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Urban myths debunked

Paint expert debunks common decorating ‘myths’ – can result in ‘great confusion’

by www.express.co.uk Leave a Comment

Angel Adoree shares her tips for painting walls

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There are many misconceptions when it comes to and decorating, with a lot of people having ideas about what they think is correct or what can and cannot be done. From painting your rooms all the same colour to not being able to paint in the cold, these “myths” can result in “great confusion”. Michael Rolland, DIY expert at The Paint Shed , has shared some of the most common myths people should be aware of.

1. You don’t need a primer

The expert explained: “Some people believe that they can save a lot of time and effort by not using paint primer and instead using multiple coats of paint.

“However, doing this could lead to the paint peeling and wearing further down the line. Priming is an incredibly important step to getting a professional finish, it helps the paint stick to the walls, enhancing the shine and blocking future stains.

“Paint primer will keep what you painted looking better for longer, saving you time and effort in the long run.”

Make sure to spend the extra amount of time priming any surface before painting it to give it a smooth finish.

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Paint expert debunks common decorating ‘myths’ - can result in ‘great confusion’

Paint expert debunks common decorating ‘myths’ – can result in ‘great confusion’ (Image: Getty)

2. Small rooms should not be painted dark colours

The expert said this misconception comes from the idea that dark colours in a small room will make it appear much smaller.

However, dark colours don’t always lead to small, dark spaces and can actually be a great idea for poorly lit rooms and smaller rooms.

Michael noted: “Combined with the right textures and finishes, opting for dark paint in a small room can often create a cosy, calm space with a moody undertone.”

3. Paint never goes off

The DIY pro continued: “The majority of the time you will end up with spare paint at the end of a DIY project. A lot of people will put the lid back on the paint can and store it either in the garage, shed or loft. It’s important to remember that all paint does eventually go bad.

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“Open paint can last around five years on average if properly stored and sealed, however, most brands will recommend using the paint within six months of purchase to avoid any deterioration in the paint quality.”

4. You can’t paint in the cold

Painting in cold weather is trickier than other types of painting projects, with many manufacturers recommending the area is at least 10C.

Michael said: “Painting when it is cold can cause various effects on the paint and its application. For example, water-based paints or those labelled as ‘latex’ can freeze at lower temperatures.

“This shouldn’t, however, stop you from painting in colder temperatures, with a well-heated home there should be no issues, just make sure the temperature stays between 10C to 30C.

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Priming walls will help the final result to look better for longer

Priming walls will help the final result to look better for longer (Image: Getty)

“You can also stop the issue of freezing by adding a freeze-resistant paint additive to the paint to help. No matter the temperature outside, it’s crucial you keep the room you are painting well-ventilated.

“This includes opening windows and doors or purchasing a fan. This will limit the lingering smell and allow the paint to dry faster.”

5. You can paint over mould

Unfortunately, mould isn’t something which can just be painted over and forgotten about as it will not actually resolve the issue itself.

The mould will regrow working its way through the walls and ceiling, eating through the coatings of paint and Britons will be left back in the same situation.

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Michael added: “Mould will continue to grow unless properly treated and eventually reappear, bringing the same problems as before.

“Rather than hiding the mould problem by painting over it, you need to ultimately work out and fix what is causing it. If simply left untreated and covered up with paint, the mould will regrow working its way through the walls and ceilings, eating through the coatings of paint and you will be left back in the same situation as before. Only once the surface you are looking to paint on has been made free of the dampness and mould issues, you should apply a new coat of paint without the worry of black mould reappearing due to dampness.”

6. The colour of your walls won’t affect the value of your home

A fresh coat of paint inside and outside the home can go a long way to impress prospective buyers viewing a home. However, Michael said that certain colours may cause buyers to put in a lower offer, and others would put them off altogether.

Research done by The Paint Shed found that four in 10 Britons would offer less for a home they were interested in based on the colour scheme.

The expert said: “When asked how much less they would offer the seller of the property due to an undesirable colour scheme, nearly nine in 10 UK residents would reduce their offer by between £1,000 to £5,000, and 11 percent would offer between £6,000 to £10,000 less. More surprisingly, however, are the three in 100 that would offer over £20,000 less just because of a lick of paint.”

Heating expert shares ‘useless’ energy saving tricks to ‘avoid’ – ‘never do this’

by www.express.co.uk Leave a Comment

Portable heater, black radiator

‘Useless’ energy saving tricks to ‘avoid’ – they do ‘nothing to help you save money’ (Image: GETTY)

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With winter over and the nation still experiencing cold temperatures, many households may be looking for ways to keep their warm and power their house without adding significant costs to their . From fibs to facts circulating on social media, experts from Stelrad Renewable Heating have sifted through TikTok to discover eight energy saving hacks to avoid, from painting radiators black to charging phones with a fidget spinner. Chris Harvey at Stelrad has debunked them, offering reasoning as to why households should avoid each one.

1. Solar windows

With 2.1 million views on TikTok , this is a hack that many people clearly hope will work, but unfortunately “it doesn’t actually generate power”, according to the expert.

One video on TikTok illustrates how a window is made from rotten fruit and veg, which is then suspended in a resin substrate.

Chris argued: “Although it is a clever and sustainable way to reuse your rotten fruit and veg, it is not intended to generate electricity and is therefore useless as an energy-saving trick.

“Other than looking pretty, this hack does nothing else to help you save money on your electrics.”

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2. Magnetic fields

Wracking up to 421,000 views, a TikTok video claims magnetic fields can create electricity. The expert said: “This hack seems to generate enough electricity to power a light bulb, although truthfully you’ll need a much bigger magnet and several other circuit elements like a coil to make this work.

“Although the idea is somewhat interesting, as magnetic generators can create a magnetic force, it is not enough to light a bulb up by itself.”

3. Portable heaters

Designed to heat up one small room at a time, portable heaters are circulating TikTok , with over 112,000 views. However, unfortunately, these heaters “won’t save you any money in the long run”, as they are usually “not cheaper than central heating”, claimed Chris.

4. Black radiators

This myth is somewhat believable as it is true that black and dark coloured materials absorb heat faster than lighter ones, however, this too is “useless”.

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A TikTok video with 252,000 views sets out to explain that a black radiator will create more heat for a home, as black and dark coloured materials absorb heat faster than lighter ones, however, at Stelrad, “we would never recommend to do this”, said the expert.

He explained: “Whilst it is true that darker colours absorb heat faster, this is only the case when heat is generated through light.

“So even though may be good to look at, it will do absolutely nothing to reduce energy bills.”

Instead it’s more important to insulate the walls to prevent heat leaking out of the home, rather than wasting time painting a radiator.

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5. Tin foil behind radiator

Interestingly, is a popular heating hack with 104,400 views, but in order for this hack to “truly be effective” the radiator would need to be “on high for an extremely long time” and is “certainly not something we recommend doing and should be avoided”, said Chris.

He urged: “You should never cover or try to adapt your radiator. Instead, we recommend ensuring all radiators are not blocked by furniture and that they have been bled once a year at least.”

6. Turn heating off if not at home

Whilst this might sound like a waste of money, a TikTok video shows it’s more cost-effective to keep heating on between 16 to 17 degrees and then increase it to 18 to 20 degrees when home, as a small adjustment of one to two degrees for a short period shouldn’t increase energy bills.

Instead Chris said: “You should pre-programme your heating so that the heat is increased slightly in the morning before you wake off and just before bed.”

@savvyjamie Replying to @G I invited it pains me in 2022 in the UK that I am having to make content like this, but unfortunately it’s necessary. Here are my top tips for keeping yourself warm at home with your heating off or on low. #financialcrisis #heating #costofliving #costoflivingcrisis #costoflivingcrisisuk #keepingwarm #keepingwarmthiswinter ♬ original sound – Jamie Rose

7. Solar chargers

With 49,100 TikTok views, the heating pro said: “We can confirm this energy-saving hack isn’t going to save you a fortune.

“Whilst we all struggle with keeping our phones charged throughout the day, using a solar charger is not going to help rid us of this issue. Perhaps this hack should be kept among the camping community, instead of homeowners.”

8. Fidget spinner to charge your phone

Fidget spinners might have been all the rage several years ago, but it looks like they might have another purpose with TikTokers claiming households can use one to charge their phone.

The heating expert said: “With 13,000 views on TikTok , it’s not something we’d suggest doing, probably because it’s time-consuming and won’t work as efficiently as charging your phone the normal way.”

Legend or real? Here are 4 scary creatures that some believe inhabit North America

by www.foxnews.com Leave a Comment

Sasquatch watch: Bigfoot ‘sightings’ over the years

Though no definitive proof exists, ‘sightings’ of Bigfoot have been reported all over the U.S., as recently as in January.

There are mysterious creatures of urban legend in U.S. and Canadian regions that have stood the test of time, both fascinating and frightening those who encounter the folklore surrounding them.

These creatures, known as “cryptids,” are reported throughout the United States and Canada. They play a significant cultural role in the history of many cultures and small towns.

Here’s a quick explainer — followed by a deep dive into four of them.

‘Cryptid’ explained

A “cryptid” is defined as “an animal (such as Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster) that has been claimed to exist but never proven to exist,” says Merriam-Webster.

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Stories of cryptids are popular for a multitude of reasons, Dr. Angus Kress Gillespie, a professor of American studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey , told Fox News Digital.

“We all love stories because they fire our imagination and they give us a break from our daily routines,” said Gillespie.

While the Loch Ness Monster is perhaps the most famous cryptid, similar sea monsters have been reported to live in Lake Champlain and the Chesapeake Bay, according to folklore experts.

While the Loch Ness Monster is perhaps the most famous cryptid, similar sea monsters have been reported to live in Lake Champlain and the Chesapeake Bay, according to folklore experts. (iStock)

“But these stories are especially fascinating because they are legends,” he said — and therefore they “force us to deal with the issue of belief .”

A person’s brain is not wired to “just sit on the fence” when it comes to a topic of belief, he explained. “Most of us will be either a believer or a skeptic.”

He added, “This, in turn, leads to some interesting debates among our family and friends .”

There’s also a “local pride” element, Gillespie said, when mysterious creatures drive tourism and interest in an area.

The creature known as "Bigfoot" in the United States has its roots in indigenous folklore. 

The creature known as “Bigfoot” in the United States has its roots in indigenous folklore. (JLFCapture/iStock)

“Most of us meet these monsters not in the field but at a festival,” he said.

Now — check out these four.

1. ‘Bigfoot’ or ‘Sasquatch’

Many Native American tribes in the Northwestern part of the U.S. and Canada have legends dating as far back as anyone can remember of similar ape-like creatures who walk on two legs.

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Some explorers claim to have taken photographs of this creature.

The photos, however, tend to appear blurry — leading to questions of authenticity, folklore specialists note.

This picture, taken by in May 1981 by wilderness explorer C. Thomas Biscardi, of San Jose, California, purports to show Bigfoot in the wild. 

This picture, taken by in May 1981 by wilderness explorer C. Thomas Biscardi, of San Jose, California, purports to show Bigfoot in the wild. (Getty Images)

The creature is known by many names, including “Bigfoot,” “Sasquatch” and “Wild man,” says the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Regardless of name, these creatures are reported to be up to 15 feet tall, to live in the woods and to communicate by shouting, that reference notes.

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They also play an important role in folklore.

The Sts’ailes, a sovereign Coast Salish First Nation located in British Columbia, Canada, called these creatures “Sa:sq’ets,” a word that was anglicized into “Sasquatch,” notes the Agassiz-Harrison Observer, a Canadian newspaper.

"Quatchi," a sasquatch, was one of the mascots of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouve, seen here skating during the official opening of the GE Ice Plaza in Vancouver, Canada, on Nov. 3, 2009.

“Quatchi,” a sasquatch, was one of the mascots of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouve, seen here skating during the official opening of the GE Ice Plaza in Vancouver, Canada, on Nov. 3, 2009. (Getty Images)

Sts’ailes Nation includes Harrison Lake, British Columbia and several surrounding towns.

The Sts’ailes believe that Sa:sq’ets are the caretakers of their lands and that they exist between both the physical and spiritual realms, said the paper.

The Sa:sq’ets is featured on the Sts’ailes tribal flag and is also used as a logo, said the website.

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The Village of Harrison Hot Springs, located on Harrison Lake, is home to the Sasquatch Museum and also hosts the annual “Sasquatch Days” celebration, the website notes.

2. The Mothman (and a bridge collapse)

Apart from the Sasquatch, arguably the most famous American cryptid is the Mothman.

The Mothman was reportedly first spotted by two couples on Nov. 15, 1966, near an abandoned National Guard Armory building and power plant in Point Pleasant, West Virginia , an article published by the Smithsonian Institution indicated.

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The creature was described as “a menacing figure standing six to seven feet tall” with glowing red eyes, notes the Smithsonian Institution.

The Mothman (which is believed to look like this image) was first spotted in November 1966. It was described as having batlike wings and red eyes.

The Mothman (which is believed to look like this image) was first spotted in November 1966. It was described as having batlike wings and red eyes. (iStock)

The Mothman reportedly rose in the air similar to the way a helicopter does — and was able to fly very efficiently, according to the first sightings.

The local media were stumped by the reports, with the Point Pleasant Register reporting the incident under the headline, “Couples See Man-Sized Bird … Creature … Something.”

The Athens Register in nearby Athens, Ohio, went with this headline: “Winged, Red-Eyed ‘Thing’ Chases Point Couples Across Countryside.”

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Eventually, the creature became known as the “Mothman.”

Over the next year, there were a handful of reports of sightings in and around Point Pleasant.

The town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, hosts a Mothman festival each September. 

The town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, hosts a Mothman festival each September. (Getty Images)

Point Pleasant, however, sadly became known for more than just the Mothman.

Thirteen months to the day after the initial Mothman sighting, the Silver Bridge — which linked Point Pleasant with Gallipolis, Ohio — collapsed into the Ohio River without warning, said the West Virginia Department of Transportation in a 2022 article commemorating the victims.

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A total of 46 people died in what was the “deadliest bridge disaster in modern history,” said the West Virginia DOT.

After the bridge collapse, Mothman sightings stopped, leading some to wonder if the cryptid was “a sinister harbinger of doom” or some sort of warning of the upcoming catastrophe, said the Smithsonian.

A mangled car is freed from its watery grave as a worker directs the operation from part of the wrecked Silver Bridge. 

A mangled car is freed from its watery grave as a worker directs the operation from part of the wrecked Silver Bridge. (Getty Images)

Now, Point Pleasant is home to the “Mothman Festival” each September, where “people from all over the world gather around our charming Main Street to celebrate their favorite cryptid during this one of a kind event,” the event’s website notes.

3. New Jersey Devil (more than a nickname)

One cryptid became so well enmeshed in local folklore that the National Hockey League named a team after it.

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The New Jersey Devils are not named after the prince of darkness, but rather the Jersey Devil, a cryptid supposedly haunting the Garden State since the late 18th century.

The mascot for the NHL's New Jersey Devils is shown skating across the ice.

The mascot for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils is shown skating across the ice. (Getty Images)

The creature is also called the “Leeds Devil.”

“They say it has a horse’s head, long legs with hooves, two short front legs and a bat’s wings. No one knows how tall it is,” says New Jersey’s official state website.

Some reports of the Jersey Devil say that it is six feet tall, while others say it’s only three or four feet tall.

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Regardless of height, the creature is reported to have red eyes and produce “loud screeching sounds.”

“It’s very ugly, and people are terrified after seeing it,” says the New Jersey website.

“During the day, the Devil lives in the wetlands. At night, it comes out to scare anyone it meets.”

New Jersey Devils' Yegor Sharangovich, right, celebrates beside teammate Dawson Mercer (#18) after scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. The Devils' logo is a play on the urban legend.

New Jersey Devils’ Yegor Sharangovich, right, celebrates beside teammate Dawson Mercer (#18) after scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. The Devils’ logo is a play on the urban legend. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The Jersey Devil has several equally bizarre origin stories, notes the state of New Jersey.

One takes place “on a dark and stormy night in 1735” when a woman named “Mother Leeds” was delivering her 13th baby.

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“No one knew for sure exactly what happened, but people had lots of ideas,” says the New Jersey website.

One said Mother Leeds herself “wanted the baby to be the devil,” while another states that the child “was born with a tail, wings and hooves and flew up the chimney.” Yet another states that the child “looked normal, but then it changed.”

Other Jersey Devil origin stories involve curses placed upon young women.

Urband legend creatures are both frightening and celebrated, with regional pride attached to one being spotted in a specific locale, according to folklore expert Angus Kress Gillespie, a professor of American studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Urband legend creatures are both frightening and celebrated, with regional pride attached to one being spotted in a specific locale, according to folklore expert Angus Kress Gillespie, a professor of American studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey. (iStock)

One telling of the tale states “a town put a curse on a young girl who fell in love with a British soldier during the Revolutionary War,” the New Jersey website says. “When she gave birth, it was to the Jersey Devil.”

A similar story says that the Jersey Devil was born after “a gypsy cursed a girl because she didn’t give the gypsy food.”

4. Wendigo, a ‘cannibalistic monster’

While Sasquatch, the Mothman and the Jersey Devil do not have a history of being inherently violent toward humans, the same cannot be said for the Native American legend of the Wendigo.

The Wendigo, also spelled Windigo or Wiitiko, is a cannibalistic creature described in the folklore of Algonquian-speaking peoples, says The Canadian Encyclopedia.

A rendering of one of the descriptions of the Wendigo is shown here. 

A rendering of one of the descriptions of the Wendigo is shown here. (iStock)

These peoples include the Ojibwe, Mi’kmaq, Abenaki, Algonquian and many other tribes/First Nations across the United States and Canada.

The Canadian Encyclopedia says that “according to most Algonquian oral traditions, a Wendigo is a cannibalistic monster that preys on the weak and socially disconnected.”

A person becomes a Wendigo “after his or her spirit is corrupted by greed or weakened by extreme conditions, such as hunger and cold.”

Other stories tell of humans becoming possessed by a Wendigo.

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Wendigos are described differently according to various tribal traditions, says The Canadian Encyclopedia, but typically have ashen skin; large, sunken eyes; sharp teeth; and a distinctive, foul odor.

The Wendigos are said to live in the forest, searching for the next person they can consume.

The Wendigos are said to live in the forest, searching for the next person they can consume. (Bryan Steffy/Getty Images)

Some legends say Wendigos have antlers or horns or a skeleton that is visible through its skin.

Wendigos have been part of Indigenous folklore for generations, and the first European to report on their existence was French Jesuit missionary Fr. Paul Le Jeune.

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In a 1636 letter to his superiors, Le Jeune wrote,”This devilish woman … added that [the windigo] had eaten some Attikamegoukin — these are the tribes that live north of the River that is called Three Rivers — and that he would eat a great many more of them if he were not called elsewhere.”

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The cryptid even lent its name to Wendigo psychosis, a mental disorder that leads a person to become obsessed with cannibalism, says The Canadian Encyclopedia.

Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

The Threat of TikTok

by www.nytimes.com Leave a Comment

The platforms are so powerful, their names are verbs: Google, Uber, Instagram, Netflix.

For years, the dominance of American tech companies has brought economic benefits to the United States. It has also offered an advantage in a less obvious area — national security.

Tech companies gather incredible amounts of data about their users. They know where we travel, who our friends are and what we watch. Governments want to use this data for surveillance, law enforcement and espionage. So they hack, hoard, steal and buy it . For years, the U.S. has had an edge over other countries. With court approval, the government can demand that social media giants, based in the U.S. and subject to U.S. law, hand over data about users.

“We had this advantage that we thought would just go on forever,” Bruce Schneier, a security expert and Harvard fellow, said.

Then TikTok came along. The social media app, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has more than a billion users . TikTok says that includes about 150 million Americans. Under China’s authoritarian state, the government has sweeping control over tech companies and their data. U.S. officials are worried that China will use TikTok to promote its interests and gather Americans’ personal information. One Republican called it a “ spy balloon in your phone .”

TikTok is the latest flashpoint in the two countries’ struggle for supremacy. Last week, TikTok said U.S. officials had given its Chinese ownership two options: Sell the app or risk a nationwide ban. This morning, lawmakers will question TikTok’s chief executive, Shou Chew, about the app’s ties to China.

Today, I will explain the fight over TikTok and how the U.S. is trying to use the app to its advantage.

The concerns

This fight is ostensibly about data: who controls it and determines how it appears on TikTok. The U.S. has two main reasons for concern.

First is the threat of Chinese espionage. BuzzFeed found that ByteDance engineers in China had accessed American users’ private data. ByteDance also admitted that employees, including two based in China, spied on journalists and obtained their IP addresses , but said that company leaders had not signed off and that the employees were fired. Despite ByteDance’s close ties to China, TikTok has denied that it has given data to the government.

Second, ByteDance could use TikTok’s algorithms to influence Americans. TikTok has been accused of censoring videos about politically sensitive subjects for China , like Tibetan independence and the Tiananmen Square massacre.

“ A Chinese company owns what has become America’s number one culture maker right now,” Sapna Maheshwari, a Times reporter who covers TikTok, said. In the future, lawmakers say, it’s easy to imagine how China could use TikTok to shape American attitudes about Taiwan — or an American presidential campaign.

The U.S. is escalating efforts to limit TikTok’s power. The federal government and more than half of the states have banned TikTok from government devices and networks. Britain, Canada and Belgium have done the same. India banned the app entirely. Now the U.S. is threatening a nationwide ban, too.

How likely is a ban?

Donald Trump tried to ban TikTok in 2020, but judges rejected his attempt. The government is trying again , though it’s unclear exactly how a ban would be implemented. There is no precedent for U.S. restrictions on an app this big.

One approach that some lawmakers prefer would remove TikTok from Apple’s and Google’s app stores and make the app nonfunctional on U.S. cellphone networks. But the government couldn’t reach into users’ phones to delete the app. TikTok would still be accessible to those who already have it, though users couldn’t download updates to the app, which would probably render it unusable eventually.

Any ban faces legal and political hurdles, including questions about First Amendment protections and the possibility of angering millions of TikTok users heading into a presidential election year.

The U.S. may be threatening a ban to force another outcome in its favor — the sale of TikTok to an American company. TikTok and the U.S. have previously negotiated about one. Still, the path is murky. China is unlikely to approve a sale. And if it did, it’s unclear who would buy the app, which could cost $50 billion, according to some analysts. A sale could also trigger antitrust concerns for probable suitors like Microsoft .

The power of a threat

Even if a ban never happens, the threat of one still matters. The Biden administration is using the specter of further restrictions to communicate a hard line on China. Lawmakers in both parties will likely make that point clear in the hearing today.

The episode is the latest in the larger fight between two world powers competing for dominance. In this contest, data is a valuable source of economic and political clout.

“If you can control data, you can have influence,” Joseph Nye, a political scientist, said.

China has known this for years. The country has banned apps like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and operated a tightly controlled internet, isolating its citizens from the rest of the world. The U.S. is now threatening to use China’s playbook against it, effectively leveraging private companies as a national asset and limiting information access as a form of sanctioning.

Chew, TikTok’s chief executive, is expected to tell Congress today that the app is a vehicle for promoting soft power — a “lens through which the rest of the world can experience American culture.” But the U.S. has made clear it cares more about the hard power of data.

“TikTok is the first platform to truly compete with these huge American tech companies,” Sapna said. “The signal the government is sending is: Don’t bother.”

For more

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Home improvement jobs ‘cheaper’ to hire a professional than DIY – save up to £2,000

by www.express.co.uk Leave a Comment

Home improvement jobs ‘cheaper’ to hire a professional than DIY - save up to £2,000

Home improvement jobs ‘cheaper’ to hire a professional than DIY – save up to £2,000 (Image: Getty)

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As warmer weather approaches, many homeowners in the UK may begin to think about tackling various jobs to spruce up their homes . However, with money tighter than ever for households, it’s important to cut costs where possible for many. Researchers at interiors brand Bobbi Beck , have shared the jobs where it is cheaper to hire a professional than attempt .

Unsurprisingly, the data shows that on average, it is 50 percent “cheaper” to undertake a DIY home job rather than hiring a professional.

However, in some cases, Britons can expect to save around £1,800 by ditching their tools and outsourcing their work to an experienced tradesman.

Out of the 28 home renovation jobs investigated, eight were found to be cheaper when outsourced.

This includes fitting a carpet, which according to the experts, only costs £135 to hire a professional, compared to the £1,039 to DIY.

READ MORE:

Changing a plug socket does involve some risks if you DIY

Changing a plug socket does involve some risks if you DIY (Image: Getty)

Britons can also make some serious savings when wanting to put up a curtain rail as well as hanging pictures and mirrors.

While this varies in different areas of the country and between tradesman, the experts said on average hiring a tradesman to hang mirrors and pictures is 58 percent cheaper than DIYing it.

This also takes into account the tools and equipment required, and the expenses can quickly add up, whereas professionals will already have these to hand.

According to the research, changing a plug socket should also be left to the professionals, not only for safety, but for cost too.

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Changing a plug socket at home can cost more than £200 with the right tools, but hiring a pro can cost just £40.

Other jobs where it is cheaper to outsource the work include laying a patio, where it is 22 percent cheaper, chimney sweeping, which is 34 percent cheaper, and cleaning the gutter.

Cleaning the gutter is an important job, especially in the spring months and getting it right is crucial, so hiring a pro may be the best option.

It is also cheaper, with the cost of hiring a professional costing around £150, compared to the over £300 to DIY this job.

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Cleaned white new gutters and drain pipes on restoration house

It may be cheaper to hire a professional to clean gutters (Image: Getty)

Lastly, the experts also said fitting a lock is also more expensive to DIY, standing at around £218, compared to the £80 to hire a locksmith.

Another reason to put down the tools and enlist help is to reduce the risk factor. Whilst trying DIY can help to save lots of money, taking on certain tasks can still come at a cost.

The experts at Bobbi Beck said some jobs are high risk and if they go wrong, it could actually be more expensive to fix the mistakes.

James Mellan-Matulewicz from Bobbi Beck said: “Getting stuck into some DIY is always a great activity for people wanting to get a bit more hands-on and save some money, but sometimes it would be smarter and safer to hire a professional.

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“Research may show that most jobs are cheaper to do yourself, but some do require a professional as they can be very challenging, such as plastering a wall, tiling a bathroom, changing a radiator, wiring a light switch and laying decking. Professional tradesmen are fine-tuned in skills and capabilities that not everybody can pull off straight away.

“In the interest of saving on any long-term costs to your health and safety, consider leaving some of these heavy duty or potentially dangerous tasks to the experts.”

There are also a lot of tasks which can be done at home for a fraction of the price, including replacing a door knob, bleeding a radiator and sealing windows and doors.

DIYers may also find it cheaper to unblock a sink, hang shelves on the wall as well as replace a light fitting.