Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 If you had to build a new wall (the side of a new extension) out from a house that was a continuation in a straight line from the side wall of the house, how would you make sure that the wall was straight and perfectly aligned with the house’s side wall (which is also about 10m long). I am talking about alignment, so that when you look down the finished wall towards the house, the building line is completely straight along the house into the new wall. And what method would you use to do this if there was a 7’ shed in the way as in the picture. House wall in question is to right of shed door with waste pipe sticking out. New wall would come from right of shed door towards camera (the actual new and incorrectly laid blockwork is visible ). Waste pipe and gas pipes on this wall can be ignored as they were installed after new wall was laid incorrectly. Under these circumstances would you use a string line or laser line - can u describe how u would approach it ? And how difficult would it be to do this and what accuracy should I expect ? Should I expect a straight and perfectly aligned new wall ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canski Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 I would put a string line up 10 mm off the wall at the far end of the house above the shed in this case and pull it towards the front of the proposed wall and move it until it is 10 mm off the front of the house so it is parallel to the house and 10 mm off the face then I would plumb it down with a straight edge and spirit level and remember to mark it 10 mm back from the line. If the pipes etc. Foul the line then move it to 100 mm or any dimension you like off the face. As long as it is parallel the jobs a good un. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 I would first survey to see if the existing rear part of the house wall is in line with the main side wall or if that is skewed, that depends how accurately it was set out when built. If you can determine the existing rear section is true, you have something to build parallel too. Same string line as above can be used to measure if that is so. You need to build a stable, temporary timber frame just above shed height about where the extension will build out to, to secure the string line to and make your measurements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 Thanks Guys….. Canski - I have checked it that way, but I will move it away from the wall a little as you say. ProDave - thats what I thought, and amI have already checked that too. I paid extra for a measured survey of the house which shows the rear part in alignment too (also garden boundary wall is too ..Victorian builders !) So what accuracy should I expect ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canski Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 + / _ 5 mm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 +1 on the string (kiss) I am known for being OCD about things being accurate but don’t know what accuracy is acceptable but I would say it’s up to you to be happy with the outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 I have about 9-10cm maybe more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 13 minutes ago, Jimbo123 said: I have about 9-10cm maybe more. Eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canski Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 26 minutes ago, Jimbo123 said: I have about 9-10cm maybe more. Thats really not anything to brag about. Rip it up and start again. Schoolboy error. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 21 minutes ago, joe90 said: Eh? Wall is about 9-10 cm to left of where it should have ended if it was straight, after a length of 9.8 metres. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 I have found that sometimes it’s better to “look” straight/level/vertical than actually be straight etc (if that makes sense) and if there are any errors you can live with them and not beat yourself up over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 …….because if it was straight it would be over an inspection cover, and they would have to have moved it. The plans said they had to move it. Now I’ve got to prove that what they’ve done is wrong…….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 2 minutes ago, joe90 said: I have found that sometimes it’s better to “look” straight/level/vertical than actually be straight etc (if that makes sense) and if there are any errors you can live with them and not beat yourself up over it. This has been done by professional builders. I am a DIYer and I would have got it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 1 minute ago, Jimbo123 said: Now I’ve got to prove that what they’ve done is wrong…….. Not difficult if the plans show where it should be with the move of the inspection cover and that’s what you asked them to do 🤷♂️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canski Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 Could they not have linteled over the inspection cover ? It's not an ideal solution but if its only a few mm then it may be better than moving the IC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Jimbo123 said: This has been done by professional builders. That I doubt ! And you didn’t say that in your original post which is why we may have not understood quite what you meant. Edited April 30, 2023 by joe90 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 1 minute ago, Jimbo123 said: I am a DIYer and I would have got it right. That I agree with . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 9 minutes ago, Canski said: Could they not have linteled over the inspection cover ? It's not an ideal solution but if its only a few mm then it may be better than moving the IC The builder said about 3 weeks ago he would either move the IC or lintel over it ..’ so you will have a smaller Inspection Cover’. …now he claims the corner lays just outside the IC. It does because he built the wall that way but ALL measurements and the plans indicate its out by about 10cm inc my string line. He has even built the opposite wall (only about 3.5m long) wonky to the left too so he coild get two 90 deg angles. I know I have a fight on my hands ….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jimbo Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 You don't have a fight on your hands. You need to tell the builder to put it right. Remember you are paying. From our previous conversation what did the builder say when you pointed out that he had fxxxxd it up ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 Meeting the main man on Tuesday - he has been away for three days since I discovered the error. Usual thing, his builders agreed it may be out, then told him nothing was wrong. Yes he may put his hands up and be reasonable - he said if something was wrong he’d fix it. But he said also said on the phone that they’d done nothing wrong, they had 90deg angles (true but irrelevant) and it was an error with the plan ! If he agrees and puts his hands up I’d be surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo123 Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 I need to be sure of what I know and these responses have helped enormously thank you !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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