Author Archive: Brian Ashworth
Rattling or Thumping Pipes – Cures
These cures relate to general rattling or banging when you turn the tap on. The various reasons for these noises, and their cures are: Air in Pipes Typically occurs in new systems, or after some plumbing alterations. You need to…
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Brickwork – Mortar Joints
During your Selection or Pre-Start meeting It isn’t just Picking a Brick. You also have to pick a mortar colour and a type of mortar joint. Mortar Colour If you have been to a Brick Display Centre check what colour…
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Bell Push – Fail
Over a week I would probably visit between 150 – 200 homes. That’s a lot of door bells pushed……..and if the bell doesn’t work it can be a lot of sore knuckles knocking. The bell push in the picture above,…
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Re-Branding
Regular visitors to this blog will notice a few changes going on. A logo has appeared next to the title at the top of the page, and some of the other parts of the blog are looking different. My daughter,…
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Retaining Walls – Sleeper Wall
Retaining walls are created to hold soil behind them. They can be made to control soil erosion due to hard rains, surround a garden, create a terraced yard, or retain soil along a highway. When designing a retaining wall, take…
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Pre-Start / Selection Guide 2nd Edition
Available now the latest edition of the E-book PRE-START / SELECTION GUIDE This major revision, and expansion, of the Guide means you now get: 90 pages of information and advice 8 pages of checklists All aimed at making sure you…
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Stuck On Decoration – Fail
I was walking through one of the Western Suburbs the other day and came to a sudden stop when I saw this facade with stuck on decoration. The owner must like it after all it would have cost them extra……………
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Retaining Wall – Sleeper Walls
Although most people refer to these as Sleeper Walls the Technical term is ‘Post’ and ‘Whaling’ * Walls. The posts can be Galvanised Steel like the example on the right. Other alternatives are timber sleepers, like the example below, or…
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Rainwater – Pump Size
One of the reasons why most rainwater systems use too much power is because because the pump is too big. For other reasons see Rainwater – Pump Issues Most pump suppliers and design charts will specify a larger pump than…
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Spot the Garage
Can you see the garage? Not just one, but two! Perhaps this second photo helps This is a device called a Cardok which I hear is coming to Australia. Its quite expensive at around $60,000 each, but probably cheaper than having…
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