Yearly Archive: 2014
Bushfire Reserve – Volume
I have previously talked about Bushfire reserve supplies. . . . But how much? I see various minimum water volumes put forward for bush fire reserves. For example in early 2014 the following applied. Victoria, regulations for new builds require…
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Concrete – Adding Extra Water
A ‘Dirty Secret’ of the Construction Industry is; adding of extra water to concrete mixes. The ready mix concrete suppliers carefully design mixes with appropriate water cement ratios, which are loaded onto the delivery truck by computer controlled batching systems….
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Missed The Bath – Fail
But when was this stuffed up? When the bath was selected When the tapware was selected? When the bath was installed? When the tapware was installed? It does show how carefully you need to thick about things at Selection/Pre-Start. Thanks…
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Bushfire Water Storage
If you live in an area that could be subject to wildfire having a bushfire water storage is important . . . . . . Even if you have mains water supply! Public water mains only have limited capacity. ….
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Thermal Mass for Heating
If you read up about energy efficiency you will come across the expression ‘Thermal Mass’ . . . . . . but what is it? . . . . . and how does it work? Materials with Thermal Mass The…
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Is Modern Kitchen Design Making Us Fat
When I was young (about 50 years ago) obesity wasn’t really an issue. In those days most houses had a small kitchen where a meal was cooked. We either ate in the kitchen or a small dining room. The rest…
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Front Path – Fail 2
What an imposing facade! But why is it spoiled by that letter box in the middle of the path? . . . . . Perhaps it’s because the letter box is hiding the water meter! It’s funny how those water…
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Block Retaining Wall – Loose Lay
Loose lay retaining wall blocks are concrete blocks that have a nib cast on the underside. (see photo) This stops each block slipping forward of the block below. There are a number of different manufacturers and most produce more than…
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The Risk Of Too Much Security
As I visit lots of houses I often wonder if some houses have too much security. I see lots of houses with roller shutters or even steel gratings over the windows like these. Quite often when I ring the bell…
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Split Level Bedroom – Fail
Why would you go to the effort of building that platform for the bed? . . . . .and why the curves? This could be a major hazard if you need to go to the toilet in the night! ….
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