Search results

Thanks Stuart. Should I be looking at asphalt as an option? Is that a more 'proper' way of doing what I'm after? Is it within reach of a DIYer who is willing to try most things, or does it need years of practice / expensive equipment to make a decent job? If it is something I should be...

So, you think more like in this second version of the diagram, then? One query with that - the guidance I've read online seems to suggest that the part of the cavity wall that is below ground should have its cavity filled with a sand and cement mix up to ground level. (I had shown that as...

Good point, Stuart - I had been thinking about the same issue. I had been intending to just keep the bare blocks on the internal wall - this is intended as a shed / storage space, not as habitable space, so I don't want to go to the extra expense of plastering or similar. So, going with how I...

I had vaguely intended to use insulation in the cavity, but had not really got as far as working out the implications of that - does that affect the design of the damp proofing at the earlier stages? I can see logically why a cavity tray might be helpful here - if I go with a DPM that is...

Thanks for that. I've not come across trays before. From looking at them online, can I form one by getting a wide strip of DPC material and putting it in one or two courses of blocks higher on the inner wall than the outer wall?

Thanks pinenot - that's great. Apologies for asking very basic questions, but I want to get this right first time, so here goes: How do I spot a good quality DPM? Is there particular brands that have a good reputation, or a particular thickness, or some other specification? Yes, I am...

Thanks for your quick responses. I have established the depth of the water table, if that's the same as the ground water level Pinenot refers to - it's about 1.7m down (below the depth where I hit solid surface most of the way round the trench. Even allowing for a bit of variation in the height...

Hello, I am in the process of building a block-built shed / workshop. It will measure about 7m x 4m, so is below the size at which Building Regs are needed, and I will be keeping the height below 2.5m so Planning Permission is not needed. Although it's not intended to be habitable space, I...

Thanks Agile and Onetap. Yes, Onetap, one of the main reasons we're thinking about this instead of an unvented cylinder is doubts over our water pressure and flow rate. Do you have a general rule of thumb for what would constitute an acceptable pressure / flow rate? Agile, we had pretty...

OK, thanks Agile - that sounds like my initial estimate of 150L is about right - it's just my wife and me at the moment. So, based on a 150L HW cylinder and the outlets I've mentioned, what sort of size CW tank should we be banking on? Is there a rough formula or way of working it out...

I appreciate all the help with this - thanks for getting me along the right lines! To answer your question - it's a small 2 bed cottage, with one bathroom and a kitchen. The bathroom has a large bath with a shower over it, and a wash-hand basin. The kitchen will have a sink. I've not thought...

Thanks muggles. Re combi boiler - There's no gas in the property at the moment, so trying to avoid that route. Re unvented cylinder - We are considering that as an option (and are aware that it can't be DIYed), although I'm not sure whether our water pressure and flow rate are up to it...

Hi, I've posted on here before - thanks to all who have helped me shape my thoughts so far. For reasons of space and difficulty in running pipes, we are hoping not to have a cold water tank in the loft of the place we are renovating. One option we have seen on the web is so-called...

Thanks muggles - fair enough, I knew what I was suggesting was 'out of the ordinary'! Thanks, Jamse

Thanks for the tipoff on the notification aspect, Boilerman2. I didn't know that it was necessary for vented systems. If I do go ahead with it I'll make sure I contact the local council if needed. Everything I've read does still lead me to believe that installing a vented cylinder is more...

Thanks for that doitall. I'm going to see if I can lay my hands on a pressure meter so I can get an accurate measure of the water pressure - what level should I be looking out for to count as high enough to make particular solutions viable? (E.g. combination tank, or even going back to the...

Thanks for those comments muggles and Whitespirit66. On the practical side with the system it sounds like a large enough cold water tank is pretty essential to avoid those problems you describe, which will mean finding a way to get the pipe run from the loft... (The bath is over the shower...