

Thankfully, at the end of the day, it was all done and no serious damage was done. I didn’t manage to escape uninjured, I have a big plaster on my finger, a sore head, a big scratch on my back where I didn’t crouch low enough and I’ve worn away my knee caps.

So one job has left me 3 new jobs:

Fix bathroom light
Fix bathroom ceiling
Fix landing wall and repaint.

Moral – pay someone!
 
I would much rather work some over time and pay somebody to do it. If somebody else does it, the job is done quicker and better.

Not to mention all those small things that bug you just because you know they are there even though nobody else can see them no.
 
Blimey Huddy, how did you get to be an admiral with your clumsiness? :p

I must confess I understand your rage. When its hot in the summer and things (i.e. computers) and other things don't work as they should then I start throwing things around. :D
 
That will be pricey. Whatever you do, do not tell the sparky and plasterer what happened, it will cost more ;)

if you only take one thing from this thread, Huddy - make it malfunkshun's post.

nice story - you're quite good at those ;)

DIY in our house consists of putting Ikea furniture together
 
I would much rather work some over time and pay somebody to do it. If somebody else does it, the job is done quicker and better.

Not to mention all those small things that bug you just because you know they are there even though nobody else can see them no.


I've been coming round to this idea for ages but I thought how hard can laying a few old boards be and screwing them be.. A bit like a visit to the local nightclub really :)
 
n00b!! :D

I plan on doing the same to my loft sometime soon, I just hope I manage it with more success than you!
 
Here are some tips for loft boarding. For ceiling mounted spot lamps, use upturned plant pots (with a hole in the bottom) to allow the light to vent heat.

Also, don't screw the boards to the joists, just get some fit together tongue and groove style jobs. Not that it will probably affect you, but if you screw the boards down then someone else takes them it will be cracks galore as the joists start to expand contract again.
 
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