DIY Info

Look for dampness, flaking, mould, stains and movement. Fix the cause before decorating. Have unknown older coatings assessed before scraping or sanding.

Move what you can, cover furniture and protect the floor. Mask clean edges. Keep electrical fittings dry; have an electrician deal with fittings that need disconnecting.

Remove grease and dirt with the specified cleaner. Rinse where directed. Paint needs a dry, sound surface, not a film of cleaner or dust.

Fill minor defects, allow the filler to dry, then smooth the repairs without gouging the wall. Use suitable dust control. Remove the resulting dust before coating.

Apply the primer or sealer specified for the substrate and finish. Stained surfaces and new plasterboard may need different products. Allow the prescribed drying time.

Stir the paint thoroughly. Brush a neat band at corners, ceiling lines and trim, working in manageable sections so the brushed edge can be rolled into while still wet.

Load the roller evenly without flooding it. Spread paint across a small area, then finish with light, consistent strokes. Avoid pressing hard or reworking paint that has begun to dry.

Wait for the product’s recoat time in the actual room conditions. Apply the specified number of coats; coverage and colour may require more. Inspect under normal and side lighting.

Remove masking as its instructions direct. Clean tools, collect waste and keep paint washings out of stormwater drains. Treat fresh paint gently until the manufacturer’s curing period has passed.

Identify paste-the-wall, paste-the-paper, pre-pasted or peel-and-stick. Check batches and the pattern repeat. Calculate full drops rather than relying on wall area alone.

Resolve damp, remove unsuitable existing coverings safely, fill defects and smooth the wall. Apply the wallpaper maker’s specified primer or size where required.

Position the pattern deliberately. Allow for corners, openings and trimming; avoid an awkward narrow final strip. Mark a true vertical line for the first drop.

Allow the specified top and bottom trimming margin. Match the next drop before cutting and keep drops in the right order and orientation.

For paste-the-wall paper, apply even paste to the wall for a manageable section. Paste-the-paper needs pasting and any specified booking time; pre-pasted and peel-and-stick need their own instructions.

Align the first drop to your plumb line. Smooth from the centre towards the edges with the approved tool. Match the next drop without stretching it or forcing the seam.

Use a fresh blade and trimming guide. Follow the specified corner method, usually splitting and replumbing rather than bridging a crooked corner with one full drop. Keep blades and paste away from electrical fittings.

Remove adhesive from the face only as permitted. Check pattern alignment and seams as you work. Avoid strong draughts or forced heating. Do not roll delicate seams unless the manufacturer allows it.

Identify the existing wall’s function and the required replacement system. Bracing, fire, acoustic, wet-area and structural work need specific professional advice before disturbing the lining.

Assess old linings for hazardous materials. Locate wiring and pipes and arrange safe electrical isolation or plumbing work by the relevant trade. Do not start demolition or blind cutting from this overview.

After safe exposure, confirm that framing is sound, dry, straight and adequately supported. Arrange repairs before lining. Check that required services and insulation work are complete.

Use the manufacturer’s layout rules to minimise difficult joints. Avoid placing joints at opening corners where the system prohibits them, and provide the specified support and back-blocking.

Measure each sheet position. On a stable support, score the front paper along a straightedge, snap the core and cut the back paper. Lightly dress the edge with a rasp.

Make service openings accurately in the loose board where possible. Check the fit and specified perimeter clearances. Do not cut blindly into installed walls or ceilings.

Follow the selected system for adhesive type, placement and working time. Avoid substituting glue for the specified fasteners or applying generic glue patterns to performance systems.

Use suitable help and handling equipment. Fix to the verified framing with the exact screw type, length, spacing and edge distances specified. Recess heads slightly without tearing the face paper.

Check support, sheet alignment, fixings and damaged paper. Correct missed or overdriven screws as the manufacturer directs. Complete required inspections before concealment, then proceed to jointing.

Check for movement, dampness, loose paint, wallpaper paste and damaged face paper. Resolve the cause of defects. Stabilise or seal the substrate only with products compatible with the chosen compound.

Make sure screw heads are correctly recessed without torn paper. Remove loose material carefully, clear dust and pre-fill gaps using the specified compound before taping.

Read the compound label. For powder products, use the prescribed water ratio and clean equipment; mix at the recommended speed. Never add water to revive compound that is setting.

Apply an even bedding coat, embed the approved tape and work out trapped air. Leave sufficient compound behind the tape; do not squeeze the joint dry. Tape internal corners as the system requires.

Allow the first coat to reach the required state. Remove high ridges carefully. Apply a wider coat and feather the edges so the transition into the wall is gradual.

Use the finishing compound specified by the system. Keep the final coat thin and wider than the earlier coats. Build the required coats over fasteners and beads without leaving thick ridges.

After suitable preparation, apply the approved skim compound in controlled thin passes. This is a separate surface-finishing step, not a substitute for taping the joints. Large walls take practice.

Setting and drying are different. Follow the product requirements before sanding or coating; cool, humid rooms can take longer. Use extraction and respiratory protection suited to the dust, and avoid exposing tape.

Use side lighting to find ridges, pinholes and scratches. Correct them, clean the surface and apply the appropriate sealer/primer before paint. Do not wallpaper or paint over damp compound.