xanthrope posted:Digging under the foundation for removing blocked sewer pipe
We started having blocked drains after moving into our new home. When the plumber did an inspection, he found significant blockage of the sewer pipes due to concrete.
The only recourse…
xanthrope posted:External tiles are a nightmare - advice needed please
Hi All,
I recently completed building and took possession of our dream home. After living in it for a couple of days, the first thing we noticed was that the external…
xanthrope posted:3 phase power shock
Perhaps the time has come for you to re-evaluate whether or not you actually need 3 phase power or want 3 phase power...
xanthrope posted:evacuated solar hot water options Perth
I was googling about Evacuated tube technology and came up with this - I was blown away as it is soooo informative about this technology and includes a lot of…
xanthrope posted:Bifolds & Stackers & Floors, oh my!
Hi,
I think the ideal solution would be raise the living area floot by 60mm. However, you do not have to do this using concrete and tiles. You could leave your…
xanthrope posted:HELP with glass shelves Please!
Suction cups can only hold so much weight. Putting a fish tank on it !! ? A definite NO.
Also if the glass shelve holding the tank were to collapse, it…
xanthrope posted:Cairns Build - Better Homes Queensland - 1st builders clean!
I too am building with BHQ - the work started on the 20th with the site scrape and then went onto slab pour and external walls.
Your house looks marvellous and…
xanthrope posted:Looking for baking suggestions.
banana cake with walnuts is great - it can be eaten hot or cold, not to mention the ease of preparation given that you have a lot of things to…
xanthrope posted:Cooling help..
Looks good traveller - had a read of it. I would use it in your situation.
xanthrope posted:Suspicious Building Inspectors?
I have to agree with all the comment above - good stuff. One thing seems consistant though is that it seems very suss that the buyer would not share the…
xanthrope posted:Splashback - Glass or tiles?
They say (I not sure who) that fashion is for those who do not know what they want.
At risk to myself , I say that tiles have been in fashion…
xanthrope posted:Variation Request from Builder
I would agree with the above. However, in some circumstances, it is advantegous to you to switch to a brand that could turn out to be far superior to your…
xanthrope posted:Bricklaying tolerances
A lot of tolerances used in the brick/mortar section of the standard are to do with visual appeal. From a technical perspective, if the mortar width were to vary a…
xanthrope posted:Full sun - Timber or colourbond pergola?
I wouldn't think that 10-15 years is an accurate life span for a well built (with good quality materials) timber pergola. - I agree. If well looked after, there is…
xanthrope posted:Grouting over tiling spacers
another example of where tradies laziness causes problems down the line. In no circumstances can I find an exmaple wherein a so called technical advancement has benefitted the end customer…
xanthrope posted:Ceiling manhold in garage - security risk?
Put a sliding deadbolt on the garage manhole - that way only you can open it from the inside....and its no longer a security risk.
lets face it, the only reason…
xanthrope posted:Best place in Adelaide??
Aussieglass in Edwards town - check them out...maybe what your looking for.
xanthrope posted:Carlisle Homes Albany 35
Hi Nishant,
Congratulations on your build - hope you get to enjoy the process - I certainly did.....
xanthrope posted:Rebuilding burnt down house
Ii agree with all the above - though I highly suspect you are in agreement too 
xanthrope posted:Built In Wood Fires
A nice victorian fire place would look great - the Victorian era was the golden age for fireplaces. I'm sure googling "victorian fireplace" for images should give you hundreds of…
xanthrope posted:Retaining Wall Price Estimate Comparison
IMHO (in order of increasing cost - assumes that site access is easy and no complicated gradients):
(1) treated pine sleeper
(2) concrete sleeper
(3) boulder (basically crane hire is the main cost)
(4)…
xanthrope posted:We are desperate and need help!!
Thank goodness for happy endings (which Iam sure your will be). Getting a builder to guide you is the best thing you can do - dont forget that motivation…
xanthrope posted:seasol & Powerfeed mixture
As the Fu Man says - you feed the soil and the plants will take care of themselves.... try and increase bioorganisms in the soil - seasol will do that…
xanthrope posted:Bird Poop on my concrete
Another thing you could try and determine the root cause for the birds standing on the fence - perhaps there is food generally placed in the vicinity ?
IMHO It is…
xanthrope posted:Driveway concrete recommendations Tarneit area Vic
'Overly priced' is a very subjective term. Remember , you get what you pay for. This does not mean that I condone overcharging.
I used the builders concreter who did a…
xanthrope posted:Is it worth it? - covering grout with coating/sealant????
I'll attempt to allay your fears step-by-step
(1) What on earth possessed you to go with light tiles in the living areas? :O
j/k - this is…
xanthrope posted:Pumping stormwater to street -question??
Ugggh, after feeling like I was making progress, I called the council again this morning to ask about the 'charged' system - and they don't allow them.
They do allow pumps…
xanthrope posted:Curtains - do the have to be hung in pairs?? Pic added
Hi,
I am in a similar situation wherein I have 2 double hung windows 900mm wide and 1500mm high, with a 1600mm wall space between them.
I am contemplating putting 1 cutain…
