July 20th, 2022 by Sarah Miles

You may think that a drill or electric screwdriver is the most versatile bit of DIY kit to have at home but think again, as a heat gun can be used for a wide variety of jobs around the house, making them much easier, faster, and cleaner.

Here are just 5 useful applications for a heat gun at home (there are many more!):

1. Stripping wallpaper
   You will never bother with a steam stripper again when you realise how fast, easy, and mess-free it is with a heat gun. While both methods use heat, a heat gun uses dry heat, so you won’t be left dripping in sweat and, more importantly, your walls won’t become saturated with water.
   
   The gentle warmth of a heat gun melts the wallpaper adhesive just enough to allow the paper to be pulled away with ease. You are also much more likely to be left without any scraps or residues on the wall; perfect for getting a great finish for re-papering or painting.
    
2. Stripping paint
   Whether you want to strip paint to take doors or bannisters back to their natural wood, correct a job done badly (often the case when you buy a new house), or love a bit of furniture upcycling, it can be quite a large task removing old paint or varnish. While chemical strippers or old-fashioned sanding can do the job, a heat gun makes short work of the job and doesn’t subject you to nasty smells or fine dust.
   
   Simply use the heat to soften the paint and then scrape away. It’s great for getting into the tiny crevices of intricate shapes, like carved details, which can be difficult to access by sanding.
    
3. Lifting vinyl floors
   Vinyl flooring can be a nightmare to remove. By necessity, it is stuck down firmly and therefore tends to break when you try to prise it up. Not only is this backbreaking work, but it can also leave an uneven surface that is unsuitable for further flooring.
   
   Many perceive it as such a difficult job that they let whatever tradesperson who is laying the new floor do it. They will charge accordingly but you can save yourself quite a bit of money by doing it yourself. It’s really easy to do with a heat gun as the heat melts the adhesive and allows you to lift the flooring cleanly – saving your knees or your flooring budget!
4. Repairs and upgrades
   Unsightly scratches, chips, or knots in the wood that you want to eradicate? Maybe scratches or tears in leather sofas or chairs? There are a variety of waxes and fillers that you can use on these types of items that need melting and/or setting with heat so a heat gun is perfect for disguising imperfections!
    
5. Thawing pipes
   Pipes freezing in the winter can cause all sorts of problems, including burst pipes, blockages, or boiler breakdowns. A heat gun can be used very effectively on frozen metal pipes (obviously, don’t use it on plastic pipes!). Just use gentle heat and your pipes will soon be free-flowing again – disaster averted!

MYLEK Hot Air Heat Gun and Safety / Accessory Set

Price: £29.99

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