The Home Improvements Thread (3)

[kolaval]

Does anyone know if a pressure washer will be able to clean a braai grid without soap and scrubbing?

 

[deesef]

Does anyone know if a pressure washer will be able to clean a braai grid without soap and scrubbing?

Not really, unless you are feeding boiling water through...

You can't even pressure-wash a car properly without using a brush.

 

[W@P]

Not really, unless you are feeding boiling water through...

You can't even pressure-wash a car properly without using a brush.

This makes me cringe. It ' really isn't good to pressure wash a car so close to the paint.
Have a look at all the detailing videos. They use them with foam cannons and lances yes, but at a distance. I do the same.
It basically is just to wash off the soapy water post-wash and the grime with the pre-wash and wetting.

On a dirtbike, it's a different story.

But to answer the op's question. I would hit the grid with some degreaser and have at it and see what the outcome is.
Nom harm in trying.

 

[kolaval]

I'm replacing the hanging ceiling lamp with led downlights.
The wire from the db side is 2 black twisted together and 1 white.
But I don't know which is live and which is neutral?
Also it does not look like I need to do anything with the earth wire?

 

[gotaway]

From the DB there should only be earth, live and neutral.
From the switch there should be a live and a switched wire to the light.
From the light side there should be a neutral and the switched wire from the switch (and an earth to the fitting, depending on how old the house is)

Easier to split/extend the switched wire from the light to the led downlights

 

[kolaval]

Room done and downlights working.
So now my other rooms with the same but 1 year old downlights looks dim.
Are they just crap lights, is there any preferred brand that does not go dim?

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

So with the lack of rain in the early summer, my lawn died. Then with the abundance of rain recently, it grew like a bush.

Garden service finally came out today, but now I still have these dead spots all over.



Any suggestions on what I need to buy? I did try lawn dressing initially when it died out, but after all the rain it doesn't seem to have helped everywhere.

If I need to get lawn seeds then which one should I get? How do you apply them - spread the seeds and then more lawn dressing on top?

 

[acidrain]

So with the lack of rain in the early summer, my lawn died. Then with the abundance of rain recently, it grew like a bush.

Garden service finally came out today, but now I still have these dead spots all over.

{snip}

Any suggestions on what I need to buy? I did try lawn dressing initially when it died out, but after all the rain it doesn't seem to have helped everywhere...

I've been using chicken manure about once every 2 months. Grass seems to love it.

 

[Snyper564]

I wont lie, there was a minor leak - my fault I removed a tile which I thought was unnecessary - turns out not

But this one in particular was a bizarre storm I think we there and sealed but dont want insurance etc involved just yet the room is isolated on the side of the house so there is only soo many spots if it was the main house no chance,

Hope you get yours resolved too, leaking is a painful experience. This was only a cup in a major storm but one drop is one too many

saga sorta continues.

With the major rain in Gauteng of late leak has remained I did some more sealing of areas I thought would be the issue but cropped up again.

Got three companies out to check and only 1 likely identified the issue.

2 commented on transition redoing it etc.

3rd actually lifted tiles and found that the water is coming in from the ridge capping, Im aligned with this as I have sort of witnessed this in the major storms.

The house is about 30 odd years had it 10 and did zero roof maintenance barring painting, so tiles in that area will be sealed and roof ridge capping redone. Hoping this will all be sorted then

Also completed all the wiring for the new aircons today so we covered when the heatwave strikes again!

 

[Nickster]

I’ve been getting quotes to waterproof two balconies. One of them has a problem, but the other seems fine, though we want to fix both as a precaution. Together, they cover approximately 20 square meters. The seller didn’t disclose the issue, but I did a pre-home inspection, and they identified the problem. Based on their rough estimate for fixing it, we decided to go ahead with the purchase.

Now, I know there might be some recourse against the owner for non-disclosure, but I’ve been getting various quotes to repair both balconies. Each contractor has a different approach to the fix. Some quotes are in line with the initial estimate, but two are significantly higher. One quote is nearly 150k, and the other is 60k, while the rest range around 30k. The 150k quote includes removing the sliding doors and waterproofing from underneath, which seems extensive but is from a highly recommended contractor. The 30k quote, on the other hand, uses a torch-on method. I’m unsure whether torch-on is suitable for balconies and whether I should consider a more involved method like the one suggested by the higher quotes. Any advice on the best approach?

 

[spiff]

So with the lack of rain in the early summer, my lawn died. Then with the abundance of rain recently, it grew like a bush.

Garden service finally came out today, but now I still have these dead spots all over.

View attachment 1785883

Any suggestions on what I need to buy? I did try lawn dressing initially when it died out, but after all the rain it doesn't seem to have helped everywhere.

If I need to get lawn seeds then which one should I get? How do you apply them - spread the seeds and then more lawn dressing on top?

you need to keep it short - plus to dressing - that makes the lawn grow runners and soon those bare spots with be filled in.

 

[Steamy Tom]

I’ve been getting quotes to waterproof two balconies. One of them has a problem, but the other seems fine, though we want to fix both as a precaution. Together, they cover approximately 20 square meters. The seller didn’t disclose the issue, but I did a pre-home inspection, and they identified the problem. Based on their rough estimate for fixing it, we decided to go ahead with the purchase.

Now, I know there might be some recourse against the owner for non-disclosure, but I’ve been getting various quotes to repair both balconies. Each contractor has a different approach to the fix. Some quotes are in line with the initial estimate, but two are significantly higher. One quote is nearly 150k, and the other is 60k, while the rest range around 30k. The 150k quote includes removing the sliding doors and waterproofing from underneath, which seems extensive but is from a highly recommended contractor. The 30k quote, on the other hand, uses a torch-on method. I’m unsure whether torch-on is suitable for balconies and whether I should consider a more involved method like the one suggested by the higher quotes. Any advice on the best approach?

I know it isn't your direct question but if you did the inspection and knew about the issue and still decided to proceed then you have no recourse against the previous owner regardless if they did or didn't disclose.

 

[Tinuva]

If there is a voetatoots clause, good luck

 

[Nickster]

I know it isn't your direct question but if you did the inspection and knew about the issue and still decided to proceed then you have no recourse against the previous owner regardless if they did or didn't disclose.

Not super concerned on the recourse action per se. Hoping for recommendation on the two approaches to waterproofing for a balcony. Torch on v Liquid approach.

 

[xrapidx]

Not super concerned on the recourse action per se. Hoping for recommendation on the two approaches to waterproofing for a balcony. Torch on v Liquid approach.

Maybe post a picture for more clarity. I'm trying to figure out where torch on would work well on a balcony.

Unrelated, we're doing ecorubber on our roof next week, we went this route over torch-on.

We did torch-on before on the parapet walls - not a fan. (probably wasn't done properly)

 

[spiff]

Maybe post a picture for more clarity. I'm trying to figure out where torch on would work well on a balcony.

Unrelated, we're doing ecorubber on our roof next week, we went this route over torch-on.

We did torch-on before on the parapet walls - not a fan. (probably wasn't done properly)

I'm looking at the eco rubber for my main house roof - so please keep us informed

 

[xrapidx]

I'm looking at the eco rubber for my main house roof - so please keep us informed

Its costing just over R60k for 312m2, and comes with a 10 year warranty.

I'm really hoping its an end to my annual weekend on the roof waterproofing trip. I worked out how much it would have cost to do it myself - since the product only covers around 15m2/20L if I recall - and for what they're charging to do it - definitely worth getting it done.

----

I made the unfortunate discovery while on the roof with the EcoRubber guy that the flashing run on to my braai has completely rusted through underneath the torch on they did about 10 years ago - so now I'm having to replace a 7m section of roofing as well.

 

[Nickster]

Maybe post a picture for more clarity. I'm trying to figure out where torch on would work well on a balcony.

Unrelated, we're doing ecorubber on our roof next week, we went this route over torch-on.

We did torch-on before on the parapet walls - not a fan. (probably wasn't done properly)

Sure will do when I get home. This is my concern. Everything I have watched online seems to go with the liquid approach as opposed to torch on with a balcony, but these guys say torch on will work.

 

[WAslayer]

Sure will do when I get home. This is my concern. Everything I have watched online seems to go with the liquid approach as opposed to torch on with a balcony, but these guys say torch on will work.

Torch on will work for the waterproofing, the guys are not wrong there.. Keep in mind that they are concerned with waterproofing and not that you are wanting to tile afterwards..

I can only add that, if the torch on would ever lift off from the surface for whatever reason, your tiles are done for and you are back to leaking..

The liquid approach would, to my mind anyway, provide better adhesion to your existing surface and therefore provide a better surface for your tiles..

 

[spiff]

Its costing just over R60k for 312m2, and comes with a 10 year warranty.

I'm really hoping its an end to my annual weekend on the roof waterproofing trip. I worked out how much it would have cost to do it myself - since the product only covers around 15m2/20L if I recall - and for what they're charging to do it - definitely worth getting it done.

----

I made the unfortunate discovery while on the roof with the EcoRubber guy that the flashing run on to my braai has completely rusted through underneath the torch on they did about 10 years ago - so now I'm having to replace a 7m section of roofing as well.

The information I got was that you have to recoat after 10yrs?

Did your installer mention this to you