Ferdinand

Could be a good call. The install was done properly, as it was the second batch I had done. The main issue I think was students not cleaning drains which meant more splashing than in a domestic setting. I need to go to some hotels to see what they are doing now. Thanks.

Havign had a telecon with my property manager, it looks as though we will need to replace 2 showers in the 6-bed house. I think I need to source a commercial grade shower panel product all made from plastic for greater resilience, perhaps something used in hotels or an home-feel institutional setting. It needs to have a domestic feel to it, since that is the design objective for our student houses. Does anyone have any suggestions and ideally experience for a suitable product? Thanks Ferdinand

I've posted this because it is a panelled shower which has been in for a decade and is going mushy at the bottom edge of the panels, so may be useful for others in the future. Approx. 1" of panel is damp through in this particular shower, which is the worst of 2 in a student house. There is also a crack in the shower tray. This is a shower for a cluster flat for 3 student bedrooms, and was installed around 2011-12. I *think* it is Multipanel, but am not totally certain. Multipanel is a 11mm marine ply core, I think. The back of my envelope tells me that, with 50 week student contracts, this shower has had between about 10k and 20k student showers in it, without obviously any excessive care being taken. Is that a lifetime for Multipanel? I Don't think I can complain about that lifetime. Suggests a domestic lifetime of 25-30 years, perhaps, for well maintained Multipanel, which to me is acceptable. Piccie below: Comment from the lettings agent: The red line is where the crack is. The blue part is where the boards are spongey and are wet. What do you think? To me this is perhaps a temp repair to the crack using some goo, and a full replacement next time it is empty for a day or two, using an all plastic panel this time. Ferdinand

That won't bring much money in up front, and without PP in place and locked in (ie started) it will be very tricky. (Update: unless you find a dreamer. On another platform I was hearing of a long-term option purchase by a developer of a house with land when the lady died, and the pesky old lady lived into her 90s and he died first. Which is a bit like giving a tablet to a horse with a blow pipe. *) @harry_angel Can you cobble together various revenue streams and loans - tax-free lodgers etc. It will be a jigsaw to get to 150k, though. If you get to three lodgers, it is an HMO. But 2 could do towards 20k a year. F * The horse always blows first.

Can you go for an equity release project "for my retirement", then back out of it in a few years?

Does one of our experts know whether Solar PV panels generate electricity for the house during a power cut? AFAICS there are a few relevant issues: 1 - Grid connected panels are presumably auto-disconnected to avoid feeding power to the staff doing repairs. 2 - Is this different depending on whether it is a grid-connected setup or a self-done standalone? I expect it depends on what is disconnected and how. Any comments are most welcome. Ferdinand

It's important to understand how the sound propagates, and what it is that you need to address most - which should form part of your Statement of Requirements.. Some will come through the wall, and other will come through the structure. Stairs creaking or water pipes water-piping, for example, is a very different thing to them practising the trombone. The place to start is to list what the issues are, and which are most important to you. And the consult with someone who knows. And there are also some types of noise that you may not mitigate easily without moving to a detached, or perhaps a differently built semi. Other people will be along shortly. It may be worth, once you have got your thoughts in order, a conversation with Building Control. One of their people may be willing to give you a few minutes and a few pointers. F

Sometimes accessed through a solicitor, I think. Do you have something like a life policy or potential pension lump sum you can secure it against? Life companies used to offer low interest loans secured against such. Can your pension provider loan you against the future lump sum? Do they still? I once had one from Standard Life. Personal loans are currently around 3% up to 30k. Is that enough to help? Or you could get PP to build in your garden ?. (Runs away at high speed.)

Quite a few on BH do have them, I believe. One inexpensive option is a cylindrical container on the wall or floor, and to have a traditional "spike" inside it. Or as stated, just put it behind a spray curtain. F

Get a shattaf, and save the trees.

I've just had a call from a Tenant who has a new suspected rathole from the lean-to running under the house. Presumably driven in by the weather. I may need some rat poison, and I definitely want a trail cam to set up. Can anyone recommend either? I do have a rat man coming in for a short course of visits from early next week, but I need to be on the ball PDQ. I may end up putting a concrete floor in. Grr. Thanks Ferdinand

By that last photo the bead is for the wooden floor. If you want one, the neatest fix I can see is to replace the bead with a larger bead say 7-8mm bigger to cover both the edge of the carpet and any damage you do carefully taking the old one off. Attach the new one with a bead of silicone, having painted it first if required, and it will then be removable with a knife next time. You will need something to hold it in place briefly whilst the silicone sets.

You need to plan carefully. Your demise could be sudden. If Vlad or Emmanuel (Pint-Size Putin) would lend me one of those hypersponic missiles...

Was there a gap under that beading, which (I assume) was there first? If not, how is he supposed to get it underneath? (Not criticizing, enquiring.) F

I was being a little lazy. Thanks for pointing that out.

Surely it would be BCO that would check?

You were too open. Should have perhaps left it as one big room (either bed/office or loung/office), and added in a stud wall later after the build had been signed off.

I need several keyed-alike Eurolock barrels in several different front/back dimensions. Can anyone recommened a supplier? Thanks Ferdinand

I think Posh is more expensive than that. Ask David B.

I believe planning is expected to be "Cost Recovery", not 'generate excess". The potential beneficeries will be the recipients for S106 and CIL monies, perhaps. Though they may get extra staff, if the HoP wins the budget war.

Checked the performance. PIR more insulating, better fire performance. PUR more moisture tolerant. I love "polyol". Shall use it as a nickname for the next time I meet 2 Olivers together.

What's the difference between PUR and PIR, please? Link is fine. Thanks.

Former field hedges are protected, but that only really works in fairly rural areas, or on green sites. The housing estate on our former family land has a condition to preserve ancient hedges, which has happened.

Build a fence down the middle, either unilaterally or jointly.

Unless they have sufficient flexibility built into their process which, given they often offer options, seems logical to me. To op: careful planning may have some value here, or can you use an option such as turning a doubles into quadruples later (depending on rules for extension wiring)?