20
In close association with rummage4property
PRINT ADVERTISING STILL WORKS!
REVEALED: The DIY Jobs Brits Put Off the Longest in Their Homes ● Painting the walls tops the list of DIY jobs Brits put off longest (76%)
● On average Brits leave their broken fence panel for 3.2 years before fixing it, making it the longest awaiting job!
● ‘Not bothered by the issue' tops the list of reasons Brits put off DIY jobs (71%), followed by being too busy (62%) and not being able to afford to fix it (54%)
It goes without saying that the quote 'Home Sweet Home' is one we can all relate to but just how much time and money are some of us willing to spend to fix them? MyJobQuote were interested in finding out which DIY jobs Brits put off the most. So, they surveyed 2,590 Brits and can now reveal which DIY jobs we like to turn a blind eye to most.
At the top of the list is painting our walls, with over 3 in 4 Brits (78%) having delayed this task. MyJobQuote found that, on average, homeowners leave this task for an average of 2.6 years before they get around to doing it!
Following behind is fixing a broken doorbell (69%). When knocking is free and works just as well in most occasions, it's no surprise that people go an average of 1.5 years before deciding to fix it.
The third most common DIY task that Brits put off is fixing a leaking tap (67%). With there being a long list of quick fixes, such as using pipe clamps, epoxy compounds and pipe wraps, it becomes very easy for people to live with a leaky tap for 2.6 years on average before fixing it.
Fixing a fence panel tops the list of DIY tasks that Brits leave for the longest, with people waiting 3.2 years on average before making the time to fix it. Seeing as many of us don't spend long periods of time in our garden, it can become very easy to push it to the bottom of our to-do list.
At the bottom of the list is fixing a gas leak (15%) and removing asbestos (9%) as both are more dangerous if not taken care of.
It has been reported that asbestos kills around 5,000 workers each year, so MyJobQuote's findings that people don't fix it for an average of 3 months, is a cause for concern. They also found gas leaks are left for a month by Brits on average - if not fixed this can lead to irregular breathing, headaches and in extreme cases unconsciousness.
MyJobQuote discovered that the main reason for putting off DIY jobs is that we are able to live with it (71%), as a lot of the DIY jobs we have sitting on our list are minor in the grand scheme of things. Tasks such as painting our walls and fixing a leaking tap are more of an eye sore than something that could be potentially damaging to our health.
The third reason Brits gave for putting off DIY jobs is that they simply can't afford it (54%). Depending on what the DIY job is, it can end up costing a fortune so it's unsurprising some people want to avoid being slapped with a massive bill at the end that they can't foot.
There are things that some of us are better at than others, DIY being one of them. Hence why 28% of people are delaying DIY jobs because they are waiting for another household member to do it. It's no surprise that many of us rely on our parents or partners to help with getting things done.
Even with millions of YouTube videos readily available to guide us, 24% of people still don't have the confidence to do some jobs. Taking on such tasks by ourselves can potentially lead to making matters worse, further financial loss and in worse case scenarios, danger.
Expert EllenWright from PriceYourJob identified a leaking tap, fixing a squeaky door and painting your walls as the easiest DIY tasks Brits can tick off their list and provided the following tips for getting each done:
Leaking Tap
• First, ensure you turn off the water, as you don't want to flood the house! You can do this at the stop cock or the isolation valve. Next, turn on the leaking tap to release any excess water.
• If the spout of the tap is leaking, all you'll need to do is replace the washer. Locate the screw inside the tap itself and unscrew it to remove the tap head. Unscrew the spindle with a spanner and you should now be able to see the washers, which are an O-shape, or polo-shape. You can take them to any hardware shop to find a replacement.
• If you have a second tap, even if it's not dripping it may be worth replacing the washers anyway while you're at it.
Fixing a Squeaky Door
If you don't have any WD40 to hand, there are a few home items that can do the job too.
• Olive oil is a great replacement for WD40 as it's a lubricant. Apply a few drops to all the hinges or use kitchen roll doused in olive oil for a less messy approach.
• Petroleum jelly and soap are also a great alternative for Wd40. Painting theWalls
• Pick up some tester pots and paint in different areas of the room, to see what the colour looks like in different lights. • Use filler for any cracks or holes, then sand down the walls your painting. • Use a sealant on the walls and let it dry.
• Cleaning the walls with sugar soap before painting help get a professional looking finish. • Cover switches and sockets with masking tape to stop paint dripping on them. • Use a primer before painting and ensure it's dry. • When painting, use a roller inaMorW shaped motion.
www.myjobquote.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
