"The cost of a bathroom renovation really depends on the scale of the job, but as a rough estimate, most homeowners spend anywhere from £5,000 to £15,000"
- Kevin Brown - Heritage Home
Kevin Brown, a heritage home renovation specialist, has addressed the UK’s most frequently searched DIY queries, ranging from fixing taps to tackling damp. Brown, who has years of experience working with The Heritage Window Company, shared practical advice on common household problems.
Some repairs should be left to trained professionals, such as roof work, but many everyday maintenance tasks can be learned and carried out safely at home. For some homeowners, doing so not only builds confidence but also reduces costs.
How to fix a dripping tap (3,600 monthly searches)
“A dripping tap is usually down to a worn washer, cartridge or O-ring, but it can also be as simple as the tap not being tightened properly, so it’s worth checking that first,” said Brown, renovation expert. “If the problem persists, turn off the water supply, run the tap to clear any remaining water and carefully take it apart to inspect the internal components. Replacing a washer or cartridge is often all it takes to stop the leak and it’s a straightforward fix once you’ve got the right part for your tap model.
“If you aren’t sure how or where to turn off the water in your home, there should be a main water stop valve, most likely under the kitchen sink or in the airing cupboard. Once found, simply give it a turn clockwise.”
How to plaster a wall (2,900 monthly searches)
“Plastering a wall takes patience and practice, but it isn’t too different to painting or emulsifying a wall,” explained Brown. “Start by preparing the surface, making sure it’s clean, removing any loose wallpaper or paint and applying a coat of PVA solution so the plaster sticks evenly.
“For tools, you’ll need a plastering trowel, a hawk to hold the mix and a bucket trowel for loading. Apply the first coat in smooth, even strokes, then follow with a finishing coat once it firms up, keeping the trowel slightly angled to avoid dragging. It takes practice, but with patience, you can achieve a surprisingly professional result – especially for those without official training.”
How to remove wallpaper (2,400 monthly searches)
“The easiest way to remove wallpaper is to loosen the adhesive by soaking it with warm water or a wallpaper stripper solution, then gently scraping it off with a stripping knife,” said Brown. “Start by scoring the wallpaper so the water can soak through, and work in small sections to stop the paper from drying before you reach it.
“If you’re stripping relatively modern wallpaper, you may find that the previous owners used peel-and-stick – an easy-apply paper often used for temporary change-ups. As the name suggests, this can be peeled off, so make sure you check the corner before you start stripping – you might get lucky.”
How to clean windows (1,900 monthly searches)
“The best way to clean windows is with a mix of warm water and a small amount of washing-up liquid, applied with a sponge or soft cloth, and then dried with a squeegee for a streak-free finish,” noted Brown. “You don’t want to use too harsh chemicals as this can damage the window or dull the finish, especially if you have metal or aluminium windows.
“For tougher marks on the glass, a specialist window cleaning solution can be used, and a quick polish with a microfibre cloth around the edges will give you a crystal clear result without watermarks.”
How to stop window condensation (1,300 monthly searches)
“Condensation forms when warm, moist air meets a cold surface like glass, so the real solution is to both manage the moisture inside your home and address the efficiency of your windows,” commented Brown. “Ventilation helps – opening windows, using extractor fans and running a dehumidifier can all reduce humidity, but if the windows themselves are poorly insulated, the problem will keep coming back. Upgrading to double glazing dramatically reduces condensation, and in listed buildings where window replacement might be restricted due to planning permissions, secondary glazing is an excellent workaround.”
How much does a bathroom renovation cost? (1,000 monthly searches)
“The cost of a bathroom renovation really depends on the scale of the job, but as a rough estimate, most homeowners spend anywhere from £5,000 to £15,000,” explained Brown. “A basic update with new tiles, regrouting, maybe a few furnishing replacements like taps or toilet seats, will sit at the lower end, while a full redesign will push the cost up.
“You can save a little on labour if you take on simpler jobs like stick-on tiling or grouting yourself, but it’s important not to attempt dangerous work or tasks outside your skill level. As any experienced renovator will tell you, mistakes can end up costing more to put right than having it done professionally in the first place. After all, if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”
How to wallpaper around a window (880 monthly searches)
“Wallpapering around a window can be tricky, so don’t feel discouraged if it takes a few times to get things right. The trick is to treat it in smaller sections rather than trying to cover the whole area in one sheet,” said Brown. “Hang the wallpaper up to the edge of the reveal, then carefully cut strips to fit the recess, smoothing them in with a brush. Always leave a little excess to trim neatly against the frame, as cutting it too short is one of the most common mistakes.
“Now, that probably sounds hard to follow, and it is if you’ve never done it before. I always recommend people watch useful guides online, as can be found on YouTube, to better visualise this before trying to piece it all together. It will click once you’ve done it a few times.”
How to clean wood floors (880 monthly searches)
“Wooden floors are highly sought-after, and if you’re lucky enough to have original wooden flooring in the home, the chances are that they haven’t had a thorough clean and restoration in a long time,” said Brown. “To restore wooden floors to their former glory, start with a thorough sweep or vacuum to remove dust and grit, then use a gentle wood floor cleaner for a deeper wash. Once dry, sand lightly and apply a fresh coat of varnish to bring back the original colour. Take your time, and your floors should look good as new.”
How to treat rising damp in an old house (590 monthly searches)
“If the home you’re renovating is severely damaged by damp, treatment usually starts with stripping back damaged plaster and allowing the wall to dry, then installing a chemical or physical barrier to block further moisture,” said Brown. “Issues of damp and condensation often go hand-in-hand, and so, like when fixing condensation, you must address inefficient windows in the home to stop damp returning. Again, this means either double glazing or secondary glazing in buildings that are grade listed,” Brown reaffirmed. “For small, isolated patches, you can also use a damp treatment spray, which is easy to find in most hardware shops and provides a simple spot-fix.”
What time are you allowed to make DIY noise in the UK? (390 monthly searches)
“There’s no sweeping law in place for noise relating to home improvement or DIY – but as a general rule, you should always be considerate to your neighbours and check your local council website for guidance,” said Brown. “Most councils do put out information regarding noise pollution, but most suggest noisy work be carried out from 8am–6pm on weekdays, 8am–1pm on Saturdays and avoiding Sundays and bank holidays.”
