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 Hanna and RX, the old paint, I believe used by housing was enamel and could have quite easily had the lead in it, as they were very slow in progressing to modern trends where professional painters were using acrylic paints, they were carrying the chain.

If housing will only repaint the windows and not fix the sash cord, so the window will go up and down, then they are defeating the purpose, because once the window is painted and then someone comes to fix the sash, the paint work will all b damaged.

I would be contemplating moving to a private unit/flat/house where you can get get 'rent assistance' from Centrelink, plus they can supply the bond money and a couple of weeks rent which you can pay off over a certain time.

If you decide to do this then ask the real estate if the landlord is willing to repair any faults, because if you move into a place and the toilet leaks, you need to know if they will fix it straight away.

Thanks RX and please Hanna let us know what you are going to do, a private unit may have air conditioning a proper heater etc.

Geoff.

[Hanna3]

Hi Geoff,

Yes the windowsills looks exactly like some pics I found when I googled "peeling lead paint"- I sent a photo from my mobile to a friend who has had a lot to do with older buildings and she immediately said "that's lead". I can't get the blood test for it done until I can afford to pay it maybe after the next pension payment... it's not on Medicare apparently.

I'm still figuring out what is best to do - and the virus outbreak isn't helping things! I feel as if Housing is always going to be such poor quality it's just not liveable most of the time, especially with the lack of any aircon in the hot summers now - and you were right, this place is going to be absolutely freezing this winter! The lawn mower guy came today who I pay to mow the lawn, and he said to me "I bet this place is cold inside"- Yep! It is!

I'll post on here when I finally get the blood test for lead done - might be scary! The GP I saw certainly immediately said I needed to be tested when I explained the problem of the peeling paint flying through the house & landing like confetti all over the floor... my poor little dog is breathing that in too...

You've been an absolute gem Geoff, I can't thank you enough for your kind help here - it's been such a help to have you to talk to about it, you have no idea what a relief it's been to be able to get your thoughts about it. It's put me in such a difficult position as you know, and now with the virus and maybe lockdowns etc it's hard to do anything about it all.. I think get the blood test done and take it from there.. but yes I'm thinking that a private rental if I can afford it somewhere might be the only solution.

Bear hug from me for being such a great guy and helping me out here! ooo

[Guest_1584]

Hi Geoff hi hanna.

Yeah if it's flying round like that then yeah good idea getting tested.

Those are great ideas Geoff , hope you can work something out hanna.

rx

[Hanna3]

Thanks randomx! I will work something out eventually... cheers!

[Guest_1643]

Hello friends, anyone here into indoor plants? I'm trying to decorate my home and cleanse it out from not good feelings.What are some nice indoor plants you guys have going? Many thanks xx

[geoff]

Hello Sleepy21, a good question.

I've always got palm trees, a rubber plant, a rubber tree, a bamboo plant but depends on how light you get in.

I know that a Kentia palm is very good for low light, a little dearer than other palms but sturdy.

If you have any luck with 'maiden hair' that's lovely, but I don't, unfortunately.

Philodendrons, philodendrons, monsteras, fig trees which I love, Succulents and cacti.

Can I ask your light situation.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

Thanks for asking - I have a monstera by the window and that's all....I don't get a lot of light at all, very minimal and filtered light. The lady seemed to think the monstera would be okay with that, and I put it by the window. The kentia sounds good....

[Guest_1643]

Hi Geoff, I'm really interested in the rubber plant!! i see succulents everywhere but sometimes they are very cheap and someetimes very expensive, i don't know the difference between the types? I have a broken blind and it allows my neighbours to all see into my lounge room whenever they walk past, so I've put a monster plant there on a stool to try and block it out a bit. I'd like to collect some more plants. I have one room with light but the rest of the aparmtent is sadly very dark 😞 Would love to hear your recs!!

[geoff]

Hello Sleepy, I've got a rubber plant which my son bought me, they are great, only thing is they don't grow that fast and I've been wanting to buy a Kentia palm as they don't need much light and a strong palm.

You may be able to block the view from people looking in during the day, but nighttime may be tricky, so do you have curtains or a holland blind, there may be a way to fix them.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

Hey Geoff, you're right, at night they can see in to my apartment. They are drop down blinds, with shutters, and very very very old. I had a friend check if i had broken them by maybe pulling the cord too hard, he just said they were old, and its not my fault. I rent and feel that the agent is generally difficult and doesn't help with anything. I was thinking of putting a sheet up over it or something, although yes during the day it seems to create a little barrier as I have now a plant and a picture near the window. I'm not too good with home stuff and wouldn't even know how to get the sheet to stay put. I thought even getting a colourful wall hanging or something that could make the place look nice as well. It would just be for the short term, when things are less hectic I'm sure I could get it fixed professionally but the agents aren't doing visits at this time 😞