Understanding Electricity
The Home Handyman|May/June 2021
Electricity is dangerous – there are no two ways about it – but if you insist on working with electricity, here are our tips.
Understanding Electricity

Before we start, we fully understand that homeowners will carry out DIY electrical work in their own home, however we would always strongly recommend hiring a registered electrician…

In an attempt to save money and time hiring a tradesperson, and amid fears of rogue traders taking advantage, more and more homeowners have chosen to take matters into their own hands. It is estimated that around 30% of people play around with their electrics each year, risking their life and their family’s life every year in the UK.

DIY electrics could include anything from changing your socket covers, to installing a new light, to extending a circuit, to even rewiring a house. However, only 5% of the public say they would attempt a full rewire.

With no real regulations in place to stop homeowners from carrying out small electrical work in their own home, they continue to do it. Nearly six out of ten DIY projects are relatively safe and successful, even with homeowners lacking necessary skills some jobs require. Almost a quarter of DIY jobs have gone so wrong that a tradesperson has had to be called in to fix.

Ironically, the motivation to carry out DIY electrical work in your home is to save money, but it ends up costing millions of rand each year to fix those DIY faults. People have confessed to cutting through power leads, attempting to repair electrical items that were still switched on and even drilling into wiring buried in the walls. It’s important to remember, some types of work you should not carry out, due to the work needing to be safety tested, prior building application approval, and a certificate of electrical conformity.

Bu hikaye The Home Handyman dergisinin May/June 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Home Handyman dergisinin May/June 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE HOME HANDYMAN DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
SLEEP IN STYLE
The Home Handyman

SLEEP IN STYLE

This queen bed has a low profile yet it still has some unique design aspects. I used a hardwood and that made this project a little more difficult, but overall, I'm happy with how it turned out.

time-read
3 dak  |
November/December 2024
Paint roller tip for clean corners
The Home Handyman

Paint roller tip for clean corners

When painting a room, I've found that wrapping a small sandwich bag around the roller's edge works wonders for clean corners.

time-read
1 min  |
November/December 2024
Cable organiser using toilet paper rolls
The Home Handyman

Cable organiser using toilet paper rolls

Here's a clever little hack to keep your cables neat and tidy.

time-read
1 min  |
November/December 2024
Metal cutting tools for home projects
The Home Handyman

Metal cutting tools for home projects

I'm looking to get into metalworking and want to start with a few basic home projects, like making small furniture items and maybe even some sculptures.

time-read
1 min  |
November/December 2024
Pleasurable plumbing
The Home Handyman

Pleasurable plumbing

I just wanted to express my appreciation for your recent article on DIY plumbing fixes.

time-read
1 min  |
November/December 2024
MAKE SOME NOISE!
The Home Handyman

MAKE SOME NOISE!

Are you ready to embark on a musical adventure and create your very own drum kit from recycled materials? Get ready to unleash your creativity and make some noise with this fun and eco-friendly DIY project. Let’s dive into the step by-step guide and bring your mini band to life!

time-read
3 dak  |
July/August 2024
DIY HOME APPLIANCE REPAIR
The Home Handyman

DIY HOME APPLIANCE REPAIR

From the whirring of the washing machine to the gentle hum of the refrigerator, our trusty home appliances keep our households running smoothly. But what happens when these essential gadgets start to falter?

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2024
EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR A PEST-FREE HOME
The Home Handyman

EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR A PEST-FREE HOME

Pests, those unwelcome guests, can turn our homes into uncomfortable environments, disrupting our peace and posing health risks.

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2024
COMMON SEALANTS FOR DIY USE
The Home Handyman

COMMON SEALANTS FOR DIY USE

By familiarising themselves with the diverse array of sealants available, mastering proper application techniques, and prioritising safety at every step, DIY'ers and homeowners in South Africa can tackle sealing projects with confidence and achieve lasting results that enhance the comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics of their homes.

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2024
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF ANGLE GRINDERS
The Home Handyman

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF ANGLE GRINDERS

In the world of DIY, few tools are as versatile and indispensable as the angle grinder. From cutting and grinding to polishing and sharpening, this powerhouse tool is a must have for any homeowner or DIY enthusiast.

time-read
7 dak  |
July/August 2024