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ToughButterCup

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  1. ToughButterCup
    Our window fitters left the site without having fitted the Compriband sealing tape. Today they returned to fettle our door (sticky lock mechanism) and , so I thought, to fit the Compriband. They explained that the Durisol surface was too rough for the Compriband to adhere to - and would therefore not act as an efficient seal; so they hadn't fitted it. The day they were fitted, nobody said anything to me about it. This YT video makes me wonder whether the information I have been given this morning is quite as comprehensive as one should expect. Here's a representative example for how the job has been finished ..... The Durisol is indeed rough. The senior fitter says that we need to make sure that the reveal is a lot smoother before the Compriband will adhere to it. Presumably all I need to do is lay on a smoothe parge coat on the window reveal - or is there another easier quicker way of doing it? Clearly, I need to trim back the expanded foam before I coat the reveal with something. Another instance where simple communication has failed. it would have been easier if they had told me either at the pre-fitting meeting or on the days that the windows were fitted or during the week I have waited for them to return - and I should have asked why the Compriband was not being fitted. That said I'm super-pleased with the windows and doors themselves: Gaulhofer. There's just one niggle. It'll be sooooo easy to lock ourselves out. The doors lock automatically when shut.
  2. ToughButterCup
    Good point @MikeSharp01: 2.5 meters would bury me standing up with some to spare.
  3. ToughButterCup
    Right folks. Thanks. I'm looking forward to the job now. Time to grease my nipples (there's at least ten on my Kubo.... )
  4. ToughButterCup
    Need to think that through in detail..... There's a concrete-it-in kit you can get I think. The one thing that's sure is that the water table will rise. And for all the world the poo tank could have come straight out of the harbour master's stock of Starboard Markers couldn't it? It'll act just like a buoy if I don't get this right. Blade on the hole side? Wot, me, make a mistake like that? Well I did once; just the once. Oh, and I'll need a water bowser then wun oi?
  5. ToughButterCup
    Yer a star Russel. Piling matt? Yeah, with a 16 tonner. Oh, bliss, sheer bliss - proportional controls, a full-on sound system, pedal track controls, steel tracks ? Why am I worried? Because the more experienced I get, the more cautious I get but the more ambitious I get. Partly deliberately delayed 'til now because the water table will be as low as it ever gets this week, (I hope)
  6. ToughButterCup
    Well, actually, I have been avoiding it. Doing a Big Time @Onoff. Procrastinating a treat. This needs to go in the green space next to it. I have the guidance on how to do it. Here There's a couple of things that are making me eat too much chocolate today. The empty weight is only 125 kg: an easy job for my digger - But will the arm have the reach? The hole only needs to be 2.25 meters deep - But the sides of the hole won't be vertical so will the arm have the reach (to dig out the middle of the hole)? Which all comes down to do I hire a 5 tonner ? (Mines 2.6 tonnes) Where's Ed Graves ( @Construction Channel ) when you need him?
  7. ToughButterCup
    I started to try and be that person. Soon got it knocked out of me.
  8. ToughButterCup
    Don't you find that effort on someone's part is the most engaging thing? We had a delivery driver who - with me - had to handball several tonnes of blocks off his lorry. (His pallet truck went u/s) " 'S awright mate , 's a bit of chance to work me beer-belly off " I made sure I rang the the company and asked for the MD, and told him how pleased I was. Top bloke. But humble.
  9. ToughButterCup
    That's not nice. Someone ought to let them know. Poor luvvies.
  10. ToughButterCup
    That is almost the core of our endeavours. (The core is the emotional decision to start in the first place) Theres talk everywhere of encouraging Life Long Learning. And what's self building about if not constant learning? In the school of hard knocks and oh sheeeet moments. This thread is yet another of those. There's good news embedded in all this. The more often we cope - even partly successfully - with difficult episodes, the better we get at dealing with them (research evidence provided if you PM me). The main factor in encouraging success is a good supportive but straight talking network of what is known in the trade as Critical Friends. The art is in choosing your supportive Critical Friend. Both parties need to agree to act as such. (More) Anyone know of a place where we might start looking for a few Critical Friends ?
  11. ToughButterCup
    Clive, it's Friday. you've had a long week. Pub tonight?
  12. ToughButterCup
    If you aren't interested in FIT (as we also aren't) then the question of return is about self consumption. I haven't gone into the economics of that as deeply as many here. I just think it's a good thing to do . Yes: scorched by the heat of my own worthiness. ? I am and Debbie is about to retire. We are therefore much more likely to consume our own electricity . We intend to make sure that, as far as possible, we schedule consumption during the times when we are producing. That might mean - for example - making sure we can switch household appliances on remotely. Not sure how to do that yet, but we'll get there. And a SunAmp of course. Quite excited about it really.
  13. ToughButterCup
    What , in your bathroom? Easy? Go on then, show us. ?
  14. ToughButterCup
    Evidence? Evidence? Forgive me, has something upset you? You're sounding a bit out of sorts.....
  15. ToughButterCup
    Right then, what have we got so far? be careful about talking to contractors take notes try and formalise the agreement maybe write it down accept that self-building is a set of steep learning curves ask for advice on BH before hand take a little time to do some research before diving into 'it' the power of a recommendation disposal off site for materials requires a paper trail (Household Duty of Care) check waste carriers license 08708506506 consider on site crushing Self building is bumpy : straighten-up and fly right despite the turbulence be present at the build if you can and finally, Dont bother engaging @jack as a bodyguard.
  16. ToughButterCup
    There's ample evidence-based and experience-based advice on this thread.
  17. ToughButterCup
    Bang on. I often wonder about the extent to which problematic site-based issues are a proxy for other hidden agendas. Something as simple as tiredness can make for unwise emphasis. And the sheer grind of self-building saps every last ounce of energy out of us. There's nothing more engaging and healing than a smile and a bit of kindness - coupled with simple plain speaking. But that takes more courage than I have sometimes. As for unknown unknowns: thats what BH is for innit?
  18. ToughButterCup
    Yes. Caveat Emptor.
  19. ToughButterCup
    Good post F. Nudged me into looking it up in SPONS Here's the relevant entry
  20. ToughButterCup
    That's regrettably my conclusion too. Had to do it twice so far, and another one bubbling away quietly on the back burner.
  21. ToughButterCup
    Ah cud tell thee sum stories abart they , 'appen. Raght load a Dell Boys.
  22. ToughButterCup
    Someone recently posted about the need for care when drafting a response on BH. ( @newhome, maybe ? ) She was absolutely right. I doubt if anyone of us intentionally shames anyone. And then there's another factor: how we are feeling when we read those possibly hastily drafted responses. Mix the two, add a dash of sleeplessness, throw in some normal family-based stress, and you have the makings of a really hard day ahead. The issue that provides the cream on this particular cake is a sector-widespread inability to communicate well. I am only just now beginning to realise just how much more I need to focus on asking , prodding, cajoling, bitching, insisting on an answer. How much more I need to imagine my way through a process and ask basic questions. All a contractor has to do to ' ... win... ' is say nothing. Be incommunicado. Don't answer the phone. Which is it, you ask. CDM 2015 places the responsibility for professional behaviour on the contractor. But that bit of legislation can't be a substitute for trying to create a good working relationship.
  23. ToughButterCup
    To bloody right @Dudda I'm going to have to put a good deal more mental energy into working out how this flat roof is going to be made to work. It's a nightmare (but not as much so as @Onoff's bathroom) Well at least nobody has accused me of overthinking this one.
  24. ToughButterCup
    Not just me then. Bit of a relief really.
  25. ToughButterCup
    Precisely @Onoff. There's no single method. Hence me asking the question on BH. The video shows my preferred option: squirt it on. I've got some sticky expanding foam: it works for PIR to OSB, but I'm not sure about PIR to PIR, so I'm going to try it out later this afternoon. Maybe I should use thermally broken screws for the first layer (150ml) and then foam for the second layer. The specification says foil lined PIR. If that's the case, and I need two layers, doesn't it make sense to have single sided PIR ? (Is there such a thing?) So that the insulation can be laid foil-outwards on the top and bottom sheets. I had no idea such a simple thing, isn't.
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