War heroes
War heroes
It is an appropriate time of year to talk about war and the heroes from any time who have given so much for what we cherish most freedom. They say you never miss it until you lose it. Most of us have it even though we moan all the time of being trapped, it is not like the real suffering from those who have fought in a war.
One of my customers from way back when I was only a teenager, was a real old soldier. He must have been in his nineties. He always smiled and never grumbled at anything. He had leaks in his roof, no heating and the hot water was on a hit and miss basis. He had never got married and had no family at all alive. He also only had one leg. Being a nosey chap but being genuinely interested as I always have been with the elderly, I asked what had happened.
In the first world war he had gone out from the trenches to rescue a friend of his. He managed to bring him back to the relative safety of his trench only to find that it had been over run in his absence by the enemy. He carried his friend for nearly five miles to get to real safety what ever that was. He was shot in the leg en route but still he carried on. When he finally stopped he found out that his mate had died probably at the start of his amazing journey. For his valour in trying to save his mate our man was added the further blow of having to have his leg removed as a result of being shot and carrying the weight causing so much loss of blood.
I often think of him when I think I have had a bad day and compare whatever life throws and say was it as bad as his on that day? He was one of the happiest men that I have ever worked for and I didn’t get the feeling he would let anyone be sad for him he was just a positive person through and through and a very nice human being as well.
Not all as it seems
It has been a familiar them of late that what we look at isn’t always as clear cut as it seems. A friend of mine has bought a bungalow and has noticed within a few months that there are signs of damp in a couple of corners in one of the rooms. In the survey it pointed out the need for good ventilation under suspended floors. This is of course the correct thing to say and he had recommended that the build up of debris in front of the air vents was cleared to make sure the full air vent was exposed to allow a draught under the floor. This is essential to keep the timbers from getting damp and not drying out. There is only a small gap under the floor so all the more important for the vents that are there to work properly.
These vents had been cleared before my arrival to the property. Still not convinced that there was not another additional problem, I asked to be able to take up a couple of floor boards. When I did, I could see the beginning signs of rot starting to affect the joists where they went directly into the wall. We would, if constructing the floor now, put a DPC around the timbers of course, but these were not. On then checking the air vents we discovered that although there were plenty of air vents outside, they were blocked on the inside. In fact the brickwork did not have a gap on the inner brick wall. This means that from the day they were installed as part of the original house build, they have been ineffective. This is now resulting in damp problems requiring work to be carried out to repair and prevent a recurrence of the moisture building up. We can fix this fairly easily but what you see is not always what you get.
The moral of the story is that the surveyor was not wrong in his advice but until the floor was taken up no one really knows what the cause of a problem is. If there is the sign of damp get it sorted. Try the easier routes first a small damp patch does not always end in a full scale project.
A house I worked on years a go needed a new roof according to the roofer. I solved the problem by moving some games piled high on a wardrobe that prevented air flow around the room. In the cold spots, normally external walls with family junk stacked against the wall the air condensates and a damp patch can occur. Poor old roofer lost an £8,000 job and I got a cup of tea - fair exchange indeed. I did get a lot of work from the client from then on because of this ability to save him money. Of course had he replaced the roof, whilst it would look lovely I am sure the problem would have remained the same.
My advice is start with the easy things first. They are normally cheaper and quicker to identify and change and then if they are not the cause move on to the next thing. Points to remember is that there can be more than one cause to a sign of damp. The signs you see can be seasonal therefore keep an eye out to see if it comes back with rain in a certain direction or the water table changing as examples. If you don’t see the problem for a few days it doesn’t mean it is solved.
Water travels so don’t think the problem can only be where the signs are, it could be further afield. Be vigilant - repairs don’t happen by themselves!
Give us a chance!
No crystal balls used here!
I do understand the importance of service and like many other builders that I know, the office and estimating side of the work sometimes falls behind when you are busy. We do have to, however, rely on suppliers coming back with prices for us to work on. Keeping track on millions of products in your head just doesn’t work. It is why I will not give a price whilst visiting a job on the first visit. It isn’t fair to the client or the builder and will result in one of the parties feeling let down. The builder may have to cut corners half way through to save money and then, well, you know what happens - it all kicks off or falls down.
I was asked three days ago to price up a kitchen in an empty house. I gave the quantity of units (as specified by the client in a letter by post) to my supplier and then was trying to get and look at the property. I could not gain access as there are no keys locally and the owner cannot travel the 200 miles from where he lives. I explained that I needed to see to determine not only where the units are to be fitted, but also to see about the electrics, plumbing, decorating, tiling, flooring etc etc.
I have learnt today, that the owner has gone elsewhere as he feels I am obviously not interested in the job. W H A T?
I would be interested to find out how the other builder came to his figures. At the moment he will be King because he has satisfied the client by giving him what he wants. We will see if he has over charged or will he cut corners? He could be Derren Brown of course and just sense it all though the walls!
I am going back to my crystal ball and will see you later!
Experts - are they all the same?
The definition of an expert has been questioned over time. I believe the answer lies with the expert who can give the solution without looking. This is really clever and you can get so much more done without ever getting near a problem. Politicians do it all the time. This art was first perfected however by builders.
I had a job completed a year ago which involved the redecoration of a splendid large room in a splendid large house in a splendid part of the world. All was good with the world until mould was seen affecting the decoration in the bay ceiling area. Poor decoration was the cry from the insurance company. We have to go and put it right was the demand. I went along to see what the problem was.
The decoration indeed was poor in the bay and some of the original paper (not put up by me 100 years ago)Â was hanging down and threads of whispy rot were in between the plaster and the original paper. My verdict was “this needs looking at behind the plaster and then we can make some decisions”. Sensible so far?
The experts came along with a longer list of letters behind them than an MP’s expense account, “it is categorically not rot”. This is a bold statement of which there can be no return. It is in total contrast to mine which is “lets take a look behind the plaster”.
I have spoken to the loss adjuster and he agreed to let me remove the plaster. We did just that to find, beyond doubt, dry rot. A nasty infliction to any house that needs to be sorted properly. Now the situation is the roof needs to come off and new lead put back afterwards.
The expert would have had someone just paint over the mess and leave it for six months. By this time the rot would have affected other rooms floors and ceilings, four of which are adjoining this area. All of those rooms would have had to be pulled apart resulting in tens of thousands of pounds of work and disruption beyond belief.
The moral of this story is that experts are not always right. Judgement needs to be made and common sense should be applied. What seems like the right approach? What feels right at the time? Never be afraid to ask more questions. It is your house, your pain, if it goes wrong ask another “expert” if required to do so, seek another opinion.
I am not saying this because I was proved to be right but because no human being could have had the answer this expert gave, only the bionic man could have seen through the plaster! As a mere mortal without any expert mentality, I feel I gave the right advice, “it needs looking at”. Don’t, whatever you do, ignore it. Dry rot especially doesn’t just go away.
Developing Property?
Developing Property? If you’re developing property which you don’t intend to live in, you are likely to have legal responsibilities for health and safety. Anyone developing property and having construction or building work carried out has legal duties as a ‘client’ under the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 unless they are a domestic client. Read more here: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/property-developer/index.htm
You are never to old to think young
- Lorna Page
This is probably my favourite blog posting so far. A few years ago I worked for a lady called Lorna Page. I knew both Lorna and her daughter Wendy. It was extremely sad that Wendy had cancer. Wendy never lost her fighting spirit and survived a fundraising occasion I arranged by one day because she wanted to know how it went. I spent a fair bit of time with Lorna after Wendy’s passing. I decorated her flat up in Ashtead and we overlooked the local cricket ground and she would chit chat about all manor of subjects and discuss with such wisdom that I was completely enthralled.
This was all about seven years ago. Time moves on and I have not caught up with Lorna and to be honest did not know if she was still with us or not. I don’t often read local newspapers because I know where all the pizza places are, but I did read a story the other day. A ninety-four year old lady has just become a famous author. I saw the picture and it was Lorna. I could not stop laughing out loud when I read with pride her current situation. Three years ago she wrote a book and it was accidently discovered by her son. It went to print and has become a huge success. Her second novel is out now and she has editors ringing her trying to capture her services. It gets better, Lorna went on to tell us in the interview that she had to turn down tv and interviews in Hollywood because she was too busy writing.
To show the true nature of compassion is not dead Lorna put out an advert for people to share her house that she has bought with the income from book sales. She has bought a big house now in Devon and has invited people living in care homes to join her as they might feel depressed in some of the “not so nice ones”.
What a lady! I am very proud to have been a small part of such a remarkable lady’s life. It has to be said though that Lorna cannot have it her own way not even with international stardom at her feet. She has been barred from a wish she has kept under wraps for some while as, wait for it, sky diving is considered unsuitable for her at her young age of ninety-four! I am sure she will talk them around to it.
Good luck for the future Lorna, all the best, Paul.
(Not all the posts have to be building related - good stories come in all shapes and sizes!)
Photo courtesy of The Epsom Guardian
PCA Training for Surveyors
PCA Training for Surveyors
Property professionals working with damp problems or timber infestations are being invited to attend a Property Care Association (PCA) training course in September.
The trade body’s three day course is suitable for surveyors requiring general knowledge of potential issues surrounding damp buildings and damp proofing and students studying for the Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment (CSRT) examinations.
Day one will focus on timber properties, decay and insect infestations, day two on dampness, diagnosis and remedial treatment, and day three on health and safety and other relevant legal issues.
Delegates will undertake in-depth study on topics including methods of treatment of timber infestations and fungal decay, the causes and effects of dampness in buildings, treatment of rising damp, Health and Safety Executive Control of Substance Hazards to Health (COSHH) requirements and survey reporting.
Candidates can attend the whole course or individual days as required. Training is open to PCA members and non-members.
The PCA is running the course at its Huntingdon training centre from September 15 to September 17.
A two-day exam preparation course is also offered on September 29 and 30, for those about to sit their CSRT Surveyors qualifications. This builds on the work carried-out during the three day surveyors training course and gives candidates the opportunity to hone their skills in mock examinations.
Noted for its technical expertise, the PCA represents the UK’s structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp-proofing, flood remediation and structural repair sectors.
PCA training is a key role of the trade body and underpins its reputation as a major educational provider.
Yasmin Chopin, PCA Executive Director, said: “The PCA is recognised across the UK for its technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of the building preservation sector.
“It is not necessary to be a member of the PCA to access all courses. Staff from a wide range of organisations have benefited from PCA courses including estate agents, architects, social housing managers and surveyors.â€
Each year, the PCA trains hundreds of people from property professionals to DIY enthusiasts.
Courses focus on a wide range of building maintenance skills, including damp proofing, structural waterproofing, timber resin repair training, how to measure dampness levels, cavity wall tie repairs and condensation issues.
Training can also be delivered at clients’ own premises as an alternative to travelling to the Huntingdon centre. The PCA is also happy to make the training suite available for hire to other training providers.
The complete PCA Training Prospectus 2009 can be ordered by contacting eleana@property-care.org. Full details of the PCA training programme can also be found at the Association’s website at http://www.property-care.org/training-events
The Property Care Association
http://www.property-care.org
Telephone 0870 1216737
Courtesy of http://www.journalism.co.uk/66/articles/534859.php
Flood protection ‘needs doubling’
Some regions of the UK are likely to see more floods, especially in winter
One in six homes in England is at risk of flooding, says the Environment Agency, and climate change will raise that number without better protection.
The agency calculates that funding for projects that protect communities from flooding from rivers and the sea needs to double to £1bn annually by 2035.
Without that, it says, economic damage worth £4bn per year could be the norm.
The agency’s report uses data from the government’s projections of UK climate impacts, published on Thursday.
“The latest UK climate change data shows that the risk of flooding and coastal erosion will continue to increase in future due to rising sea levels and more frequent and heavy storms,” said agency chairman Chris Smith.
“There are important decisions for us all to take about how to manage these risks to protect people, communities, businesses and the economy in future.”
Major costs
The climate impact projections - UKCP09 - concluded that every part of the UK was likely to receive more rainfall in winters - by 2080, as much as 20% more in some regions.
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AREAS MOST AT RISK OF FLOODS
 1. Boston District
- 23,700 properties
2. North Somerset
- 20,415 properties
3. East Lindsey District
- 14,949 properties
4. Windsor and Maidenhead
- 11,477 properties
5. City of Kingston upon Hull
- 9,825 properties
6. Shepway District
- 9,065 properties
7. Sedgemoor District
- 8,092 properties
8. East Riding of Yorkshire
- 7,513 properties
9. Runnymede District
- 7,007 properties
10. Warrington
- 6,533 properties
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This means, the Environment Agency says, that rivers may carry 20% more water at some periods of the year than at present.
The agency is also concerned that rising sea levels may overwhelm sea defences in some regions unless they are strengthened.
Vital infrastructure is also increasingly at risk, it says, with about one-sixth of the country’s electricity infrastructure situated in flood plains.
The agency revealed the top 10 local authority areas in England with the most properties at risk.
Top of the list came Boston, in Lincolnshire, with 23,700. Second was North Somerset with 20,415 and third was East Lindsey, also in Lincolnshire, with 14,949.
A year ago, the Pitt Review of flood preparedness concluded that major improvements were needed at local and national level.
Sir Michael Pitt said it was “absolutely not acceptable” that residents were forced out of their homes for more than a year by flood damage.
But he did not name the cost of improved flood protection - a gap that the Environment Agency has now filled.
It suggests that some schemes could be funded locally without input from central government.
Richard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk
Courtesy http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8107920.stm
Cardboard homes could solve Africa’s housing woes
Hamburg - Building homes out of cardboard may be the way to resolve Africa’s housing shortage and recycle precious resources during the 21st century, according to German scientists. Prototype super-durable cardboard houses have already been built and are resisting the rain and cold weather of northern Germany. Enquiries are coming in from all over the world, and the designer, engineer Gerd Niemoeller, is making appearances on German television news programmes.
“The problem is not the demand,” Niemoeller told RTL television. “The demand is out there. The problem is only in meeting the demand and gearing up production to full speed.”
Niemoeller calls his breakthrough the low-cost Universal World House, a prefabricated design built from thin, strong panels made from a honeycomb of polymer resin-soaked paper.
His company near Hamburg supplies the machine to build the panels plus the raw materials to the client, who then makes them locally.
Houses have 36 square metres of floor space, the size of a modest one-bedroom apartment.
But the whole house weighs less than a standard car - just 800 kilograms, including the foundation block.
“Without the foundation block, it’s only 400 kilos,” Niemoeller explained.
The house costs only 5,000 dollars and can be erected on-site by one workman in one day.
The one-storey house, primarily intended for emergency shelters or to replace slum housing, was designed by a team of German researchers and experts which included architect Dirk Donath, from the Bauhaus University in Weimar, and structural engineer Greg Hardie who helped realise the all-paper Japanese Pavilion at the Hanover World’s Fair a few years ago.
Orders already have come in from clients in Africa, according to Niemoeller.
With the global economy in recession and with natural resources such as wood in short supply in many developing countries, there is increasing interest in the potential of paper and cardboard within construction when combined with new 21st century bonding, cutting and structural techniques.
Although lacking the tensile strength of wood or metal, paper and cardboard’s key assets are that they are recycled and recyclable, according to Hardie, who worked on the Japanese Pavilion at the 2000 Hanover Expo.
“There are stronger and stiffer materials, but the rationale at Hanover was that we were using something that was recycled and could be recycled back into itself,” he says. “If you can utilize post-consumer waste, there is a place for paper as a construction material.”
The breakthrough came with Niemoeller’s revolutionary method of honeycomb cardboard soaked in polymer resins. Resembling a honeycomb wafer biscuit, this structural design has been a mainstay in aircraft and yacht design for decades, but not in housing.
“Up until now honeycomb structural construction elements have been produced primarily from aluminium. But that of course entails a local industrial capacity which is costly and very energy-intensive - which is unaffordable in the Third World,” says Niemoeller.
That’s where his “paper house” comes in.
“People want to stay in their own countries. It’s only the dire circumstances of poverty which force them to become refugees,” he says. “The changing climate will only exacerbate this trend critically, unless we can come up with alternatives.”
Niemoeller uses cellulose, primarily from recycled paper, which is soaked in polymer resins. The cellulose mass is subjected to extreme heat and pressure and is formed into wafer-like honeycomb structural elements.
Each honeycomb is a mini-vacuum which helps to hold the panel together and increase tensile strength.
“If you put a nail in the wall, you damage only one single honeycomb without damaging the vacuum properties of the surrounding honeycombs,” says the 58-year-old engineer from Luebeck, Germany.
“A 4-centimetre-thick wall has the tensile strength of a 40-centimetre-thick conventional compressed board wall,” he says.
Taking reporters on a tour of the two-room prototype houses, Niemoeller admits that certain amenities are lacking. There is no heating or electricity.
“Our house is built to what we call passive housing standards,” he says. “That is to say, it makes no demands on the environment in terms of fuel or water resources.”
The idea is that the house will be used in places were mud-huts or corrugated tin sheds provide shelter in shanty towns on the fringes of large African conurbations.
“In these conditions, there is no public water supply and no public utilities. People slaughter their animals and cook outside at any rate,” Niemoeller says.
The house is designed to provide sleeping space for several persons, plus a rudimentary kitchen, some shelving, a table, benches, a covered porch and separate shower and toilet.
“People can even slaughter their domestic animals and clean the meat in the adjoining shower,” says Professor Donath.
“One wall of the kitchen can be levered upwards to provide a large egress to the house on hot days,” he says.
Niemoeller’s company, The Wall AG, is registered in Switzerland, but the production facility is near Hamburg in northern Germany.
The prefab production machinery is constructed there for shipment to clients around the world, who then make their own houses locally, reducing costs even further.
“Each machine can produce 1,500 houses and we will have over 50 people making the machinery,” Niemoeller says. “The world needs 100 million affordable houses so we will have our hands full.”
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/274224,cardboard-homes-could-solve-africas-housing-woes.html
C.A.T. Scans
Michael Neill
Whether it’s choosing a supplier, negotiating a deal, or choosing one of the many contract players (everyone from plumbers to lawyers and back again!) who make up your “success team”, one trick clients often ask me about is how they can sift through large numbers of people and pluck the diamonds from the rough.
While referrals are my favourite method, there are times when they are unavailable or unreliable. It is for dealing with times like these that I developed the idea of “C.A.T. scans”. There are three things that are absolutely essential to know in evaluating the people you make requests of in your business and your life:
1. Competence
Is this person competent in the area of your request? That is, even if they want to help, do they have what it takes, or are they going to wind up being well-meaning problems to be solved?
2. Authority
Does this person have the authority to do what you are asking? The length of many sales calls and negotiations could be cut in half by ascertaining the person’s level of authority up front.
3. Trustworthiness
Do they mean what they say, or are they just saying what you want to hear? More importantly, will they do what they say they will? This is often the hardest thing to ascertain, yet without trustworthiness, competence and authority are of no use to youl
A C.A.T. scan is simply the process of rating potential working partners in each of the three categories. I use a straightforward high/low scale, though some people prefer to rank numerically, i.e. from 1 - 5. It’s important to note that total score (i.e. C+A+T) is largely irrelevant, as any two of the attributes are of little use without the third.
Today’s Experiment:
1. Think of a specific project or negotiation you are involved in with other people. Do a C.A.T. scan on the people involved.
2. If you are in sales, do a C.A.T. scan on your prospect list. If you are a manager, do one on your team.
3. The next time you are about to put your dreams in the hands of a relative stranger, make sure they score as high as possible in each category before you let go!
Have fun, learn heaps, and, well, miaow!
Courtesy of Michael Neill
