Timber Rot
Timber rot was a major problem in some Perth homes. A survey a few years ago suggested that houses in Subiaco, Ardross, Floreat, Nedlands and Mosman Park were most likely to suffer from timber rot. This incidence of timber rot is not surprising as it usually occurs in older homes and caused by a lack […]
Timber Waste
Up until recently, most builders dumped all construction waste together – sand, rubble, bricks, timber offcuts were all collected by a bobcat driver and sent to landfill. However, regulations now only allow disposal of “inert waste” at Class 1 landfill sites, which most builders use. Waste which includes timber is being refused at the gate […]
Tiles and Cracks
Lippage is a condition in floor tiling where one edge of a tile is on a different plane to an adjacent tile. In plain terms this means that one tile is higher than another giving the finished surface an uneven appearance. When large tiles are used on surfaces with compound falls to a floor waste, […]
Wall Cladding
Wall Cladding – Vinyl Many builders or renovators are looking for an attractive facade to utilize on their project that is attractive, energy efficient along with ease of care and long lasting product. It is used in existing fibro, asbestos or timber homes. Vinyl wall cladding is available in a wide range of colours to […]
Timber Floorboards – maintenance
Timber flooring is a popular and attractive treatment however you have some work in front of you to achieve your desired result. Remove all existing floor coverings and assess the quality of the floorboards. If the boards have been sanded before, you need to know how much of the board is left and how much […]
Storm Season – Simple Strategies
Simple strategies for the arrival of the storm season The official ‘storm season’ runs from May to October in southern WA. There is no substitute for preparation, and there is plenty that can be done to protect your home in advance. This can save you a lot of time, hassle cost in the long run if […]
Steel – Corrosion Protection
Hot dip galvanizing is a coating for steel made from an alloy of zinc and iron. Galvanizing is a once-only process – no substrate preparation and multiple coating is required. It offers total coverage – all exposed steelwork is coated both internally and externally. Galvanized coatings protect steel even at its most vulnerable areas. It […]
Salinity and Construction
Salt attack is an increasingly important problem in Western Australia due to our high level of coastal development and a growing salinity problem in our wheat belt and agricultural areas. Damage to buildings by “urban salinity” or “salt damp”, results from salt and water moving through capillary action through the pores of materials such as […]
Insuring Your Home
The insured value of many properties is well below their current replacement costs. Many homeowners have renovated or extended their properties without increasing the sum insured, and construction costs have escalated. For insurance purposes, it is suggested that homeowners at least apply a rule of thumb of between $1000 to $1100 per square metre for […]
Home Maintenance
When we purchase a new car, we know we can save money and reduce its depreciation by keeping up with servicing and maintenance. As part of vehicle servicing, the mechanic checks things like fuses and seatbelts to ensure they are safe. But what about our homes – our biggest investment? What sort of maintenance and […]