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Worktop went in easily .

In the sailing world, boat stands for Break Out Another Thousand. I haven't figured out the self build version yet but there has to be one. I'm coming to the end of my build now, and can say it's been some of the hardest years of my life but come to the realisation it's been a series if problem solving and finding workable solutions day after day. It's all it is problems will come at you and its your resourcefulness and bloody mindness which gets you through

That is a small outside space in my book.

Not ideal but the connections can stand some misalignment, and if it’s not broken - don’t fix it! having said that, while you can see what’s going on, flush a couple of times to make sure the conns are not leaking. as for the knocking noise, this could be the float/fill valve getting a bit tired or catching on something and going with a jolt.

unfortunately the file size of the PDF is massive, i am try to reduce the quality but its not playing ball. i will let you know how i get on.

Every now & then you get lucky & you find the nugget of gold you needed that will enable you to step back from throwing yourself off the room....... Short version is, the garage/bungalow was cut down into the ground by 3-4 feet due to the nature of us building on a hillside & the willow + garden being further up the hill from our build. This means the foundations were c1.8m deep....but they already started from a depth of 3-4 feet lower then the natural ground anyway....thus foundations being c2.5m below willow ground level! ------------------------------ Dear Building Control, As discussed this morning, we would like confirmation please that you are satisfied with the foundations of the new garage with the proximity/slight incursions into the willow roots. The arboriculturalist has confirmed this is okay from a tree perspective. Please find attached the arboricultural survey, engineering drawings and part of the architectural package including substructure, floor plans and elevations. Note that the design has changed from 140sqm extension to complete knockdown/rebuild and we are pending the updated engineering drawings for the rebuild element, although the extended element footprint remains the same and the replacement build element footprint is very similar. If there’s any further information which would help please let me know. Many thanks, Architect Good Afternoon Architect, The foundation depths do not correspond with Chapter 4.2 of the NHBC Standards and look to shallow. Have they been verified by a structural engineer? Kind Regards Building Control Hi Building Control, The structural engineer confirms that the footings are already at the right level as the garage is cut into the ground leaving the footings approximately 2.5 metres below ground level at the Willow. He will add some contours to the drawing to make that clearer. The arboriculturist confirms that he didn’t recommend a root barrier in his report. If the engineers have recommended something then they will have a spec. He’s not aware that a root barrier is necessary unless the soil is known to be shrinkable, but again this is something for the structural engineer to decide when they are specifying foundations. Best regards, Architect ****Sharing of several more drawings, contours & foundation levels*** Morning Architect, Thank you for the drawing showing the contours. I can confirm that I am happy with the foundation design. Did the Planners at West Northamptonshire Council set this as a condition? If so, they will need to be sent this info to clear the condition. Kind Regards Building Control

Have just removed the Salus actuator, as I was getting random drops in room temperature for no apparent reason. Checked system for air and nothing found. Last night the heat pump ran continuously, fan speed on fan coil is at speed one, steady temperature outside. Over a period of a few hours this morning, room temp dropped a few degrees. Removed actuator and installed a manual decorating valve and now room temp is recovering. Will monitor over the next few days.

This would be my take on it. My thought exactly. The pruning relates to a Walnut tree close to the proposed house. They specified pruning it a little to allow the house to be built. My intention would be to try to leave the tree alone until and unless we needed to prune it. They also mentioned cutting back some leylandii to the neighbours fence line. This is in fact a good idea but i regard it as my call whether or not i do it. I dont understand how or why they would make a statement as though it were a requirement.

have you checked it with a square? I know I would do after spending that kind of loot. It does look good though!

No one’s playing . But here’s the 400 quid feature …. The mitred quartz join 😊🙄

I think more likely to keep roots out of the concrete pour. Or just something he's come to like.

First of all it's a narrow crack, so for monitoring, not panic. A pound coin in the gap is a decent guide. Something has moved differentially but the absence of cracking in the render suggests it might have been shrinkage during construction of the footing. The willow is dormant so the ground, presumably clay, is expanding if anything. Was the ground dry during construction? When you say " heave protection" what do you mean? The depth is already providing that for the foundation.

Impressive work on the kitchen btw 👌

I bet it's like the beach volleyball scene in Top Gun down at your YMCA!

The immediate thing that stands out for me, was the tile size was chosen to be exactly 2 tiles fit the height of the stove, and then the stove was set into the wall at exactly the right height to make the top of the stove 4 tiles above the floor. A lot of forward planning before you start anything.

From the figures you have posted the heat pump is working fine you have a good DT of 5 and the flow rate is more than adequate, it does sound like its simply down to the flow through the radiators which should be easily remedied. Good luck

Um 'Dr' Robert Murray-Smith I cannot make my mind up about this guy credentials, I do know he annoys me when I listen to him. Had a few companies https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/tqByWP0StTHC1bmtG42toNPuhIc/appointments There are a lot of Dr Murry-Smith. Some images of them here. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Dr.+Murray-Smith+was+a+Research+Officer+for+Imperial+Chemical+Industries+Plc.&atb=v390-1&iax=images&ia=images If all these devices where so great, and have been around for a while, why cannot I buy a 50 year battery in Tesco?

looking good, well done sir!

Calacatta gold I believe

This may be true, but having now committed to a single screen for my home office I’m determined to learn all the keyboard shortcuts to make this work. The version of windows which I’m running, I think is Windows 11, has a clever way of splitting the screen up for you which seems to be working quite well, though learning the keyboard shortcuts detailed in this article on screen splitting will make this better.

The issue with a joined duct and shared inline fan is that turning on one light will operate both extractors, perhaps wasting lots of heat. As to ventilaion, the air is being replaced, probably under the door, and so is coming from somewhere else, unless the house is sealed. But first check that the fan is working. Does it suck a spread tissue and hold it? It should do that easily. Next try a dry j cloth.

I just wrote down what it would be, didn't bother with drawings.

Ah, I see the confusion. The cheap quartz heater I installed is the victor.

Yeah I did my own plans and building regs. I did have a sample set I obtained from an architect, so used them as a base document. Saved a few grand in fees and BCO was happy so winner winner

I have a Samsung ultra wide with support for picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture. I've ended up using it always in PbP mode, with an equal split. Basically the same as just having two monitors but with no bezel in-between. I'm pretty happy with it, and occasionally I'll switch it back to single screen mode for massive spreadsheets.

We are currently going through an application with Saffron BS. They are keen to get in to the self build market and actually reduced their self build interest rate at one point last year. We are applying for a 5.99% mortgage which is quite competitive. I was keen to go with Ecology given the great reviews on here but our EPC rating was not good enough. We are two months in to the app so I am hoping for an offer very soon as it feels like it's taking forever. We went through a broker(also a friend) it's been a learning curve for both. So don't have direct experience yet of dealing with Saffron. I hope it all turns out ok.. We also own land and the amount we want to borrow is only half of the value of land so really no risk for BS at all. No idea why's is taking them so long. We also sent them estimators online quote and hoping this is acceptable. Good luck!

I believe it is just to distribute the liquid. Our problem was lack of area for an infiltration field, and high water table. The high water table could be dealt with by a raised filter mound or something like the Puraflo system above ground, but whatever you did we still needed that area of ground. Our resolution was SEPA agreed to discharge into the burn, something they don't do automatically but seem to need convincing there is no alternative. The silly part about that was we could have had enough land for an infiltration field except for the fact that can;t be closer than 10 metres into the burn. So instead of having an infiltration field that went very close to the burn, not allowed, it all goes directly into the burn. I never could understand that logic.

I'd second that. really know what they are doing and are very patient with Newbie's like us!

Slightly different approach for me. I hung a touchscreen on its Vesa mount, in a recess and powered it with a Windows NUC behind the flush door below the Touch tree "switches" I use it a lot less than expected, as Loxone runs itself, so the screen is usually showing CCTV or being used to cast music etc.

i have a timber frame and basement and achieved an airtightness score of 0.98ACH (i know i could've got better if i had more time but was happy with what we achieved so didn't bother). i learnt everything i needed to know on this forum. 🙂 we put a Tony tray between the basement and ground floor (as well as between ground and first floor). a basement is inherently airtight anyway as it's concrete! apart from that it's standard airtightness detailing around windows and doors and penetrations etc. if i was doing it again i would opt for a cut roof rather than attic trusses as they were a real pain to detail with insulation, membrane and tape! you might find a few gems in our blog but feel free to ask anything. there are a few others on here that have basements that i learnt from as well.

Hi all, I recently managed to get planning permission in Aberaeron despite many NIMBY objections. I have built once before with brick and block. It went well although with my GSHP and a family of 5 running costs are fairly hefty. So, the next build!! Initially I was thinking block inner and outer skin with partially filled cavity due to driving rain in these parts (100mm PIR board) inside cavity, partially clad externally with dark timber and smooth render the rest. Heating ASHP, 10kW PV with MVHR. 3g with no horrible trickle vents. Now, I'm considering a SIP build to reduce energy costs. I suppose my concern living in a very exposed part of the world is that would driving rain manage to get through the membrane and wet the SIP's in time. would it make sense to still build a block or brick outer skin? If I did this then I can see costs escalating quite considerably. How do SIP houses compare against TF? I know that SIP's are much better from an airtightness point of view. I would hope that MVHR would stop mould building up. Thoughts and experiences welcome. Thanks all.

it's 9:30 - why aren't you fitting this kitchen I'm avoiding the cold and waiting for BC, what's your excuse

I do too, just not a Luddite

@moonshine I'm about to do my own too, with Sketchup Pro. I tried to get a sample copy off my BCO but he says it would be unethical. Any chance of receiving your copy, minus personal bits? (Not sure how that is done if emails are not published here)

Stupid Expectations of Living Favourably But Unexpectedly and Inevitably Lead to Disappointment

Can you hack into buildhub and make me a mod please ?