conservatory problem, please help and advise, urgent

[^woody^]

These will not be available for free.

The problem you will have if you do get copies, is that they are not straight forward guides, and contain sentences here and there which have to be linked and interpreted to form the context and meaning

Here are some extracts

BDA Successful Brickwork 2005
2.1
Setting-out the brickwork is different from setting-out the building

OBJECTIVES
One of the main purposes of setting-out facework is to create a matching and balanced appearance of brickwork particularly at the reveals on either side of door and window openings and ends of walls

DESIGN
Broken bond and possibly wasteful cutting can be avoided if the overall length of walls and the widths of doors, window openings and brickwork
between the openings are all multiples of a brick stretcher ...... In practice, this ideal situation seldom occurs and a satisfactory solution is dependent on bricklaying skills

Broken bond can sometimes be avoided by 'tightening' or 'opening' the joints

Broken bond can be avoided by using reverse bond

NHBC 2005
6.1 S2

(b) setting out
When setting out masonry, avoid cutting bricks or blocks except when it is essential and avoid irregular or broken bonds, particularly at openings

(g) bonding
A regular bonding pattern should be maintained

BS 5628-3: 2005
A.4.2.1.3 Horizontal setting out
Anticipate the position of openings, etc. in the starting course prior to carrying out work to avoid unnecessary cutting and adjustment of masonry units at a later stage which can lead to incorrect or uneven bonding (see A.5.1.3)

A.5.1.3.1 Masonry bond
Lay units using a regular masonry bond with nominal 10 mm joints, unless otherwise specified by the designer.

COMMENTARY. It is not practical to vertically align every perpend joint, particularly with bricks having the maximum permissible deviation from the work sizes. For fair faced work it is good practice to align vertically about every fifth cross joint in each course and "even out" the size of intermediate joints. This will give a regular appearance of verticality when viewed from positions other than very close to the wall

 

[tkaay]

thanks for that woody. i will let you know what happens.

 

[wms]

I looked at your pictures, I employ three full time brick layers and showed them.their reply was if we did that for you you would sack us. ( and they are right.) the most qualified brick layer i have HNC's etc
was telling me that a Queen closure as it was described to you. is actually used when a brick is cut down its whole length, giving you a full stretcher cut in half 50 mm x 205ish this then fitted such as in an old english bond so unless your wall is 9"solid he tells me its not a queen closure. as its to give you a 3/4 bond for the header course. i think thats how he described it.

I did notice that the house is dashed if you cannot live with this awful brickwork you could insist that they render it with a smooth render and painted white .it may not be quite what you wanted but would look better than that brickwork. Only an idea?

 

[tkaay]

thanks for that wms. there are other problems with their work and i am going to get someone else in from next week to finish the work and rectifty the defects, including rebuilding the wall in question. i am going to knock off the money it costs me from the balance i owe these jokers. don't think it will go down too well but i've had enough of them now. don't know if i can/should name and shame them on here.

 

[Richard C]

don't know if i can/should name and shame them on here.

No matter how bad you feel & how morally justified it would probably be the answer is certainly, NO DEFINATELY NOT! The law being what it is, you could get yourself into serious trouble!

 

[tkaay]

^ yeh i guessed as much which is why i haven't mentioned who they are. i just want the job finished properly and feel i have no other option than to get someone else in now to finish the job. i have extended the time given to them to finish it 3 times now. i have been more than reasonable i think.

 

[tkaay]

ok guys, having a meeting with the rep from the conservatory company later this week. i need some advice. my main issue with this is the fact that the frame is on the wooden pieces and that there is a 1 inch gap between the sill and brick all the way round. i think he will say this is acceptable practice. my question is this: apart from your opinions, correct as i know they are, is there any guidance/regulations etc that i can quote and say "no you cant do that because ......."

thanks

 

[^woody^]

I've put 3 pages in my album from a 1995 document dealing with the design and installation of conservatories - produced by the Conservatory Associaton and the British Plastic Federation Window Group

There may be a more up to date document (google the above associations)

Anyway they show cill details, and Page 47 mentions packing and shims and load transfer

edit

Just checked and it seems the 1995 edition is still current

 

[tkaay]

thanks woody, tried looking for the association but can't find the website....anyone got a link to them? could do with this document.

 

[^woody^]

If you put " British Plastic Federation Window Group " into Google, it comes back as the first result for the British Plastics Federation and the second result for the British Plastics Federation Windows Group

The Conservatory Association is now a specialist group within the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF)

The document is £25, but there does not seem to be anything else relevant to your situation