joe90

(It’s wot I have used in the past)

Mortar consistency is a major thing fir good block/brick laying (so I learnt from my brilliant builder). He left the mix in the machine for quite some time to get air into the mix and added some lime to make it “light”. Admix of some sort helps make a good consistency. Best of luck ?

I did ask before, have you found out if you have legal cover with your house insurance/mortgage???

I made oak cills for my conservatory with an oak nosing held on with biscuits, works very well.

No, as a retired builder who did lots of this work in the past I know from experience that it’s important for the customer to say exactly what’s required. No I would not have done it like that but I have a reputation for being a tad OCD. Customers used to laugh at my quotes because they read like “war and peace” because I had been bitten on the arse over assumptions I made about the customers requirements in the past.

This is the problem with expecting trades to “know” what you want if you have not specified exactly what you want. When I used to do bathrooms I mocked up everything and got the customer to ok it before I fitted anything .

Now I know why i moved 125 miles away ?.

I would want to confirm if the planners or your consultant came up with the duff info?, if your consultant then he should get this re heard (at his expense). If the planners then find out what course to redress their cockup. Don’t be afraid to go to appeal, I did, by myself, and won. In my case the council kept coming up with duff info that I easily proved wrong. We won hands down and the council was told off for not following their own guidelines!!!!

Which is why a sprung plunge router is safer as the blade retracts on removal from the workpiece.

Actually I do have a bog, well, very sodden ground with all this clay, perhaps I will cultivate it rather than drain it ?‍♂️ I did dig a pond which works well.

So am I, I don’t see why planners cannot pass a replacement (as long as it fits with current planning policy) my planner told me to build small and extend afterwards which is mad (and I told her so)

Oh don’t I know that , with my fight I ended up at appeal and they (IMO) are a lot more agreeable than b^^^^y planners ?‍♂️

As you have not even got your founds dug yet, have been given duff info about lintels, and your architect is (IMO) giving you duff info why not go back to 200mm cavity and have what YOU want. I hope others here give their opinion but don’t give up on your dreams!!!

on what grounds??

I used 7n concrete, great fir hanging plasma TVs, kitchen cupboards etc (which you will find difficult with dot and dab). I do understand the argument of using aerated blocks fir added insulation but I had a 200mm cavity full filled with rockwall insulation.

Just to add, I employed a decorator as I hate painting ?, he commented that my house had less snagging than any other he had done recently and a lot of those were dot and dab. I am sure if dot and dab is done correctly it’s ok, but I hate it, I like solid walls. If you are sourcing the trades find a plasterer that also does render which is basically what the first coat is ?

The only reason I can see cracks appearing is if airated blocks are used (I dislike them a lot) my longest walls are 10m long, no movement joints or bed reinforcement and in the whole house only two minuscule cracks have appeared after 2 years. The only movement joint I have come across was an extension I did years ago and the architect asked for it in case of differential settlement to the new foundations. If your house cracks it’s because the foundations are moving or not built properly. Small cracks are expected as a house dries out, timber shrinks etc. A good plasterer worth his salt will do a good job but so many nowadays can only skim plasterboard.

Just found this on the BBC science page, surprising.....https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-56450965

cutting through the vine about 12inches above the ground and treating the freshly cut vine with glyphosate weed-killer, this will kill the ivy,

No he has not, a party wall must straddle the boundary and your wall does not straddle the boundary. Time to engage a solicitor, I think I asked before, do you have legal insurance with your house insurance? Frankly it’s your only option (apart from demolishing the wall).

Thing is you need to sort it now not in x years time when you want to build an extension, he would then say he was not challenged at the time he built his.

Also if the DHW temp is lower, the heat loss from the cylinder is lower.

Yes!

Welcome, I am in west devon. Insulation insulation insulation, you only buy it once and it works forever, fuel (whatever it is) always goes up in price and payable forever ?. Yes do lots of research, I changed my mind many times about how I wanted my build. Don’t be afraid of asking questions , loads of knowledge here (and practical stuff, not salesmen!!!). Some said I was OCD about my build but it’s exactly how I wanted it. Best of luck?

So is “your garden wall” to the left of that line?, if so it’s your wall definitely and you need to decide how best to go about challenging your neighbour, as it’s a civil matter solicitors will need to be involved (unless you go round and beat him up ?).