Recent content by stuart45

So you need about a 5 or 6inch fall. Can you get the depth at the other end easily?

They always look deeper when you're looking down. That's probably around 12 courses, or 3ft. What's the length of the run?

Internal backdrops are sometimes used. When building on new work external is easier because it's already excavated. For retro internal might be used if there's enough room to work.

I thought I was looking at the London Underground map.

A mate of mine got rid of a lot of the subsoil down a well in the garden. Not sure if it was in the contract. The rest he got rid of in Tesco carrier bags, leaving them on the bus home every night. Agree the builder must be a cowboy though. A decent pro like me would take away and dispose of it...

Have a look at Brickhunter library. There's thousands on there, but being 50mm and textured will narrow it down a lot. They might be on there, but not in production. Google Imperial Tudor Multi.

You need lateral restraint straps.

You just need a small hand held one. They just give you an image of the wall, with different colours showing the warm and cool spots on the wall. They work better when the inside temperature is a lot warmer than the external one.

A 1/3/6 OPC/sand/gravel used to be a standard mix for a lot of residential foundations. 1/2/3 is really strong. 1/2/4 was normal for insitu lintels.

Octopus are taking bookings for next winter 2026/2027 in the new year.

Thermal cameras are the best way. If used on the inside the cold spots will show up. When used outside you are looking for the hot spots.

Remember an S/S liner is a temporary liner which although can last 25 years can be wrecked in only a few years if burning the wrong fuels on a slow, cool burn.

Most tradesmen don't like saying an old flue is OK. If you do a sealed smoke test, the regs allow for a small amount of smoke to escape. The amount is left to the experience of the tradesman. The majority of people are not going to get involved with this in an old flue, especially as it could...

The regs might be different in Ireland, but in England it's not a reg that the flue must have an S/S liner. However all the HETAS fitters I know will always use a liner.

^^^^^^^°°°° This The idea of insulating the inner reveals is more about getting enough insulation to stop condensation forming and mould growth.