Learn to wallpaper the easy way with these top tips.

• For a good finish, start by making sure your walls are as perfect as possible before you wallpaper them. Fill any holes and cracks with a suitable filler, then sand when set and wipe clean. If your walls are dirty, scrub them with a sugar-soap solution, and wash down with clean water.
• When they’re dry, you can start papering. Wallpaper pastes come in a tub ready-mixed, or in a sachet in powdered form, which you add water to. For a paste made for the job, try Polycell Paste the Wall Wallpaper Adhesive, which is available in both ready-mixed (£17.99) and powdered form (£3.99). If you’re mixing up the paste yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as it needs to be the right consistency.
• Whatever sort of paste you use, make sure you stir it well. Apply a generous amount to the first wall you’re papering (either with a big paintbrush or roller), working from the centre out to the edges. Make sure the paste is spread evenly.
• Cut your lengths of wallpaper slightly too big and hang them straight on the wall, one at a time. Not all pastes are the same, but Polycell Paste the Wall Wallpaper Adhesive gives you 15 minutes to adjust the wallpaper. Once you’ve smoothed out the paper, trim it to fit exactly and smooth down the cut ends.
• Use a seam roller to press down the seams firmly, then wipe off any paste on the surface of the wallpaper using a well-rung-out damp sponge. Repeat for the other walls.

DIY news bulletin

Today’s builders are more techno savvy than we might think, according to new research by trade-only supplier TradePoint at B&Q.

It found that almost a third of tradespeople consider their laptop to be as important to their business as their hammer or drill, and almost a quarter use an iPad for work.

Some 25% of builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters have their own website, and as much as 35% of their business is generated by it.

The survey also revealed that tradespeople make an effort to look presentable. One third admit to spending time and money in the last five years on looking good, and 34% claim to be in better shape now compared to five years ago.

Perhaps to avoid the ‘white van man’ stereotype, a quarter of those surveyed say that they prefer to travel around in another vehicle for work.

Dremel is launching a set of four different pyrography tips for its Versatip heat tool. They’re designed to do patterns, stripes, shading, words and drawings in chipboard, softwood, hardwood and leather. The set will be available from www.dremel-direct.com and www.tool-shop.co.uk, priced £22.99.

Ask the expert…

Q: After falling off one, I’m not very keen on going up ladders to do DIY. Is there an alternative?

A: Lots of DIY jobs involve ladders – although some ladders are more stable and comfortable to use, as well as being shorter, than others – so you’ll be a bit stuck if you don’t want to go up one. An alternative is a work platform, which you can hire or buy. Clas Ohlson has a good aluminium one for £34.99. You can stand on it if you need to reach up high (it’s 50cm high) and two people can use it at the same time (it’s 94cm long and holds up to 150kg), which is handy. You can also use like a workbench, and it folds down, so it’s easy to store.

Seasonal task…

Now’s the time to protect your garden fence or deck before winter. A quick and easy way to apply the wood stain or paint is to use a power sprayer. Try the Paint Sprayer Pro, £49.99, JML, which has three different spray settings – horizontal or vertical for larger surfaces, and round for smaller things and awkward spaces. You have to plug the sprayer in, but it has a long lead and hose, and the paint container unscrews for easy cleaning. The sprayer’s suitable for both water and oil-based coatings, and is a time-saving way to cover big areas, inside and out.