I did my own flushing many years in the undercroft kitchen and bathroom.

I swore I would never do it again - that is I would hire a flushing crew in future.

However, with the severe shortage of tradies at the moment I am being forced to do it myself.

Over the last week I have acquired all the materials and tools that I need.

I took everything out to site with the intention to start on that day.

However, it was 3 pm by the time I had everything in place - protective plastic on the floor, power cords for mixing powder, buckets of water, a mixing pail, all the different size trowels.

I deferred a start to the next day.

I have had two sessions so far. I am doing a reasonable job but I am very slow.

I am watching instructional videos - the tradesman lays an entire join with base coat in a single sweep.

I have to dab at it 20 times to lay in the same plaster.