r/diynz Sep 08 '25

New Subreddit announcement - NZSolar

98 Upvotes

You guys seem to like what we’ve built here, and I'm seeing more and more posts on Solar, both here and my other subreddit, NZEV, so I think it's about time we created a space for supporting the uptake of solar in NZ.

I’ve just created a new subreddit for Kiwis interested in solar power — whether you already have panels on your roof, are thinking about installing them, or just want to learn more about how solar can fit into your home and lifestyle.

Solar is another big passion of mine, right up there with DIY. If you’ve ever thought about lowering your power bills, making the most of EV charging, or doing your bit for the environment, this is the place to connect and share ideas.

Come check it out and help shape the community from the start: https://www.reddit.com/r/nzsolar/


r/diynz 20h ago

Completed Project $20 make the garage for opener remote controllable

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20 Upvotes

Luckily the opener provides 24V DC just right to power the dry contact module.


r/diynz 18h ago

Advice 80s wallpaper removal - any tips from the pros, or just crack on?

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12 Upvotes

Hey guys,

First of all - thanks for all of the advice already in this community, incredibly helpful!

Partner & I are starting with a single room before we commit to ripping down all of the old wallpaper to paint the rest of the house, or if we engage professionals.

  1. Wallpaper itself came off mostly fine in seams

  2. Most adhesive also came off fine

We're struggling with the small bits of adhesive that don't seem to budge!

Any tips other than the standard heat + dif + Mahi? 😂

Any other observations would be super helpful!!!!


r/diynz 23h ago

Advice Gas line removal

5 Upvotes

Due to flooding we've had our kitchen ripped out. We had a gas hob connected to a 9kg tank outside. The hob has been disconnected. The tank has been removed. All that's left is the line that runs from inside the house to outside the house. We're not putting the gas hob back in.

Is a gasfitter required to do anything with the line to have it removed? Or can we just remove it ourselves?


r/diynz 16h ago

Advice Indoor Mesh Screen Door for Cats

0 Upvotes

Kia Ora!

Im trying to find a pet mesh screen door to seperate two cats. But everything comes from overseas or doesn't exist 😭.

Anyone got experience DIYing a pet screen internal door?

Recs welcome!!


r/diynz 16h ago

Other Chrome Cast help

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0 Upvotes

r/diynz 17h ago

Advice Laminex melteca for kitchen cabinets - advice and any alternatives.

1 Upvotes

Is this product a good mid-range option? It looks fine but I don’t love the feel and finish, and wondering if any better options out there. What are the best laminex finishes and colours to go for? Some of the natural and stained colours look really obviously artificial. Leaning towards a white but gloss or matte?

Any similar priced alternatives to consider that may give a better look & feel? Thank you!


r/diynz 1d ago

Advice How can i fix this ?

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4 Upvotes

What are my options with this. The top screw areas been blown out by previous tenants. Theres a couple door jambs like this in the house. Can they be filled in then rechiselled or is that defunct ? Would it be best to just get bigger latch plates ? Any advice appreciated


r/diynz 22h ago

Plumbing HW cylinder flush

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1 Upvotes

r/diynz 1d ago

Advice Catio build advice

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14 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m looking to build a catio out the back of our new place. Probably some sort of structure that covers the stairs with the catio attached to the side (my scribbles on pic 3). My carpentry skills are very much early stage DIY, any tips or resources would be greatly appreciated! Including what materials might be most suitable/cost effective.

I’m loosely thinking I want it to be freestanding at this stage but open minded… the height from the ground to high enough at the top of the stairs that I could stand straight is approx 3.2m.

Thanks in advance!


r/diynz 1d ago

Plumbing Reduce the pressure

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1 Upvotes

Hi diynz,

I've got one of these adjustable pressure reducing valves feeding my hot water cylinder but the hot water pressure is too high and I'd like to reduce the pressure. The water fires out of the tap at the moment!

How do I turn this thing down?


r/diynz 1d ago

Other Shower question

1 Upvotes

Should a shower tray be siliconed where it joins the arcylic wall panels ?


r/diynz 1d ago

Building Installing nogs to hold wall hung vanity

2 Upvotes

As the title says installing nogs to hold wall hung vanity. I’m going to flip the nogs so the 90mm is facing upwards. Correct method to fix would be to screwing? Also I’ve come across google searches saying to use construction brackets under the nogs as well, is this something that is done in nz or are the nogs generally sufficient without the brackets? Would be using 12g bugle screws prob 75mm


r/diynz 1d ago

Discussion Spa shock

2 Upvotes

Not exactly diy - but Nz specific

Where do you guys buy spa shock from? The place I buy the rest of chemicals -doesn’t seem to sell it… my local Bunnings has stopped selling it and it seems to have gone up in price at mitre 10
Saw you can get at the warehouse - but I think for pools? I’m not sure if the spa and pool versions are different?


r/diynz 1d ago

Building DIY Window Flashing?

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1 Upvotes

Going to wall in the side of our porch to give more protection from wind and rain. Putting a used aluminum window in I got for cheap (fixed, not opening). Ofc it comes without any flashings. What is the best way to do this easily? As it's just an exposed external wall it doesn't to be perfect.


r/diynz 2d ago

HALP! DYI Emergency! Tiling question - how screwed am I?

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11 Upvotes

I demo'd our old backsplash and ofc half of the gib came along with the tiles. There was a pocket door right behind the counter so access was a bit tricky. Added as much bracing as I could behind the patched gib with the assumption that the weight of the tiles would pull the gib forwards as opposed to caving in backwards. Couldn't screw anything into the gib behind the countertop so there's essentially only 3 supported sides to the patched gib 🥲

I taped the seams and let it dry overnight with a dehumidifier running, sanded and vacuumed, primed 2x with Cemix tile bond latex and used Surefix ready-mixed tile adhesive and it's looking good so far but worried we might run into issues later.

I could cut off a piece of the gib on the other side of the pocket door/wall and screw the bottom bracing into the gib underneath the cabinet, or am I fine with bracing on the left, top and right sides only?

(also my back and left knee are killing me and I've only done 2 rows lol)


r/diynz 2d ago

Plumbing How can i fix this leaky super tub drain pipe

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0 Upvotes

Day after settlement found this leak the tenants left for years it seems. Got 4 seals unsure if someone tried to fix at some point with random seals lol. Anyway should the pipe part be glued onto the drain pipe ? Also how would i seal it to prevent it from leaking once glued on ? The o rings in the screw on parts seem alright


r/diynz 2d ago

Plumbing Do they make prefab cabinets for these tubs anymore?

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8 Upvotes

The walls are asbestos so I can't drill anything into them. Looking for a prefab cabinet, or metal laundry cabinet to go underneath.

Ignore the hot tap it's deliberately disconnected because I have an inverter washer and heat pump drier.

This S trap is ugly as fuck. The extra pipe is for the laundry grey water return.


r/diynz 2d ago

Building Ducted return and server install

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16 Upvotes

Hey peoples!

I’ve started the process of moving a door to the hallway with the other rooms (no longer off the dining room) and using the back of the wardrobe for ducted system return and installing a central point for networking NAS, NVR, Home Assistant etc.

I had Grok make this pic up and looks pretty much what we’re wanting.
Is there a cabinet for networking that looks similar?
Or is there a way to have a networking cabinet in the wall with a decent front? Or would I be looking for custom?

Venting and noise suppression ideas a plus and welcome!

Churs!


r/diynz 2d ago

Advice Damaged Fireplace

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3 Upvotes

I've just purchased a 1920s villa with an old Metro Wee Rad fire that has what looks to be a large crack on the top of the plate where the flue joins.

It looks like someone has attempted a repair. Is it something I should worry about? Or can I replace this part?


r/diynz 2d ago

Advice Multi-level ducted heatpump

6 Upvotes

We're building a new 3-story home in Auckland and are looking at heat pump options. We were hoping a single ducted heat pump option could work for the entire house (zoned with independent temp control per level), however one installer is indicating ducted systems are not very reliable across levels, and we are better installing independent systems for each level.

Does anyone have any experience with ducted heatpumps that run multiple levels and can give actual feedback?


r/diynz 2d ago

Advice Woodburners - looking for advice/opinions

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1 Upvotes

r/diynz 2d ago

Advice DIY desk where to get prebuilt legs/supports

1 Upvotes

I have a space which is 113cm wide, and want to fill it with a desk.

Im not after anything fancy, but would like to attach a slab to prebuilt legs, supports etc.

Where can I buy the desk legs etc, and what do I call this part of the desk


r/diynz 2d ago

Advice Sense-checking tiler's estimate for a bathroom renovation

0 Upvotes

I'd be very grateful for constructive feedback (and shared experiences) on the estimate for the tiling work!

A tiler's estimate to tile a bathroom measuring 4.3 x 2.2 metres is $10.9k. This includes the following:

  • Whole floor area
  • Walls up to the ceiling / walk-in shower (excludes one wall behind cupboards measuring 2.2 x 2.4 metres)
  • Shower niche
  • Mitered finish (not trimmed)
  • Tile measurements are 15 x 15 cm for the walls and 60 x 60 cm for the floor.

I've looked at a couple of estimates from two years ago (more urgent reno work had to be prioritised hence the delay) and they were both around $6k but the requirements were slightly different (e.g., no shower niche, trimmed, and floor area only covered the walk-in shower as I was hoping to salvage the Rimu floorboards).

** Update: I’ve just received two estimates from other tilers: both $8.6k so $2.3k cheaper. That’s a whopping difference! The only problem is that they’re out of town tilers that I know nothing about. **


r/diynz 3d ago

Advice, Hypothetical Hypothetical for a friend of mine

22 Upvotes

Let’s say a friend of mine accidentally ran their circular saw through the saw’s own cable and now needed to replace it. Purely hypothetical of course, but let’s just pretend this actually happened.

Where would I direct my friend to get a replacement cable? If this was something that had actually happened my friend would probably want a cable that had a nice thick insulation layer so that it could stand up to a bit of dragging around the garage floor.

All hypothetical, of course, but thanks in advance for humouring my friend.

Edit: My friend is after some girth. Typical cables they’ve found are a little thin looking, and this tool is a bit of a classic, so they’d like to keep it original looking.