The Home Improvements Thread (2)

[Geoff.D]

I used core drills to make holes for ALL the new pipes installed when we renovated my daughter's kitchen. Makes for a very neat installation, with the hole placement precisely where needed, and even at an angle for the drain pipes. I used core drills available and a homemade jig to anchor the drill setup to the wall and hold it stable. Obviously, for larger diameters, a proper core drill would be better. You can get core drills easily up to about 60 mm in dia. Allow yourself 5-10 mm play if you are worried about having problems. We went for a very tight fit, and though it posed challenges, we were able to get away with it. The smaller the pipe diameter you are catering for, the less leeway you require. We even did the same with the tiling. Fine Diamond core drills were used to cut the tiles to exactly fit the pipes with 10 mm play in the diameter. most of the tiles were fitted before the fittings were installed as well and only one tile had to be split to allow installation.
Yes, I had to do that all myself. The professional tilers looked on in amazement and clearly could not be bothered because the work was finicky and required some very careful measurements.

 

[alqassam]

This thread is going to be busy

 

[prod]

I need to make a run to builders for supplies to keep me busy the next 21 days!

Speaking of, I bought a counter top as a table replacement for my home 'office'. Need some ideas for fixing legs on it...if I just go buy some pine at cut it into four 70cm long pieces, how can I effectively fix them onto the flat surface of the counter top?

Edit: Saw the builders close to me has some pine trestle: 500mm by 760mm. Looks perfect for the job:

Builders South Africa | Shop DIY, Paint and Building Materials Online

For all your DIY, paint and building materials needs, trust Builders to help you get it done. Buy online, collect in-store, we deliver.

www.builders.co.za

 

[WAslayer]

I need to make a run to builders for supplies to keep me busy the next 21 days!

Speaking of, I bought a counter top as a table replacement for my home 'office'. Need some ideas for fixing legs on it...if I just go buy some pine at cut it into four 70cm long pieces, how can I effectively fix them onto the flat surface of the counter top?

Edit: Saw the builders close to me has some pine trestle: 500mm by 760mm. Looks perfect for the job:

Builders South Africa | Shop DIY, Paint and Building Materials Online

For all your DIY, paint and building materials needs, trust Builders to help you get it done. Buy online, collect in-store, we deliver.

www.builders.co.za

You'll lose some space under the desk with the trestles.. the alternative is to use smallish shelf brackets, probably one on each side of the pine leg.. builders also sell flat 90 degree brackets which would work as well and I would go one on each side of the four legs to ensure rigidity..

 

[Mars]

I need to make a run to builders for supplies to keep me busy the next 21 days!

Speaking of, I bought a counter top as a table replacement for my home 'office'. Need some ideas for fixing legs on it...if I just go buy some pine at cut it into four 70cm long pieces, how can I effectively fix them onto the flat surface of the counter top?

Edit: Saw the builders close to me has some pine trestle: 500mm by 760mm. Looks perfect for the job:

Builders South Africa | Shop DIY, Paint and Building Materials Online

For all your DIY, paint and building materials needs, trust Builders to help you get it done. Buy online, collect in-store, we deliver.

www.builders.co.za

Go to Gelmar. They have an assortment of adjustable table legs. Even if you just get adjustable feet.

Otherwise how about just getting some brackets and fixing it to the wall and using legs in front?

Table Legs - Gelmar

Gelmar Handles and Kitchen Fittings.

www.gelmar.co.za

Office Legs - Gelmar

Gelmar Handles and Kitchen Fittings.

www.gelmar.co.za

 

[chickenbeef]

+1 for Gelmar, builders is a rip off for these kinds of things

 

[AlmightyBender]

Go to Gelmar. They have an assortment of adjustable table legs. Even if you just get adjustable feet.

Go to Gelmar. They have an assortment of adjustable table legs. Even if you just get adjustable feet.

Otherwise how about just getting some brackets and fixing it to the wall and using legs in front?

Table Legs - Gelmar

Gelmar Handles and Kitchen Fittings.

www.gelmar.co.za

Office Legs - Gelmar

Gelmar Handles and Kitchen Fittings.

www.gelmar.co.za

This

 

[WAslayer]

I always forget gelmar exists.. however, he would still need some way to fix the legs...

 

[prod]

Go to Gelmar. They have an assortment of adjustable table legs. Even if you just get adjustable feet.

Otherwise how about just getting some brackets and fixing it to the wall and using legs in front?

Table Legs - Gelmar

Gelmar Handles and Kitchen Fittings.

www.gelmar.co.za

Office Legs - Gelmar

Gelmar Handles and Kitchen Fittings.

www.gelmar.co.za

Thanks, never heard of Gelmar!

 

[xrapidx]

Well my shopping list is growing fast... need a **** ton of materials to keep myself busy over the next 21 days.

 

[thehuman]

Past weekend project
Paired with

Microinverter - Hoymiles - 1200W – Ellies Electronics

The common causes for loss in yield and efficiency such as shading, bird droppings and dirty panels are mitigated with the use of Hoymiles microinverters.

www.ellies.co.za

Working nice
2x Canadian solar 365
1 x jinko 320
2 x 150w in series

 

[Rocket-Boy]

You said R3k for the install fee?

Granted, you live in CPT so earn a stupid salary ... so if you factor in your time to do the install, I would say R3k is actually probably a bargain.

The other factor is how good a job you would be able to do, on the flipside you might be neater doing it yourself than a contractor!
Some jobs I will do myself just because I want it done neatly and done right first time, others I leave to the professionals.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Past weekend project
Paired with

Microinverter - Hoymiles - 1200W – Ellies Electronics

The common causes for loss in yield and efficiency such as shading, bird droppings and dirty panels are mitigated with the use of Hoymiles microinverters.

www.ellies.co.za

Working nice
2x Canadian solar 365
1 x jinko 320
2 x 150w in series View attachment 805565 View attachment 805569

What is the pricing on those microinverters like? I heard they are super expensive relative to a mid sized array.

 

[thehuman]

What is the pricing on those microinverters like? I heard they are super expensive relative to a mid sized array.

1.2kw about r4k
365w pannel cost about 1.8k ea x vat
Here 600w model

Inverters

Buy Inverters online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery. Voted the best online store in SA. View Here

www.geewiz.co.za

On a good day my old 620w solar pannels made 3.5kwh

 

[martin]

I've finished my third plumbing job with these Spazi plumbing kits last week and these things make me feel like a freaking plumbing rock-star. Zero leaks after the first leak test and still going strong (and honestly, they just look really neat and tidy). I've used two of these kits in our kitchen (prep bowl and double sink). Both have seen daily use these past three months with no leaks to date. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea but give them a shot if you're intimidated by plumbing and need to install a sink.

 

[xrapidx]

Beyond ****ed off with Builder's Warehouse - went and bought everything to install the booster pump.

I noticed all the pump boxes were open - asked the guy - and he said "customers do that" - got home, carried on preparing for the next three weeks.

At 17:20 - I decided to just check the pump, took it out the box and noticed the inlet was rusted and had plumbers tape in it - the outlet also had plumbers tape. Tried to move the fan blades - stuck.

Plugged it in - tripped the power immediately.

Then checked the "pump connection kit" - clearly well used, and wrapped in clear boxing tape.

Needless to say, made it back to Builder's in time for a refund, they initially wanted me to take another open box - but - refused. It was R2200 in total - can get it much cheaper after the lockdown.

 

[Steamy Tom]

I've finished my third plumbing job with these Spazi plumbing kits last week and these things make me feel like a freaking plumbing rock-star. Zero leaks after the first leak test and still going strong (and honestly, they just look really neat and tidy). I've used two of these kits in our kitchen (prep bowl and double sink). Both have seen daily use these past three months with no leaks to date. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea but give them a shot if you're intimidated by plumbing and need to install a sink.

they are ok and generally work well, but after time they tend to leak due to expansion and the rubber wear, i personally prefer pvc pipe, joints and glue.

 

[xrapidx]

So... Put in the filter sponges about three weeks ago, new cleaner on Friday... Awesome.. it's revealed how bad my pool was, any idea what the stains are, and what causes them?

I'm assuming it's the paint wearing off - and I'll need to repaint.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Yeah looks like the deterioration on the base, looks like marbelite. Another year or two and it's time to reline

 

[shaunbrookes]

Similar question to above on the pool stains. (mine just looks far worse). Moved into a new house last year, stains in the pool look awful, firstly what caused it? Secondly what are the options to fix it?