Monthly Archive: October 2012
Insulation – Heat loss Suspended Timber Floor
I have previously posted about the Heat Loss from a Slab Floor so how does that compare with a suspended timber, or particle board, floor? Well its not as bad as you might think because the the space under the…
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Building on Fill – Screw Piles
I have previously posted about building on fill using Concrete Piers. Well one alternative to constructing concrete piers is to use Screw Piles such as the one to the right. These are made from a thick steel tube with: A…
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Arch Window Fail
This arched window is a shocker. The arch is one of the most basic structural forms being simple and exceptionally strong. Besides the curve of the arch the basic principle is the arch springs from a solid support, like this…
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Insulation – Heat Loss Slab On Ground
Why is there less fuss about insulation under a concrete raft slab than ceilings and walls?…………well here are a few interesting facts: A thick layer of earth provides a reasonable amount of insulation. The soil contributes to the thermal mass of…
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Letter Box Fail
Can you see the mail box? Do you think the people in this house don’t like to get post?………or do they like to give their postie a challenge? The only way to deliver a letter is to push the bush…
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Why Aggi Drainage Pipes Have Slots In The Base
A lot of people aren’t sure how drainage pipes work. “Why doesn’t the water run out of the slots at the bottom?” is a question that many people ask. The pipes work on the principle that the soil/gravel around the…
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Builder’s Bankruptcy – Finance
So the builder has become insolvent and the house is half built…………..what are the financial implications? To finish a partially built project using another builder is going to cost more than if your original builder finished the project. For an…
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Bankrupt Builder – Will The Insurance Be Enough?
I have previously talked about dealing with the mess when a builder goes bust. To make the financial aspects clearer a worked example follows: This is based on a contract for a house to be built for $300,000. A typical…
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Door Lock Fail
I thought this photo was worth showing on this site to emphasise thinking about door handles! Its from the Epic Fail website. Well worth a look if you have time to spare. or more Fails and Unusual houses go to What…
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Bankrupt Builder – Getting Finished
If your new house is under construction a typical procedure to finish the house with the insurer is: The insurer should appoint a building consultant. The consultant will inspect the house and work out the scope of works to complete the…
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