Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Footing design for home

By: Peter Huber
Posted By: BHIS
Source:http://bit.ly/1Ww1RM1

What is probably as important as consistent compaction is the design of the footings and the actual digging and pouring is equally as important. Firstly footings should be designed according to the nature of the soil. For example you would not design the same size footing when building in clay soils as you would if you were to build on sandy well drained soil.

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It has always been our advise to firstly sample and categorise the soil, if you are to build on clay or loamy soil, especially where drainage is poor. This will then determine the type of footing design for the home and will minimize any settling or cracking that would normally occur.

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Well we now have got, consistent compaction and a footing, designed specifically for the soil and a slab to match. The next step is to examine the perimeter masonry walls to see if and what type of settling cracks have occurred if any.

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The settling cracks that are visible on the brick work or internal walls are a signature or blue print as to what has occurred under the slab.

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The walls are a reflection or and indication as to the stability of the foundation. Below are some diagrams showing the different type of cracks that can occur and why.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

What to inspect when buying a home?


By: Peter Huber
Posted By: BHIS
Source: http://bit.ly/1VHVbtP

It goes like this, before you buy something, and a friend had described it to you in detail ”warts and all”, it would have helped in shaping your ideas in the purchase of that something.

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Well the same goes for when buying a car or a house. These are major purchases for most people and for some it is the single most important investment in their live. This being the case then, would it then not make sense that before buying, some one thoroughly checks out your proposed purchase before a final commitment is made on paper in the form of an offer to purchase. Preferably a mate in the building industry or a professional inspection institution can be called upon to give an unbiased opinion based on the structural nature of the building.

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The things that a buyer should be aware of is that firstly the foundation, walls and roof construction are sound, as theses components constitute the shell and anything else is purely cosmetic.

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Firstly the foundations:- If they are Limestone, then one would have to appreciate that they are large chunks of rock, shaped and placed into a hand dug trench and mortared into position, there was never any compaction carried out to the soil below the first laid limestone, hence the ground could move and settle as the weight of the walls was placed upon the Limestone. Large homes were built upon the limestone foundations and later the settling took place and was and still is evidenced in settling cracks noted on wall.

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These days we build the foundations a different way, mostly it is a concrete perimeter beam and a floating slab is resting on top of these footings. This latter method is built on soil that has been compacted to a uniform compaction. If this compaction is not uniform then uneven settling can be the major source of settling cracks, as the foundation settles under the weight of the walls and roof. The importance of uniform compaction is so vital that theoretically, if the compaction was uniform then no settling would occur.

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The importance of keeping the perimeter foundation at a constant moisture level is equally as important since a constant change in concentrated moisture levels content will cause the soils supporting the perimeter footing beam to move. This movement is transferred to the walls and settling cracks appear over windows and doors as these are the most vulnerable areas. So it is important that the down pipes are connected to soakwells which are at least 1.8 meters away from any footing.

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Next week we will continue with this, so that by the end, you will have a comprehensive check list.

Monday, April 25, 2016

why concrete tiles for roof?


http://bhis.com.au/why-concrete-tiles-are-a-perfect-fit-to-your-roof/

By: Peter Huber
Posted By:BHIS
Source:http://bit.ly/1rtHhzd

Ok lets continue where we left of in the last article, on the fact and fiction about roof tiles.

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If you are worried about the usage of concrete tiles when collecting rain water, well there is nothing to worry about as we are assured that the surface of the concrete tile is a suitable surface from which to gather water for drinking, and best results are achieved when an appropriate collection system is fitted.

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If you are building near the coast you also need not worry, as the prolonged exposure of concrete tiles have a proven record of resistance to corrosive atmospheres.
Similarly in tropical conditions the added weight of a concrete roof helps to counteract wind uplift during storms making it less susceptible to damage than some other roofing materials.
Normally concrete tiles require very  little if any maintenance due to their exceptional durability, if some is required then only the affected tile will need to be replaced.

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Cleaning of the tiles is also not  a necessity but Lichen and moss can be removed by high pressure jet water sprays or by the application of a specific chemical formula sold for this purpose of removing the lichen and moss. In fact the formula for the magic potion is this:-  200 grams of copper sulphate, to 4.5 litres of water The average roof will need ten times this amount, the solution is broomed onto the offending areas and eradication will take place over the following couple of months and it should be left to work on its own as the moss and lichen will gradually disappear. On porous tiles the solution has a residual affect as it remains and inhibits any future or early re-growths.

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When using copper sulphate solutions be careful that metalwork such as guttering is protected to prevent corrosive  action. Gutters should be filled with water by blocking the downpipes as any solution running into the gutter will be extremely diluted and not affect the metal gutter.
By comparison concrete tiles are very affordable and generally cost less than metal or clay covering, on most profiles the fit is neat and even, but the coating that is applied to the tiles is still subject to weathering and will eventually wear off and needs re-painting.

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So myths like, Lichen and Moss will eat into your tiles and weathering of the original surface coating makes old tiles porous, is all a lot of old wife’s tales and scare tactics, invented by itinerant traders.

Every so often we would like to publish questions with answers that our readers may have on renovating or building, so please share your comments.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Tips for choosing roof tile for your home

https://bhisau.wordpress.com/2016/04/22/tips-choosing-roof-tile-for-your-home/ 
By: Peter Huber
Posted By:BHIS
Source:http://bit.ly/1VoHkbJ

The other day I spoke to a gentleman who asked me, to confirm to him that he needs to replace his concrete tiles on his house with clay tiles, I questioned his rationale and a mountain of misleading  statements flowed from his mouth, perhaps the most memorable was that “as concrete tiles become older they start to leak and there is nothing short of replacing them with clay tiles”

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I must say I have heard many such rumour floating around, all of which I am hopefully about to dispelled. I decided to see if the concrete tile manufacturers have become aware of these rumours and what if any, their official response was?

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After talking to several people connected to the concrete tile industry, a brochure was mailed to us prophetically titled “THE FACTS ON CONCRETE TILES”

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I will summarise and add some of our own comments to the questions and topics covered in this brochure.
“ARE CONCRETE TILES DURABLE?”
The modern manufacturing process makes the tiles exceptionally durable, they are manufactured to Australian standards and the physical properties of concrete will remain unchanged well in the excess of fifty or more years, irrespective of climatic conditions.

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Concrete actually becomes stronger with time and remember concrete is the preferred  material for major structures such as bridges and high rise towers because of its inherent qualities of strength and longevity, additionally it out last other roof cover materials as it does not rust or corrode.
“DO CONCRETE TILES ABSORB WATER AND THEREFORE DOUBLE IN WEIGHT?”  No this is incorrect and a myth. The Australian standards AS1757-1989 actually specifies a maximum water absorption of only 10% per total immersion in water for 24 hrs. In practice the absorption of water by capillary action during periods of heavy rain would increase the weight of the tile by around 5%. Contrary to claims of some roofing companies, this weight increase is unlikely to cause structural roof or stump failure.

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“DOES WEATHERING OF THE ORIGINAL TILE COATING MAKE TILES POROUS?” Not true.  The colour coating is purely decorative and is not designed as a water proofing film. As in most water proof purpose made concrete, water proofing is achieved by using carefully selected, formulated, batched and graded materials which are then compacted during manufacture. This then produces a concrete product of high density and strength which naturally keeps out water.

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“ARE CONCRETE TILES FIRE RESISTANT” yes they are totally incombustible and fully fire resistant according to ASTM (USA)E108-88 tests, there is no comparable test available in Australia.
“WHAT ABOUT THERMAL AND SOUND INSULATION” Tiles  take longer to heat up and tiled roofs usually have a larger volume roof spaces which “breathe” so houses with tiles roofs  stay cooler longer, but once the heat build up accumulates for long periods, it also works in reverse that it takes longer to cool down.

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Due to the greater mass of concrete tiles they do provide a better sound insulating quality than metal roofing, they help to reduce to noise intrusion in particular caused by rain and hail.

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We will continue to discuss the myths and facts of roof tiles

Source:http://bit.ly/1VoHkbJ