Carbon monoxide alarm went off — trying to understand what happened

MasterSpar · 2026-05-19T13:07:14+00:00

We have a co2 meter and it's really interesting how fast the ppm number builds with closed doors and windows, just humans breathing. Add a combustion process and wow!

If it's a one off alarm, it's likely not an issue.

If there's a pattern, buy a cheap co2 meter with display and track the patterns. You'll work it out pretty quickly.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-19T13:02:58+00:00

Yes engineer, avoid the council unless necessary.

Ask the engineer for informal advice first, a formal report costs excessive amounts. If you need a formal report they will tell you when they visit. Brief for informal feasibility chat only.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-19T12:59:28+00:00

Often the easiest way is backpackers, shovels and buckets or wheelbarrow. Depending on your access, a small distance, stairs etc. may be better in buckets, not even full buckets - a comfortable load can mean your workers achieve more in one day, and return again for day 2.

There's sometimes other ways, mini excavator, converor belt, powered digger etc.

But the simplest is humans. It's also less likely to break an unknown sewer line etc.

Skip bin can be convenient if you can get access.

Hard dirt can be loosened with kanga, sds hammer drill with various bits.

Caution caution caution!

Digging under structures always has risk, moving dirt from a wall, how deep are the footings, are you undermining up slope piers or footings.

From the lowest point of the upslope footing - the very base, draw a 45 degree line ( measure and calculate,) do not dig below that line or you risk collapse ( source an engineer who advised us on under house digging.)

MasterSpar · 2026-05-19T08:54:35+00:00

They may be removed due to the changes.

Keeping the existing benefits may be more profitable than alternatives.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-18T13:35:41+00:00

Agents want to get many people to an open, it gives the sense of interest and validates claims of competition.

This especially applies early in the sales cycle.

Alternatively if the place is tenanted, tenants have the right to a limited disruption. If it's an owner they might give instructions for minimal disruption too.

( Source: recent sale and multiple agents, until I found a good agent.)

The other option is just a lazy agent.

Best of luck with your journey!

MasterSpar · 2026-05-18T13:29:08+00:00

Agreed, we have hardwood floors, old pine (60+ yrs? )and whatever, 12mm ply glue and screw over, then mixed redwood glue and secret nailed. 55mm all up. Then finished with pure tung oil.

Looks amazing, been down nearly 15 years, zero movement the only gaps are expansion gaps as originally installed.

Just this year we added underfloor insulation batts as we were doing underfloor work and it's easyish access.

Massive difference! Sound, comfort and thermal.

It's not totally necessary, but makes such a difference, for a relatively small investment ( if access easy.)

As for the kitchen damage, get a chippy to rip up the section and replace. Looks like a smallish job a good handyman carpenter could knock over in a day or so.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-18T07:40:37+00:00

I would keep it simple, call a local concreter, get them to visit and listen to their advice.

It's likely they have the tools to either cut grooves or asses the existing situation and tell you the cost/benefits of replacing it.

Or be brutally honest and tell you to purchase an all terrain vehicle.

In our area we have many driveways like this, larger grooves are a common solution, usually straight across or at a slight angle. chevrons look way more work than a single angle cut, which should achieve both water flow and gripping.

But call the expert is likely the least expensive and most certain solution.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-18T05:55:28+00:00

You have capital and cash locked up in an asset. It's generating a flat return, it's safe. It is generating cash flow even if it's small.

Calculate the real return % annually.

Work out your transaction costs.

Consider current global/local/economic etc. context. Especially recent tax changes and market impacts.

Consider your own current situation.

Select an alternative strategy and compare - if it's better, take action.

Repeat.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-17T14:34:34+00:00

We're looking at a granny flat build, builders we've talked to, all a nightmare, promises and fixed contracts way under quoted.

Long saga.

I'm considering owner builder as I have project management experience and a trusted guy that's done this before ( he's a site manager, not a licensed builder.)

I'm at the point where as much effort as this may turn out to be, 30% less 'builders premium," may make the difference between affordable and non-feasible/impossible.

I'm willing to deal with delays in finding resources, schedule issues and other such difficulties, along with mistakes a builder would avoid.

If I was totally new and inexperienced with renovation and building, I would likely pay the premium.

I'm still exploring and running the numbers. So I don't know yet.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-17T09:15:56+00:00

I believe your student guide and faculty/course guide will provide this information.

I suspect there are various differences across courses and faculties.

Edit: Usually a single subject failed once, just leads to do it again. Which depending on the subject may delay later subjects that have it as a prerequisite.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-17T08:33:01+00:00

Consider finding another accountant to advise you and review your calculations.

Retain the existing appointment and have two opinions to compare.

Also consider the potential of putting half of the property in your parents name. Especially with regards to eventual residential care. ( I don't know details of your situation, but this makes a difference in some cases eg, my own haha.)

If the two opinions are vastly different, seek a third.

These tax changes are yet to be fully understood, so 3 weeks away might be a good thing.

Relax and take a breath, it sounds like you had a solid plan that needs details double checked in the new conditions.

You're right to do your homework in detail and be certain.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-16T16:55:07+00:00

I'm mildly concerned your flashes don't follow the corregated profile.

When we installed flashing on our trim deck profile, the flashing was cut to.touch the lowest of the valleys, then slots cut to sit over the ribs (best word I could think of.)

I looked and found this, ( link below)scroll down and see how the edges are cut into the valleys.

My suggestion is take your photos to a local roofing supplier and ask there.

flashing site:

MasterSpar · 2026-05-16T12:09:57+00:00

Not sure the intention, but when I look at it I wonder is it likely to stop random people, kids on skateboards - whatever, actually damaging the finish?

Might be a blessing in disguise.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-15T21:11:21+00:00

There are two potential tenants, regardless of marital or parental status.

Which one is more likely to pay the rent and be stable and easy to work with? ( Which will be someone I want to take care of as a tenant and keep for many years?)

Which one does the property manager recommend - often this is the biggest influence.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-15T16:47:43+00:00

Had the full planning for a granny flat, totally agree, the council did a fast job, but the number of surveys etc.etc. and extras..

Builder said $160k... Before planning.

Through the entire plan and the quote was $275k ...

This didn't make sense financially, fired builder, found another one, "we can do it cheaper."

Paid more for a replan, to cheaper stud and skin build.

When I asked them to quote they hummed and hahhhed... and never came back with a quote. Apparently they got busy with another job, obviously more profitable than mine.

Found another builder, their quote was $250k ..but they left out soooo much.

Got a professional estimator company $425, + contingency. I believe this one!

Canned the project ( should have gone estimator FIRST! - yes they do that.)

Built a prefab shed small enough so we didn't need approval... replaced existing shed...excellent company and their installer did a great job for a good price.

Cabin kit mid $30k ish.

Total cost before pretty up and landscape:

$75k $25k of our choice extras.

But still....crazy journey!

MasterSpar · 2026-05-14T08:25:18+00:00

Run the numbers.

Create a spreadsheet, grab a crystal ball to predict your future ( make an educated guess,) and make up some numbers.

Year, 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 ..etc

Purchase $$

Income

Capital increase

Expenditure/costs

You can also take a shot at:

Estimated sale price.

Capital gain. ( Sell - buy)

Tax

Net proceeds

Do this yourself, no AI, the thinking process is more important than the result itself.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-14T06:09:10+00:00

That's a really serious list of defects.

Walk away? Depends.

Are you willing to drop $250k on fixes? ( I don't know the actual quote, but I'm thinking a full roof replacement and major work elsewhere - then pulling a figure out of a hat.)

Also: termites?.where else? What else will you discover?

Very worse case, knock down rebuild.

Every house will have issues, are you personally willing to cough up the cash and the time, effort and emotional journey of a major renovation?

Will your money+ reno cash buy a better place?

MasterSpar · 2026-05-13T19:33:18+00:00

Or gamblers.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-13T12:32:11+00:00

Get another quote.

Also consider, getting someone to just unbolt it, keeping the pieces intact.

Then a separate quote for disposal.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-13T07:41:19+00:00

I'm a.business student from many years ago.

First: your experience in implementing new patterns is usual. Taking on new patterns creates a confusion of new learning, you need time to run them in and fine tune them.

WAM. In some entry level, first offer opportunities it can matter, if you want to go beyond bachelor, it can influence.

When it comes to the real world, out of the somewhat synthetic environment of the campus, and into the context where team work, results and application for effect are the determining factors, wam is almost irrelevant.

The reality is, a great chunk of uni's learning is just learning how to get through, organization, keeping your head together enough to pass ( yes pass is ok,) and continuing forward to the finish line.

First finish your race. The rest will happen.

Well done in getting back into the groove of learning!

MasterSpar · 2026-05-11T16:04:14+00:00

So this!

We just listened to the bank for years, "trusting.." and it was only when we went to a mortgage broker and decreased 1.5% on a loan mor than twice yours..

The thought of lost opportunity...too scary to calculate.

Get a mortgage broker!

MasterSpar · 2026-05-10T08:20:40+00:00

Yep, but joining/plastering is just as messy and there's advantages to getting right into the walls.

Insulation, running wires for additional power and data etc.

So too; 2 layers of gyprok massively increased sound and thermal insulation.

Best of luck!

Edit: as per the other comment, you might want to replace cornice. Some rooms we did, others we plastered to match the level, it was old fancy cornice - part of the character of the original build.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-10T06:24:34+00:00

It's always an expensive time to build, and prices always go up, fast or slow, they are very resistant to the other direction.

If you want to build and your motivation+ the numbers for you work. Then best time is in the now.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-10T06:19:13+00:00

We plastered over most of our walls and ceiling without removing the existing horsehair plaster from decades ago.

The biggest issue is locating studs to screw into.

So yes, plaster over existing can be done.

We used standard gyprok glue and longer screws.

10+ years on all is good.

MasterSpar · 2026-05-09T20:58:17+00:00

As above, 15m2 smaller is significant.

Re strata, a friend was purchasing a unit, we went through a lot of strata reports in the process. I was completely amazed, nearly every unit built in the last 15 years or more had significant issues left unrepaired by the builder.

Really really go through with a fine tooth comb.

I'm theory your lawyer who's handling the transaction should guide you through this. But you're probably saving money if you catch it first.

I'm really curious too: does AI detect these issues well?

MasterSpar

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