Alan Ambrose
Members-
Posts
3130 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
13
Everything posted by Alan Ambrose
-
The mother of all mat wells
Alan Ambrose replied to Tom's topic in General Self Build & DIY Discussion
Sounds a bit thin for SL compound. Check on the instructions? -
Short term fix needed. Any suggestions?
Alan Ambrose replied to TheMitchells's topic in Electrics - Other
Shouldn't need to change the CU I think, and can usually work either with the isolator between meter and CU (Octopus may likely have put one of these in), just switching the main CU switch and being careful, or pulling the DNO fuse as said. Last bit of electrical work I has done (on a landlords supply) the electrician worked with the 3P CU all live even though I told him I would rather he isolated it entirely and everyone would have to live without the passenger lift for an hour or two. -
Hello! And, err... our appeal was dismissed :-(
Alan Ambrose replied to garrymartin's topic in Planning Permission
>>> So today I've submitted a new Outline Planning Application Congrats on your persistence. Does this have different content to the first as I think, if not, it gives them an excuse to dismiss it straight away saying 'that's already been decided'? Worth waiting 'til the Labour amendments come through and/or gaining the attention of your MP? - I'm a big proponent of transparency and calling attention to stuff that isn't right. At some time the head of planning will need to interface with the MP and will probably be a bit embarrassed about this stuff - especially as the 'sustainable transport' policy is just a simple excuse not to build. -
Thermal bridge calculations?
Alan Ambrose replied to Alan Ambrose's topic in New House & Self Build Design
Thanks @Duncan62 I feel I'm making some progress but it seems a hard nut to crack. It appears that most paid-for FEA software is actually a nice user interface sitting on a public domain back end e.g. Nastran. All quite expensive considering it's 'required' for SAP, PHPP etc. As @Dan F says, standard details are available if that's what you have. -
Thermal bridge calculations?
Alan Ambrose replied to Alan Ambrose's topic in New House & Self Build Design
Ah the second thread should be: http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11107&page=1#Item_0 FYI I'm trying a simple case with Autodesk Fusion to see how/if that works. -
Thermal bridge calculations?
Alan Ambrose replied to Alan Ambrose's topic in New House & Self Build Design
Sounds neat - I can see that working as heat doesn't know or care whether it's going up or down or side-to-side . A couple of related threads here: https://aecb.net/forums/topic/psi-therm-software/ https://aecb.net/forums/topic/psi-therm-software/ The Therm video is fun - reminds me that some in the world still use BTU / ft^2 / degree F ! -
Architects initial drawing. Not sure it works?
Alan Ambrose replied to flanagaj's topic in New House & Self Build Design
I agree about the renders or even hand drawn. Most of us are superficial. Some of us (including planners and councillors) can't think in 3D. So, make it easy for everyone and produce the prettiest picture you can, in particular showing what it will look like from the street. So that you stand your best chance of getting it approved first time. -
Architects initial drawing. Not sure it works?
Alan Ambrose replied to flanagaj's topic in New House & Self Build Design
>>> no reason to keep building the same looking houses In fact those almost certainly were not great houses, at least judging by today's standards. So, every reason to change. -
Could ask Westco I guess - in principle they should know
-
Thermal bridge calculations?
Alan Ambrose replied to Alan Ambrose's topic in New House & Self Build Design
I wouldn't mind an 'exact' value i.e. some calculations rather than someone's guess. -
Stopping water seepage under summer house
Alan Ambrose replied to 83dons's topic in Garages & Workshops
Sound like you have concluded the design phase . -
Stopping water seepage under summer house
Alan Ambrose replied to 83dons's topic in Garages & Workshops
An electric stapler with stainless steel staples is an easy way. DPC is very thin so not sure you need sealant unless the planks are bumpy. The object isn't to keep 100% of the water out, 99.7% will do. Probably fix to the slab with CT1 or similar and tuck down the edge of the slab (or start by tucking it down first). I think for the bit near the door (or all around if you prefer) the thing to search for is 'tapered timber firring / tapered fillet / wedge strip / shim' etc. -
Stopping water seepage under summer house
Alan Ambrose replied to 83dons's topic in Garages & Workshops
No, I mean these - v cheap - just crease at the angle between wall and slab: https://www.screwfix.com/c/building-doors/damp-proof-courses/cat850234 Not sure what you make the shallow fall thing from, but I know they have shallow angle stuff for flat roofs. -
Short term fix needed. Any suggestions?
Alan Ambrose replied to TheMitchells's topic in Electrics - Other
Yeah, I think this is a problem with modern meters - they don't seem to support the old economy seven thing well or at all. I think I would get the electrician back to wire the off peak to the standard supply and install one or more timeswitches for the immersion and storage heater. That way you'll be future proof and you don't have to bang your head against the wall trying to get Octopus to retrace their steps. If they have OK internet, I might make those timeswitches Heatmiser ones and add a controller box so you can control them with a mobile app - but you may think that's a step/expense too far. -
Stopping water seepage under summer house
Alan Ambrose replied to 83dons's topic in Garages & Workshops
Maybe some DPC strip sealed to the concrete and up the sides of the timber for 6-9 inches? Maybe something under that to create a fall away from the shed. Does that french drain fill up when it rains? Know where it drains to? Is there some fall in the concrete outside the door? -
Looks a bit special. Dare to take off the caps (maybe noting position) to see what's under there? Says 'wetsco' - what's the other writing say on there? Can't see anything here, but I didn't spend much time looking: https://shop.westco.co.uk/ Best guess Google came up with was a baby manifold, but that doesn't make any sense as the dimensions of the two take-offs are different.
-
Experience of the 'Sika process' for basement waterproofing?
Alan Ambrose replied to Alan Ambrose's topic in Basements
Assuming you get their guarantee - I'm guessing Sika want to sign off the spec & drawings and have a person on site to verify? That's it? -
Hi, anyone have any experience of either (a) calculating thermal bridge psi values themselves or (b) having an inexpensive service calculate those for you?
-
D4 glue.. is this a structural glue? Be careful folks!
Alan Ambrose replied to Gus Potter's topic in Timber Frame
A couple of years ago, as a teenager 😗, I used to help my dad build wooden boats. Cascamite and (if memory serves) urea formaldehyde were the glues for anything serious - which most stuff was. -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235644027667 £9 for 25 (36p each) and SS
-
>>> the flue has failed Oh yeah, I remember. Guy tried this at my mothers flat which had been newly converted from an office building about 10 years ago. The conversion was pretty good, with an EPC B rating. All the flues were run internally which was fine at the time and to regs of the conversion. He was getting bolshy with a frail 88 year old. The deal is that the regs have changed (as said above) and you're now meant to be able to inspect flues from outside. Most regs are not retrospective. Told him to leave immediately and stop bothering her (I paraphrase). I would get a second opinion at least and/or get your own CO meter.
-
Well galvanised flat head torx (T20?) wood screws? This kind of thing? https://www.google.com/search?q=flat+head+torx+wood+screw+galvanised
