Looking for information on boat solar panel installation? This post and my associated video explain the method I used to fit two large solar panels to a small sailing boat. Before getting stuck in to the details, let's consider the following question: Why should I fit solar panels to my boat? Having enough electrical power to meet your power requirements, without having to … [Read more...]
Shou Sugi Ban – charred wood effect. A DIY Tutorial
Shou Sugi Ban is an ancient Japanese technique of preserving wood by burning it. This post and associated video will show you how you can make charred wood at home, without having to go and buy or hire an expensive propane torch. Shou Sugi Ban has been used to protect external cladding in Japan for centuries. The outer layer of the wood that will be exposed to the elements is … [Read more...]
DIY Cavity Tray Installation (Type E Cavitrays)
Cavity tray installation - these three words might not exactly fill you with excitement but, if you would like to live in a damp-free home, this article is worth a read! What are cavity trays? Cavity trays are pre-formed polypropylene trays. They are installed into the external bricks of a cavity wall and their purpose is to collect any water dripping or running down the … [Read more...]
How to point paving stones. A simple patio jointing guide for beginners
Weeds growing between paving stones' can be a real pain in the derriere! This post and the associated video will show you how you can use a simple dry sand and mortar mix to point the gaps between patio stones / flagstones for a permanent solution to this problem. This really is an easy job and, looking out on your weed-free patio for years to come, you will be very grateful … [Read more...]
Brick removal: How to remove single bricks without damaging them
Brick removal is not a complicated job but the bricks themselves often get damaged during the removal process. In this post and associated short video I will demonstrate a brick removal method which keeps the bricks intact, allowing them to be reused. Bricks are cheap and it might not seem like too big a deal if a few of them get damaged during a home improvement project. … [Read more...]