Roger440

We should? Are you local - as in near by, not the other type of local.............

Picture, thousand words and all that.................

Or as i did, a side sliding door. Best of both worlds, though it has to be said, a more expensive route.

Ive been going round this loop. From my experience, the smaller players cant support the installation of their product. So you always end up being offered a Klargester unit, even though your initial enquiry was for something else entirely! The Vortex in particular was one i looked at as mine is serving 2x 4 bed houses with a total of 4 people living there, 2 of them almost part time. Trying to get installation, frankly was a joke. Or rather, simply impossible. And its not like im stuck out on a limb like some of you guys, im in the home counties!!!

The argument is sound. Quite how you would, im not sure. If you did, and they were independant, and assuming they dont adopt a "council" type approach of just making life difficult for the sake of it, house building in this country will slow right down as there simply isn't the skill and resource to make it happen. Or to find enough people of knowledge to inspect. The standard of work is so poor you will have more inspectors than workers! Absolutely agree. I have had the discussion numerous times that its the next PPi waiting to happen, though i thought it would become an issue off the back of poor modern houses, and the slowly growing news on the subject. This incident just supercharged the whole issue.

true, but how is this any different from any other time? Cost has always been a factor when looking to get work done, now or 50 years ago.

Agreed. I did a 4 year apprenticeship. i look at the younger guys ive employed (and got rid of) and think, they dont really have a chance. I dont believe, possibly outside the MOD, that you can do a "proper" apprenticeship any more even if you want to. Agreed again. Dont know how some people can stand back, look at the job and think that its remotely acceptable. But that now appears to be the way.

Well done with that. Thats just massive! Must have a look some time when im going up to Northampton.

Having built a steel framed garage that was bigger than my house, i can certainly see the merit in it. It was 61sqm and came in comfortably under £25K all in, even with fancy doors! And serious foundations, as it was on clay near trees. All insulated cladding and insulated base. Ok, the walls and ceiling would need the thicker panels to comply with regs for a house, but the additional cost of that would not be great. Given the cost of the foundations, which was a good part of it, brings me to my question with a steel framed structure, why have foundations? Some type 1 to the necessary depth and a steel frame secured to the ground with some sort of anchor system.................................... Taking out the usual foundation systems would surely take out significant cost?

Used them a few times already. Adequate would describe my competence. Just finished today filling in the pond.

Sadly, i don have an option. Currently on a shared septic tank, which needs to be replaced.

Funny you should say that. Had that conversation over the last couple of weeks. Zero knowledge and no means of moving it are the current barriers. And the wife. But the financial logic is hard to escape. Hired one this weekend for another job. Will be £200.00 all in.

I think i too have settled on the Vortex, primarily as, its a shared system between 2 four bedroom houses, both with only 2 people living in them, and next door are barely ever there anyway. So the adjustability is, i believe, important. However, getting it installed is a different problem entirely. None of their authorised installers want to do it. Too far apparantly. Except im in north bucks, hardly an isolated fringe of the country! Yet anther job i cant get anyone to do

Id still paint the floor first with a decent epoxy, whatever, mats or tiles you might want to get. Anything else just desnt last. The watco website has some good stuff, though its not always the cheapest. Its all DIYable. If it was me id just get some nice thick mats to put where you will be standing once its all painted.

Interesting approach to flashing! Much quicker than what i will need to do

In my mind im going round in curcles, but you are probably right, do this as a temp measure.

Sorry, maybe leading people astray here. I will want to use the stove / a stove at some point, but need to stop the water ingress sort of now-ish. But dont want to have to do the job twice. So if i put a pot on it, i can install a flue later. Equally, being an old house, capping it fully appears to be unwise, i need to keep airflow in there. But there is no lead flasing tray at all. Nothing, just a big hole But you have just me realise my plan is flawed, as once i install a flue, i'll have no ventilation in the stack. Hmmm......................................... Twin pot cap?

Thanks Still seems wrong to me to let water into a chimney, that is no longer used.

Thats what i thought. This chimney building thing is like a dark art....................................

What on earth does "just compo it in" ,mean? Seems odd for it not to be watertight. Surely thats the objective?

Id say the diminishing skill is across most trades, not just building. Its the modern way!

Im thinking this might be the easy way! But how is the pot secured to the cap. Is it really just mortared in? How is that ever going to be watertight?

Ahh, right. No intention of doing that. Need to keep it ventilated so was intending to put a pot of some sort on there. The intention is still eventually to have a stove, albeit probably oil fired at some point. My mind is now running away with the design of said cover, so that i can dismantle to retrofit a flue at some point............................

Sadly, like a tool, i didn't!

Done plenty of much more complicated tin bashing, but sadly all my tools are in storage Including my 36 inch metal folder, double If i have to make something it will be stainless. Im only doing this once. Bit of dynamat on the inside should subdue the noise enough. Nobody sleeps in that bedroom. Why do you say dont use the stove?