ASK THE
experts
From child-proofing to fencing solutions, our professionals answer your home improvement questions
Q
My little girl is just about to start crawling, and I’m suddenly aware of hazards everywhere! What can I do to child-proof my home? Jemima Michaels, Stoke-on-Trent
themselves on, plug sockets and any tall flights of stairs. A stairgate is a must for parents with toddlers who like to climb! Make sure to put away anything sharp or any objects that could be sharp if broken. Beware of pointy edges on furniture, too – corner guards come in very handy for that. The second biggest tip is to ensure that anything toxic to children is out of reach, including plants, cleaning Lucy Askew, from the products or anything that should team at Hillarys.co.uk, not be ingested. Children like to says… It’s amazing to see your explore the world with their hands child learn to crawl or walk, but it and mouths, so this is essential to can also be exhausting and scary! a child-proofed home. Lastly, you There are lots of things you can do should secure items of furniture to ensure your home is safe for your to the walls as children often pull child’s little adventures. on large items of furniture to Think about the big hazards help them move around, so it’s in your home and fix these first. important to know that nothing Focus on anything they could burn heavy will fall on them.
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My garage doors are in need of a refresh. What type of paint should I use and how should I prep the doors before? Anita Stanley, Bedford Will Thompson, Head of Marketing at Valspar, says…… Painting your garage door is a great way to neaten up the outside of your home and experiment with bold colours, like Valspar’s Aqua Mosaic (a mid teal) and English Primrose (a soft ochre). Before starting, make sure you pick a warm, dry day for the task – you don’t want your hard work to go to waste! To ensure the surface is smooth, use a flat scraper to remove any flaking or bubbling paint. Then, go over the door with 180 grit sandpaper. Next, clean the surface with a sugar soap solution and a sponge, and leave to dry. For the cleanest finish, cover the handles and hinges with masking tape. With the door open, so that you can easily paint the edges, apply Valspar’s wood and metal primer. Then, paint the rest of the door. Apply the primer from top to bottom Valspar exterior in an up and down motion. wood and metal paint in Laid Paint the door with Valspar’s Back Blue, £30 exterior wood and metal trim and when you’re happy with the for 1L, diy.com colour and coverage, remove the tape from the handle and hinges while the paint is still wet. All that’s left to do then is let the paint completely dry!
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My kitchen floor is in need of a refresh. Can vinyl be laid over existing flooring, and what prep is needed? Susan Tang, Bath Matthew Brook, National Sales Manager at Moduleo, says… The best option for laying new vinyl over existing flooring is luxury vinyl tiles or planks with integrated underlay. They offer huge benefits for those looking to renovate their kitchen or other rooms around the home. For example, our engineered vinyl flooring collection, Moduleo LayRed, is perfect for uneven floors and can be used straight over existing flooring, including tiles or underfloor heating. The integrated underlay makes it simple for anyone to lay the floor without too much fuss. Each Moduleo LayRed design comes with an enhanced protective layer, so it’s resistant to scratches and stains. The engineered vinyl flooring can bridge gaps and slight unevenness in the subfloor. Minimal prep is required as the range uses clickable technology, removing the need for adhesive and instead using a Moduleo LayRed in Mountain practical tooth-groove connection. Oak, £44.99 per sq m, Moduleo
