The Home Improvements Thread (3)

[WAslayer]

It's looking great (hoping what I see is skew stuff (like first draw under stove) is just error of parallex). I would recommend that you change your plug points while you at this stage. Get the CBI Astute Smart Plugs so you future ready (both new type plug + old one) or just get the new ones so it matches your new spiffy kitchen! My humble 2c

Edit: zooming in - they are not 100% aligned! also, another tip - hide the DB board by putting another cupboard over it - unless that is coming later ..

Countertop guys removed the drawer, still need to see what they did when they put it back, but clearly not done right..

Those are the new plug points, might change them in future to a smart version, but I am a ways off from starting with making the house smart.. still have a family bathroom to redo, front fence and driveway gate to replace, covered braai area to build, carport to replace, solar to install, redo the pool, repave backyard and pool area and repaint outside of the house.. smart things are low on the priority list, though it might get added when solar is installed..

 

[WAslayer]

What floor tiles did you use - colour and brand ?

Micasso light grey rustic cemento from tiletoria..

 

[TedLasso]

hide db board with cupboard?

Is that even legal?

Now that you mention it, I don't know. I mean at least mines has a cover (part of db so you can't see switches). Mines is in the worst place - middle of passage ( old 1970s house ).

 

[Snyper564]

Now that you mention it, I don't know. I mean at least mines has a cover (part of db so you can't see switches). Mines is in the worst place - middle of passage ( old 1970s house ).

Mine is just just off the kitchen in the dining room. Figuring out how to hide it will likely paint it...

But I think you cant just cover it in a cupboard

 

[SAguy]

Just pressure test the copper piping before closing them up, one of mine leaked and had to be redone
after painting and a wet spot formed.

Yeah, I had water coming out of an electrical socket

 

[SAguy]

I see to have a leak on one of my geyser outlet pipe fittings, looks to me like cobra pex pipe?
I'm no plumber, but wondering if I can't replace this fitting with a speedfit fitting?



Speedfit is foolproof if you do it right for a useless plumber like myself.
It's either that or pay a million to a plumber to mess around on one fitting.

 

[WAslayer]

I see to have a leak on one of my geyser outlet pipe fittings, looks to me like cobra pex pipe?
I'm no plumber, but wondering if I can't replace this fitting with a speedfit fitting?

View attachment 1739729

Speedfit is foolproof if you do it right for a useless plumber like myself.
It's either that or pay a million to a plumber to mess around on one fitting.

Yeah it's PEX.. haven't used speed fittings before, but the compression fittings are fine for amateurs too, just tighten till it doesn't leak..

 

[SAguy]

Yeah it's PEX.. haven't used speed fittings before, but the compression fittings are fine for amateurs too, just tighten till it doesn't leak..

I'll grab some and test it out on some scrap pipe on my irrigation pump to do a decent pressure test

Thanks, didn't know they were called compression fittings

 

[Steamy Tom]

I see to have a leak on one of my geyser outlet pipe fittings, looks to me like cobra pex pipe?
I'm no plumber, but wondering if I can't replace this fitting with a speedfit fitting?

View attachment 1739729

Speedfit is foolproof if you do it right for a useless plumber like myself.
It's either that or pay a million to a plumber to mess around on one fitting.

if the leak is there on the fitting and it isn't visually damaged just give it a snug first before you do anything.

I would replace with compression fittings like it has, the challenge you might have is if there is no slack you gonna have a small issue because once the olive has been crushed you need to cut the end off to make a new connection

 

[Snyper564]

Rounding the last bend!

Kitchen install takes place next week Monday 22 July.

Last tiles selected for Kitchen

Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Wall Tile 200 x 200mm

Transform your space with our exclusive Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Tile 200 x 200mm. Invest in luxury and elevate your home with this exquisite option. Shop now!

www.italtile.co.za

Artistic Blanco Matt Glazed Ceramic Wall Tile 75 x 300mm

Transform your space with our luxurious Artistic Blanco Matt Glazed Ceramic Wall Tile. Invest in exclusive, timeless elegance for a stunning finish. Click now!

www.italtile.co.za

 

[Snyper564]

Rounding the last bend!

Kitchen install takes place next week Monday 22 July.

Last tiles selected for Kitchen

Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Wall Tile 200 x 200mm

Transform your space with our exclusive Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Tile 200 x 200mm. Invest in luxury and elevate your home with this exquisite option. Shop now!

www.italtile.co.za

Artistic Blanco Matt Glazed Ceramic Wall Tile 75 x 300mm

Transform your space with our luxurious Artistic Blanco Matt Glazed Ceramic Wall Tile. Invest in exclusive, timeless elegance for a stunning finish. Click now!

www.italtile.co.za

View attachment 1740179

Lighting should be completed today, Tiling should also be completed for the floor.

Kitchen installer "planner" is out today to check progress and confirm all in order.

ALMOST THERE!

 

[Steamy Tom]

So a bit of a random one, I am considering getting a borehole installed, the guy is going to use a PVC casing.

Has anyone had it done like this? any issues I should outright be wary of or is it an absolute no no?

for reference we hopefully expect to get water around 50m, so as boreholes go it shouldn't be massively deep.

 

[Snyper564]

So a bit of a random one, I am considering getting a borehole installed, the guy is going to use a PVC casing.

Has anyone had it done like this? any issues I should outright be wary of or is it an absolute no no?

for reference we hopefully expect to get water around 50m, so as boreholes go it shouldn't be massively deep.

just a note - did you get it approved? some areas you need serious approvals or it can be removed.

 

[Steamy Tom]

just a note - did you get it approved? some areas you need serious approvals or it can be removed.

I honestly never even thought about that to be honest, I will need to go do some research

 

[Snyper564]

I honestly never even thought about that to be honest, I will need to go do some research

please do I know in our area its a massive no no without approval. also dont think along the lines of apologiz later etc.

Im busy with renovations fixing previous owners non-approved issues...

R10k on lapa already
R20k on plumbing...

Neighbor had the prior owner build a double story on a servitude which might need to be knocked down if not approved.

 

[WAslayer]

So a bit of a random one, I am considering getting a borehole installed, the guy is going to use a PVC casing.

Has anyone had it done like this? any issues I should outright be wary of or is it an absolute no no?

for reference we hopefully expect to get water around 50m, so as boreholes go it shouldn't be massively deep.

I haven't personally done it, but it seems to be a thing in the US, even in areas with a frost layer in winter..

I can't think of any specific issues you might run into though.. just make sure they are not whacking a PVC gutter down pipe in there and they are using a proper thick walled PVC.. think they use schedule 40, as it's referred to in the US, as a minimum..

The benefit of course is, you don't sit with worries of the casing rusting over time and contaminating your water and requiring replacement..

 

[Snyper564]

Lighting should be completed today, Tiling should also be completed for the floor.

Kitchen installer "planner" is out today to check progress and confirm all in order.

ALMOST THERE!

Kitchen planner signed off.

Install should start Monday end Wednesday then onto the last tiling of the backsplash painting etc!

 

[TedLasso]

Domestic quarters done.

18k original quote. 22k final invoice

His quote did not include tiling around the room (only shower and floor), so that was extra work and money. Also no painting. Asked him to explain the logic of his original quote , where only shower and floor was to be tiled. Did he expect the walls to remain like that considering the new toilet and vanity unit didn't fit exactly over everything. Ended up paying for bathroom paint but no labour

Tested the shower today. Fscking little pool of water that remains - doesn't slope towards drain. He is gonna be happy to hear that. Especially as he got his dedicated tiler to do that work. Wondering if I should let it slide or get him to fix it.

We have never used this room in all the years we lived here. Now may use it now and then just because we can.

 

[Snyper564]

Domestic quarters done.

18k original quote. 22k final invoice

His quote did not include tiling around the room (only shower and floor), so that was extra work and money. Also no painting. Asked him to explain the logic of his original quote , where only shower and floor was to be tiled. Did he expect the walls to remain like that considering the new toilet and vanity unit didn't fit exactly over everything. Ended up paying for bathroom paint but no labour

Tested the shower today. Fscking little pool of water that remains - doesn't slope towards drain. He is gonna be happy to hear that. Especially as he got his dedicated tiler to do that work. Wondering if I should let it slide or get him to fix it.

We have never used this room in all the years we lived here. Now may use it now and then just because we can. View attachment 1741627

always tricky with things like that, I have a daily snag list of things to make perfect - if it doesnt drain properly raise it with them - looks good tho!

 

[kolaval]

View attachment 1740179

That multicolored one reminds me of the one we used in the shower: