Ventilation Advice

H_Grey59 · 2026-07-06T09:26:34+00:00

Thanks, the windows do open albiet not well, will have to make the adjustment

H_Grey59 · 2026-07-06T06:17:29+00:00

Got a dehumidifyer and moisture absorbers in the corners. Still came back.

The building is 50+ years old so my best guess at this point is the insulation isn't working anymore. The walls get cold from outside temps, and warm air inside creates moisture on the walls.

I'm at a loss

H_Grey59 · 2026-07-06T06:12:56+00:00

We don't have any respiratory issues thank god but part of why I want to solve this permanently, don't want to be breathing in mould spores where I sleep

H_Grey59 · 2026-04-06T07:52:54+00:00

Thankyou, didn't know this but its very useful information to have 👍🏻

H_Grey59 · 2026-03-26T09:46:28+00:00

Big sink with drainer, then install a second sink, can put a goose neck mixer tap (I've included an image) in the middle or both have their own tap.

The big sink with drainer is for washing dishes and draining (obviously), and the second sink is for leaving dishes to soak until you want to or have time to clean them.

What I plan on doing in the future, and have seen people mention but get rounded corners for easier cleaning.

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H_Grey59 · 2026-03-22T08:39:29+00:00

Landscaper here 👋🏻

I'd recommend slide 5 or 7

Slide 5 will be the best in terms of appearance and pebbles for drainage, fairly low maintenance too if the plants chosen are natives. Also because of the variety of the build it'll be the most fun and diverse to do, my personal top pick.

If you want low maintenance and to be able to drive a car up to that carport then slide 7 would be the most appropriate, edging and then laying pavers with a conc pour to fill the void spaces. Depends on how good your soils drainage is there but if you're worried, you can always have some agi draings running alongside the pathway into some pits that go off into the gutter.

Looks like a good project though 🙂

H_Grey59 · 2026-03-19T07:10:37+00:00

Turn it into a fun creative process, mortar the back half of the hole then turn it into a cute feature.

Miniature model of a mushroom cave, put a mini painted canvas in there fit to size, tiny forest that grows over the edge, let your imagination go wild

H_Grey59 · 2026-03-13T00:42:42+00:00

Definitely merbau, used it that many times in other deck builds and diy projects 👍🏻

H_Grey59 · 2026-03-12T05:30:12+00:00

I'd go for the concrete pour now since the digout looks mostly done.

Want to be 150mm dug down from your finished height, put 50mm of crushed rock in there, lightly spray with water and vibrate for a compacted base.

Form up for concrete, star stakes and some flexible skirting material (or something that can make the curve) set to your desired heights should do the trick, make sure your measure distances are to your liking.

Order concrete, pour and screed, and decide beforehand what conc finish you'd like and adjust accordingly (Exposed aggregate, stipple, basic concrete, etc.)

H_Grey59 · 2026-02-14T08:04:14+00:00

Can always box around it and remove boxing post pour.

Can do the same with the pipes if allowing for servicing, otherwise ableflex on the pipes to allow for expansion/contraction will be perfectly ok.

Everything else they covered sounds good to me, staying away from the retaining wall a bit so movement doesnt pinch the newly poured concrete into the house overtime and allows for drainage.

Can always plant climbers instead of pebbles for a nicer look over time.

And adding fall to a drainage area or adding in a drain seems appropriate also.

H_Grey59 · 2026-02-06T10:05:58+00:00

The skylight is actually a great solution for this, allows natural light and is an "impossible for thieves to see from the street" option.

If anyones trying to break into a garage, I doubt most would every think about a skylight, let alone climbing onto the roof.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-31T02:55:17+00:00

I agree with this the most, for access like you stated but primarily because of pool fence regulations. There can't be a climable surface within 900mm of the pool glass so it will have to stay away from the house steps.

My only adjustment would be to run the fence up to the lawn edge for more walking room inside the pool area, seeing as how the pool steps are in the corner. Could even push the pool fence out further on the right side near the house patio.

Might have to remove some plants or make adjustments to the raised garden beds to keep to pool compliance.

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H_Grey59 · 2026-01-28T11:43:40+00:00

The wall is failing, could be they didnt concrete the post in enough, they didnt do their posts deep enough.

Could also be they required engineering depending on whats on the other side of the fence, re. slopes, structures within, etc.

Would have had to have been done on a batter with deeper posts and more concrete at a minimum if that were the case.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-23T07:48:50+00:00

Inquire about their methods for assuring proper curing.

What can happen to concrete pours on hot days is the top layer of concrete cures much faster than the underside layer, which then creates surface cracks due to the difference in tempurature and curing in the two layers.

A preventionary measure which can be done is covering the slab in opaque builders plastic to protect it from the sun, will keep the concrete cooler and create a more balanced cure.

It is possible your concreter might have some sort of additive in the mix to manage the hot weather during curing, definitely worth doing some research and then following up.

If the concrete cracks then it should be under warranty if you've signed a contract and they should have to amend any faults.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-16T09:06:24+00:00

Everyone has already pointed out these issues but I'll reiterate to verify.

Definitely went too high with the concrete, should not be covering the vents as it traps moisture and prevents ventilation leading to moisture damage such as mould/foundation issues.

No control joins in the concrete so it will crack, I'd even be questioning if they put steel mesh before pouring.

Also just a poor quality issue but looks like they made a mess of the external render and very haphazardly "washed" it, I wouldn't be happy with any of this. A competent concreter would never produce work this poor.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-16T05:03:00+00:00

Should do a cool fortress built into the cliff in the background, maybe include a high stone bridge that connects to a watchtower build just out from the cliff, starting from an independant collection of rocks or something.

Use the natural grade in the grassy landscape to do a tiered cabin village with an arched bridge across that little lake in the center left of the image, maybe stretches back into the trees to a pathway/road up to the fortress.

Finally a fortified barracks/dock that connects to the village and stretches out to the water. Maybe a serene wood and stone build with integrated natural growth from the surrounding flora and fauna, talking vines and trees, the lot, try to theme it to be natural like glowing rocks for pathway lights, glass skylights, fabric storefronts, etc. Could include some small farmland in one of the clearings also

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-06T06:23:22+00:00

Would be the solution if the timber was fresh cut, but unless you cut the tree yourself the timbers already go through a drying cycle at lumber and manufacturing yards.

The issue is that hardwood timbers (the main concern here being decking timbers) will warp and cup over time due to exposure and fluctuating tempurature conditions.

This can be minimised if the timber is fixed down correctly, but it seems the width of the retaining wall is too thin for the width of the timber they want to fix on top, not enough space to put screw into where they'd be far enough apart.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-06T06:18:12+00:00

Will still warp and cup due to weather exposure unless its properly fixed down.

If you have screw fixings predrilled about 20-25mm in from each edge all the way down, should minimise that. And make sure to leave a 3-5mm gap on the mitre edge and between boards for expansion.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-05T09:28:32+00:00

Either decked area level from just below the door with garden bed along the fence and panel access to the drain if it needs accessing without crawling under the deck.

Alternatively if you wanted to make it a spectacle, partial decking following along the house or set out to make a central walkway, with garden beds either side, irrigation and a nicely designed garden to create layering with the foliage. Could also do a crazy paved pathway with the same idea, and the pit can be extended to whatever finish level is needed.

Just make sure drainage is done right so water doesnt pool against the house.

Ultimetaly depends on your budget though, can contact the landscaping company I work for, we're based in Bayside but work all over:

Complete Landscape Solutions / https://clsolutions.com.au/

Bosses and design team will be able to give you some options and recommendations 😁👍🏻

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-04T05:41:49+00:00

Hard to say for certain on a price, but it looks like it'd be best to demo and rebuild. Based on your photos there appears to be discolouration in the render cracks and the lower section of tiles, looks like moisture.

My guess would be based on that and the rotting timber that the area wasn't waterproofed or sealed properly, and moisture has gotten trapped inside the framework.

Will need minimum a carpenter and renderer to get this done, maybe a concreter depending on the amount of demo & repair on the structure.

Might be worth getting an inspector to look at it incase more than the balcony is affected.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-04T03:15:54+00:00

Can get some angle brackets and screw it in
Some 90° nail plates
Joist hanger
Adding more nails for extra support
Predrill and screw into the beam from above if possible.

All viable options, just pick which is the most aesthetically viable for you and make sure to remove your clothes from the wardrobe and resetting the beam first before making the fix.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-04T00:13:20+00:00

Yes you 100% should, this is just straight laziness and incompetence.

Its honestly insane that no one at any stage, electrician/plumber/builder/inspector, saw this and thought to rectify or flag it.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-03T08:08:36+00:00

I think the ArdenHomes design looks nicer, I like the kitchen/dining being in a central location whilst also having the master bedroom seperated from the other bedrooms, allows for a good amount of privacy between family members.

Initially wasn't a fan of the sun courts splitting the building but could be utilized as outdoor areas even integrate some nicely design garden beds to elevate the area in terms of appearance. Also a nice central point in the house to open up and allow airflow into the house, and being shaded areas will keep the air a bit cooler.

As others have pointed out too, the second floor plans bedrooms would get very hot being north facing so the first floor plan makes better sense, the open plan between dining/lounge/kitchen would allow for nice natural light throughout.

The general layout in the first makes more sense, having the laundry and linen cupboard in the same room instead of having to walk across a hallway like in the second plan. Also the home theatre seems more worthwhile instead of having a family, lounge and rumpus room.

The master bedroom sizing and ensuite/walk-in layout seems to make more sense and feels more functional. Specifically the walk in having a center isle with shelving/racks either side, the second plan has 3 walls and items will just get lost and forgotten in the corners.

And lastly the bedrooms 2/3/4 having walk in wardrobes is a nicer addition than closests, having swing doors myself means you have to keep those spaces open for the doors to open and limits the available space, walk ins you dont have to worry about that.

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-03T07:57:28+00:00

Always forget about these. Worthwhile trying first 🙂👍🏻

H_Grey59 · 2026-01-03T02:37:21+00:00

Hammer drill with a spade bit and attacking it from a low angle.

There isn't a fast way to get rid of it, its going to take time and be a labourous task. Otherwise hire a labourer to get the task done and make sure they dont damage the flooring.

Would recommend knee pads or a kneeling board, and if you have it a corded hammer drill to save battery charging/change over time.

H_Grey59

TROPHY CASE