How do I learn the basics of tiling/plumbing/building etc?

missk_ensington

Hi,

I'm fairly new into property developing and although my knowledge of renovation is good there are area's I'd like to be better on. As a young single female I am constantly trying to be ripped off (Plumber tried to get away with not fitting the Baller Fix Valve, and then when I asked him why he hadn't done it he said 'What's one of them?' Which was clearly bullsh1t because he didn't want to admit he was conning me and was shocked I knew anything about plumbing)

I have a fair idea of building, I know where lintels should be, what sizes, how they should be fitted, but don't have the basic skills like cementing and bricking to do it myself, but would like to learn. I also want to learn to plaster (I don't mean full rooms, but little area's like when you remove wallpaper and some plaster comes off with it and needs skimming)

I'm far too busy to do a college course, and as a single parent I can't do an evening course. Any suggestions? I was wondering if there are any books/DVD's out there? Do you think people would think I was crazy if I phoned up builderS/plasterers etc and asked for a half days private tuition!?!?

alanobrien

Real plastering is an art, a course would be best. You can get good enough to do small areas with practice and i found buying ready mixed platering helps a lot.

Same with bricklaying although a gadget like this makes it a whole lot easier http://www.brickytool.com/

Cementing is quite easy, you just need to get the mix right and there are many sources for info on this subject such as
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/mortarmixes.htm

Hope this helps a bit

tawnyowls

A lot of the manufacturers run their own training courses, and they're often quite cheap. OTTOMH, Bal (the adhesive people) run tiling courses.

cargo

Where are you based ?
I am in Manchester and a Plasterer.
If you are local to me and have some small plastering jobs that you think you can handle and would like some guidance.
I wouldnt mind showing you how I would go about it.
Free of charge as long as you have Kettle.

Volcano

Those thick DIY books from Collins and/or Readers Digest are good. They give you an overview of the terminology, various types of plaster/plumbing fittings/how to build a brick wall etc.

Seriously consider an evening course if at all possible, it's ok to practise these skills (actually essential to get a feel for them) but even better to have somebody standing over your shoulder explaining where you are going wrong.

Skiduck

yep - the readers digest one is quite good

BobProperty

missk_ensington wrote:

.... (Plumber tried to get away with not fitting the Baller Fix Valve, and then when I asked him why he hadn't done it he said 'What's one of them?' Which was clearly bullsh1t because he didn't want to admit he was conning me and was shocked I knew anything about plumbing).....

He is being rather naughty as 1, he's supposed to fit one and 2, he could use a cheapo iso which would have cost him about 60p.
and you'd be even more convincing if you could spell Ballofix :rotfl:
Seriously, the Readers Digest book is supposed to be OK, some of it is on their website. Otherwise have a read or post on places like http://www.trustedtradesmen.com/forum/default.asp and
http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/index.php and several other similar forums. UHM in particular has a series of "How to" articles.

missk_ensington

cargo wrote:

Where are you based ?
I am in Manchester and a Plasterer.
If you are local to me and have some small plastering jobs that you think you can handle and would like some guidance.
I wouldnt mind showing you how I would go about it.
Free of charge as long as you have Kettle.

I am fairly near to Rochdale/Oldham area!!!

missk_ensington

BobProperty wrote:

He is being rather naughty as 1, he's supposed to fit one and 2, he could use a cheapo iso which would have cost him about 60p.
and you'd be even more convincing if you could spell Ballofix :rotfl:
Seriously, the Readers Digest book is supposed to be OK, some of it is on their website. Otherwise have a read or post on places like http://www.trustedtradesmen.com/forum/default.asp and
http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/index.php and several other similar forums. UHM in particular has a series of "How to" articles.

Thanks, I've never had to write it down before! :rotfl:

other

Readers digest one is pretty good, but the collins one (get it in tesco for cheaper) gets good recomendations as well on this forum.