Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2004
- Posts
- 7,110
"Only" Asbestolux! Probably one of the worst you can encounter
1970 House Renovation - 3 floor townhouse build log
"Only" Asbestolux! Probably one of the worst you can encounter
Poor defenceless asbestolux. I am lucky it's completely undamaged and not damp, have considered dropping the ceiling in there to contain it above some more healthy plasterboard.
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2004
- Posts
- 7,110
If it's in good condition then just encapsulate it with ET-150 paint, if its raw board then even painting it can exceed the control limits for working with Asbestos though. Truly awful material.
Yeah I was working in the garage yesterday building storage, and did think to myself whether there could be dust in the air from the AIB and if I should really be using the garage as a workshop. I did actually think about spraying it with a heavy PVA mix to bind it and prevent any dust, but something made for the job would probably be a far better idea. Would cost me £100 by looks of it in paint, so have to weigh that up with dropped ceiling (plus the insulation value I gain from doing that).
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2004
- Posts
- 7,110
Its what is done in the industry to maintain AIB thats left in situ in order to comply with CAR 2012, I wouldn't be comfortable with raw AIB in anyplace I was occupying, especially a workshop type, any changes in pressure or airflow can easily disturb the material, it's really surprising how many airborne fibres it will shed even from minor disturbance. The paint is really excellent though if you're confident enough to apply it, I wouldn't use PVA or spray it personally (anything pressurised is bad.
I can't believe when I started this thread, and where we now are! I realised I haven't posted anymore updates on what we got up to - covid really screwed us all over 
I just have to say that embarking on this, and doing the majority of it solo has been incredibly hard and tiring but also hugely rewarding. I feel like I've gained skills for life and am now fairly competent at electrics and plumbing! It's amusing looking back at using Yorkshires as a DIYer to progressing to end feeds and owning enough plumbing gear to setup my own business
.
To anyone else considering it, if you're willing to put in the research and graft it makes me smile each morning seeing what you've built so I would thoroughly recommend it.
I just have to say that embarking on this, and doing the majority of it solo has been incredibly hard and tiring but also hugely rewarding. I feel like I've gained skills for life and am now fairly competent at electrics and plumbing! It's amusing looking back at using Yorkshires as a DIYer to progressing to end feeds and owning enough plumbing gear to setup my own business
.To anyone else considering it, if you're willing to put in the research and graft it makes me smile each morning seeing what you've built so I would thoroughly recommend it.
Soldato
I can't believe when I started this thread, and where we now are! I realised I haven't posted anymore updates on what we got up to - covid really screwed us all over
I just have to say that embarking on this, and doing the majority of it solo has been incredibly hard and tiring but also hugely rewarding. I feel like I've gained skills for life and am now fairly competent at electrics and plumbing! It's amusing looking back at using Yorkshires as a DIYer to progressing to end feeds and owning enough plumbing gear to setup my own business
To anyone else considering it, if you're willing to put in the research and graft it makes me smile each morning seeing what you've built so I would thoroughly recommend it.
Great to re read! Have you got any more plans?
Im in for more pics
Soldato
I'm sure the anticipation is now lost @Marvt74!
As promised, I'm ready to share these now, long time coming! This is the finished kitchen, now in use for months... we love it.
Wow and you did this all on your own?
How much did you save roughly by doing this all on your own?
We've been doing more work, I've been less on the ball recording it though. I'll try to get some more progression up over the next week or so.
The kitchen was installed professionally i.e. units/worktops as I don't have the stomach for that amount of risk. Can you imagine butchering a unit that is like £500? I think it's something I will always get done by pros now, the gear they had was simply not achievable as a DIYer (Mafell gear etc!)
But yeah the tiling, plumbing, electrics, sink installation, decorating and lights were all by me. Before anyone freaks out, had an electrician working with me (kitchen is protected area) signing off and basically by the end told me to just crack on as he said I was more than competent.
I'm not sure we have a figure on how much we saved, but it has to be fairly substantial. I think the savings are somewhat offset by finish though, as the budget for workers went into materials somewhat.
The Garden Patio (Hell on Earth)
One of the jobs I began during lockdown, was replacing the existing slabs in the garden, and we opted for 20mm porcelain tiles.
This job almost killed me, with a garden on the first floor I had to bring in all materials (porcelain, cement, MOT, sand) through the kitchen up from downstairs. Probably one of the only jobs in the house where I was near collapsing and said never again!
After mixing a few batches of mortar by hand, I ended up getting a cement mixer from all places Aldi (yes the supermarket). All the porcelain was laid on a full mortar bed with bonding slurry on the back of the slabs.
Taking up slabs / breaking down
The original garden had a very aggressive patio slope, which I wanted to reduce so you didn't end up tipping over when sitting down in a chair. Because I didn't want to remove all the material, I decided to build up (which I now see as a sign I probably am clinically insane)
Retaining wall
In order to build up, I built a mini retaining wall and probably went overboard with the engineering incorporating spiral reinforcement bars and straight 90 degree galv bar along the edge. I additionally added padstones to enable me to build in the fence later.
MOT and compacting
Ever tried to carry a compacter, up a flight of stairs and through your brand new kitchen? Amazing fun, and recommend it if you like swearing.
Finished job
Unfortunately photos of me in progress I can't find at the moment, but this is where we ended up. With material shortages laying the first slabs until completion was well over 8 months, not to mention the fact it physically almost destroyed me.
I still need to finish the steps which will also be done in tile, and the area as you step out. On the cards for next few weeks I hope.
One of the jobs I began during lockdown, was replacing the existing slabs in the garden, and we opted for 20mm porcelain tiles.
This job almost killed me, with a garden on the first floor I had to bring in all materials (porcelain, cement, MOT, sand) through the kitchen up from downstairs. Probably one of the only jobs in the house where I was near collapsing and said never again!
After mixing a few batches of mortar by hand, I ended up getting a cement mixer from all places Aldi (yes the supermarket). All the porcelain was laid on a full mortar bed with bonding slurry on the back of the slabs.
Taking up slabs / breaking down
The original garden had a very aggressive patio slope, which I wanted to reduce so you didn't end up tipping over when sitting down in a chair. Because I didn't want to remove all the material, I decided to build up (which I now see as a sign I probably am clinically insane)
Retaining wall
In order to build up, I built a mini retaining wall and probably went overboard with the engineering incorporating spiral reinforcement bars and straight 90 degree galv bar along the edge. I additionally added padstones to enable me to build in the fence later.
MOT and compacting
Ever tried to carry a compacter, up a flight of stairs and through your brand new kitchen? Amazing fun, and recommend it if you like swearing.
Finished job
Unfortunately photos of me in progress I can't find at the moment, but this is where we ended up. With material shortages laying the first slabs until completion was well over 8 months, not to mention the fact it physically almost destroyed me.
I still need to finish the steps which will also be done in tile, and the area as you step out. On the cards for next few weeks I hope.
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Soldato
Any updates to this @rexehuk ? The patio looks good!
Soldato
Is that Titan hoover worth having, random question I know but got a lot of debris often I need something that can handle it
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I have the daddy version and it is an absolute beast for the cost. Well recommended. If it blows up Screwfix will just replace it anyway as it is their own brand.
Good question! Thanks, it's proving good now we have a puppy too.
Downstairs is still being renovated, new ceilings and building a new en suite but paused for time being.
At the moment tackling the garden, got grp grating and finishing the tiling and steps for summer, complete with cedar cladding.
I'll post an update as thought folks has forgotten!
Soldato
I'm still in
a
Alright, updates coming! Lost track of what I've shared vs not atm!I'm still in
So, quick garden update from where we left off. Photos are a bit patchy as stopped taking so many but hopefully gives you a sense of what I'm doing!
Fencing
Our neighbors turned into an AirBnb so we wanted some privacy which pushed us to get the fence done also with a dog on the way wanted it more secure for them.
Started by fixing some posts to the house, began using resin fixings for this because why not (more fun to learn!)
Grating
When we moved in, they had boarded over this pretty big drop with decking boards, but all the supports were rotten and frankly hated the idea of falling through one day. We wanted some natural light down there so settled on GRP grating which you'd normally see used on railways etc. It was cost-effective and only cost about £200~ and with no risk of rot.
Went for resin anchors again (I love these things) with M10 bolts (5 each side) taking on wooden support beams
Coated the beams in bituminous paint to give them even better chances of survival
First side all bolted on, all in stainless steel fixings
Finished product, haven't got photos of the final one going down on the day
Fencing
Our neighbors turned into an AirBnb so we wanted some privacy which pushed us to get the fence done also with a dog on the way wanted it more secure for them.
Started by fixing some posts to the house, began using resin fixings for this because why not (more fun to learn!)
Grating
When we moved in, they had boarded over this pretty big drop with decking boards, but all the supports were rotten and frankly hated the idea of falling through one day. We wanted some natural light down there so settled on GRP grating which you'd normally see used on railways etc. It was cost-effective and only cost about £200~ and with no risk of rot.
Went for resin anchors again (I love these things) with M10 bolts (5 each side) taking on wooden support beams
Coated the beams in bituminous paint to give them even better chances of survival
First side all bolted on, all in stainless steel fixings
Finished product, haven't got photos of the final one going down on the day
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