- Joined
- 17 Jul 2003
- Messages
- 43
- Reaction score
- 1
- Country
Hello,
Firstly I must say what a fantastic site this is. It appears to be a mix of DIY'ers of varying standards supported by a number of knowledgeable professionals willing to share information.
Sorry this post is going to be long but as it is my first I thought I should try to explain my level of competence before going into the reason for joining you.
I like to think of myself as a reasonably competant self-taught DIY'er tackling most things, all plumbing and electrics, plus alterations/partitions etc. I have to say I love it, particularly starting a new project and if it is something I have not done before, researching at the library and on the internet, as well as speaking to anyone I can (I have some contacts in the Building Control and Surveyors Office of the Local Authority where I work). If a job needs doing (and my wife has a habit of continually finding new things including major projects) I will firstly think if it can be done myself before getting the tradesmen in. Although it may take an age to complete, balancing these jobs with family life, I do get there in the end.
4 years ago we had a two storey side extension built. The contractor was employed just to build the structure/floor/roof/drainage and internally plaster. I managed to prepare electrics and plumbing in the evenings as the extension went up, finished off all woodwork, put in a downstairs loo, electrics, decoration and constructed a partitioned en-suite to the first floor bedroom. I have now finished!!!!
Anyway before finishing this project we came up with the idea we should get our front drive block paved and why we are at it, convert our integral garage into a room. It followed that we should change the flat roof above it to a pitched one! How mad is that?
Last June saw a “Marshalls Registered” pavior do a fantastic job on the front drive and I paid him and a brickie to brick up the garage while they were on site. I also paid for a window to be made and put in (Building Notice/Regulation approval obtained for both the conversion and the pitched roof).
I read a number of books before constructing the roof and although there are a few minor things to be done before I can say the outside is complete but I think it looks great and it is certainly watertight!
I can now move inside and this is where I would like the benefit of your wisdom.
There are a number of things inside which are new to me and whilst I have started researching them and have a general knowledge of what needs to be done I would appreciate your views/confirmation that what I am doing is correct (I am sure the Building Regs Inspector will tell me if not but it may be too late by then).
Given the size of this task and the number of different areas that I would like to discuss with you it may be beneficial to break them down into separate threads so I will just concentrate on the floor for now.
The existing concrete garage floor is lower than the hall so I need to raise this up. There are a number of services currently sitting on this floor so concreting is not an option. I actually favour suspending a wooden floor, chip board then laminate finish.
I have been told to put down some membrane. Should this be plastic sheet or can it be liquid sealant. I think painting a liquid would be easier because I can paint under the pipes. If so do I simply paint all of the floor and the walls upto DPC before fixing my timbers to the wall?
Any thoughts, particularly brands/suppliers would be appreciated. I am the South Hertfordshire/North London area.
Once my timbers are suspended I need to insulate between the joists. Again again recommended materials?
I know these questions appear I am using this site for design/specifications but I am sure you will tell me if this is not what it is intended for.
Cheers and best wishes for the new year.
Firstly I must say what a fantastic site this is. It appears to be a mix of DIY'ers of varying standards supported by a number of knowledgeable professionals willing to share information.
Sorry this post is going to be long but as it is my first I thought I should try to explain my level of competence before going into the reason for joining you.
I like to think of myself as a reasonably competant self-taught DIY'er tackling most things, all plumbing and electrics, plus alterations/partitions etc. I have to say I love it, particularly starting a new project and if it is something I have not done before, researching at the library and on the internet, as well as speaking to anyone I can (I have some contacts in the Building Control and Surveyors Office of the Local Authority where I work). If a job needs doing (and my wife has a habit of continually finding new things including major projects) I will firstly think if it can be done myself before getting the tradesmen in. Although it may take an age to complete, balancing these jobs with family life, I do get there in the end.
4 years ago we had a two storey side extension built. The contractor was employed just to build the structure/floor/roof/drainage and internally plaster. I managed to prepare electrics and plumbing in the evenings as the extension went up, finished off all woodwork, put in a downstairs loo, electrics, decoration and constructed a partitioned en-suite to the first floor bedroom. I have now finished!!!!
Anyway before finishing this project we came up with the idea we should get our front drive block paved and why we are at it, convert our integral garage into a room. It followed that we should change the flat roof above it to a pitched one! How mad is that?
Last June saw a “Marshalls Registered” pavior do a fantastic job on the front drive and I paid him and a brickie to brick up the garage while they were on site. I also paid for a window to be made and put in (Building Notice/Regulation approval obtained for both the conversion and the pitched roof).
I read a number of books before constructing the roof and although there are a few minor things to be done before I can say the outside is complete but I think it looks great and it is certainly watertight!
I can now move inside and this is where I would like the benefit of your wisdom.
There are a number of things inside which are new to me and whilst I have started researching them and have a general knowledge of what needs to be done I would appreciate your views/confirmation that what I am doing is correct (I am sure the Building Regs Inspector will tell me if not but it may be too late by then).
Given the size of this task and the number of different areas that I would like to discuss with you it may be beneficial to break them down into separate threads so I will just concentrate on the floor for now.
The existing concrete garage floor is lower than the hall so I need to raise this up. There are a number of services currently sitting on this floor so concreting is not an option. I actually favour suspending a wooden floor, chip board then laminate finish.
I have been told to put down some membrane. Should this be plastic sheet or can it be liquid sealant. I think painting a liquid would be easier because I can paint under the pipes. If so do I simply paint all of the floor and the walls upto DPC before fixing my timbers to the wall?
Any thoughts, particularly brands/suppliers would be appreciated. I am the South Hertfordshire/North London area.
Once my timbers are suspended I need to insulate between the joists. Again again recommended materials?
I know these questions appear I am using this site for design/specifications but I am sure you will tell me if this is not what it is intended for.
Cheers and best wishes for the new year.
