Concreting may seem like a straight forward process but like most things it’s a little more complicated than it seems.
The most crucial thing is to have the correct tools to hand from the off. These include:
1. Concrete mixer
2. Mixing platform
3. Sturdy bucket
4. Arissing tool
5. Timber float
6. Broad blade shovel
7. Wheelbarrow
8. Tapping beam
9. Rake
Posted by Peter Brady on Mon 6th November 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Construction, Decor
The most effective way of finding ceiling joists in an upstairs room is to take a look in the attic.
Using a pricker simply perforate through the ceiling along either side of each joist.
Using these perforations as a guide in the upper room ceiling you can map out the exact locations of each ceiling joist using a chalk.
Posted by Peter Brady on Fri 3rd November 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Construction
When fixing a partition wall or ceiling lining it is critical that the point of connection is a timber joist within the ceiling or floor.
Timber joists are of around 50mm thickness and situated in a parallel configuration (approx 500mm apart), from wall to wall which then supports the floorboards and ceiling.
To locate the floor joists, simply spot the lines of nails used to fix the floorboards in place. If constructed correctly the joists will always run at right angles to the floorboards.
Posted by Peter Brady on Wed 1st November 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Construction
If you want to ensure that your nails are concealed, this technique may come in handy.
How does secret nailing work?
1. Using either a chisel or a wide blade screw driver, carefully lift a piece of timber surface.
2. Hit your nail into the divot you have created.
3. Replace the small piece of lifted timber using glue to keep it in place.
If you have a nail that is working it’s way free or has bent slightly on impact, then you’re gonna want to remove it.
But how do you do that without further damaging the timber?
Simply place a protective piece of card under the head of the hammer as you use the claw end of the hammer to hook round the nail. Using the leverage of the hammer, gently push the handle over drawing the nail out of the timber.
The beauty of this technique is that the pivot point of the hammer head is cushioned from leaving indentations on the timber. This image from Beacon Learning Center shows the principal quite clearly.
