Dom Wood from Dick & Dom dares the nation to dive into DIY with help from HIPPO

One of the benefits of being a homeowner is that you've got free reign to do (almost) anything to your property. But if your DIY skills (or lack of) are doing you a disservice, — just know you're not alone.

In fact, research shows that 52% of Brits steer clear of home improvement altogether because they lack the skills and confidence. That's over half of you reading this right now.

And, it appears mum's quite literally the word when it comes to passing down practice to the kids. A staggering 3.1 million of us are still calling our parents for reassurance on undertaking basic restorations and repairs — including fixing a leaky tap.

Luckily, nationwide waste removal experts HIPPO have taken on the mammoth task of teaching the country a thing or two about taking projects into their own hands. And it has asked none other than TV presenter and DIY enthusiast Dom Wood to help. 

Dom Wood's 9 top tips on DIY

Whether or not you know Wood from his days on BBC's Dick & Dom In Da Bungalow, the Devon-born entertainer is on the campaign to make us Brits BFFs with our toolbox. Studies show that nearly 40% of us a) don't have a hammer, or the right tools at all, and b) can't be bothered to clean up afterwards. Here are nine tips from the celeb that'll help up your DIY game and make the cleaning process easier.

1. A lick of paint can go a long way

"To help reduce waste and ensure your painting area is kept nice and tidy, stretch an elastic band over the length of your paint tin and shift it across into the middle to help you get any excess paint off your brush and avoid unwanted spillages," says Wood.

 "Make sure you cover your paint tray and brushes with cling film between painting sessions to help save additional time, energy, and paint."

2. Make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job

"It may sound obvious, but before you start any DIY job, you need to make sure you have the right tools to hand," advises Wood.

To create a DIY starter kit, his top tool recommendations are a hammer, screwdriver, tape measure, drill, and pliers.

3. Keep things tidy to help save time

To keep on track of the bigger indoor or outdoor mess that comes from your DIY projects, consider a HIPPOBAG. You can fill it up and book a collection with HIPPO to take it away.

As a carbon-neutral business, HIPPO’s strong environmental policies ensure that over 95% of all waste collected is diverted from landfill with the remaining disposed of in a responsible way. The company’s commitment to achieving a sustainable future means they take action to reduce their carbon emissions wherever possible and have seen a 34% reduction since 2016.

4. Always start small

The trick with DIY is often to start off small and slowly build up your confidence. One of Wood's favourite tips is to hang a frame up on the wall with limited hassle. Take a look at this picture-perfect three-step guide.

1. Squeeze a little bit of toothpaste on the outside of the nail hook hanger on the back of the picture frame
2. Place the picture on the wall where you’d like to hang it
3. Once the picture is precisely positioned, press down a little, allowing the toothpaste to naturally leave its mark on the wall, this will leave a clear mark where you need to put the nail.

5. Skill-share with friends and family

If you’ve recently learned a new DIY skill or discovered a quick and easy tip or trick, make sure you share it with others. Sharing tips is so important as we often assume other people are better at DIY than us.

6. Pay attention to detail

"DIY shelves are great for extra storage or displays in any room," says Wood.

"While it might seem overwhelming choosing a position or ensuring they’re straight, a little extra effort can go a long way in making the job much more efficient. When putting up shelves at home, I use masking tape to visualise where the shelf will go and to help mark out where the nails will be drilled."

1. Firstly, use the masking tape on the back of your shelf to mark your screw holes, then peel your tape off.
2. Transfer the tape to the wall, and use a spirit level to make sure everything is straight before drilling where you have marked on the tape.
3. Peel away the tape and add in the screws.

7. Shine a light

"If you’re painting a wooden surface, it’s a good idea to paint over knots with knotting solution otherwise the sap will bleed through any paint you apply," says Wood. "A wood primer followed by an oil-based undercoat should also be used and finished with an oil-based gloss or topcoat."

Inspecting your work can be done with the torch on your phone or a traditional flashlight.

"Position the light so it shines across the painted wood surface and detects any patchy surfaces, loose paint, or blemishes which need a little extra work," he adds. "Take a pencil and lightly circle the spots that you need to come back to."

Find out more about the DIY with Dom Wood campaign.

How HIPPOBAGs make DIY a dream

Stocked in over 2,000 stores across the UK, HIPPOBAGs allow you to get on with DIY without worrying about the waste left behind. Once you've received your flat-packed yellow sack, simply fill it with rubbish, and give HIPPO's friendly contact centre a call to arrange pick-up. Its team will take it off your hands (no permit admin needed), responsibly recycling your refuse at one of 250 accredited waste transfer stations nationwide that have been personally audited by HIPPO employees.

As the number-one skip bag company in the UK, you won't have to worry about taking time off of work to be in as HIPPO's helpful drivers will remove the heavy waste from the front of your home.

Bought a bag? Book your collection here

Other places to buy HIPPOBAGs

• HIPPOBAGs at B&Q
• HIPPOBAGs at Homebase
• HIPPOBAGs at Travis Perkins
• HIPPOBAGs at Wickes

Contact HIPPO

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