Reference
Reference
This glossary explains, in plain words, the terms you come across in tool and fixing instructions, on packaging and when talking to a tradesperson. The definitions are simplified: they are meant to help you understand what is being discussed and choose the right item, not to replace a building textbook.
Once you know how an anchor differs from a wall plug, half the questions about why a shelf won't stay up answer themselves.
Fixings
- Wall plug
- An insert, usually plastic, placed in a drilled hole so that a screw holds firmly in the wall. Wall plugs vary by material: for dense concrete and brick, for hollow blocks and for plasterboard.
- Self-tapping screw
- A fixing screw made of hard metal that cuts its own thread in the material. It is often used to fix wood, sheet metal and plasterboard, sometimes without a pilot hole.
- Anchor
- A general name for strong fixings for heavy loads that expand or wedge themselves in the hole. Used where an ordinary wall plug is not enough; choosing and fitting heavy-duty anchors is best left to someone who knows how.
- Wood screw
- A screw with a wood thread that is driven into timber or into a wall plug. It is usually softer than a self-tapping screw and needs a pre-drilled hole.
Tools
- Bit
- An interchangeable tip for a screwdriver, drill or cordless driver. The bit's shape and size must match the screw head exactly; otherwise it slips and damages the head.
- Spirit level
- A tool for checking horizontal and vertical lines, with a liquid-filled vial and a bubble inside. Without one, shelves, curtain poles and pictures almost always hang noticeably crooked.
- Drill bits by material
- Drill bits differ by purpose: for wood, for metal, for masonry (concrete and brick) and for tiles. The purpose is usually stated on the packaging or on the bit itself.
- Stepladder
- A folding ladder supported on both sides that you can stand on without leaning it against a wall. It goes on a level floor, is opened fully and you never stand on the very top step.
Safety
- Isolation
- Switching off the circuit at the consumer unit before working on a socket, switch or light fitting. Afterwards it must always be checked that the circuit is dead; complex electrical work is done by an electrician.
- Voltage tester
- A simple device that shows whether there is voltage on a wire or terminal. It must be used strictly according to its instructions, and if you are unsure of the result, it is better not to start the job.
- Stopcock
- A valve that shuts off the water supply to your home or to an individual appliance. Find it in advance and check from time to time that it turns and really does stop the water.
- PPE
- Personal protective equipment: safety goggles, gloves, a dust mask for dusty work and ear protection for noisy work. Put it on before you start, not after the first mishap.
Where these terms appear
- Practical
How to put up a shelf without hitting wiring: steps, mistakes, limits and a checklist. The article catalogue is here too.
- Questions
Short answers about tools and fixings, taps, doors and furniture, and staying safe while you work.
- Start (archive) (in Russian)
A note about the old home page address and a checklist of tools for your first year.
- Collections
Reading routes: your first flat, a leak-free bathroom and DIY together with a teenager.
Read next
- Questions
Short answers about tools and fixings, taps, doors and furniture, and staying safe while you work.
- Collections
Reading routes: your first flat, a leak-free bathroom and DIY together with a teenager.
- New
A dated feed of the guide's articles with their topics.
Sources
- Tool manufacturers' instructions
- Official home safety guidance from emergency services
The advice in this guide describes the general approach as of the date the article was prepared. Every home has its own walls, plumbing and furniture, and every tool and fixing comes with its own instructions: where they differ from our text, follow the instructions.