UK video guides for home repairs
There are thousands of DIY videos on YouTube, and many of them are American: different taps, different wiring, different rules. This page is our shortlist of UK videos that are actually worth your time.
How we choose. We look for UK fittings and UK regulations, presenters who work in the trade or know it inside out, clear steps in a sensible order, and safety taken seriously. Where we have a written guide on the same job, we link to it too.
How to use this page. Each entry gives the video, the channel and our verdict: DIY, DIY with care, or Hire. Watch the video before you start, read our guide where there is one, and stop if the job stops matching what you see on screen. Links open on YouTube in a new tab.
Plumbing
Watch out: Cartridges are brand-specific. Match the old one before you buy.
From the tap maker, Bristan.
Watch out: If the stopcock is seized or old lead, call a plumber.
Watch out: Check that the parts shown match your cistern.
Sealing
Heating
From British Gas.
From the boiler maker, Worcester Bosch.
Watch out: Only for boilers with an internal filling key. Check your manual.
From the boiler maker, Ideal.
Watch out: Specific to Ideal boilers.
Watch out: Draining-down shortcuts carry a risk. If you're unsure, drain down or hire someone.
Watch out: This is an advanced job. Don't try it on a system you don't know.
Electrics
Watch out: Wiring a shower is not a casual DIY job. Watch it to understand the work, then hire a registered electrician (Part P in England, stricter rules in Wales).
Watch out: Isolate at the consumer unit and test that it's dead. Like-for-like swaps only. If you find older wiring colours or anything unexpected, call an electrician.
Plastering
Watch out: Cracks that are wide or keep growing may be structural. Get a surveyor.
Watch out: Skimming takes practice. Hire a plasterer for big walls and ceilings.
Tiling
Watch out: Wet areas need proper tanking.
Decorating
Carpentry
Watch out: You need a router and a worktop jig, and this is an advanced job.
Watch out: Fire doors must be fitted to their certification. Hire someone for those.
Watch out: Check for pipes and cables before you screw down.
Fixings
From the fixings maker, fischer.
From the fixings maker, fischer.
From the fixings maker, fischer.
From the fixings maker, fischer.
From the fixings maker, fischer.
Watch out: For a big TV on a stud wall, fix into the studs or get a pro.
From the fixings maker, fischer.
From the fixings maker, fischer.
From the fixings maker, fischer.
From the fixings maker, fischer (its international channel).
From the fixings maker, fischer (its international channel).
Watch out: Use a detector to check for cables and pipes first.
Channels worth subscribing to
- Skill Builder: UK building and plumbing.
- plumberparts: taps, showers, silicone and heating.
- Ultimate Handyman: general UK DIY.
- The DIY Guy: heating, toilets, doors and tiling.
- Proper DIY: heating, cracks and tiling.
- Plastering For Beginners and On The Trowel: plastering.
When a video isn’t enough
- Gas: any work on a hob, boiler, fire or gas pipe must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It’s the law, whatever a video shows. If you smell gas, call 0800 111 999 (0800 002 001 in Northern Ireland). See our gas hob guide.
- Electrics: new circuits, consumer units and most work near a bath or shower are notifiable in England (Part P), and the rules are stricter in Wales. Hire a registered electrician. See our electric shower guide.
- Structure and water damage: cracks that keep widening, sagging ceilings or leaks you can’t stop need a professional.
We don’t make these videos and aren’t paid to link to them. Turn off the water or power first, whatever a video shows.