Home improvements - time the house had some TLC!

[MrGrumpy]

Not that you need any advice....looking good.
But couple of pointers 😁 When skimming allways two coats,first coat bit thicker.Let fist coat dry until you can just about see your finger print in it,don't overthink the finish.Just a quick flatten with your trowel.Second coat on leave to go off a bit....don't rush messing with it ! Then final trowel up,polish whatever you want to call it.Use a wet brush/paint brush for angles/corners to brush in.Some like to use a spray bottle with water for troweling up.You can polish plaster to a glass like finish but it's a bas#ard to paint !
Sorry for my two penneth worth...looks good 👍

Nice tips ! My plastering is terrible but willing to give stuff a go. I’ve watched plenty videos and it’s made to look easy . …….

 

[Adam4868]

Nice tips ! My plastering is terrible but willing to give stuff a go. I’ve watched plenty videos and it’s made to look easy . …….

Lol...you tube makes anything look easy.Practice makes perfect....don't panic on the first coat it doesn't have to be perfect just get it on.Second coat will flat out any inconsistency.All about timing so have everything to hand clean water etc.Last allways remember it's better to mix more than you need than run short halfway through a wall or ceiling 😁
Ok sorry don't want to derail the thread any more !

 

[icowden]

Lol...you tube makes anything look easy.Practice makes perfect....don't panic on the first coat it doesn't have to be perfect just get it on.Second coat will flat out any inconsistency.All about timing so have everything to hand clean water etc.Last allways remember it's better to mix more than you need than run short halfway through a wall or ceiling 😁
Ok sorry don't want to derail the thread any more !

I've always felt that plastering is more of an art than a science.

I can't plaster.

 

[JhnBssll]

Progress update - more studwork completed, some acoustic insulation added and more areas boarded today I also took some time to re-wire the outside lights - there is a junction box that is now inaccessible above the new ceiling so I removed all the screw terminal connectors and replaced with Wago maintenance free connectors and boxes before I sealed it in

Here's the view in through the front door to the partially boarded hall way; loo off to the right and living room straight ahead.

These are both taken inside the loo, its a bit dark in there now the walls are boarded and there are no lights yet 😄

MrsBssll was out so I took the opportunity to make a mess in the living room Unfortunately I failed to clear it up before she got home Whoops! I'll try and do a bit more tomorrow as I've got the day off work I think most of the tasks that needed doing before the electrician's return are now done though so anything else before then is a bonus

 

[ColinJ]

That looks very like the old sofa that I am sitting on!

Has it got retractable leg rests, and if so have the cables broken from the release handles to the mechanisms? Both cables broke on this one, a year apart!

 

[JhnBssll]

No reclining features here I'm afraid, not yet at least - we'll be replacing the furniture later How much later depends on how quickly I finish the building work haha

 

[Gunk]

Bloody hell John, if you’d have employed a builder, you could have sitting on that loo reading the paper by now!

 

[JhnBssll]

Bloody hell John, if you’d have employed a builder, you could have sitting on that loo reading the paper by now!

Certainly true, but it wouldn't have been much of a project then would it I'm dragging this one out I know but there's no pressure to finish on a set date so I'm just having fun with it

 

[icowden]

Certainly true, but it wouldn't have been much of a project then would it I'm dragging this one out I know but there's no pressure to finish on a set date so I'm just having fun with it

How have you managed to square this lack of set date with Mrs JhnBssll ?!! Just looking for tips here...

 

[MrGrumpy]

How have you managed to square this lack of set date with Mrs JhnBssll ?!! Just looking for tips here...

Was a keen diyer myself however now only set small projects and leave long lengthy stuff to the trades ! Currently isolating with covid and kitchen fitters ripping out kitchen . Should be done in a fortnight! Where as my last kitchen fit I did myself took three months lol !!

 

[JhnBssll]

How have you managed to square this lack of set date with Mrs JhnBssll ?!! Just looking for tips here...

To be honest it's partly due to her unreasonable demands that its dragging out this long - she was adamant we had working plumbing and heating over winter for example. It would have been much quicker if I'd been able to decomission everything and live in a tent, but that was apparently a silly idea

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Certainly true, but it wouldn't have been much of a project then would it I'm dragging this one out I know but there's no pressure to finish on a set date so I'm just having fun with it

Once you've finished all of this, you're going to be a world expert in drumming your fingers and kicking your heels.

You must have forgotten how to sit down and relax, if in fact you ever knew.

 

[JhnBssll]

I've skimmed the ceiling today - went pretty well so I'm feeling quite pleased with myself Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, but for my 3rd(?) ever day of plastering I'm more than happy with it

The other job I've done today was to cut and fix one piece of timber in the cupboard to attach socket back boxes so the electrician has half a chance on Monday. He's primarily here to fit the new aircon unit but I'm hoping he gets a chance to finish and test the electrics too, there's not a huge amount to do.

I've got a slot at the tip booked tomorrow so I'll load the van up in the morning and clear the pile from down the side where the new outdoor unit is going

It'll be good to get the electrics done as the ball will be firmly back in my court to finish the job...

I heard back from building control during the week, they're happy with the pictures of the fireproofed steelwork so I can go ahead and plaster over that now too. They need to visit before I backfill the drainage, but I've yet to dig that so no hurry Other than that and the electrical certificate I'm pretty much there with building control There's light at the end of the tunnel...

 

[Colin Grigson]

That plastering looks great … from my house
on a more serious note - well done for trying - I would undoubtedly make a pigs ear of it

 

[JhnBssll]

The aircon is installed downstairs now He's made a nice job of concealing all the cables and pipework within the studwork so I can board over it in the near future

Externally he's tagged it on to the existing installation quite nicely - the refrigerant pipework pops out of the wall about 100mm from the existing pipework so he's tee'd it in to the existing trunking, the new bit of black trunking just needs painting to match the old stuff now

Then the pipework extends past the original condenser to the new one, identical but 2 years newer 😊

Once the drains are in and the fence is built these will be nicely tucked away and out of sight. They're both incredibly quiet so you won't know they're there