James' Top Tips
A Little Advice Can Save a Lot of Trouble
Over the years, I've seen plenty of building jobs that could have been easier — and sometimes considerably cheaper — if a problem had been spotted earlier or a little advice had been taken before work started.
So I've put together a few straightforward tips to help homeowners look after their property, plan improvements and know when it might be time to call someone in.
No jargon. No hard sell. Just practical advice from someone who works on homes every day.
Don't Ignore Small Cracks
Not every crack in a wall means there's a serious problem. Houses move, plaster dries and small cracks can appear naturally over time.
But if a crack suddenly appears, continues to grow, keeps returning after repair or is accompanied by sticking doors or windows, it's worth getting it looked at rather than simply filling and painting over it again.
James' Tip: Take a photograph and measure the crack. Check it again a few weeks later. That simple record can tell you whether anything is actually changing.
Damp: Find the Cause Before Treating the Stain
Painting over a damp patch might make it disappear for a while, but it won't solve whatever caused it.
Damp can come from several places — leaking gutters, damaged pointing, plumbing, poor ventilation or water getting in around doors and windows. Finding the source should always come before repairing the decoration.
James' Tip: If a damp patch keeps coming back, stop treating the patch and start looking for where the water is coming from.
Planning a Bathroom? Think Beyond the New Suite
It's easy to choose the bath, shower, tiles and taps first, but some of the most important decisions happen behind what you can see.
Pipework, ventilation, waterproofing, flooring and the condition of the walls can all affect how well the finished bathroom performs and how long it lasts.
James' Tip: Decide what you want from the room first, then look at what needs to happen underneath it. A good finish starts with good preparation.