Don't be daunted by DIY - many jobs around the house are an easy fix
Hong Kong's absence of a do-it-yourself (DIY) culture does not mean that the average person cannot take on a few small maintenance jobs. While user-friendly DIY supply stores are few and far between, hardware shops across the city have enough for a bit of satisfying and cost-saving domestic tinkering.
This writer consulted interior contractor Chris Corke, founder of Fit City (tel: 9059 2507) to get a handle on some DIY jobs and practical home maintenance tips. Mr Corke, who has been designing and fitting out residences and restaurants in Hong Kong for 26 years, says there is much home owners can do without calling in a professional.
The older the building, the greater the need for regular basic maintenance.
'Older walk-up buildings, like those in SoHo and Wan Chai, often have things that need fixing that aren't too complicated,' says Mr Corke, who is often commissioned to provide a professional estimate on property condition and renovation needs and costs when home seekers find a flat they want to buy.
'If I could find a cure for damp patches, I'd be a millionaire. Hong Kong is full of them. Some of the most common ones are found around air-conditioner seals, which are often made of foam rubber. This is easy to replace if it's worn, as is the silicon seal around the air-con unit that is installed in a window frame. Some people poke wires for TV aerials through the silicon seal - this is an easy way for water to get in and cause damage [to surrounding wall surfaces].