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  Hi,  I am converting a little concave area of my house into a space for the washing machine and dryer. No wash tub or sink. Subfloor is concrete with tiles on top. I will also tap into the... See more...
  Hi,  I am converting a little concave area of my house into a space for the washing machine and dryer. No wash tub or sink. Subfloor is concrete with tiles on top. I will also tap into the water and power from behind the wall (left wall of pic) which is the toilet with a hand basin. I will paint the walls in a bathroom paint with mold resistance however, within the Australian standards, do I need to waterproof this area or is this enough to be considered water resistant in this scenario.  Just wanting to ensure I am doing the right thing legally. Thank you in advance. 
Hi Bunnings Workshop Team,   Our house has a gap between brickwork and upper floor wall.    Would you really a flashing tape or sealant that is appropriate for this gap?   Thanks  
Looking for advice on insulating the shed that came with my property.    
Hi @adnanqureshi,   No worries at all.   I'd suggest using a cold chisel and a hammer to chip the concrete away. This shouldn't be too difficult, but it can be a bit taxing on the knees so yo... See more...
Hi @adnanqureshi,   No worries at all.   I'd suggest using a cold chisel and a hammer to chip the concrete away. This shouldn't be too difficult, but it can be a bit taxing on the knees so you might also like to consider grabbing a pair of knee pads.   Also, as you will be using blunt force, concrete chips will likely become airborne. Don't take any risks with your eyes, please make sure to wear eye protection.   Anywhere there is an air gap that you would like to fill, you can certainly use the same foam infills and Sika 11FC to seal them up. Just make sure they aren't touching the earth, only the shed and the existing slab.   Let me know if you have any further questions.   Jacob
Hi @matt234,   I just wanted to add a few of my thoughts to the conversation.    I'd suggest you set the height of your footing based on the level of the highest existing concrete. This will ... See more...
Hi @matt234,   I just wanted to add a few of my thoughts to the conversation.    I'd suggest you set the height of your footing based on the level of the highest existing concrete. This will mean everything can be backfilled so there'll be no stepping and there'll be no worries with the existing footings being exposed and cracking or breaking away.   With the trench mesh, it should extend to the full width of the footing. The edges of the concrete are the most likely place for fracturing, so it's best that the reinforcing extends as far as possible without poking out the side. This will help distribute any load applied to the edge of the footing through the full extent of the footing.    There is no issue with cutting the trench mesh to the exact size required. Having an "open" end is no issue as it will be held in place by the concrete once poured.   @EricL will be back online shortly to add his thoughts, but in the meantime let me know if you have any other questions I can assist with.   Jacob
Hello Jacob,   Thank you for your prompt response. Kindly advise what tool i can use to chip this concrete. Also, one side of this shed is actually sitting on the concrete slab itself as shown in t... See more...
Hello Jacob,   Thank you for your prompt response. Kindly advise what tool i can use to chip this concrete. Also, one side of this shed is actually sitting on the concrete slab itself as shown in the picture. Should i use the same foam infills and sika 11FC there too. I haven't put any concrete there because it sits on the concrete slab itself.   Thank you
Hi @adnanqureshi,   I'm sorry to say it is as I suspected. The concrete you've added to block the gaps is actually acting as a wick drawing the ground water up into the shed.   The solution, ... See more...
Hi @adnanqureshi,   I'm sorry to say it is as I suspected. The concrete you've added to block the gaps is actually acting as a wick drawing the ground water up into the shed.   The solution, like I said earlier, is to chip out the concrete you've added and replace it with foam infills and Sika 11FC that don't touch the ground.   Anything in direct contact with the earth will draw in moisture, so avoid having anything on the outside in contact with the foam infills.   Let me know if you need any further assistance.   Jacob  
Hi @SPP,   Similar to what @Dave-1 has said, I use a detailing brush very similar to Kincrome Parts Washer Brush to clean out window tracks, but any paint brush would be handy.   Using a vacu... See more...
Hi @SPP,   Similar to what @Dave-1 has said, I use a detailing brush very similar to Kincrome Parts Washer Brush to clean out window tracks, but any paint brush would be handy.   Using a vacuum cleaner, in conjunction with a brush, is a great way to get rid of the looser material. Agitate it with the brush while vacuuming, and you'll get some great results.    Once the loose stuff is dealt with, hot soapy water with your brush will help get the rest of the more stubborn stuff. Agitate with the brush and wipe down with a cloth to remove the rest of the dirt.   Let me know how you go.   Jacob  
Hi Jacob,   The corrugated run past the edge of the slab i guess.The level of slab is above and the corrugated wall is low.I have filled the gap with Quick Set Cement thinking it will block the air... See more...
Hi Jacob,   The corrugated run past the edge of the slab i guess.The level of slab is above and the corrugated wall is low.I have filled the gap with Quick Set Cement thinking it will block the air etc.The concrete was done by professional.Kindly refer to photos.   Thank you
Hi @adnanqureshi,   Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is great to have you with us.   Is it possible to get some photos of your shed from the outs... See more...
Hi @adnanqureshi,   Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is great to have you with us.   Is it possible to get some photos of your shed from the outside? Does the corrugated iron run past the edge of the slab or does it sit in a channel that is on top of the slab?   What you are seeing is a phenomenon called rising damp. This happens because concrete is a porous material, and the surface tension of the water is enough for it to cling to the concrete and rise through it.   This is prevented by using a damp-proof membrane. Did you have the concrete slab installed by professional concreters? They've likely used something like CAgroup 2 x 50m 200um Medium Impact Polypro Builders Film underneath the slab to create a barrier stopping direct contact between the concrete and the earth.   I'm sorry to say that if I'm interpreting your photos correctly, the concrete you've used to fill in the corrugations is likely the cause of this water entry. It is acting as a wick because I believe it is in contact with the ground outside the shed.   To stop this water ingress, I would suggest removing this concrete and replacing it with a combination of Suntuf Black Corrugated Foam Infills and Sika 11FC ensuring there is no direct contact between them and the earth outside.   Let me know if this helps and if you need further clarification.   Jacob  
Morning @SPP  Id say just use a dry brush and flick the dirt out, vaccum it and a wipe down with a damp cloth. High pressure just blows stuff everwhere and it will settle back somewhere again.   D... See more...
Morning @SPP  Id say just use a dry brush and flick the dirt out, vaccum it and a wipe down with a damp cloth. High pressure just blows stuff everwhere and it will settle back somewhere again.   Dave
Hi @JacobZ, @Dave-1 and @MitchellMc   In those photos, the window area in general seems quite dirty, especially in the grooves and corners.  How do I get rid of this? I was going to use a high ... See more...
Hi @JacobZ, @Dave-1 and @MitchellMc   In those photos, the window area in general seems quite dirty, especially in the grooves and corners.  How do I get rid of this? I was going to use a high pressure hose/air pressure device to just blow it all way. 
Hi I am adding a new drain under our pergola ( will just be handy for when we wash it) I have dug and found the existing 100mm storm water pipe   I have a snap on T pipe that suits for 100mm ... See more...
Hi I am adding a new drain under our pergola ( will just be handy for when we wash it) I have dug and found the existing 100mm storm water pipe   I have a snap on T pipe that suits for 100mm    So What size hole is recommended ( or what plumbers usually do ) for this? 90mm?   This is the snap on T https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-100mm-pvc-dwv-snap-tee_p4770412
Hi @kagomechan,   We are looking forward to seeing how you can transform your laundry. I trust Jacob's comprehensive reply was helpful and that you can share measurements with us soon so we can a... See more...
Hi @kagomechan,   We are looking forward to seeing how you can transform your laundry. I trust Jacob's comprehensive reply was helpful and that you can share measurements with us soon so we can assist further.    This guide should also be helpful - How to plan a laundry renovation.   Jason  
Hi @arfa,   Thank you for your question about adding flyscreens to your louvre windows.   I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community; it is fantastic to have yo... See more...
Hi @arfa,   Thank you for your question about adding flyscreens to your louvre windows.   I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community; it is fantastic to have you with us.   It would be hard to describe a method of building a frame that sits outside the louvres without seeing them. Is it possible to get some photos of where you want to install the flyscreens?    Let me know if you need assistance with this, I am more than happy to help.   Once a suitable structure is created for the flyscreens to be installed in, creating and installing custom flyscreens is fairly easy using flyscreen frames.    These can be cut to size with a hacksaw and fixed together with Rolltrak Plastic Flyscreen Corner Stakes. You might also like to use a mitre box to get clean mitred corners.   Once the frame is together, you check out How To Replace Flyscreen Mesh for some guidance on the installation process for the flyscreen.   Let me know if you require help uploading images, I'm eager to find a solution for you.   Jacob  
Hi @Cornwall99,   I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community; it is fantastic to have you join us.   Allow me to tag @homeinmelbourne so they are notified of your qu... See more...
Hi @Cornwall99,   I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community; it is fantastic to have you join us.   Allow me to tag @homeinmelbourne so they are notified of your question.   As a QLDer myself, I can confirm that artificial turf can get quite hot underfoot but if it is installed in a shady area like you've described, you shouldn't have much of an issue with the heat.   You might like to create your own post with some photos of the area where you might want to install artificial grass. This way our members can see the space and offer advice and inspiration based on the specifics of your area.   If you'd like some assistance with this, let me know. I'm more than happy to help.   Jacob  
Hi @kagomechan,   Many thanks for your post about renovating a laundry to be more functional.   Is it possible to get some measurements? There are a variety of options for you, but it is hard... See more...
Hi @kagomechan,   Many thanks for your post about renovating a laundry to be more functional.   Is it possible to get some measurements? There are a variety of options for you, but it is hard to tell what will work best without the dimensions of the area.    The size of the washer and dryer obviously can't be changed, so we'll have to work around them. If you could get some detailed measurements of these, that would be very handy.   You might be able to replace the laundry trough with a Kaboodle 600mm White Base Cabinet to accommodate your benchtop and a sink such as Estilo Stainless Steel Single Bowl Square Sink. Dimensions need to be confirmed, but these might be good options for you on a tight budget.   In a smaller area, your choice of benchtop will play a large role in the aesthetic of your laundry. Did you have a particular aesthetic in mind?    I like the aesthetic that @ProjectPete has created in their Laundry transformation. Something like this might be a good inspiration for you.   If it fits within your price range, I'd also consider removing the shelving on the right-hand side and installing some wall-hung cabinets on the wall above the bench space. This will give you more storage than the shelves, increased functionality with everything being within arm's reach and it will help to tie everything together and provide the space a fuller look.   You can choose from countless options, which are up to your style and preferences. You might like to check out the following articles for some inspiration and guidance.   Top 10 most popular laundry projects. 7 ways to transform your laundry. 7 clever kitchen and laundry splashbacks. How to plan a laundry renovation? Laundry renovation for more benchspace. Laundry renovation with new flooring and cabinetry. Budget Bunnings laundry renovation.   Allow me to tag some of our wonderful members to see if they have any thoughts, @diy_hausdesigns, @RenoRach, @prettyliving, @Renowayoflife.   Let me know if you have any further questions.   Jacob  
Thanks Eric that's wonderful.   I was thinking getting a pantry end panel is a waste because half is covered up by the bottom cupboards but I realised it will keep the top and bottom cupboards the ... See more...
Thanks Eric that's wonderful.   I was thinking getting a pantry end panel is a waste because half is covered up by the bottom cupboards but I realised it will keep the top and bottom cupboards the same length and in line with each other. Thanks very much for your help!
That looks amazing! I love that you put pebbles down but conceded they didn’t work, and didn’t give up.  We have a similar issue With lack of sunlight, dog zoomies, and a generally ugly area.  ... See more...
That looks amazing! I love that you put pebbles down but conceded they didn’t work, and didn’t give up.  We have a similar issue With lack of sunlight, dog zoomies, and a generally ugly area.  How does artificial turf go in warm weather? We have some carpet grass that grows under our palm trees, but here in Qld I’m not sure how hot the artificial turf would be underfoot.   
  Storage space created under a stairwell by installing a door and shelving, and finished with paint.     The project   I had a big, empty space under the stairs that I ... See more...
  Storage space created under a stairwell by installing a door and shelving, and finished with paint.     The project   I had a big, empty space under the stairs that I have no idea why it was closed. So, I decided to open it to create additional storage space. Most of the D.I.Y. tutorials I looked at were from Bunnings and Gyprock.   Steps   Step 1   First, I opened a small area of the plasterboard to check inside the cavity. The size of the hole was small enough that I could repair it if necessary.     Step 2   Once the small area is opened, assess the load bearing of the studs and create the necessary space to place the door frame with structural Pine. Do your maths two and even three times to include the door opening and door jamb spaces as needed. Add 10mm to be safe.     Step 3   Add the door frame and door jamb. Cross-check the measurements to be sure that you have enough space for the door plus some offset.     Step 4   Add the door and finish the inside with plasterboard and MDF.     Step 5   Finish the plasterboard with joint compound and tape and sand (this is where I got lazy). Install the skirting boards. Use wood filler to close all holes and then paint.   Step 6   Install smooth edge along the perimeter and lay down carpet. Install shelves.     Tools and materials   Materials used in the project:   Plasterboard Plasterboard joint compound Plasterboard glue MDF Wood filler Door jamb 520mm door Skirting Nails Screws FJ primed Pine Carpet Carpet smooth edge Paint.   Tools used in the project:   Sander Sandpaper Saw Multi Tool Impact driver  Drill Hand tools.   More storage inspiration for your home   Workshop community member EleventhCoastal built storage shelves under their staircase.      Community member raniia completed a wardrobe makeover adding additional storage in their bedroom.     Check out our 5 clever ways to maximise storage in your home and our Top 10 most popular storage projects for more ideas from the clever and creative Bunnings Workshop community.