The Home Improvements Thread (2)

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WAslayer said:
Depending on the type.. if it's old school hardwood ones, very possible, if you pull at the exact position where the nails are..

If they are pine, you will have to be very gentle with them..
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If I have to guess I would say meranti, def not pine
 
RandomGeek said:
If I have to guess I would say meranti, def not pine
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We just had our skirtings removed to reinstall the floors because our builder has never heard of a level before... they went back on fine, but our painter is an old school painter who is good at filling and sanding
 
First braai in the new braai room... still tons of touch ups to do, a flooring disaster and potentially ripping up all the concrete slabs to redo the main sewerage lines... but fkit, for now I'm braaing.

WhatsApp Image 2020-12-27 at 20.00.48.jpeg
 
So our worst fears are true... We need to lift the vinyl planks again, also need to chop out about 30% of the concrete slab as well as the en suite bathroom in it's entirety.

The plumbing is a complete disaster, there is almost no fall in the plumbing from the granny flat to the drain...we got people out with a camera today to check. The sewerage is just sitting in the pipe... and the plumbing runs underneath the entire new build... meaning everything comes out. I don't know what that means where the pipe passes through (or over?) the foundation and through walls - but this is nothing short of a complete disaster.

Our budget is depleted and I know for sure the builder doesn't have any money either, as he was begging me to advance him money to pay his guys. The building was 95% done, barring a few issues - so I have almost no money of his held back.

This is probably going to end up in court... and small claims court maximum is R20k - and that will only be successful if he actually can come up with the money.

It's heartbreaking, you dream about doing renovations to your home... save for years and when you finally do it, this happens. The builder isn't yet aware of the plumbing situation, I've let him know that he must come see me.
 
SAguy said:
So our worst fears are true... We need to lift the vinyl planks again, also need to chop out about 30% of the concrete slab as well as the en suite bathroom in it's entirety.

The plumbing is a complete disaster, there is almost no fall in the plumbing from the granny flat to the drain...we got people out with a camera today to check. The sewerage is just sitting in the pipe... and the plumbing runs underneath the entire new build... meaning everything comes out. I don't know what that means where the pipe passes through (or over?) the foundation and through walls - but this is nothing short of a complete disaster.

Our budget is depleted and I know for sure the builder doesn't have any money either, as he was begging me to advance him money to pay his guys. The building was 95% done, barring a few issues - so I have almost no money of his held back.

This is probably going to end up in court... and small claims court maximum is R20k - and that will only be successful if he actually can come up with the money.

It's heartbreaking, you dream about doing renovations to your home... save for years and when you finally do it, this happens. The builder isn't yet aware of the plumbing situation, I've let him know that he must come see me.
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Where did you find the builder, was he recommended?
 
Sorry @SAguy . Will your home insurance not cover the cost of repairs?

The question I would ask, what happens if builders who are not certified (I guess there is a professional association they should belong to?) do work like SAGuys. Will insurance ever cover that?
 
InternetLuddite said:
Sorry @SAguy . Will your home insurance not cover the cost of repairs?

The question I would ask, what happens if builders who are not certified (I guess there is a professional association they should belong to?) do work like SAGuys. Will insurance ever cover that?
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Nope... This is not an insurance timing at all, and there is no real professional body for renovation type stuff.
 
SAguy said:
Was recommended by the architect, and called a few references and they were generally happy overall.
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Did your architect not specify the minimum falls? Is the part that runs under the building encased in concrete and a straight run only?
 
rodga said:
Did your architect not specify the minimum falls? Is the part that runs under the building encased in concrete and a straight run only?
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There's straight runs and bends under the floor slab. What's also concerning is that it runs through the foundation at some points, so not even sure how they fix that without causing structural integrity damage to the walls and foundation.
 
Your builder name doesn't start with a K?

Your story sounds like mine, but worse. They did the same with my island sink - had to chop up tiles to redo.
 
SAguy said:
Yip, given the way things were going. We just hoped there were some cosmetic issues to sort out... but this...
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Jeez that sucks man. Maybe investigate whether a sewage ejector pump can work for you?
 
xrapidx said:
Your builder name doesn't start with a K?

Your story sounds like mine, but worse. They did the same with my island sink - had to chop up tiles to redo.
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I'll post my builder's details once I've given him a fair chance to respond... but nope, not with a K
 
Anyone got a recommendation for a store in KZN (or online) that has good geyser blankets? I checked Takealot but that one looks thin and useless
 
Around my stainless steel built in braai is plaster and paint, what I've noticed now though is that on the front where the edge of the steel meets the plaster/paint it's bubbling. I assume this is because of heat.

Any way I can prevent this from happening?
 
SAguy said:
Around my stainless steel built in braai is plaster and paint, what I've noticed now though is that on the front where the edge of the steel meets the plaster/paint it's bubbling. I assume this is because of heat.

Any way I can prevent this from happening?
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Take some close ups, that doesn't sound right - the concrete around my braai stays relatively cool - and I braai hot on occasion (I've warped the bin over time)
 
xrapidx said:
Take some close ups, that doesn't sound right - the concrete around my braai stays relatively cool - and I braai hot on occasion (I've warped the bin over time)
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Maybe I'm making too big a fire on the side, had a decent fire in there recently - about 12 logs burning properly.
Will post a pic now
Edit: Braai and wall is all new... only used about 10 times now.
 
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