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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if there’s a need for basic home maintenance training

218 replies

butterybiscuitbasic · 27/10/2019 10:35

Ok this is inspired by another thread, but there seems to be a basic lack of knowledge when it comes to basic home maintenance. Things like bleeding radiators, draining washing machines, preventing damp and the like.

I know when I moved into my first home it was my dad who showed me this type of stuff, so perhaps as we become more a nation of knowledge type workers these skills are being lost, or we are just more likely to assume problems and call someone in.

However I think it would be useful if these “skills” were perhaps covered in school, or even if letting agents/mortgage providers offered some sort of basic online training or manuals.

OP posts:
Arnoldthecat · 27/10/2019 10:35

There is a DIY school near where i live..

MaidenMotherCrone · 27/10/2019 10:36

Everything you need to know is on YouTube

DrDreReturns · 27/10/2019 10:37

Another thing for schools to teach...

LoveNote · 27/10/2019 10:37

YouTube is the ‘diy dad’ of the new generation

Shows you everything

GreenTulips · 27/10/2019 10:37

Yes why not ask schools to provide what parents should ..... oh wait ..,..

NeedAnExpert · 27/10/2019 10:39

However I think it would be useful if these “skills” were perhaps covered in school,

Why can’t parents take some bloody responsibility? Children spend far more time at home with parents than at school. It’s not that hard to involve children in home maintenance/cooking/cleaning. DD has had her own tool kit (proper tools) since she was 4. She first changed a car wheel (with help) at 6 and brake pads at 8. It’s my job to prepare her for the world. School have enough to do.

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 27/10/2019 10:40

@MaidenMotherCrone while it’s there on YouTube - you almost need to be aware of what to google first.

For example - mould prevention - by the time you’re looking up “getting rid of mould” it’s potentially a bit late.

@drdre I did suggest letting s agents and mortgage providers could do this rather than schools.

OP posts:
DDIJ · 27/10/2019 10:40

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2019 10:42

I'd still prefer a real person to help me eg. Drill a hole or something like that. I'd love a basic diy course

I'd also love a basic IT course

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 27/10/2019 10:42

@NeedAnExpert oh I’m not saying that they shouldn’t - but the fact is that obviously they aren’t! Whether that’s through a lack of knowledge themselves or cosseting is the crux of the matter really.

Sorry wasn’t berating schools for not teaching this in the slightest - more musing st what the solution is.

OP posts:
DDIJ · 27/10/2019 10:43

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

leghairdontcare · 27/10/2019 10:45

Agree with youtube/internet being the new "Dad advice". Handy for me as my dad is crap at DIY!

I think some of it is more attitudinal and related to risk. Some younger people are scared of trying something they may not be good at and don't deal well with failure.

None of this really helps the woman with the broken washing machine though.

MaidenMotherCrone · 27/10/2019 10:46

I think lack of common sense plays a huge part tbh.

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 27/10/2019 10:46

@thenewaveragebear1983 tbf I’m crap at diy and so is dh... it’s more prevention and maintenance that I’m thinking of.

OP posts:
Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 27/10/2019 10:47

@leghairdontcare Wink

OP posts:
MaidenMotherCrone · 27/10/2019 10:48

Don't forget we have @PigletJohn. Our very own saviour of all problems DIY/shit gone wrong.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2019 10:49

I think YouTube had its benefits definitely (my bro pretty much renovated his house using YouTube) but I don't think you can beat being shown properly.

My Dh and I are both quite nervous diy-ers. I'd love to be confident to just do stuff without talking myself out if it

StationView · 27/10/2019 10:50

My dad had a huge breeze-block size 'Readers Digest DIY Manual'. I just ask him, or look things up on YouTube. The latter was great for explaining how to change has bottles, as the thread goes the opposite way to usual.

StationView · 27/10/2019 10:51

*gas, not has!

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 27/10/2019 10:55

@station I’ve got a that manual! It’s fab! I like others use YouTube too. I think it’s more that some People have literally no idea and then have later issues due to not maintaining things properly in the first place. Or spend money on calling out trades for say, a boiler that just needed repressurising,

OP posts:
Arnoldthecat · 27/10/2019 10:56

I go to homes all the time where DIY has caused major problems . There is good diy and bad diy..

BeyondMyWits · 27/10/2019 10:57

Common sense should tell people that walls dripping after a shower could lead to problems with mould and damp - so you look up how to stop it happening. etc

DD has recently moved out to shared accommodation - when we went to settle her in we took her through this sort of stuff. There was condensation inside the windows - we told her to crack it open a little, to get a cheap dehumidifier from Wilko, to keep it dry or mildew will form.

We showed her how to set the heating thermostat, how to tell if the radiator needed bleeding, how to change the lightbulbs in the fittings in her room, how to operate the washing machine (different from home), the microwave, the cooker, how the cooker hood operated and that to make sure it was on when cooking, how to stop the smoke alarm, and where all the exits were in case of emergency.

Doesn't take much.

alwaysstressed · 27/10/2019 10:59

Is there a certain thing that you all do to prevent damp like?!? Coz I don't do anything for that, what do you do?

BeyondMyWits · 27/10/2019 11:01

Is there a certain thing that you all do to prevent damp

Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation...

ThatMuppetShow · 27/10/2019 11:03

That doesn't belong in schools at all, the only thing schools should do more is sport. There's a depressing lack of physical activity in the school curriculum.

offered some sort of basic online training or manuals.
there's loads - internet or your local library if you don't want to spend a couple of £ to buy the resources.

There's also a valid choice: some things I could technically learn and do myself, but it's cheaper to call someone for a one-off job than buying tools that I will need once every 10 years.

Things like "preventing damp" some people just do not care and are not interested. You don't need to have a master degree to know that it's stupid to dry your clothes on radiators. The "heated airer" are very fashionable, and they are exactly the same - people are just too lazy in many parts to put the clothes outside. in some areas, you cannot, but in many places it's just a choice.

and so on...