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

[geoff]

Hello Grandy, you never have to say sorry to me, I understand we can't do anything all at once.

If you have to find the studs to nail the skirting boards to, just knock on the wall and you will hear a different sound, a solid noise when a stud is there, or you can hammer a nail into the wall where you think the stud is, and then place a pencil mark on the wall, the hole left by the nail will be covered up with the skirting board, but please mind your fingers.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

hey geoff

thanks so much ... i'm so grateful to u. thank u from the bottom of my heart for this help

i can see that the real estate agent didn't commit to doing it, but just to getting a quote for the landlord to consider.

[Guest_1584]

Gday to Geoff and all.

Got a funny little one for ya Geoff.

My wire door slams with a hell of a bang , neighbours 2 doors down hear it. Thing was no other spring closes it all the way , it's the older style heavy wooden one. So the spring l put on it is pretty solid but it closes all the way nice and snug and keeps it closed in the wind. But it closes yeah with a helluva bang.

Would there be something thin l could put on the door jamb to absorb the bang. l dunno , foam or rubber or is there something that's good for that, it needs to be thin so there'll still be no gap for bugs ?

Cheers

rx

[geoff]

Hello Sleepy, if the property in Vic does not meet minimum standards, renters can end their rental agreement, that's probably not what you want to do, but perhaps you need to confront the r/e and ask them the question, 'that the split system has been agreed to be fitted, then they have to come out to your flat/house and agree on where it should go, otherwise, it's going to VCAT, and I'm sure you don't want this to happen.'

The r/e are being ***** and avoiding a problem that by law has to be fixed.

Can the outside unit be put on the wall up close to the eaves and not sitting on the ground.

The landlord has agreed and as much as you may not like communicating with them, this is where you can bypass the r/e, I'm sorry I'm not there to help you.

This has to be done by law, it's an essential item that's not working and by law, it should be.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[geoff]

Hello RX, good question, if the spring you mean a 'door closure' fitted at the top of the door, you can adjust how fast or slow you want it to shut the door by a screw or a knob at the end of the closure, by turning this screw or knob, do it just a bit at a time, and see how the door is because if you adjust these drastically, will make the door close very slowly or in reverse, fast.

If it's an industrial closure, heavy duty, then you may have to take a cover plate off before you can turn the screw, with a screwdriver or an alum key.

A heavy spring if that's what you are using can be stretched, but do it slowly, or it can be placed in another spot on the door, but if the door is heavy duty then a door closure would be better.

There are other door stops on the market that don't actually allow the door to shut but keep it ajar slightly, not good if flies annoy you, but will let you close the door physically by yourself, not sure whether that suits you, but please let me know RX.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

thanks geoff,
I called the tradesman who said he had never heard back after sending the quote and believes the body corporate are difficult to deal with

he said if the person next to the apartment or others in the block don't have aircon they might complain and get upset about any change. either way, he said, he has not been asked to install anything and if he did not hear back assumed no approval. He said he was trying to get it in various places but no progress was made.

He also said if the heater's not working consistently they'll have to do something
I don't hvae the landlords information and have been dealing with real estate agent, who has left me hanging and did not say, for example, that it has not been approved, just said I haven't supplied enough photos of the apartment so they can't get a quote

When I spoke to the tradesman he didn't see it that way but said he doesn't meddle or get involved and that this ifoten happens to him, they get cold feet and just stop the process.

[geoff]

Hello Sleepy, I'm sorry this is going around and around in circles for you, this can happen with difficult and inexperienced r/e agents, to get in contact with VCAT, you can phone 1300 018 228, email a complaint to ' complaint@vcat.vic.gov.au' or google this 'how to get in touch with vcat'.

The small fee payable can be reimbursed, or it could be waived during to financial stress or if you hold a concession card you may be eligible for paying nothing, the fee is about $65 odd dollars, but don't automatically believe you have to pay it, but this is your best option to get it installed.

This may be able to be done online, considering the latest COVID regulations, so ask VCAT when you contact them.

Best wishes, Sleepy.

Geoff.

[Guest_1584]

Gday Geoff and thanks for that.

But no it's just a spring l got down the hardware . They only had one and it was a bit on the heavier side than what l wanted but l grabbed it anyway and yeah l did stretch it a bit too to lighten it up a bit. Actually , maybe a bit more stretching might take some more thud out of it too.

Today while l'm coming up with an idea l made a little catch to prop the door open whenever l'm using it a lot so at least l can come and go without that almighty bang ea time

rx

[geoff]

Hello RX, just a suggestion, if you want to leave the door open that's OK, but you can buy 'fly screen strips' ranging from $14 up to whatever you can afford, I've used one in the past and are effective, only expect it doesn't stop the heat or cold air.

Is there a 'stepson' junk shop that sells second hand materials, there you might be able to buy a door closure either new or attached to a door for sale, maybe an industrial door closure, just make sure it works properly.

Good luck.

Geoff.

[Guest_1584]

Gday Geoff .

Thanks for that .

Don't think l'd worry with too much, so many far bigger things l have to do round here. Was only thinking of a foam or something stuck on the door jam to soften the bang but yeah no worries l'll look for something like that or a sorter spring or something.

Cheers for that. rx