The Home Improvements Thread (3)

[I.am.Sam]

How so? It just means it's done quicker . With 4 people in the house it needs to go quickly
Technically no rand a day, running on sun and batteries

yeah one day il get the sun involved

 

[Lupus]

yeah one day il get the sun involved

It does help, but if I didn't have solar this heat pump would've been the best savings.

 

[acidrain]

One more tickbox done on the much larger upgrade.

Privacy fence finally got installed today. Think I am more happy about not have to lift up the shade net every time I need to pass through

 

[Mosgi]

Anyone with experience on importing large items from China through an agent?

I've realised all the things I need are piling up to be quite a lot now, and I can't stomach local pricing for what I can see are white labelled goods.

Specifically looking at a ~24kw Pool heater, along with honeycomb blinds, but could extend that to a loot of resin bound stone for around the pool, the driveway and patios...

 

[WAslayer]

anyone use geyser heat pumps

i see its around 20k to install a 3.5kw one which will run a 150l geyser 60% saving

Where did you see 20k installed..? That's about half of what I have seen/heard of..

 

[RaptorSA]

Added a 2nd water tank this week due to the f**k up that is Joburg water.
It's nice to have two since I can choose which tank I want to use, that way, in future if I wanted to I can use the 2nd tank for pool/gray/untreated borehole water if things become really rough and I go 2+ weeks without water....

I'm literally having to build a multi tiered "defcon" system for water....



We don't have our complex borehole running to our units, not yet anyway (maybe never, will have to see).
I want a backup plan for my backup plan.

I need a way to be able to cart about 100 liters of water around in case things get really dicey, also, would be nice to have a system to go an fetch borehole water for watering some plants (might as well use it if it's there). I also want to be able to use the portable tank to top up my storage tanks with some water without effort.

That got me thinking, years ago I built this inverter + battery 5kWh system for my mom:



I'm busy using that platform to design a water hand truck/trolley.
Tank instead of battery, lithium tool-battery pump instead of inverter.

Here's some plans and a rough AI render of what I have in mind (the scales are a bit messed up):





Just got the 90liter JoJo delivered this morning (decided to overpay, since it's JoJo, and it's green ), and yesterday I built a custom camlock attachment system for the battery powered Ingco pump. Had some issues during experimentation but think I just need to dial in a few things, like using a backflow preventer etc. Also busy attempting to come up with a 3D printed platform for mounting the pump above the tank. I regret not doing more 3D modelling practice earlier this year.





Just to be clear: This thing is completely and utterly overkill and way too expensive to justify, but I'm basically just having fun assembling and messing around with it. I settled my home loan last month and I've been living like a frugal hobo for 3+ years so this is my way of spoiling myself a bit, I have no idea what I'm doing, that's kind of the point

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Getting around to relining my pool this season. The old fibreglass is cracking and faded and the steps are insanely slippery.

Going to be very nice having a new looking pool, also having them replace the weir and remove the old solar heating system which is really not very effective - not enough solar when we really need it and too much when we don't so having one less thing to leak is better. Might look into a heat pump down the road.

Will post some before and after pics when that work starts.

This finally got done, took a month after booking them and then they also had issues getting the guy back to empty the bladder back into the pool after they finished which took another week, but it looks good now and should last for a good few years again.

 

[I.am.Sam]

This finally got done, took a month after booking them and then they also had issues getting the guy back to empty the bladder back into the pool after they finished which took another week, but it looks good now and should last for a good few years again.

View attachment 1951555

rough costs to do something like this ?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

rough costs to do something like this ?

A lot

Just redoing the lining was just under R30k, then I had the weir replaced, all the old solar heating removed and it cost to have the water stored in a bladder - all in total was R41k.

Pools are just constant maintenance but are a nice to have.

 

[maumau]

What do you guys think of this tiling?

Our complex is revamping the staff quarters and this is a pic of the new bathroom tiling. I've created a song and dance and asked them to redo it but have been overruled by more experienced people who say tiles have to keep a line with the floor. I'm no expert but there are ways of getting it right by planning properly and I've always made contractors stick to pieces 10cm or more no matter how many times they have to redo it.

I'm going to let this go but if it was my house there is absolutely no way I'd accept those narrow slivers of tile everywhere, no matter how awkward the space is...................... and just FYI the wall on the right of this pic ends with another 2cm slice. Dreadful work in my opinion.

It's not the tiler's fault, he's trying his best and very proud of what he's done - he knows no better. The fault lies 100% with the contractor who should have been on site to guide him. I can't interfere with the worker but he's not going to improve as long as he works for this guy, I feel sorry for him because he's really keen.

 

[maumau]

Added a 2nd water tank this week due to the f**k up that is Joburg water.
It's nice to have two since I can choose which tank I want to use, that way, in future if I wanted to I can use the 2nd tank for pool/gray/untreated borehole water if things become really rough and I go 2+ weeks without water....

I'm literally having to build a multi tiered "defcon" system for water....

View attachment 1951536

We don't have our complex borehole running to our units, not yet anyway (maybe never, will have to see).
I want a backup plan for my backup plan.

I need a way to be able to cart about 100 liters of water around in case things get really dicey, also, would be nice to have a system to go an fetch borehole water for watering some plants (might as well use it if it's there). I also want to be able to use the portable tank to top up my storage tanks with some water without effort.

That got me thinking, years ago I built this inverter + battery 5kWh system for my mom:

View attachment 1951541

I'm busy using that platform to design a water hand truck/trolley.
Tank instead of battery, lithium tool-battery pump instead of inverter.

Here's some plans and a rough AI render of what I have in mind (the scales are a bit messed up):

View attachment 1951558

View attachment 1951544

Just got the 90liter JoJo delivered this morning (decided to overpay, since it's JoJo, and it's green ), and yesterday I built a custom camlock attachment system for the battery powered Ingco pump. Had some issues during experimentation but think I just need to dial in a few things, like using a backflow preventer etc. Also busy attempting to come up with a 3D printed platform for mounting the pump above the tank. I regret not doing more 3D modelling practice earlier this year.

View attachment 1951549

View attachment 1951550View attachment 1951551

Just to be clear: This thing is completely and utterly overkill and way too expensive to justify, but I'm basically just having fun assembling and messing around with it. I settled my home loan last month and I've been living like a frugal hobo for 3+ years so this is my way of spoiling myself a bit, I have no idea what I'm doing, that's kind of the point

Where's that beawdiful trolley from?

 

[Steamy Tom]

It's pretty dreadful, the symmetry around the windows and the cut corner pieces for me are worse than the narrow pieces in the corner. Once grouted imo it will all be less noticeable. If it was my place I would throw my toys but if it isn't yours and you don't have to deal with it everyday then meh let it go imo

What do you guys think of this tiling?

Our complex is revamping the staff quarters and this is a pic of the new bathroom tiling. I've created a song and dance and asked them to redo it but have been overruled by more experienced people who say tiles have to keep a line with the floor. I'm no expert but there are ways of getting it right by planning properly and I've always made contractors stick to pieces 10cm or more no matter how many times they have to redo it.

I'm going to let this go but if it was my house there is absolutely no way I'd accept those narrow slivers of tile everywhere, no matter how awkward the space is...................... and just FYI the wall on the right of this pic ends with another 2cm slice. Dreadful work in my opinion.

It's not the tiler's fault, he's trying his best and very proud of what he's done - he knows no better. The fault lies 100% with the contractor who should have been on site to guide him. I can't interfere with the worker but he's not going to improve as long as he works for this guy, I feel sorry for him because he's really keen.

View attachment 1953596

 

[maumau]

It's pretty dreadful, the symmetry around the windows and the cut corner pieces for me are worse than the narrow pieces in the corner. Once grouted imo it will all be less noticeable. If it was my place I would throw my toys but if it isn't yours and you don't have to deal with it everyday then meh let it go imo

Tks, that's my thinking too. For myself I couldn't live with it.

Thanks for confirming, it's truly horrible and no symmetry.

 

[RaptorSA]

Where's that beawdiful trolley from?

That's a hand truck from Leroy Merlin. Specifically the semi foldable one.
It's not cheap, but when I went to pick this one up there was already an indian tannie looking annoyed 'cause the wheels on hear cheaper aluminium version broke.

RIGID HANDTRUCK 200KG,FOLDABLE,STANDERS

RIGID HANDTRUCK 200KG, FOLDABLE, INFLATED WHEELS, STANDERS

leroymerlin.co.za

You can also get a kots yellow version from Stanley.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

 

[W@P]

Here's a

That's a hand truck from Leroy Merlin. Specifically the semi foldable one.
It's not cheap, but when I went to pick this one up there was already an indian tannie looking annoyed 'cause the wheels on hear cheaper aluminium version broke.

RIGID HANDTRUCK 200KG,FOLDABLE,STANDERS

RIGID HANDTRUCK 200KG, FOLDABLE, INFLATED WHEELS, STANDERS

leroymerlin.co.za

You can also get a kots yellow version from Stanley.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Here's an Ingco one. But doubt it's as sturdy as the above one.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

 

[W@P]

What do you guys think of this tiling?

Our complex is revamping the staff quarters and this is a pic of the new bathroom tiling. I've created a song and dance and asked them to redo it but have been overruled by more experienced people who say tiles have to keep a line with the floor. I'm no expert but there are ways of getting it right by planning properly and I've always made contractors stick to pieces 10cm or more no matter how many times they have to redo it.

I'm going to let this go but if it was my house there is absolutely no way I'd accept those narrow slivers of tile everywhere, no matter how awkward the space is...................... and just FYI the wall on the right of this pic ends with another 2cm slice. Dreadful work in my opinion.

It's not the tiler's fault, he's trying his best and very proud of what he's done - he knows no better. The fault lies 100% with the contractor who should have been on site to guide him. I can't interfere with the worker but he's not going to improve as long as he works for this guy, I feel sorry for him because he's really keen.

View attachment 1953596

 

[maumau]

LOLLIES

 

[RaptorSA]

What do you guys think of this tiling?

Our complex is revamping the staff quarters and this is a pic of the new bathroom tiling. I've created a song and dance and asked them to redo it but have been overruled by more experienced people who say tiles have to keep a line with the floor. I'm no expert but there are ways of getting it right by planning properly and I've always made contractors stick to pieces 10cm or more no matter how many times they have to redo it.

I'm going to let this go but if it was my house there is absolutely no way I'd accept those narrow slivers of tile everywhere, no matter how awkward the space is...................... and just FYI the wall on the right of this pic ends with another 2cm slice. Dreadful work in my opinion.

It's not the tiler's fault, he's trying his best and very proud of what he's done - he knows no better. The fault lies 100% with the contractor who should have been on site to guide him. I can't interfere with the worker but he's not going to improve as long as he works for this guy, I feel sorry for him because he's really keen.

View attachment 1953596

If symmetry was an Austrian Painter it would gas us all.
Yeah no, as a dude we tend to sometimes miss the little aesthetic things in life but this would annoy me, even if I didn't consciously realize what was annoying me.

 

[RaptorSA]

Here's a

Here's an Ingco one. But doubt it's as sturdy as the above one.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

That one actually looks quite cool, but from what I've seen with those flat foldable ones the issue seems to be related to the crappy axles and plasticky wheels. I specifically pay more so I can get the pneumatic wheels and solid pipe axle on the bigger hand truck, storage is a bit of an issue though since I don't have a garage.

That all said, I bought my first Ingco tools two weeks ago and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised.
My favorite so far is the mini grinder, so pissed I didn't have that thing sooner....

 

[W@P]

That one actually looks quite cool, but from what I've seen with those flat foldable ones the issue seems to be related to the crappy axles and plasticky wheels. I specifically pay more so I can get the pneumatic wheels and solid pipe axle on the bigger hand truck, storage is a bit of an issue though since I don't have a garage.

That all said, I bought my first Ingco tools two weeks ago and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised.
My favorite so far is the mini grinder, so pissed I didn't have that thing sooner....


View attachment 1953803

Careful.

That Ingco slope is slippery AF.