ToughButterCup

MVHR first fit already in place. As I write this post the large slider is open, and both suicide doors upstairs are on tilt. There's no apparent draft, (but there is one I'm sure). And I'm sure that as I get (even) older, I'll feel that more. Just about to have a shower in the wet room : window wide open, door shut - yes there's a draft under the door . Floor dries itself in a few minutes. My point is that there's an obvious advantage to the application of MVHR systems. But the cost - for us i.e. not in general - is effectively double what it is for many ; that is those people who need to use MVHR because of local characteristics. The accident of not being able to afford MVHR (yet) has been an excellent opportunity to see how the house performs WITHOUT MVHR. And I'm saying that in our case, the house performs very well without it. So I'm hinting that others might like consider delaying the second-fit of their MVHR system until they see how their house performs without it. In recognition of @SteamyTea's consistent reference to data-based and evidence - based design, I've now got a couple of years of temperature and RH data. (Using 5 Sensor Push data recorders) . Time to have a look at that data soon, I suspect.

Is the argument that MVHR is for allergy sufferers? I accept that our situation - countryside, sheltered - is not universal. And that MVHR is a good idea. But after the great privilege of living in a Passivhaus (nearly) WITHOUT MVHR for two years I now realise - given that we will use it for 5 months a year - that MVHR is a very much costlier item than I thought. Now, if I could rent an MVHR system for the Final Inspection and hand it back afterwards, I would.

When you've built to near passivhaus standard, and for 6 months of the year your 2.5meter ' picture' window is almost always wide open: why fit MVHR? Hot June: window wide - yes it was a bit warm but who cares? Wet July, window in the wind shadow, so always open. September storms - yes its shut. When its cold but still, and there's bright bright sunshine, its open. So no point in using the MVHR. Put the oven on and the window gets opened. Christmas and the kids around - wide open. Whassa point if the MVHR is going to be off half a year? Even when its cold the two bedroom windows (the suicide doors on the first floor) are put on tilt,the heat from the two of us is sufficient to warm the room a good deal. There's no draft (or if there is its not noticeable) Yes I have to fit it. If I just drill trickle vents in the windows, @craig will cry. But, on the basis of living in the house a couple of years without it, I'm not as much of a fan of MVHR as I once was. It'll be the last thing we fit : second hand if I can get it. Grrrrr.

Its just a pipe laid to a radon sump under the middle of the sitting room floor, about 500mm below my feet as I write (below FFL). Rainwater? Hmmm, hadn't thought of that. Christ I have to give it wee bonnet as well now ? Jesus. The BR spec says it has to be vented above ground. I suppose I ought to dig down now - while I still can without too much bad language - shorten the pipe and bring it to the surface just behind (inside) the brick edging. Oh Lord ... rats ... how to prevent ingress?

After forgetting it was there, and starting to lay the path around the outside of the house, I rediscover our radon outlet. I feel like ignoring it, but I suppose I'd better cover it with a rodding eye cover hadn't I? Or can I just ignore it and just lay the path over the top of it. She Who Must Be Obeyed suggests we just put a large plant pot there. You decide, please would you? I'm just too knackered and frankly I can't be ar@ed.

It feels as if two people in the decision chain made one or more mistakes each. It happens. Fit a door.

Chris Roberts Independent technical consultant and expert witness in the Clean Energy Industry. Solar, Battery Storage, EV, Heat Pumps (downloaded 20/08/2023) No, Mr Roberts, that isn't the case. Evidence? This email to me on application for an Export Tariff with Octopus for a non-MCS instal

Who is 'they' ?

Here's their reply to me yesterday ....

You appear to have a claim against the Architectural Designer - not an architect. Do you have written evidence of the instruction to produce Building Regulations Compliant drawings? If so then yes, on the face of it, you may well have a claim. What's the point of the claim? Have you suffered a material loss? I ask because you - yet - haven't mentioned how you have suffered a loss because of the non-compliant drawings. The construction has been signed off. How are you suffering a loss? Please bear in mind we are not legal experts here. Just hard-bitten, interested, supportive amateurs. To verify whether you may have a claim please consult a legal professional.

This is how it's gone for me @JohnMo One small step for Octopus - feels like they haven't thought this through yet.

Ours is fixed to the wall.. . It's good, not Rat Proof, but good all the same.

None of those (a good few) who beat the stuffing out of me ever threatened to do so. Looking back, often, I deserved it.

Remember with affection the desensitisation of our sheepdog ....

The clue might well be in the name - BIG -Jimbo ?

Moin ! Moin! Wilkommen.....

Yes. The question you might consider asking is : how probable is it that condensation is the culprit. Have you considered that you might have two problems ? A leak and condensation problems. I thought our 'leak' (more like a weep) was caused by the rats frolicking in our insulation. The weep seemed to coincide with the location that the rats entered the roof space. Rats problem fixed - to the extent that they ever can be considered 'fixed'. But still a very occasional weep. Take today for example - very heavy rain for several hours - no water ingress at all. And there hasn't been for a while (i.e. for a few storms) now. Nulok tiles can be taken off very quickly and replaced just as fast. So it's up on the scaff , a quick gander, and nothing - not a drop. Debbie reminded me that it leaks when there's BOTH a strong easterly and heavy rain: fairly rare here. So I need to look for two things - rat penetration on the east face and a path for the water to flow. My point? There are two factors at work. Try this stuff. Water tracing dye . Here's a playlist to help you decide. I've lost mine - off to Screwies for another tub.

Welcome. As requested by others above, an image or two would help. as would a sectional plan - if you've one available. If not, just photos will help us a good deal.

OK. Was the damp evident during the dry month, or did the damp patch first occur during a wet period?

Ugh... My sincere sympathy..... In June, was the damp evident? If that is the case then, because June was so hot, it might hint at a leak rather than condensation. I accept that it's a rather shaky theory but it's a starting point for thinking

Delays need never be wasted. They're an opportunity to plan in more detail than you think you'll need ....

Get a plan. A really detailed plan.

The micropoltics of a build are much more complex and extensive than I thought they would be. I'm the first to admit that I know just enough to be dangerous to myself and others . But sometimes, just sometimes I've had enough. Today is one of those days

It's interesting - you virtually never hear that question on BH (zero results on a BH search) . There are many variants of the same question - and I'm sure we've heard many of them. But my God I'm sick of people asking that question : the conversation usually runs something like this [random example] " I see you aren't using a nailer to fix you cladding: Hell of a lot of work screwing all those (apologies 'them') screws in innit". or "What, yer ducting the foul drain through the house and out under the floor ... why dintcha jus' purrit straight out the 'ouse and down 'n side?" or (this is a good one) "You aint sanding the (plastered) walls before painting - be 'ell of a mess if ya dunt" I've realised that my answers vary by the degree of irritation I feel - and probably by how tired I feel Pleasant : " Thats an interesting thing to to say - tell me what you mean.... " An attempt at humour [on the cladding job]: "Here's the screwdriver, and there's a loada screws: just follow the chalk-line - two per plank, please" Annoyed: "Because I'm not you " Really annoyed " Wanna a job - cos if you do, you'll do the job as I want it done" P!ss off please " You the expert then? " And - equally tart - I'll get a cheery (or sneery) " Well, good luck with that then " in return. Serves me right: I should learn to keep my mouth shut. Leave them wondering what I think. Choose your battles, says Debbie. Right as ever.

Welcome. You can do a lot worse than waste time reading BH ; cock-ups galore, tears aplenty, sleepless nights common. But the pay-back : it's in direct proportion to the amount of challenge. Good luck. Ian