Concrete is used in and around the house as a surface for solid floors, drives paths and walls. In common with other building materials, it suffers from effects of damp-spalling and efflorescence and related defects such as cracking and crumbling. Repairs can usually be made...
Concrete floors can be subject to cracking caused by shrinkage. Usually the cracks are only in the screed and can be easily repaired, but a cracked floor that is also uneven may be a sign of settlement in the sub-base, and you should have it checked by...
Cleaning Brick and StoneBefore you decorate the outside of your house, check the condition of the brick an stonework, and carry out any necessary repairs. There’s no reason why you can’t paint brick or stone walls – indeed, in some areas it is traditional...
Microscopic spores will remain even after brushing. Kill these with a solution of bleach, or if the wall suffers persistently from fungal growth, use a proprietary fungicide, available from most DIY stores.Using a bleach solutionMix one part household bleach with four parts water. Paint...
Whatever type of finish you intend to apply to a wall, all loose debris and dirt must be brushed off with a stiff-bristled brush. Don’t use a wire brush unless the masonry is badly soiled as it may leave scratch marks.Brush along the mortar joints...
Building and home inspectionPick up a little sausage of mortar on the back of a small pointing trowel and push it firmly into the upright joints. This can be difficult to do without the mortar dropping off, so hold the mortar board under each joint to catch...
Before You Sell Your Home, Have it Inspected!So you’re considering selling your home and now you want to be sure that there will be no unpleasant surprises to upset the settlement process. Well, we’re here to help make sure of that! Building and Home Inspection Service currently...
STORING SAND AND CEMENTStoring the materials should not normally be necessary because it is best that they be bought as required and used up by the end of the job. However if you are held up for a time after taking delivery you should store...
MIXING MORTAR BY MACHINEYou can hire a small-capacity electric or petrol-driven cement mixer. Such a mixer can save you much time and effort, especially on big jobs, and is quite easy to use.Set the machine as close as possible to the work area and place...
Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers and forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Symptoms can include shortness of breath and chest pain. The life expectancy for most mesothelioma patients is approximately 12 months after diagnosis....
