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

[NMTB]

Hi geoff,

Just joined, really like the idea of a home improvement thread. Only thing is, can't see any way of uploading pics of projects! A picture really does paint 1000 words when it comes to something you've forced yourself off your bum to create IMHO. Does this bug you?

Cheers,

[blondguy]

Hi NMTB

Thankyou for taking the time to post on (Geoffs') BB Home Improvement thread 🙂 Geoff posts in the 'wee' hours yet I know he will be happy to read and reply to you!

In regard to your comment about uploading pics of projects...I agree with you. I have been on the forums since 2016 and there isnt an option for this unfortunately

Good news though!....Beyond Blue are in the process of building a new forum platform which will be happening in the next few months. I read your post on another thread and just wanted to thank you for being a part of the Beyond Blue forum family NMTB

I really hope you can stick around with us 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

Hi NMTB, yes a picture tells a 1000 words, thanks for posting on this thread.

Geoff.

[Music_Freak]

Oh yes... being able to post photos here would be a huge help!

Quick question Geoff, I've decided against using the roofing for garden edging, since I've decided I won't be staying here, but I'm thinking I'll do a raised garden bed...how would I go about making one (attaching it together), would I use screws, rivots etc. (I don't have a rivot gun), and what about the base?? Any ideas would be much appreciated, as always 🙂

[geoff]

n.Hi Music_Freak, good question.

A raised flower bed using timber would look much better than using tin roofing, timber has more appeal and impresses the buyer.

Rivots wouldn't be any good for the timber, so you can use stainless steel screws, galvanised bolts will rust after a long time, especially if they are used with other metal products, however that may take years.

Bolts are better than screws because they bond the 2 timbers together, with screws there could be too much pressure from the soil and eventually separate the 2 timbers.

If you can use stainless steel bolts then you have no problem, if the timber isn't too thick then screws could be used.

That's the beginning will continue and maybe someone else can continue as I'm about to log off, sorry I started very early this morning.

Look forward to other comments.

Thanks Music_Freak for your query and a very good one.

Geoff.

[Guest_1584]

Gday Geoff and thanks a heap for the time and thoughts.

Thank the Gods once again for goo in a tube then eh .

Sounds like you might be pretty well on the mark with all that mate. The house was unfortunately cladded year ago , before me , and they've literally just thrown the windows in and probably cheap windows at that , just thin and cheap aluminum stuff. Still , somehow they've stood up to the windows l get from the front so they've held together non the less but the fitting l'd say is a bit worse for wear especially with the crap job they've done.

Anyway no worries then l'll go do some poking and prodding and see what l can find around all the outside and in then and give all that a go.

Thanks again and l'll let you know what l find and how it all looks.

Take care

rx

[geoff]

Hi RX, please do let me know, I'm interested and thanks so much.

Geoff.

[Music_Freak]

Hi Geoff,

I've just bought some shade cloth to put up out the back - finally. I think I mentioned this ages ago (it's west facing, so stinking hot in summer) and I looked at the screws my dad used out there and they've got a raised hexagon head and are silver-ish, I don't know what these are called or how to get them out. I think my dad used a drill. Wondering if I should use them again or could I just use phillips head screws I have and can drill into the fascia easy without having to buy a drill bit/screwdriver to fit (need help with names here - I'm very clueless as you know).

[geoff]

Hi MF, yes I do remember and I think it's going to be a hot summer, especially today.

These clips you just hammer them in, (mind your thumb) and they're called 'shade cloth fasteners'.

If you use 'Phillips head screws it's best not to just screw them through the shade cloth, because if you have any wind, they won't be able to hold the cloth on, but what you can do is have short strips of wood, let's say, pine timber 42 x 19 mm they have plenty in stock, by about 150 mm (6") or 200mm (8"), you can ask hardware store to cut these lengths for you, it won't be any trouble for them.

Pre- screw 2 Phillips head screws through the timber on the ground first of all, once Shade- cloth is up then hold timber on shade cloth and finish screwing the screws, holding it tight onto the fascia board.

If there is any wind these timber bits will hold the cloth tightly on fascia board.

Please let me know if you want me to explain it better.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Music_Freak]

Thanks Geoff,

What's you've written here is great, you know I'll be back if I need further assistance 🙂

You're always a great help!