Decorating, tiling and new floors from a handyman

Jobs a handyman can take on

A handyman can usually paint a room, doors, skirting and outside woodwork. Many also re-grout a shower, tile a splashback or lay a click-fit floor.

For a whole house, wallpaper or a fine finish, a specialist decorator may suit the job better. Ask to see photos of similar work.

Mould and condensation

Paint alone will not stop mould coming back. Buckinghamshire Council says condensation is the biggest cause of damp in houses, so the room needs air and steady heat.

The council says to clean off mould with a fungicidal wash, then redecorate with fungicidal paint, not ordinary paint. Ask the handyman to clean and treat the wall first.

Lead in paint from before the 1960s

HSE says paint for homes often contained lead pigments until the 1960s. Older houses in towns such as Amersham, Marlow and Buckingham may still have it under newer coats.

Lead dust harms health, and children face the most risk. HSE gives these steps for old paint.

• Leave sound paint in place under new coats. Remove it only if it flakes or chips.
• No blow lamps or gas torches on old paint.
• A heat gun must stay under 500°C. A chemical stripper is another option.
• Rub down wet, not dry.
• Shut children and pets out of the room, and wipe dust up damp.

Painting the outside

Painting the outside of a house is usually permitted development, so it needs no planning permission. A council can remove that right with an Article 4 direction.

Buckinghamshire Council says it can use Article 4 directions in conservation areas. On a listed building, a new colour or finish can need listed building consent. Ask the council first.

Tiles and floors in new homes

In a home under two years old, report cracked tiles or uneven floors to the builder before anyone repairs them. Under the New Homes Quality Code, a registered developer must deal with snags during its after-sales period.

Questions

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