Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

geoff
Champion Alumni
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
1,301 Replies 1,301

Birdy77
Blue Voices Member
Hello Geoff,

As a matter of fact, i do have a floor that bounces. So much so that even when the dogs walk past, the bookshelf shakes.

It's an old house, circa 1880s, so it doesn't really surprise me. It's got the wide old timber floors (with hand made nails!).

I'm hoping you're not going to say it has to be restumped. If you are, can you just say something fun like "rainbows and lollipops" instead?

Thank you.

🌻birdy

blondguy
Champion Alumni

Hi Geoff...and hey RX

I have built a Merbau privacy screen around my spa....The Merbau panels are from Bunnings (1800x 900) with treated pine posts.

The Merbau has started to 'bleed' after the rain we have had in Melbourne on Saturday even though they have been pre oiled by the manufacturer

The manufacturer mentioned that they can be painted with an oil based stain....If the customer wishes to

Is Cabots stain oil based? as thats all I have

any help would be appreciated Geoff

Paul

geoff
Champion Alumni

Hello Birdy, the house would be lovely 1880's, 'rainbows and lollipops' a great song by Lesley Gore, but no not necessarily restumping just yet, but do you have access to get under the house?

If you or someone else can, then take some broken up timber, preferably hardiflex, an inch by inch with a hammer a pack the gap between the stump and the floor, that is if the stump (red gum) is in a decent condition.

If however, the stump has disintegrated away then that doesn't necessarily mean restumping the whole house, but let me know then we can take it from there.

Also, let me know if you can't get under the house, sounds exciting.

Best thoughts.

Geoff.

geoff
Champion Alumni

Hi Paul, the Merbau will start to 'bleed' as it's the tannin coming out of the timber, and even though it may have been pre-oiled it won't have been done expensively and would have been done with a spray gun, not with a brush.

It bleeds after the rain which can stain any concrete around it leaving marked, one way to reduce this is to wash the panels down with 'deck cleaner', this will make it go away quickly and the more you hose it down the quicker the tannin or sap will disappear.

Keep on eye on the concrete and hose it down whenever you need to.

Cabots oil based is perfect, just wait a few weeks before you apply it this will stop the timber turning a greyish colour.

You might have seen cedar weather board houses, when they're new ait's a lovely colour, but if not painted with a product they turn an awful greyish colour, although it can be revived but that's just extra cost and effort.

I'm sure it looks like a beautiful colour.

Best thoughts.

Geoff.

Guest_1584
Community Member

Gday geoff and all.

Well , l had a score through the week , picked up a bunch of 3ml mdf sheeting and some melimine for work but the guy insisted on throwing some chipboard sheets under it and on top , in the trailer, to help hold it down in the wind. l said eh l'm not paying for the chipboard he says ahh , freebie , few scrapes on them . l said ahh rightio that'll be really handy thanks, so then he went and grabbed two more and here take these too. 100 bucks worth of free sheets,,, eeeh haaa.

So the last few days been thinking about what to do with them anddd, so l now have a brand new closet in the hall. Well , almost , started it today bit more to do on it but nearly done.

We've needed one badly for 3 yrs now can't believe it , gonna have the luxury of somewhere to put things soon. Very pleased .

All the best. rx

And after all that l forgot my question.

Geoff would a piece of 12ml mdf alone, be ok for a top door of about 800 w x 650 deep, would hingers hold without any framework added onto it or would it need more support ?

l'd paint it first before l put on , help stop any warping .

Cheers

Hello RX, can I please get back to you tomorrow and thanks for your question.

Take care.

Geoff.

Guest5643
Community Member

Hi geoff, rx, birdy

Just ranting about hating the stupid tube lights. I called housing to replace them but they said they wouldnt. I said i cant figure out how to remove them. I could loosen ad turn them rnd but not get them out the plastic side base thing. So in my frustration i pushed the side off. Well now i have the side with a wire hanging down. Thankyou for listening to my rant😯

Lynne🐾

Birdy77
Blue Voices Member
Hello Geoff, rx, Lynne and all,

Thanks Geoff So Much! For that top tip.

I am pretty sure "I" can get under the house ... . When i say "i" i mean someone who isn't me, and who is brave enough to go under there. It will be someone i have to pay 🤷‍♀️.

Geoff, yes it is a lovely little house. It's a cottage. An old farm worker's cottage - it's a bit on the crooked side, but that's what we love about it. It needs some more work, and slowly we'll get there (with your help).

Speaking of which, if you and rx could come over and fix some stuff ?!,! Yes please!!

I wish!!!

So i have another question.

Between the old floorboards there is this brown gluey-type filler. We were told that carpet was put down during the 1960s-1990s .. so it might be carpet glue?? Ir a wood filler ? It's crackling and dry and air comes through from under the house. Is there anything we can do to make that better?

😁

🌻birdy

blondguy
Champion Alumni

Thanks heaps Geoff...(and a wave to RX Birdy Lynne Musicfreak)

I dont really mind about the Merbau color 'weeping' into the concrete paving.....thats fine 🙂

How long do I wait before applying the clear coat?....You mentioned a few weeks...or do I do it now?

Its been up for about 2 - 3 weeks now...(my merbau privacy screen)...and weeping after rain...

Gees.....you are busy here Geoff!

my best always

Handy as a Rubber Shovel (Paul)