Essential hacks: our top DIY tips

Become a DIY pro with our quick how to hacks

Contrary to popular belief, DIY at home doesn’t have to be a challenge. It’s all in the know-how – and it’s true that you can do it (with a little help from B&Q’ing it). Whether you need to grout your fresh bathroom tiles, remove a screw, or fit a wall plug, we’ve got all the know-how you need to get the job done quickly and easily. Want to become a DIY pro? Just keep scrolling.

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  1. How to drill a tile
  2. How to stop wood splitting
  3. How to caulk
  4. How to remove a threaded screw
  5. How to bleed a radiator
  6. How to grout a tile
  7. How to choose and fit a wall plug
  8. How to remove rust from tools
  9. How to remove sticker residue

1. How to drill a hole

The million-dollar question – how do you drill a tile without cracking it? In just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to perfectly drill a tile without any mess or cracks. For the best results, we recommend using a specialist tile drill bit.

Once you’ve got the correct drill bit, use frog tape to cover the area you need to drill. This creates some tension and stops the drill from slipping. Measure the area you need to drill and mark an X over the tape.

When you’re happy with your measurements, start to drill slowly. Apply even pressure until you’ve drilled through the top layer of glaze. You can then gradually increase the pressure until you reach the wall surface.

It’s important to keep your drill bit cool, so we recommend wetting a sponge and holding it underneath when drilling. When you pull the drill out, wipe it with the wet sponge to ensure it always stays cool. You can then remove your tape and ta-da… you’re left with the perfect hole! 

2. How to stop wood splitting

When drilling into a hole, it can be easy to split the wood if it isn’t done correctly. Take a look at our simple video below to find out how to drill into wood without it splitting. For best results, you’ll need a workbench, a drill, and wood drill bits.

3. How to caulk

Do you have a gap or crack in your wall or skirting board that needs sealing? Caulk is a durable, flexible sealant thanks to its acrylic fibre material, and it’s easy to do yourself at home. 

Once you’ve purchased your caulk, cut the top off with a pair of scissors. Top tip: the cut should be about 3mm from the tip and cut at an angle. 

Pump the caulk lever twice, place the caulk nozzle at the end of the skirting board and slowly move it across. You can then remove the excess caulk with a sealant tool or a wet finger. Finally, draw a wet sponge across the sealant for a perfectly smooth finish.

4. How to remove a threaded screw

If you’re looking for a quick and easy guide on how to remove a threaded screw, we’ve got you covered. All you’ll need is a workbench, a power screwdriver, and a rubber band. Check out the video below to get started!

5. How to bleed a radiator

Is your radiator cold at the top but hot at the bottom? If this sounds familiar, you’ve likely got air trapped in your heating system which means your radiator will need bleeding. You might also hear pipes banging or gurgling if your radiator needs bleeding.

Bleeding your radiators will save energy as they’ll function more efficiently. It’s easy to do at home with just a few tools. Check out our handy video below on how to easily bleed a radiator. If you need more information, read our all-you-need-to-know guide on how to fix problems with radiators.

6. How to grout tiles

You’ve got your fresh new bathroom tiles on the wall and now it’s time to grout them. No handyman, no problem! You’ll need grout, a grouting tool, a sponge, and a towel. 

Firstly, you’ll need to apply your grout using a grout spreading tool. Push the grout in between the tiles, swiping back and forth. Top tip: we suggest working diagonally across a 45-degree angle for the best results. Grout can dry quickly so work on small areas at a time to avoid the grout drying.

You’ll then need to dry the excess grout off with a damp sponge or cloth. We recommend waiting around 10 minutes and then wiping the grout again to ensure all excess is removed. Once all excess grout is removed and the surface is smooth, wipe the surface clean with a dry towel. 

7. How to choose and fit wall plugs

Unsure on which size of rawlplug you need for your job? Check out the video below to see which sized rawlplug fits with the corresponding screws and drill bits!

Once you’ve chosen the correct rawlplug for the job, you’ll need to insert a masonry drill bit into your drill, with the drill turned to hammer mode. We suggest using tape to mark the length of the wall plug to avoid drilling too far.

Next, make a faint mark on the wall with a pencil so you can see where you’ll be drilling. When you’re happy with the placement, insert the drill, keeping it steady and straight. Once it reaches the tape, carefully remove the drill from the wall.

If the wall plug still isn’t fully in the wall, use your thumb to push it in before lightly tapping it with a hammer. Voila – your wall plug is safely in the wall!

8. How to remove rust from tools

Your rusty tools don’t need to go in the bin – rust is just a wipe away with HG rust remover. Simply pour the rust remover into the bucket, then use a brush to apply the product to your tools (make sure you’re wearing gloves!)

Wait 15-60 minutes for the rust remover to do its thing, then use a wet cloth to wash your tools. Just like that, your tools are looking shiny and new!

9. How to remove sticker residue

If you’ve ever tried to remove stickers from household items, you’ll know how tricky they can be to remove. You’re usually left with that horrible tacky residue that won’t come off whatever you do. Never fear, we’ve got the ultimate hack that removes sticky residue off household items in just 3 minutes. Get watching…