Learning to do the “man jobs” after break up.

[Pressthespacebar]

I have just separated with my husband. I have a lot of children, a big and old house that requires a lot of upkeep.

exh wasn’t great at keeping on top of things but had little spurts where he’d get a lot done. We’re talking big jobs in the garden, repairing things inside the house and general painting and decorating.

Ive always found it frustrating waiting for him to do these things and wished I could do it myself but I’ve always told myself I’d be no good at it. However, I have no choice now but to learn!

Does anyone have any advice or can anyone point me in the right direction to learn all this stuff?

it’s overwhelming, there’s a lot of things half finished but I feel like I could chip away slowly at things if I put my mind to it.

Fantastic OP keep going. Loads of inspirational women on TikTok GSD :)

Another vote for youtube..
Just by watching videos, I have been able to:

1. Replace a battery in a car
2. Install an electric hob
3. Completely take apart a tumble dryer to replace the belt, then build it back together
4. Replace the belt in the washing machine
5. Fitted a sink
6. Measured up and fitted window blinds
7. Fixed a faulty dishwasher
8. Replace skirting boards

9 Replace broken laptop screen (ridiculously simple to do)

I work in a professional corporate environment so these are all new things I've learned. Wouldn't recommend 3 & 4 though - they were an absolute pain.

About tools.
A simple drill with bits for wood and masonry is a must IMO. I’ve just replaced the bits we bought “as and when” with a new matching set but I keep forgetting we have them!
A ratchet screwdriver with interchangeable heads in the handle costs less than £5. You’ll go through lots of crosshead screwdrivers so don’t worry about quality.
A small hammer and a metal tape measure. An adjustable spanner and some Allen keys. Maybe an extension lead.

The only hardware I keep is assorted rawl plugs (Fischer) because every job seems to need a different screw or washer.
And a lot can be fixed with gaffer tape!

I used to beg my exh to decorate but he always said he was too busy or too tired. I suggested I try it and he laughed and said I would not be able to wallpaper. He cheated and I booted him out. I measured the lounge, went out and bought some new thick wallpaper. I chose a stripe pattern as no matching up bits of pattern involved. I stripped off all old paper. Sanded down walls and filled in any little holes, then sanded down again. I got a plumb line which I read is needed to start with a straight edge. I set up the wallpaper table, made up some paste and got going. It is not nearly as hard as you might think. Just line the first piece up to the plumb line cut it about 3 inches longer than you need it. Paste it, line it up again and smooth it on. Use a large brush to smooth it on. Once you've got it in place with no bubbles then use a sharp Stanley knife to cut the top then the bottom. Line up the next piece and repeat. I only put up about 6 pieces at once. I did more the next day until it was finished. My ex came around about 2 weeks later and thought I'd paid a professional to do it. He just would not accept I had done it myself. He questioned the kids about it and got angry because he insisted we were all lying to him. I wish I'd tried doing it sooner. Tip, it's worth taking your time sanding and painting first to get a better finish and decorators' caulk is your friend.

I actually have a garage full of power tools and even one of those walls with all the tools on, like in the films! We’ve got a big stainless steel toolbox (the size of a kitchen island) and a workbench, so I am sorted but I’ve never used them. Exh loved buying all the kit to do things but getting round to doing them was another matter.