total newbie

[toxictoad]

hi all, glad I found this site, I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions than answers so I thank you all now

where do I start? I guess my first question is what mix do I use for an internal wall, but then I started looking through threads and now I don't even know what to call it? mortar? render? screed? I don't even know the difference...

I recently bought a house and based on the advice from the surveyor I stripped all the plaster off and took the living room back to brick. In doing so I found a structural problem where a wall was removed, I've had structural calculations for new beams and for that I will get a professional to do all the work.

I also found where the original door into the living room was and has been bricked up. I called the local building controls dept and explained the situation and they said i could remove all the old brick work and timber lintel to put a new door way there. I will have to replace the timber lintel with a concrete or steel one but they don't need to get involved further and I can do the building work.

This is why my first question comes back...what do I need?

Bricks and cement? will that do it or do I need to mix in sand?

I saw the sticky thread about render/screed with the attached spreadsheets but don't know if this relates to what I need to do?

could someone explain in very simple terms?

 

[Nige F]

Why not remove the bricks in the doorway, leaving the lintel in place and then get the pro who does the beams to help you

 

[toxictoad]

Why not remove the bricks in the doorway, leaving the lintel in place and then get the pro who does the beams to help you

cost primarily as I've just bought the house I would also like to get my hands dirty and do as much of the work myself.

I was quoted £3000 and that didn't include the fabricated steel that's required and this is way out of my budget. I haven't had a qoute for the steel but from guestimates I'm looking at around £700 - £1000

I've already got a couple of acro props supporting the beam that doesn't have enough overhang and was only supported by timber and I'm looking to buy two more to use when I start removing the wall.

I bricked up another door that was only plasterboarded over before and that was before I found this site. All I used was aereated bricks and cement, so far only one brick thick so I need to do the other side aswell and this would be my testing with the mix as it's not actually structural changes.

I saw another post where it says to use a 4 - 1 mix of sand and cement. Would it be fair to say this would do the job for any internal walls?

 

[Nige F]

@ those prices I feel like i`ve just bitten a toxic toad 5=1 should be ok .you can get masonry cement ( with admix) works nicer than Ordinary Portland.

 

[toxictoad]

ok cool, the ready mix seems like a good option especially as I don't have a mixer or would I still need one?

I guess I could hire a mixer without to much trouble.

 

[Thermo]

buy yourself a decent diy book, like readers digest or something similiar. If youve got loads to do and not sure where to start it is a good source of info

 

[toxictoad]

cheers thermo, got one on my xmas list

 

[Thermo]

oh and ask away on here to your hearts content, we dont all know all the answers, but someone usually does



and your thank yous go a long way too!

 

[toxictoad]

oh boy I will lol

this place is very inspiring I'm already thinking of building a cellar, fitting my own bathroom (only have a shower, sink & loo at the mo) and I'm sure I'll think of more as I go

 

[Bazdaa]

buy yourself a decent diy book, like readers digest or something similiar. If youve got loads to do and not sure where to start it is a good source of info

I've got loads of DIY books, which I use to cross referance each other.

The two that I use most are the Collins book of DIY, and Readers Digest //www.diynot.com/books/view/uk/c/dy
After that do a bit of real world research, with regards to cost of equipment etc.

Another tip that I do is to use my local shops, and explain what I'm doing, or trying to do. They supply the advice as well as the goods!

Thermo re advice. I hope that goes for me as well?

P.S. Have to agree, very inspiring. Just keep away from the electrics forum.

 

[paulandlaura]

Its a great site, i've learned loads, which has also come at a stage where i'm dam close to being finished having learned most the hard way
I agree bazdaa. "Im thinking of re-wiring my entire house, whats all this part p nonsense about??" is not the question to ask next door

 

[Nige F]

ok cool, the ready mix seems like a good option especially as I don't have a mixer or would I still need one?

I guess I could hire a mixer without to much trouble.

You won`t need a mixer for your brick/block work..get a mixing trough instead from Wickes and a shovel..and keep it clean they work so much easier than caked with pug, old school labourers ones used to shine like stainless steel and thanks for your thanks........so few bother

 

[toxictoad]

nice one for the link Bazdaa, I'll look out for them...

electrics is something I may have a go at later, but A. I have a lot of building / plumbing to get through first B. I thought electrics were a bit of a no go due to recent legislation.

Cheers Nige, I'll be getting most of the stuff from Wickes so will ask them about it

 

[Bazdaa]

No problem, but feel free to shop around. I normally get my books from Costco.

Re electrics. Its not a no no. Just a process that you have to follow. BAsically for DIYers like us. We would need to call in building control to sign off our work. Although some things are exempt.

Theres plenty of stuff on Part P here.