The Home Improvements Thread (2)

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SAguy said:
I'm in CPT and used easigrass - they may have installers elsewhere, but it's franchised I think - so quality of installation may differ.

My experience:
We've done two areas, our front yard about 70m2 and a smaller area of 30m2.
We have a large dog who made keeping grass hard, she didn't dig but she runs and plays like mad - not giving grass a chance to grow. Plus CPT = Water restrictions.

Our experience was very good, and we're very happy with the work done. Some installers install on a concrete slab and others on a prepared sand/soil substrate. Do not go with a concrete slab unless you really really must in my opinion.

Someone I know had theirs done a concrete and the issues are:
  • No drainage, so the grass just becomes a giant puddle of water.
  • Smells if you have a dog, nowhere for urine to go
  • If you decide to remove it at a later stage - lots of effort.
  • The guys aren't concrete slab experts, so you're going to have a bad slab laid down which is going to break up over time.
We used easigrass for both our grass sections, done at different times - but the team of guys were different. Luckily the better team did our front yard. Only difference is that the joins aren't visible at all in the front, and at the back you can see them a bit.

If you have a dog you'll need to spray down the grass with a cleaner of some sort (we use a dettol solution in a weed sprayer) - and then hose it down once a week. There are better dog urine deodorizers but it can be pricey to use all the time.

What we love about it is:
  • Much less maintenance (not NO maintenance though). You still need to pick up leaves and so on.
  • Much less dirt being walking into the house
  • Always looks good
Yes, there is nothing better than real grass - but time and effort...

Some other tips:
  • Limit the joins as far as reasonably possible, even if it means an extra buck or two. Within reason.
  • They lay a concrete barrier (about 30cm) around the edges to glue the grass down. Make sure they do this properly and make sure they don't make it too big. You won't have drainage on these edges. So if they throw all the leftover cement in one spot you're going to have no drainage there, I suspect this is what they did on one spot in my yard.
  • If you have very bad drainage right now, put in extra effort to remove more topsoil and put better draining topsoil in. Ours is pretty good though, no worse than normal grass except for one or two small spots
In general (and nothing to do with grass) what always helps though is being nice to the guys doing the work. Spending an extra R300 on some boerie rolls and drinks for the team is a small price to pay for some extra consideration and care on the job. Just my opinion though.
Click to expand...

side question, how much dettol are you using, imo it is toxic to some animals and can't be all that good seeping into ground water over long periods of time?
 
Nineteeneightysix said:
I replaced wooden window frame with aluminium. The most difficult part is getting the wooden frame out. Check out Swartland Windows and Doors on YouTube. They uploaded installation videos which helped me with the windows
Click to expand...
I have checked the video they have on installment of the door but, they install it in a cavity that looks purpose built for the purposes of the video and does not necessarily represent the real life scenario of replacing am existing door..

Also, considering that the door I am replacing faces wind and rain, I would prefer specific advice around the do's and don'ts to ensure water and wind proof installation, since this is the biggest issue with the existing door..
 
Anyone had a built in braai built recently.. Would love a referral.. In the process of getting quotes..
 
Steamy Tom said:
side question, how much dettol are you using, imo it is toxic to some animals and can't be all that good seeping into ground water over long periods of time?
Click to expand...

About 2 cap fulls in 5 liter of water in the pressure sprayer. Which lasts me for about 50m2.
It's not something I've considered though (the toxicity) will check it out and find something more eco friendly.
 
SAguy said:
I'm in CPT and used easigrass - they may have installers elsewhere, but it's franchised I think - so quality of installation may differ.

My experience:
We've done two areas, our front yard about 70m2 and a smaller area of 30m2.
We have a large dog who made keeping grass hard, she didn't dig but she runs and plays like mad - not giving grass a chance to grow. Plus CPT = Water restrictions.

Our experience was very good, and we're very happy with the work done. Some installers install on a concrete slab and others on a prepared sand/soil substrate. Do not go with a concrete slab unless you really really must in my opinion.

Someone I know had theirs done a concrete and the issues are:
  • No drainage, so the grass just becomes a giant puddle of water.
  • Smells if you have a dog, nowhere for urine to go
  • If you decide to remove it at a later stage - lots of effort.
  • The guys aren't concrete slab experts, so you're going to have a bad slab laid down which is going to break up over time.
We used easigrass for both our grass sections, done at different times - but the team of guys were different. Luckily the better team did our front yard. Only difference is that the joins aren't visible at all in the front, and at the back you can see them a bit.

If you have a dog you'll need to spray down the grass with a cleaner of some sort (we use a dettol solution in a weed sprayer) - and then hose it down once a week. There are better dog urine deodorizers but it can be pricey to use all the time.

What we love about it is:
  • Much less maintenance (not NO maintenance though). You still need to pick up leaves and so on.
  • Much less dirt being walking into the house
  • Always looks good
Yes, there is nothing better than real grass - but time and effort...

Some other tips:
  • Limit the joins as far as reasonably possible, even if it means an extra buck or two. Within reason.
  • They lay a concrete barrier (about 30cm) around the edges to glue the grass down. Make sure they do this properly and make sure they don't make it too big. You won't have drainage on these edges. So if they throw all the leftover cement in one spot you're going to have no drainage there, I suspect this is what they did on one spot in my yard.
  • If you have very bad drainage right now, put in extra effort to remove more topsoil and put better draining topsoil in. Ours is pretty good though, no worse than normal grass except for one or two small spots
In general (and nothing to do with grass) what always helps though is being nice to the guys doing the work. Spending an extra R300 on some boerie rolls and drinks for the team is a small price to pay for some extra consideration and care on the job. Just my opinion though.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for your in-depth reply. If you don't mind my asking. How much did it set you back? I plan to go for soil substrate for drainage purposes.
 
Hi, I used to have Alfred to brush and patch my thatched lapa, however, sadly he's no longer able to do this. Any recommendations out there of someone that can help? I normally supplied the material and paid for the labor.

It's in the Wonderboom, Pretoria North area.

Thanks
 
Well Easigrass is out for me - sent them an email asking for advice on product choice, etc - all I got was a quote with installation back.
 
xrapidx said:
Well Easigrass is out for me - sent them an email asking for advice on product choice, etc - all I got was a quote with installation back.
Click to expand...
That's odd, where you located? I did the same couple of months back and they sent a salesman to my place a few days later. He brought samples and we had a good chat.
 
SAguy said:
That's odd, where you located? I did the same couple of months back and they sent a salesman to my place a few days later. He brought samples and we had a good chat.
Click to expand...

Cape Town - Blouberg.

R8500 to do 9m2.
 
8-BALL said:
Try amt composites https://www.amtcomposites.co.za

I was able to get quick cast resin and alginate from them. Great guys to chat to. They have a ton of other resins and polymers too.

Pretty sure if they don't have what you are looking for thry could point you in the right direction.
Click to expand...

Thanks again for this referral.

Really are great guys and awesome service. Knew exactly which product I needed from my description to them and even linked me to similar project videos and How-To-Guides.

My order was delivered yesterday and I will see if I have the time this weekend to start my sample.

Have to pour the resin in 10mm layers so it will take me a couple of days to get to a complete cast which can then be refined, shaped and polished.
 
APoc184 said:
Thanks again for this referral.

Really are great guys and awesome service. Knew exactly which product I needed from my description to them and even linked me to similar project videos and How-To-Guides.

My order was delivered yesterday and I will see if I have the time this weekend to start my sample.

Have to pour the resin in 10mm layers so it will take me a couple of days to get to a complete cast which can then be refined, shaped and polished.
Click to expand...
That's awesome man, glad you came right.

Please share some pics when done. It's not a cheap thing to do but is pretty damn cool.
 
Any tips of fixing this? Tried sanding it down, and Hammerrite, but it came back - no moisture in the wall (tested)- but it is a bathroom door frame, and we're about 800m from the sea.
 

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