jamiehamy

I'm waiting to get a couple of wireless sensors rigged up inside - the old one died a death with the gyproc. I've got a traditional thermometer in the middle of the house and it was registering 22degrees tonight, the highest recorded inside so far - however we have not yet got the MHRV system running and there were no open windows or doors. The slab temperature (no UFH) is around 19.5 degrees in the south section, but drops to 16/17 in the middle and rear sections. We have significant amounts of glazing on the south elevation however it's all solar to reduce the gain and seems to be doing it's job

The British mentality sometimes beggars belief, if social media is anything to go by. Soldiers patrolling key buildings and public spaces - "OTT, cancel the election, politically motivated, bla bla bla. " Of course if they did nothing and something *did* happen - 'government did nothing, why were they so complacent, yawn yawn yawn.' Why are we a country full of so many self haters? Why are we a country full of so many people who don't believe that governments might actually act in what they see as the best interests of the general population? I frankly don't care if it cannot be proven that soldiers will make us safer - if someone in a position of responsibility thinks its the right thing to do, it's no problem for me - I trust that decision. Better safe than sorry is fine with me. I just get rather down about why so many in our country love nothing than to berate our country no matter what. It's bonkers.

I had intended using estimators online hwoever they don't touch ICF which was a shame. I asked them about this at the weekend at the Glasgow HBR Show and they think they may be able to do this in 6months, but ICF treated slightly as something 'new' - which needs to chaneg given how many self builders are starting to use it. House Builders Bible is useful to an extent and a good starting place. Although I never anticipated just how much 2x2 and 4x2 we would go through!

Welcome. One thing I would say is that is someone tries to imply there is a queue for the plot and you need to act fast - walk away. Never be rushed into anything - if you do, there are things that will be missed. There's alway some sort of 'gotcha' involved - not a problem but you need to know in advance. I would also say that I like your design on the other thread, however be mindful that often you have to build for the plot - i.e take into account the local plan, surrounds etc, which may mean you end up with something that looks nothing like what you had in mind. It's a complex process buying a plot of land - you should be able to get an agreement in principle on a value to borrow and then work out the finer details once you've found a plot. Otherwise as you say, how can you look if you don't know if you can get the finance. And I may as well say it - the main self-build mortgage broker are very...very...very slow. SO don't think you'll get a mortgage in a hurry!

That's the real question and issue that frankly, no-one is confronting. The truth is too awkward - but a bit too early to go into that just now I think.

The news is just going to get worse (if possible) when we know who the victims are. A bomb attack is one thing, a bomb attack at a concert for mainly young people is another.

Words are fail me tbh. The worst part is, I believe there is only a finite amount authorities can do to prevent this type of incident happening.

Brilliant - well done! Extra water on mix is not really a problem here but watch like a hawk for the walls - pump guys are bloody terrible for secretly telling the mixer to add water. It's your mix, not the pump guys. I'm in London at moment and was thinking of you in the afternoon when the heavens opened here! Bet you feel accomplished!

I'm down south without proper computer access - for some other the other bathrooms I might be easier with a 90degree elbow coming out but I suppose I can use this then a 90 or 45 degree elbow. Will be the same difference. Hugely helpful responses from everyone, thank you!

Funny you say that I was going to post the exact same conundrum! I agree, seems like a bodge but I can't think of anything else!

Have it standing by @Vijay. You'll be able to see how well it is flowing and make a call then. Watch carefully and see how is is physically flowing into the corners etc. Whatever you do, light touch rather than vibrate to heck and separate the mix - don't be too trigger happy. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow!

Perfect - thanks!

There's an (expensive) story there. In the interest of convenience and not being very clued up on bathroom furniture ranges, we visited Bathstore and ordered everything from them. Long story short - a lot of faffing happened and my other half started looking at other things - and discovered Lusso. Before we knew it, all we are getting from Bathstore is a shower and a tap..which is a shame because they were very helpful - until someone left, someone died and someone broke their ankle...! We're getting most stuff from Lusso and Bauhaus now.

So to be a bit more helpful, looking for thoughts on following on the shower first as that seems the most straight forward having looked at it. I have access to the rear of the stud wall (it's a column) and the sides of the studs on either side, so my thinking is that I can do all this 'from behind'. PLanning putting a 150mm dwang across screwed on either side to mount the valve (screwed rather than nailed to ensure no movement). I will mark and cut the holes on the tiled side first, fit the valve to the dwang and position in, then afix the dwang at the appropriate depth. I can then do the plumbing 'in situ' fro behind, test then fit the gyproc. For the connections, there are two 1/2" female and 3/4" females, so will these be appropriate to transition to 15mm (plastic) supply pipe work?http://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-male-taper-15mm-x/7866g Finally, for the run up to the shower head and the hand held, is there any reason I can't do plastic for these? Thank you kindly! Jamie

Sure - Lusso Mia shower set and tap. The instructions are fairly useless tbh! https://www.lussostone.com/taps-c3/basin-taps-c8/lusso-mia-series-wall-mounted-basin-mixer-tap-matte-black-p549 and the Mia Shower set.

Hi all, I've taken delivery of the taps and shower kit for out en-suite and now planning the install for this. Both the shower valve and the taps (double sink) are 'concealed'. Whilst I understand the principles of what I'm aiming to do, I've not managed to find any particularly helpful videos online - they all seem a bit generic of half hearted! So my ask is 1 can someone point me to a good video for this please! and 2 - looking for hints and tips to make this a bit easier. For this one, we are fitting to a 150mm stud wall. Thanks! Jamie

Doh! Getting ahead of myself!

Our pour!

Fingers crossed for you. When we were doing ours, the pump/concrete company said you are able to call it off if you call early enough (i.e before the first batch is made) if you know the weather is to be really bad. I hired a wet n dry vacuum cleaner for ours to sook up any moisture that had gathered on the DPM - probably a bit OTT but it took the condensation off it. Have you planned your control joints? I'll tell you this now to save you feeling down - the concrete will crack somewhere!

I would echo previous comments - if you get a nice flowing mix no poking should be required. Tamping should be enough. Get your laser level charged before you forget! Have you got your datum point/s set for measuring?

That's it all properly plastered and with the bead at the top. Really pleased with it, the other should arrive any day now.

I used TP600 from Dortech https://www.dortechdirect.co.uk/compriband.html - worked well and looks nice where you can see it.

Most companies are not really used to dealing with self builders like us - most companies they supply will be VAT registered so it's not a problem. The problem is that they think (from Grand Designs!) you can claim it all back - they are not familiar with the quirk that says supply+fit has to be zero rated upfront. Worst case, ask them to just invoice for the supply of 65m3 concrete and you'll be okay - albeit have to pay the VAT upfront. I'm assuming they will send you a pro-forma first which you can check before you pay - but then you lose the more formal commitment of doing the pumping and the supply together and the responsibility for the job being with them. Keep us posted!

That was one of the most... interesting.... points drawn out. If on an estate of 250 houses, 14 had foundation defects reported, NHBC would make no attempt to investigate if the issue affected any of the rest - they expect the LABC to do this. That was astonishing.

I'm the exact same! Seems a waste but BPC prefer to send out a bit more.