The Home Improvements Thread (3)

[Bikerbob]

Can try https://fixafloorsa.co.za/

 

[The_MAC]

@The_MAC how did you remove the grout from just those areas? And how's it holding up after regrouting?

I scraped it out with a screw-driver/grout-remover, as much as I could, then sucked out all the debris and dust with a vacuum cleaner. It is by no means the correct "fix", but I would say 80% of the new grout remained in-tact.

It was only about 5m of running-length worth of grout, so not a massive area

 

[xrapidx]

If my current cowl is 350x400 at the chimney opening - what size cowl would I need to replace it? I see they all square 300x300, 350x350, 400x400.

 

[W@P]

Ok I want to ask some opinions. I have one rental unit empty at the moment. Need to fix it up and sell it. Interiors wise there is not much to it. Replacing the electric Defy stove and oven with a Bosch gas stove and electric oven. And paint the walls and ceilings. Just basic stuff.

Outside I have this space that has seen fscken better days. All exterior walls/cracks etc. will be fixed/painted.
Now what do I do with this space? The grass is fscked. Do I lay down new instant lawn and call it a day? Or maybe do some improvements/upgrades without breaking the bank.

It is clear that the last tenants did fokol yard maintenance while they were there.
The big thorn tree in the corner I suspect is giving too much shade for the grass in that area. Also you can see how the lawn /soil washed away on the dripline of the roof. Maybe gooi a strip of rocks on that dripline as a rock garden feature type thing.

I donno any ideas are welcome. My goal is to sell it, quick. I will be installing a 2450L water backup tank with pump and changing the stove to a new gas one like mentioned to make it more appealing to a prospective buyer.

What else would you change to enhance/upgrade the place?

For reference, I paid R950k I think for the place in 2010, it was about a year old at the time. Corner stand.
Double garage attached to house, 3 beds, 2 bath, built in braai area and all the rest. Stand is about 480 squares and the house about 190sq/m iirc.

I bought the one next to it that was built to the same spec almost excact same design in 2014, furnished, for R1.2bar.
Looking to price the unit at about R1.3-R1.4 bar. Am I out of touch with reality?

 

[maumau]

@W@P Is this in JHB? What's the front like?

 

[W@P]

@W@P Is this in JHB? What's the front like?

No not in JHB. Small town.

Heres some sh1tty pics. Garage doors will also be treated.
Honestly I feel ashamed to post these pics. Tenants feel fokkol for your place.

 

[W@P]

The newly built matchbox 2 bedroom units go for R1.2bar around here.

 

[Pho3nix]

Anyone have an idea how to remove a stuck GU10 bulb? Seem to be the smooth ones with no grooevs so struggling to remove them.

Even considering breaking the glass and pulling it that way. Any tips or tricks?

 

[howardb]

Anyone have an idea how to remove a stuck GU10 bulb? Seem to be the smooth ones with no grooevs so struggling to remove them.

Even considering breaking the glass and pulling it that way. Any tips or tricks?

If you don't have a rubber tricky-dicky, try wrapping a few turns of sticky tape around your 4 fingers (together) with the sticky side facing outward, push any side onto the bulb face and turn it counter clockwise.

Or if you have some 50mm duct tape, cut a length of about 130mm, and join it in a loop with the sticky side facing outward - press onto the bulb face and twist counter clockwise.

 

[Pho3nix]

If you don't have a rubber tricky-dicky, try wrapping a few turns of sticky tape around your 4 fingers (together) with the sticky side facing outward, push any side onto the bulb face and turn it counter clockwise.

Or if you have some 50mm duct tape, cut a length of about 130mm, and join it in a loop with the sticky side facing outward - press onto the bulb face and twist counter clockwise.

Dankie. Will try this later tonight

 

[spiff]

want to upgrade my front porch with some decking.

area is relativley small 8m x 2m so I might just DIY

any sugestions for wood / plastic / composite?

 

[WAslayer]

want to upgrade my front porch with some decking.

area is relativley small 8m x 2m so I might just DIY

any sugestions for wood / plastic / composite?

Go composite..

 

[spiff]

Go composite..

seems the best way to go. some installers give 25yrs.

 

[xrapidx]

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

Was completed a few weeks back - quite happy with the results - now we wait for the rain.

The section in red had rusted through and had to be completely replaced.

I've still got to replace the gutters, and also fix up some rust underneath around the roofing edges... not sure how much I'll still get to this year.







\

 

[Supervan II]

Swartland, door and window manufacturer does supply window beading.. you are going to have to speak to the right people at builders/bright etc to get them to special order for you from Swartland or try contacting Swartland yourself and let them know that you are getting the run around from every one who sells their products..

Wispeco or Anso Aluminium

 

[spiff]

Was completed a few weeks back - quite happy with the results - now we wait for the rain.

The section in red had rusted through and had to be completely replaced.

I've still got to replace the gutters, and also fix up some rust underneath around the roofing edges... not sure how much I'll still get to this year.

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looks great. I must get my ass into gear and get it done before the winter rains

 

[Mosgi]

Just never ends...

So this section is likely going to fall off over the next few days. It's Nutec board, plastered to match the walls. This section being slightly raised over the rest of the wall is effectively unsupported. Had asked the plasterers when they were here 2 weeks ago to do a controlled demo, their view was it was strong enough and just to fill the crack

Underneath it's a steel frame structure into which the board is screwed. I'm guessing it's the screws/fixings that's failing.

Any ideas on an alternative that won't come off like this. Thinking perhaps the wood textured board, painted white. Much lighter than with plaster. Other alternatives (although I don't know where to find it ) a metal vent grill going all around.

A little while later...

Ended using a Wendy house maker. His finishes do leave a little to be desired. That edge is a tribute to a 90s R&B band.

Will resolve that when we have the next project going live.

It was a fair bit of work, but while he was here negotiated for him to repair & recon two and remove two other Wendy houses.

 

[Steamy Tom]

A little while later...

Ended using a Wendy house maker. His finishes do leave a little to be desired. That edge is a tribute to a 90s R&B band.

Will resolve that when we have the next project going live.

It was a fair bit of work, but while he was here negotiated for him to repair & recon two and remove two other Wendy houses.

lol on what planet do you start from the top and work down when the goal is to overlap the one above xD

 

[acidrain]

lol on what planet do you start from the top and work down when the goal is to overlap the one above xD

It was likely done to ensure uniformity since the bottom is open for adjustment. If done from the bottom up, and you get to the concrete, only to find that your second band is more narrow than the rest, you would have to start again.

As long as the one above overlaps the one below.

 

[Tinuva]

Ominous....