The Home Improvements Thread (2)

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This is sort of what I would imagine such a setup to look like (pardon the spartan MS Paint skills)

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InternetLuddite said:
Nice , thanks :)
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Don't thank me just yet, I'm sure my sketch has a few oversights and flaws :ROFL:

Just as I posted it I realised you would probably want a pressure regulator or relief valve after the booster pump, so as to not pop a washer or burst a pipe if the pressure is too high. If I end up going this route I would also like to install a water meter right after the municipal meter, with a function to alert me if there are any slow leaks or above-average usage which could be a precursor to an underground leak or some such.

Which reminds me, I am not even sure what municipal supply pressure ought to be. Around 900kpa max, IIRC?
 
CamiKaze said:
Is the Jojo tank filled with muni water only? Or rain as well?
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For the purposes let's say only municipal water. As I understand it the local muni's aren't too happy to have rain water piped into your home and require it to be treated and inspected annually (something something our profits)
 
HunterNW said:
Why a booster tank ? Water goes straight to the pump.
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This is why I am not a plumber - I would needlessly complicate matters :ROFL:

I'll take it out then - perhaps add a pressure relief valve to the sketch as well.

Sketch version 2 coming soon™
 
PhireSide said:
This is why I am not a plumber - I would needlessly complicate matters :ROFL:

I'll take it out then - perhaps add a pressure relief valve to the sketch as well.

Sketch version 2 coming soon™
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I'll try and remember to take a pic of my setup, but it's almost as your sketch.
 
I would add the tank to ensure that there is a constant supply. If the pressure is low then increasing the pressure might decrease volume... whereas the full tank ensures enough volume and you control the pressure. At the end of the day you don’t want your pump running dry either.

also I’d fit the pump with a pressure switch, that way there’s no need to switch on and off every time you need to use the water.
 
HunterNW said:
You normaly have a prv at your house inlet, that's where mine is connected.
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I didn't notice one on the place we put an offer in for, but I do note that our current place has one which is why my sketch has one - but others would probably already have one on their inlet(s) in most cases.
 
Smokey mcpot said:
I would add the tank to ensure that there is a constant supply. If the pressure is low then increasing the pressure might decrease volume... whereas the full tank ensures enough volume and you control the pressure. At the end of the day you don’t want your pump running dry either.

also I’d fit the pump with a pressure switch, that way there’s no need to switch on and off every time you need to use the water.
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I must do some calcs but if you had a full Jojo of say 5000l then the pressure should be enough, but also wise to rather make sure all your bases are covered especially if you run the chance of burning out the pump.

I will see what spec pumps are available. Ideally I'd want one to keep a pressure and just operate when the taps are opened and the municipal pressure is too low, but I will have a look and see what can be done in this regard. My folks have one like that on the farm, where it turns on when you open a tap and the standing pressure in the pipes drop.
 
My post was more aimed as a response to someone asking why the tank.

pressure switch is what turns on the pump when you open the taps.

I’ve done a setup like this where the tanks supplied 3 toilets and a washing machine. Did it about 3 years ago and it’s still working great.
 
As for the bricklayer question... a bricklayer gets up to R850 per day if he is very good. The average price for a decent one is around R550 though. Normally the bricklayer is good at plastering as well.

R950- R1200 per square for the wall sounds about right. I suggest paying someone to quote for the job as opposed to paying someone daily. A 2 week job can easily become 4 weeks when its daily rates involved.
 
Smokey mcpot said:
As for the bricklayer question... a bricklayer gets up to R850 per day if he is very good. The average price for a decent one is around R550 though. Normally the bricklayer is good at plastering as well.

R950- R1200 per square for the wall sounds about right. I suggest paying someone to quote for the job as opposed to paying someone daily. A 2 week job can easily become 4 weeks when its daily rates involved.
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Yeah they told me that the daily costs the same as the entire job. Obviously trying their luck.

I am going to SMS the dude later and tell him that R600 for brickie, and R350 for assistant is the most that I am going to offer on a daily rate.
Also, 10m long with a 1m high wall, with columns (1.8m high) should be done in one day.
I am using M140 blocks for this, so I don't see how this can take longer than 2 days max.

Sounds like a three man job? (2 brick layers and one assistant)
 
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Foundation? Assuming this is for the front of your house with fencing between the columns?
 
Foundation still needs to be placed but the trench is there.
 
Cool foundation on a day, let it cure nicely. Don’t believe the guys who want to start building on it the next day. I would leave for at least a week if possible.

wall can be done in a day, but go 2 days just to be safe. Especially with the columns, don’t go all the way in a day.
 
Reading some of the stuff online today, I'm really not looking forward to my minor renovations early next year - going through the latest two renovations I did and remembering what a nightmare it turns out to be, no matter how simple.
 
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