The Home Improvements Thread (2)

[ToxicBunny]

How do you know the minimum spacing between tiles, or doesn't it really matter? Want to use 3mm spacers as per the other tiles in the house.

I've previously seen it on the box - current lot doesn't have any indication.

Are they rectified porcelain or not?

 

[xrapidx]

Are they rectified porcelain or not?

Ceramic. Box is in italian - see it refers to 4mm... so going to try and find that.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Ceramic. Box is in italian - see it refers to 4mm... so going to try and find that.

Ahhh, Yeah I would try see if you can decode whats on the box and stick to that as an absolute minimum...

Also don't listen to the salespeople at the tile stores, they're clueless really. Had one idiot try tell me the minimum I could go was 8mm spacer with rectified porcelain tiles, even when the box clearly stated 2mm in English.

 

[xrapidx]

Ahhh, Yeah I would try see if you can decode whats on the box and stick to that as an absolute minimum...

Also don't listen to the salespeople at the tile stores, they're clueless really. Had one idiot try tell me the minimum I could go was 8mm spacer with rectified porcelain tiles, even when the box clearly stated 2mm in English.

Yeh - sent my wife with a list of what we needed. Told her nothing else, and if it doesn't say what I've given her on the invoice, to leave it.

Unfortunately, 4mm spacers seem rare - so probably going to have to go with 5mm, will chat to the tiler about 3mm.

Can't wait for this to be over, the last month seems very long If the tile installation goes well tomorrow, I can do the skirting boards on the weekend - then its only cosmetic things left (blinds and door).

 

[MidnightZA]

I've got two tanks next to each other, my current setup is like this:
Red is the pump, blue is 40mm white pvc pipe, valves at every connection.
View attachment 1043743

I need to put a side gate on that side of the house, and the pvc pipe is taking up what little walking space there is on the side. So I'm going to do this instead:
It will clean up the area and remove the tripping hazard.

Have you considered a 45 degree rotation? You can get a 45 degree elbow and a 45 degree Y piece and use the existing pipes

 

[Smokey mcpot]

View attachment 1044409

Have you considered a 45 degree rotation? You can get a 45 degree elbow and a 45 degree Y piece and use the existing pipes

I swear to you I did a diagram like this on a piece of paper while doing some work at a doctors practice yesterday. Definitely the route I would have tried

 

[SAguy]

View attachment 1044409

Have you considered a 45 degree rotation? You can get a 45 degree elbow and a 45 degree Y piece and use the existing pipes

I like this - didn't even think of it. Anyone got a moerse protractor that I can use to measure the angles?

 

[ElixirCoder]

I like this - didn't even think of it. Anyone got a moerse protractor that I can use to measure the angles?

cut a piece of board in the angle you need

 

[Smokey mcpot]

By yourself a y bend pipe

 

[SAguy]

I've just about given up plastering/sealing around my new braai. I've tried high head product that you mix in with cement and now high heat sealant. The high heat sealant has exposed what the real problem is. Excuse the mess, it's a mixture of cement and ash from test fires.



When the braai gets hot the hole thing pops forward by a couple of mm, so whatever is stuck to the sides of the braai then comes off the wall with it. It's not the heat so much as the movement of the braai.

It's probably because my builder screwed up the installation of the braai, which wouldn't be a surprise.

I think my best bet here is going to be to get a flat aluminium strip and stick it against the wall all around the face of the braai, but not touching the stainless steel of the braai itself.

 

[jdido87]

Where can I get kikuyu grass for a good price in Cape Town? I got a price for R38 per m², installed, from a farm but they have terrible communication. Haven't heard from them again after they supposed to send me the invoice. Would rather not do business with such people.

 

[jdido87]

I've just about given up plastering/sealing around my new braai. I've tried high head product that you mix in with cement and now high heat sealant. The high heat sealant has exposed what the real problem is. Excuse the mess, it's a mixture of cement and ash from test fires.

View attachment 1044983

When the braai gets hot the hole thing pops forward by a couple of mm, so whatever is stuck to the sides of the braai then comes off the wall with it. It's not the heat so much as the movement of the braai.

It's probably because my builder screwed up the installation of the braai, which wouldn't be a surprise.

I think my best bet here is going to be to get a flat aluminium strip and stick it against the wall all around the face of the braai, but not touching the stainless steel of the braai itself.

Why not just clad the wall around the braai?

 

[SAguy]

Why not just clad the wall around the braai?

Not the look we're going for unfortunately...

 

[jdido87]

Not the look we're going for unfortunately...

Did you try tile cement in there yet?

 

[riscbroker]

I've just about given up plastering/sealing around my new braai. I've tried high head product that you mix in with cement and now high heat sealant. The high heat sealant has exposed what the real problem is. Excuse the mess, it's a mixture of cement and ash from test fires.

View attachment 1044983

When the braai gets hot the hole thing pops forward by a couple of mm, so whatever is stuck to the sides of the braai then comes off the wall with it. It's not the heat so much as the movement of the braai.

It's probably because my builder screwed up the installation of the braai, which wouldn't be a surprise.

I think my best bet here is going to be to get a flat aluminium strip and stick it against the wall all around the face of the braai, but not touching the stainless steel of the braai itself.

Maybe consider an aluminium trim to cover most of the gap, then a high-temp silicone that will tolerate the movement of the braai. You could probably affix the aluminium with the same silicone.

 

[SAguy]

Maybe consider an aluminium trim to cover most of the gap, then a high-temp silicone that will tolerate the movement of the braai. You could probably affix the aluminium with the same silicone.

I think that's what I'm going to do yeah... Going to be the easiest and neatest.

 

[spiff]

anyone using this product?

Instant hedge

any comments or reviews?

thanks

 

[ElixirCoder]

anyone using this product?

Instant hedge

any comments or reviews?

thanks

why not plant the real thing?

 

[ToxicBunny]

I think that's what I'm going to do yeah... Going to be the easiest and neatest.

Yeah I would go with this, but it does sound like your builder didn't insulate your braai properly at all so you're always going to have issues with it

But see if you can get some decent brushed aluminium that is a close match to the braai, then it won't look too off. Hell even get creative with the "strip" and build some stuff in it to hold tongs and such as well possibly, or lights into the braai directly or RBG strobing LEDS to go proper porno

 

[SAguy]

Yeah I would go with this, but it does sound like your builder didn't insulate your braai properly at all so you're always going to have issues with it

But see if you can get some decent brushed aluminium that is a close match to the braai, then it won't look too off. Hell even get creative with the "strip" and build some stuff in it to hold tongs and such as well possibly, or lights into the braai directly or RBG strobing LEDS to go proper porno

The lights on either side of the braai counters are already able to strobe with the music... so I got the porno scene down .

This is my infamous builder we're talking about, so wouldn't be surprised if he messed it up somehow. Going to go have a look for some aluminum strips and see what I can find.