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saveasteading

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Everything posted by saveasteading

  1. saveasteading
    For your opinion, which I read with interest and espect. We have fitted a 5kW Woodburner. It is currently being used to burn offcuts from the stud wall construction. Not for tidiness but to warm the place for the workers' comfort and to keep out the damp. Good or bad?
  2. saveasteading
    I have bought a pack of stump killer for a hawthorn that refused to give in. Then it gave in, without trearment, so that has worked. Jeyes fluid is stated to do it. The blue colour looks lethal. Maybe it is diesel with added blue. Just googled it. Easy to find stump killer.
  3. saveasteading
    Area. The size for 5kW came to something like 67mm dia, and the same website quoted the coin thing. Hence there seem to be kits at 80mm.
  4. saveasteading
    You can kill a stump. Drill holes into it and pour in what is clearly called 'stump killer'. If it was all accessible you could spray the shoots a couple of times a year until it gives up.
  5. saveasteading
    I found a website that gave the formula, but I can't find it again. From memory it is 80mm dia for a 5kW stove with totally external air. Or the size of a 50p coin per kW. It must be a very approximate estimate though, as it will depend on the length and any bends in the pipe. Most kits are of corrugated pipe, further restricting flow, so a bigger diameter like 100mm would be sensible. We put ours in before the floor slab, so used 110 dia drain pipe, then a smaller connection to the stove.
  6. saveasteading
    There may well be planning conditions applying to a property or an area, forbidding conversion of a garage, or at least requiring approval. This would be because the garage is one of a required number of parking spaces, approved with the original permission. ie if the garage is not available for parking, where does the car go? Plus, an extra room potentially requires another vehicle.
  7. saveasteading
    They are used to line basements that are damp, and similar for the rear of retaining walls, to divert water to the base. If the stonework is well done then you are looking at dampness and not liquid, running water. However there are scenarios that could cause issues. More info would help. What purpose, location and structure of the wall. I have never used such a product, but i t is easy to google. I think newton is a well known brand.
  8. saveasteading
    He has. See link currently 18 hours ago
  9. saveasteading
    I'm not in a position to look into this at present, but they are easy enough to source. You have to consider where any water can go after it runs down the face. Can you drain the bottom?
  10. saveasteading
    Is there meant to be an attachment? Many would be interested if you have a blank one, ie no names or location.
  11. saveasteading
    Grey on metal has always been very stable for us. I'm sure it fades slightly but it does so evenly. Putting these mentioned grey colours side by side, especially in shade, there isn't a huge difference. On big panels it is very clear. I agree. Choose the colour you want.
  12. saveasteading
    For general info. I recall one project where the local authority desperately needed us to make a project viable. (Tenders well over budget). Their qs was insistent on a highly altered contract that was otherwise industry standard. Every change of course favoured their client, insofar as they even knew why it was altered. So I said that we needed to charge for an expert analysis and probably for the increased risk, and there would be a delay. They gave way and the contract was unaltered. School got the sports hall and the 35% saving. The benefit of proper "design and build". These contracts are intended to be 'fair and equitable' so any change will alter the risk.
  13. saveasteading
    Can we see it? Sounds good. We used to use a 4 page document for very big projects. Clients liked that it was 1. Free. 2 easy to understand. But lawyers and qs reps of bigger companies prefer more words.
  14. saveasteading
    Keeps its colour better though. 15 years ago I had trouble getting this colour, which had many names, but I insisted. So the popularity may be my fault. Although as a sprayed colour on pvc it turned a lovely lilac. I agree that the windows should match the existing for some continuity.
  15. saveasteading
    Or cow muck, which filters through. Our ground is pure sand which drains at 17 seconds/mm Except in the covered barn area where there was zero percolation. After 300mm of excavating manure and sand mix, it is clean again. Sheep's feet also make ground impenetrable by puddling clay, just as canals were lined.
  16. saveasteading
    warranty - what should I expect/aim for? None. A builder who has a dependable warranty will charge a lot. Common law covers it in theory. Either pay 50% more for a bigger company, or learn up and check build quality as you go. Do make sure the insurance is valid and relevant. Get a copy if it and read the small print. it needs to be for a surprisingly high level of cover.. someone else may know the going rate.
  17. saveasteading
    You pay it. Assuming you have mains the use is a tiny cost. Nothing will spoil relations more than you charging.. Anyway, if you tell the builder you will charge for it, then he will rightly add it to his quotation as a job cost.
  18. saveasteading
    I was very surprised when Nordan said we choose our own straps then showed us some metal offcut from who knows what. What size, how many, what screws, would be better to be specified, or at least suggested.
  19. saveasteading
    Never say never. Most of my commercial experience is with steel buildings, so the screw through the frame is simple and very effective. With an ali frame, and glazed on site this is quick and tidy, with the screws hidden.
  20. saveasteading
    You can also have a system of running contracts, all written by you. Eg an email saying, dear Dave*, as agreed today, please construct the footings and blockwork up to dpc and backfill. Includes all labour, plant and materials, and details to the drawing I gave you today. To begin on monday and be completed within 2 weeks. Payment in full of £x within a week of completion. There are many gaps in this but it covers enough to prevent a major dispute. * what is the ubiquitous name for builders these days? Stefan perhaps.
  21. saveasteading
    Correct. I had this clarified. Assume naked, standing in a puddle and not too bright ( or careless , to quote last week's special word.) I can't see any bco allowing any relaxation. But in a utility or kitchen, no problem. Wet hand onto light switch is low risk...maybe a warning tingle and a spark before the cutout trips.
  22. saveasteading
    As AndyS. If you dabble at being clever with the wording then it gives lawyers a lot to argue about. A simple exchange of what you want and what the builder is to do is worthwhile. In very plain English and short sentences. And how payment will be made. I went to a construction talk on contracts where the lawyer said his most constructive work was in setting up contracts, and the most profitable was in arguing clauses meant when surveyors had altered clauses in standard contracts. Moral, use a standard contract or just write your own summary. If you email it to the builder and they start work then that is your contract, signed or not, for better or worse.
  23. saveasteading
    If you have garden space it would be a shame to throw away good topsoil. Pile up the top 100mm or so of your site strip, and the grass and roots will die and rot in a few weeks.. You then have valuable soil* to spread on the flower beds, or fill pots or build raised beds. The mini digger mentioned will do that in 2 hours, and can immediately carry on to footings. * 11m3 which you would buy in for at least £500, or pay as much to take away. Look you have saved £1,000.
  24. saveasteading
    Don't assume that the builder or electrician understand all or any if this. I have employed many who may be good at installation, may be qualified to sign it off, but don't know much theory. And I have met some who know how to connect a socket, and have a source of certificates. There are plenty of good ones too. Ask them to explain what 3 phase is. (More power is the wrong answer) Ask them to explain how a 2 way switch doesn't short. Ask them to explain diversity....actually this one might do on its own.
  25. saveasteading
    Yes, tool hire companies are mostly hiring heavy duty stuff to the industry. 110V is the norm. I would always buy a transformer and cabling, as it is about 6 weeks hire cost. When it gets damaged of stolen, you'd be amazed what hire companies say it costs to replace.
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