The Home Improvements Thread (2)

[WAslayer]

Yip, I've been in contact with 3 different contractors to fit a new gate motor - all of them just don't follow through.

Clearly these contractors are all so rich they don't actually need the work.

Try Henry at Global Automation, if you have not contacted them yet..

He fitted my motor and was on the ball with it all..

 

[TedLasso]

Thanks for the reply. I'll go the Hunter way, without wifi. As long as i can programme each zone to do as i want, i'm happy.
80% chance of rain and it didn't turn on - DID it rain though ?

On that day no ... but every weather service said we were getting rain. As far as I see it, I saved some water that day

 

[SAguy]

Try Henry at Global Automation, if you have not contacted them yet..

He fitted my motor and was on the ball with it all..

Thanks man, just actually spoke to Magnador - they do fitment as well and I've used them dozens of times, so may just go with them.

 

[SaucePlz]

Yip, I've been in contact with 3 different contractors to fit a new gate motor - all of them just don't follow through.

Clearly these contractors are all so rich they don't actually need the work.

Apologies if one of the 3 was the guy I recommended.

 

[garyc]

I am looking at painting a flat concrete roof with a bituminous aluminium (silver reflective) paint. This is to keep the house cooler in summer. Before I start I want to ask if anyone knows of newer and better types of paint for this job.

 

[xrapidx]

Yip, I've been in contact with 3 different contractors to fit a new gate motor - all of them just don't follow through.

Clearly these contractors are all so rich they don't actually need the work.

See it as a blessing, imagine their after-sales service.

When I was planning the office renovations in Feb/March- requesting quotes for UV protection on the sliding doors, the one company responded with a quote well into May... by that time I'd done the entire renovation.

 

[howardb]

I am looking at painting a flat concrete roof with a bituminous aluminium (silver reflective) paint. This is to keep the house cooler in summer. Before I start I want to ask if anyone knows of newer and better types of paint for this job.

Not that I'm aware of. We had our flat roof house re-bitumen'd 20-odd years ago by MultiDex and its still going strong.

Two coats of Plascon aluminium silver paint every 3 years, after cleaning with a Karcher and let dry, and it'll stay good for years; can't comment for other paint brands though, but they should be similar and as effective.

Just do it properly and re-seal any areas that look like they're lifting or cracking on the joins; I use that Abe bitumen in the tin for such - let set for a few sunny days, then paint to seal.

 

[garyc]

Not that I'm aware of. We had our flat roof house re-bitumen'd 20-odd years ago by MultiDex and its still going strong.

Two coats of Plascon aluminium silver paint every 3 years, after cleaning with a Karcher and let dry, and it'll stay good for years; can't comment for other paint brands though, but they should be similar and as effective.

Just do it properly and re-seal any areas that look like they're lifting or cracking on the joins; I use that Abe bitumen in the tin for such - let set for a few sunny days, then paint to seal.

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I will be picking up a tin on Friday.

The roof has just had some bitumen sealant applied, so this should finish it off nicely.

 

[purple face]

View attachment 1147284
View attachment 1147286
Progress. Soon I’ll start my landscaping work, can’t wait. Was hoping to have been done by now but yeah, cape winters and contractors….

wow that's amazing in which country is this house?

 

[SaucePlz]

wow that's amazing in which country is this house?

The spikes on the wall in the second pic might be a hint

 

[ElixirCoder]

wow that's amazing in which country is this house?

Country of Cape Town

 

[surface]

View attachment 1147284
View attachment 1147286
Progress. Soon I’ll start my landscaping work, can’t wait. Was hoping to have been done by now but yeah, cape winters and contractors….

That looks great. What are the dimensions? 10 x 4 ?

 

[surface]

Yip, I've been in contact with 3 different contractors to fit a new gate motor - all of them just don't follow through.

Clearly these contractors are all so rich they don't actually need the work.

This has been my experience as well. I sometimes think it is intentional. They don't want to appear as needy etc in case you want to bargain ?

Many of the established handymen, plumbers & electricians are quite well off as per my personal experience. Especially the ones that charge 300 rand just as visit fees.

p.s. I am not doubting their expertise or charges and aware that they can probably get one job per day (rare though - they usually plan better to bundle 2-3 customers within area)

 

[maxxis]

Yip, I've been in contact with 3 different contractors to fit a new gate motor - all of them just don't follow through.

Clearly these contractors are all so rich they don't actually need the work.

Jhb/Pta?

 

[ElixirCoder]

That looks great. What are the dimensions? 10 x 4 ?

The pool? It’s now 9x4 was 8.5x4

 

[The_Mowgs]

The pool? It’s now 9x4 was 8.5x4

If you dont mind me asking, how much was it to redo the pool surface?

 

[ElixirCoder]

If you dont mind me asking, how much was it to redo the pool surface?

The resurface was 41k using vinylester as the pool is heated. It would have been about R10k cheaper if I went with normal polyester resin. With the additional work, expanding and adding a step as well as all new fittings and pipes it came in just shy of R60k

 

[WAslayer]

Calling all the pool experts...

Have an above ground pool and thanks to my dog, who chewed the included pump to pieces, the sides and bottom have been taken over by algae.. The water itself is clear and not green..

So, am I going to have to cough up 2k to the municipality to fill it again after draining and cleaning or is there a cheaper alternative to getting rid of the algae completely..?

 

[MidnightZA]

Calling all the pool experts...

Have an above ground pool and thanks to my dog, who chewed the included pump to pieces, the sides and bottom have been taken over by algae.. The water itself is clear and not green..

So, am I going to have to cough up 2k to the municipality to fill it again after draining and cleaning or is there a cheaper alternative to getting rid of the algae completely..?

My father used to use this when we had a pool back in the days

https://activator-d.co.za/

 

[ElixirCoder]

Calling all the pool experts...

Have an above ground pool and thanks to my dog, who chewed the included pump to pieces, the sides and bottom have been taken over by algae.. The water itself is clear and not green..

So, am I going to have to cough up 2k to the municipality to fill it again after draining and cleaning or is there a cheaper alternative to getting rid of the algae completely..?

Get to work with a pool brush and then treat the pool based on the murkiness/water color/ph