The Home Improvement Thread

[V12man]

has anyone done the exposed aggregate concrete and what sort of costs is it? I have emailed two places and just waiting for a response. Am looking at replacing a large amount of grass in front of the house.

Do you mean ground and polished concrete?

 

Bit slippery for outside if you ask me - when wet.....

[mon-goose]

no, not the polished option. It's almost like they lay down concrete and then you have what look like pebbles in it. Here's a link to  page with what I'm thinking of http://bosspaving.co.za/exposed-aggregate-concrete/

[Pure Savage]

 

Been feeling very DIY lately. Just worried it does not drain fast enough and floods house

 

 

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[GrahamS2]

Did a pretty cool project at home recently. And by 'did' I mean numerous contractors, not me

 

Take one worn out pool area with mysterious pipe leak...

 

Run all new pipes, move the pump and filter...

 

Add one balau deck...

 

And, viola! 

Edited November 8, 2016 by GrahamS2

[l4y3rcake]

no, not the polished option. It's almost like they lay down concrete and then you have what look like pebbles in it. Here's a link to page with what I'm thinking of http://bosspaving.co.za/exposed-aggregate-concrete/

Looked at it as an option for my entertainment area. It's very expensive flooring. Got quotes from R850/sqm-R1200/sqm and that is for the flooring only not the concrete slab. I have an existing concrete slab. My sister had it done On her patio where they originally had screed flooring and the contractor had to redo some sections twice before it was done right.

[mon-goose]

Thanks. Just got a quote from boss paving and it starts at R400 per sqm for over 70sqm

[GLuvsMtb]

Here's my list of possible projects for the summer:

1. Install an irrigation system (I know nothing about irrigation systems, so any advise on which systems are good and what to look out for would be appreciated). I need something that is fairly easy to maintain and to change settings on in between seasons.

2. Do a awning for the dogs' kennels. This will add some shade for them, and also protect them against the elements in the winter (they sleep outside). Here I presumably plant tar poles and set them in concrete, join the poles with supporting joists and trusses at say a 10 degree angle sloping to the sides and put sheeting on top. Anything else I need to think about here?

3. Do a shade cloth retractable awning for the veggie patch for summer (It got so hot last year that my lettuce actually scorched in the sun). Here the procedure is presumably similar as in 2, but for the roof I will set up a pully and rope system to be able to retract the awning to manage the amount of direct sunlight the vegetables get. I suspect that here google will be my friend.

4. Lay paving on the back walkway. I have a downpipe that runs straight into the back yard, making the area very wet in winter. The paving needs to be laid to deal with the soak away system here advice here? French drain perhaps?

Ok so a quick update:

1, 2 and 4 is being replaced by getting a quote from Rhapsody to do a Greywater system for us. I thought about trying to do a DIY jobbie, but decided to get someone that knows what they are doing out to do a design and quote for me rather. I'm expecting a quote for around R15k, if it is cheaper I can look at 2 and 4 again.

Has anyone used Rhapsody before? Anyone else that specialises in this sort of thing?http://www.waterrhapsody.co.za/grey-water-systems/

 

[mon-goose]

I got a guy to come around last night to quote on putting a wall up in front of our place. I've sent him the design of what we want and now I'm waiting for a quote. What should I be preparing myself for? It's a 20m wall combination of brick pillars with the steel in between.

[Pure Savage]

I finally gave the go ahead to fix our front wall that was knocked over in Feb by delivery van. Just wanted to make sure company was going to pay before starting.

 

 

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[Dicky DQ]

absolutely. I have geyser wise as well. Such a pleasure to adjust the temp and times when it should go on an off.

We also switch it off on summer as the solar panels do more than enough to heat the water.

I have a solar geyser as well and found the savings to be more related to timer than solar, especially in winter in the Cape

[Pure Savage]

I have a solar geyser as well and found the savings to be more related to timer than solar, especially in winter in the Cape

Who installed your control for geyser, want to get one installed this week.

[cpelser]

 

Been feeling very DIY lately. Just worried it does not drain fast enough and floods house

 

 

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Did a similar job, ended up removing the hose connector as it doesn't drain quickly enough.

At the moment my showers, baths and washing machine's runoff just flows through a cheap black pipe onto the grass and I move the pipe around. Next step is to install a tank and pump.

 

 

Go to one of these places that sells chemicals and buy a 250lt blue drum (R500 max) and then buy a small R900 pump from builders. 

You can also buy a more expensive purpose built tank that goes underground but that may cost a bit more.

 

Dig it in and once it fills to a level pump it out onto the garden (not through your irrigation though)

If the tank is small enough your greywater won't stand idle longer than 2-3 days at a time before being emptied and you wont need to treat it at all..

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I'm gonna be starting the tedious process of stripping and repainting the skirting boards at home. Thinking of doing them in a dark grey against a lighter gray wall and white ceiling in the downstairs area. 

 

Then clad the exposed doorway into the kitchen (removed the old steel door frame) and re-do the front door. Then tackle the kitchen. 

 

*** jobs, but they need to be done. 

[V12man]

 

I'm gonna be starting the tedious process of stripping and repainting the skirting boards at home.

 

*** jobs, but they need to be done. 

 

Grinding cup.... and small angle grinder..... AND some hardboard protection for the wall and floor - grinding cup is a super aggressive wire brush... will take skin off to the bone faster than you would believe possible - so eye and hand protection are a must - and if you potentially have lead based paint too - then breathing protection as well.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Grinding cup.... and small angle grinder..... AND some hardboard protection for the wall and floor - grinding cup is a super aggressive wire brush... will take skin off to the bone faster than you would believe possible - so eye and hand protection are a must - and if you potentially have lead based paint too - then breathing protection as well.

definitely not lead based. It was cheap ass paint that the previous owner put on in a hurry to sell. It's been coming off over teh last few years in flakes, but i've never gotten around to it. That changes now. 

 

I've got both grinder & cup. 

[Letum911]

I just moved into a new place, unfortunately I'm still renting. I am however someone who believes that it is worth upgrading your living standard even if it is to the permanent advantage of someone else, so I'm willing to make a few permanent upgrades.

 

So far on my DIY list for the next 2/3 months are:

1) Industrial pipe shelf

2) Industrial pipe desk and reloading bench

3) A firepit outside

 

I will be starting with the shelf, then the desk and lastly the firepit as I will probably have some red tape to get around which I expect will be somewhat costly.

 

Any recommendations on the above and what to try/not to try?

 

Regards

L