Construction
Balcony Drainage
If you are going to have a balcony don’t forget to consider the drainage. You need to make sure that you have a large enough drain, for example this. And the whole balcony slopes down to the drain. If the…
Read more
Concrete – Preparing The Base
It seems to me that many people think that a concrete driveway or path will cover any number of shortcuts and other sins. Well if you want a good finish, that will last, you need to make sure that preparation…
Read more
Wall Height – Standard Bricks
The table shows the height of walls based on ‘Standard Bricks’ of 230mm x 110mm x 76mm with 10mm mortar joints. Bricks Wall Height (mm) Comments 1 86 2 172 3 258 4 344 5 430 6 516 7 602…
Read more
Concrete – Cracking
One of the inevitable facts about concrete slabs is that there will be some cracking. One of the sayings in concrete design is “ All concrete cracks…..the purpose of reinforcement is to hold the broken bits together.” So what does…
Read more
Concreting – Bar Chairs
No we are not talking about seats in a pub. Bar Chairs are used to make sure the steel reinforcement in concrete ‘sits’ in the right place. Here is a typical plastic ‘chair” And here is a different type. Getting…
Read more
Concrete – Reinforcement Mesh
Purpose of Steel Mesh Reinforcement A lot of people believe that the steel mesh adds substantially to the strength of concrete paving. This is a myth! The truth is large areas of concrete paving will crack. What well thought out…
Read more
While The House Is Built
If you are getting a house built you can feel lost with not much to do between the contracts being signed and being ready to move. Here are some suggestions for you to be doing during the wait. Inspect Progress…
Read more
Wall Length – Standard Bricks
If you are looking designing at a floor plan it can be useful to think about planning the walls based on brick size. The table below is based on ‘Standard Bricks’ of 230mm x 110mm x 76mm with 10mm joints….
Read more
Getting the Colours Right
Let face it, I am a typical man and colours don’t really interest me much. I like to limit myself to the standards of White, Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. I’m even not too sure…
Read more
Checking Door Painting
Do you read the guarantees on things you buy? Well here is one on a door at my local Bunnings store. II am including this post for 2 reasons. DIY door installation If you are going to fit a door…
Read more