3.
Maxwells: 10 north of England branches specialising in power tools
4.
Hunts of Marlow: Family-run business near the High Street, offering key-cutting too
5.
Pickles: Home and garden DIY stockists plus fuel supplies from coal to sticks, in rural Devon
6.
Firn’s: Long-standing Cumbrian family hardware and ironmonger with gift-wrapping service available
7.
Evans of Saltash: leading Cornwall hardware shop with extensive household section too
8.
ScrewFix: 255 stores selling 11,000 items and with a click-and-collect service
9.
Crocket The Ironmonger: From Black & Deckers to Barbours, this Glasgow DIY heaven has an equestrian section too
10.
Toolstation: Over 50 stores from Inverness to Truro selling tools (of course), workwear and landscaping kit
12.
Homebase: 340 stores across the UK, mostly out-of-town with easy parking
13.
Worleys: Pet supplies as well as DIY, specialising in electrical equipment, plus a gift section. Cardiff-based
14.
Potters: Based in Hockley, Essex, with large garden, decorating, tools and plumbing sections as well as kitchen and cooking
15.
Partridges: On Ipswich High Street the shop has everything from home fencing to wheels and castors
16.
Lindleys: Family-run business in Castleford with extensive supplies and free local delivery
17.
Wickes: 200 stores aimed mostly at the serious well-informed DIY enthusiast
18.
Morrells: A DIY store just off London’s Carnaby Street? Odd but true, with tools, decorating supplies and ironmongery
19.
Ray Grahams: Based in Newtownards, N Ireland, offering everything from duvets to downpipes
20.
Scats: Stores across South Wales and southern England, specialising in agricultural DIY - everything for those working on smallholdings and equestrian properties
Easy DIY jobs...
- Decorating. Make sure you unscrew electrical sockets and light switch covers to get the best finish, use a long-handled roller for ceilings (and a mini one for behind radiators);
- Bleed radiators. Buy a key from a radiator shop, turn heating off and open each radiator valve - air escapes but as soon as water seeps out, the job is done;
- Putting up shelves. Get appropriate size and strength brackets and timber, use a spirit level to get it straight and rawl plugs to keep those screws in;
- Filling wall cracks. Apply the wet filler, let it dry thoroughly, then sandpaper flat and smooth before you paint over;
- Seal window draughts. Old sashes or loose-fitting windows leak hot air out so fill with self-adhesive foam weather strips. Use the smallest size to do the task to keep it neat.
...but leave these to the professionals
- any work involving gas can produce leaks, fires or carbon monoxide poisoning and must be left a a Gas Safe-registered professional listed onwww.gassaferegister.co.uk;
- complicated electrical work can also be dangerous if botched so use a professional electrician with certification to handle Part P buildings regulations;
- frozen water pipes have to be replaced by a professional familiar with cutting, bridging and welding pipes if necessary (but you can lag the new ones to prevent a repeat);
- roofing should be left to those who understand building regulations and best eco-practice regarding membranes, bitumen and tiles, and with access to appropriate scaffolding;
- unblocking drains is easy with the right length, diameter and strength of brush, but most DIY-ers use small makeshift items which get stuck and worsen the problem.
(Source Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/renovatinganddiy/10525875/Top-20-DIY-stores-in-Britain.html)
www.canofixeu.com
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Carefully thought through: the inside of the roundhouse
