Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

[geoff]

Hi everyone. I'm Geoff and have been a dedicated Volunteer on the forums for 13 years. I am proud to have stopped some of the stigmas that are associated with mental health as well as doing my best to help others too

Before my health went south I was a builder in all aspects of home construction and renovation. If you don't have a handyman around I hope I can offer you some tips that may be of help. I have had many years of experience in home renovation and will do my best to help you out if you are stuck and need some advice

I hope my experience may be of help to the people on Beyond Blue and make their life a little bit better. Even if you need help with the most basic painting job or putting up a shelf I can help there too with some tips

I will do my best to get back to anyone that has a question when I can as this is social yet important thread

Geoff

[meercat]

Hi. I own a duplex constructed on cement slab 2014-2015. 6 yr warranty. Constructed over cement are thick bamboo boards. I had the "builder from he.. asking him to help is not an option. Fair trading in nsw is a not much help . Iv lodged appl. for other repairs before.

There has been bulldozing excavation etc nearby. I suspect it has caused probs here..cracked cornices as well as floors creak.

Kitchen cupboards have dropped 2-3 mms. They are hanging on an angle and wont close tightly. Should i remove them or adjust the screws in doors whilst attached? Thanks

meercat

[meercat]

As my mum would say when you dont have an answer, just make little grunting sounds to show ur listening. 🤔

meercat xx

[geoff]

hi Meercat, you don't have to make any 'grunting noises', I will get back to you or maybe someone could as well.
I would be adjusting the screws at the moment, but you have to work out which way to tighten the screws, it could be to tighten them or adjust the bottom or top screws, you'll work that out as you go.
The corner cupboards that have two doors attached together are most likely to be the first that need adjusting because of their weight, it's trial and error before you realise which way to turn the screws.
Don't remove them otherwise your new kitchen will look funny without any doors and defeats the purpose of getting a new kitchen, and altering the screws maybe a continual event, only it depends on how much use they get.
If the screws have been damaged by adjusting too often, then take the door off and get a new hinge from the cabinetmaker and replace it, no cause for alarm.
It is always difficult getting the builder back to correct something, simply because they've earned their money, so to them it's a nuisance, so instead ask them who did the kitchen/bathroom so that you can contact them yourself, you may get better service. Geoff.

[blondguy]

Hi Meercat....I didnt have an answer so I couldnt give a small grunting noise. I just thought I would reply to let you know your question was well and truly noted 🙂

I will leave the expertise to Geoff Tony and Randomx where 'real advice' is concerned..You mentioned "There has been bulldozing excavation etc nearby. I suspect it has caused probs here..cracked cornices as well as floors creak"

All I know is that the builder 'sounds accountable'....just my humble opinion that is...Paul

[Mathy]

Hi Meercat,

1. The builder from hell should have insurance to cover his warranty - so contacting him IS an option, and don’t take the run around from him.

2. Same with Fair TRading, sometimes you’ve got to be a squeaky wheel, jump up and down etc.

3. Same with the bulldozing folk, they’re not supposed to cause damage to people’s houses.

Is it the case that the actual cupboards have shifted, and therefore the doors won’t behave? If it is the cupboards, perhaps the fixings in the carcass have come loose and just need to be tightened up, which would make the doors behave properly again. Those cabinets should be fixed to the wall. The screwheads probably have a white plastic cap/cover on them. If you want to check, the screws that are causing issues should be located at the top of the cabinet, not far underneath the bench top. Bear with me, it’s been a while since I took a look at a “modern” kitchen installation. Cheers M 🙂

meercat said:

Hi. I own a duplex constructed on cement slab 2014-2015. 6 yr warranty. Constructed over cement are thick bamboo boards. I had the "builder from he.. asking him to help is not an option. Fair trading in nsw is a not much help . Iv lodged appl. for other repairs before.

There has been bulldozing excavation etc nearby. I suspect it has caused probs here..cracked cornices as well as floors creak.

Kitchen cupboards have dropped 2-3 mms. They are hanging on an angle and wont close tightly. Should i remove them or adjust the screws in doors whilst attached? Thanks

meercat

[blondguy]

Hi Mathy

Thank you for having the knowledge to help out Meercat...and me too! Its not my thread but Geoff understands that his thread is a community based thread where we can help each other out.

Mathy....I hear you about the builder from hell.....it sounds like the house has shifted (just my humble opinion)

Always good to see you Mathy .....Paul 🙂

[geoff]

hi Mathy, I want to thank you for all your participation and advise, it helps so much. Geoff.

[geoff]

hi Meercat, what Mathy has said is correct, the cupboard need to be fixed to the wall, otherwise a cupboard full with plates, cups etc will tip over if it isn't screwed to the wall.
The d/washer should also be attached to the cupboards, so that with the cleaning and vibration isn't doesn't move, and yes they are covered over with a white plastic cp as Mathy has said.
6 year or 7 year depending on which State you live in has to honoured by the builder, however as I said once the place has been built, the builder wants no more part of any faults, it's just constantly annoying them.
Have you tried to tighten the screws as another option.
If the builder has used green timber then as the wood dries out, cracks will appear in the ceiling, cornices and you will see that your roof isn't even, it will be up and down, that's something which a person won't know about as the frame goes up whether it's green timber or 'seasoned timber', normally radiata pine.
If the builder has a contract to build several houses all at the same time, then they may resort to using green timber.
There was a complex being built with about 40 units, a long time ago where I had to do all the maintenance on them, plus the contractor had other houses to be built in different areas, well they used green timber and once the timber dried out there were massive problems.
Can you tell me what type of soil you live on, clay or some type of dirt. Geoff.

[meercat]

Geoff, Mathy n Paul

Thankyou for all your great advice.

My kitchen cupboards are now straight..i tightened and levelled them all. Yes, i do own a level!

The dishwasher is heavy and has little feet so il need some strong arms to move it. The cupboard it is installed in is not level. Il get to that job soon. Iv jacked it up with some packing in the mean time.

Oops.. iv become ambitious and tried to adjust the vanity door as well and its fallen off! How do i get both hinge arms back in at once? The two fittings are still attached to the cupboard wall and two hinges to the door.

My next job is to lay a path of pavers. The area is covered with thick layer of pebbles. The pebbles have been laid over waterproof matting.

Once again thanks for your help.

meercat xx

[Mathy]

Well done you!

The little feet on your dishwasher are probably like the little feet on your washing machine - meaning they screw in or screw out to alter the height, and level it out.

When you have a moment and a spare body to help you, just see if that’s the case - I’ve never owned a dishwasher, so I’m taking a guess here.

Congrats on sorting the cupboards out! Cheers M 🙂