Get those jobs done with a little help from DIY guru Julia Gray. This week: how to fence your garden.
Top tips for... putting up fences
:: Garden plants are starting to die back, so it's a good time to erect, replace or repair garden fences. If you want to make any changes, such as increasing the height of the fence, first check with your local council that you don't need planning permission.
:: You should also consider who's responsible for the boundary you're fencing, because it won't necessarily be you. If you're pulling down an old fence, you need to check that you own it first, or get permission from the neighbour who does. Speak to your neighbours well in advance - they may be prepared to help you do the fencing or pay for some of it.
:: Choose between fence panels, available in various sizes, and close-board fencing, where you build up the fence one (vertical) plank of wood at a time. With the latter, you can place the fence posts any distance apart because it's a bespoke type of fence. Around 2.4 metres is ideal in a sheltered spot, or 1.8m in an exposed spot or if the fence will be higher than 1.4m.
:: Like all wooden products, fencing should be sourced from responsibly-managed forests - look out for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. It should also be treated with preservative to prolong its life - if it's not, you'll have to do it yourself, not forgetting any ends that result from cutting the fencing and posts to size.
:: To protect a fence post against the elements, place it in a bucket of wood preservative for an hour or so if it'll be below ground level or, if not, for at least five minutes. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying the preservative, especially the safety advice. You may also want to stain the fence when you're done - garden wood stains now come in all sorts of colours, so don't think your fence has to be boring brown.
DIY news bulletin
:: If you're going to be wallpapering any time soon, take a look at Wallpaper: The Ultimate Guide by interiors journalist Charlotte Abrahams, which is illustrated by more than 250 colour photos.
The book explains how to use wallpaper in a variety of ways and rooms to obtain different effects, giving expert advice on creating colour schemes, mixing florals with geometrics, using large and small prints, zoning and other techniques.
The appendix includes practical information, including how to hang wallpaper, match patterns and deal with difficult areas.
Wallpaper: The Ultimate Guide is published in hardback by Quadrille Publishing, priced £30. See www.quadrille.co.uk for more details.
:: Evo-Stik Serious Stuff waterproof grab adhesive is now available in a 200ml squeeze tube, so there's no need for an applicator gun and no need to mess around trying to get the adhesive out of the cartridge - all you have to do is squeeze the tube.
Serious Stuff can be used for all sorts of DIY jobs around the home and garden, and is handy if you need to do a quick repair. It sticks to most materials, including wood, metal, brick, glass, plaster, ceramics and plastics - and even wet surfaces.
Evo-Stik Serious Stuff squeeze tube is available from Focus and B&Q for around £6.50. Find out more at www.evo-stik.co.uk.
Ask the expert
Q: My dad told me to get a circuit breaker for when I'm doing DIY. Why is this a good idea?
A: If you're going to be using power or garden tools, a circuit breaker or residual current device (RCD) is vital because it protects you from electric shocks by cutting the power supply if there's a short-circuit or current leakage. This means you're protected if you cut through the power lead, so an RCD could save your life.
Seasonal task
Condensation is common at this time of year, but you can protect wooden window frames by wiping the moisture off the glass and frames every day and remedying any wear and tear. This should help to prevent rot in the long term.
