Building a Home

[DeKa]

If you want I can start a new thread but looking a security system for an apartment - don't want Ring or any of those that upload to someone else's server and more for keeping an eye on things while I am away - any suggestions?

If you use iOS, Apple HomeKit Secure Video (powered by a HomePod or Apple TV4 as hub) is really good.

The local hub processes and encrypts the video data. It is stored in iCloud but only your phone and devices can retrieve it.
I use Logitech Circle2 cameras but there are plenty of compatible cameras.

Set up security cameras in Home on iPhone

In Home on iPhone, set up and use security cameras.

support.apple.com

 

[p--and--t]

Goodness. What's then hammering against what?

It is a very old building, stripped out and "modernised" some 25 years ago with major elements rearranged. i.e. one of our bedrooms used to be a staircase and the floor in that room is not at the same level as the others. The distance between the floor plates is substantial (guestimate >4m). We can't see into most of the ceiling cavities as they are all sealed and quite large and deep . The distance from the ceiling to the floor above varies but is well over 60 cm in wet areas and suspect more in others. The ceilings are suspended from thin aluminium straps attached to the slab above and are just "hanging". There are no other visible support structures in the ceiling space we can see. I have a suspicion the pipes are lying on the ceiling in places. Also where we can see in (laundry and bathroom), the pipes appear to be trapped in places in the plastering. This may be the cause of the "creaking" sound (sometimes sounds like dripping) that we hear as the temperature of the water in the pipes changes (cools) after having a shower etc. We have been assured by plumbers (from what they have been able to see) is it unlikely to be a leak. No investigation can be done into the spaces without cutting out sections of the ceiling around the apartment which we are loathe to do and require Body Corporate approval anyway.

 

[cove]

Don’t be afraid to use the area above your ceiling for storage. We found a big stash of good quality jarrah timber above our pool room and it was put there about 47 years ago.

 

[samh004]

If you want I can start a new thread but looking a security system for an apartment - don't want Ring or any of those that upload to someone else's server and more for keeping an eye on things while I am away - any suggestions?

We use Eufy, now owned by Anker. Started as a kickstarter. While you can use the cloud for a fee, we don't, and instead there is a local hub with a microSD card for storage. Can remote access from anywhere with your phone/app. Works great, wireless. has zones, can adjust sensitivity etc. We will be taking the system with us to the new house.

Additional benefit is that if you do have an iOS system and intend to use HomeKit Secure Video, it is compatible, unlike Ring or Arlo (in some cases). Say what you will about Apple and Samsung and Google, but it really seems the Apple offerings focus on privacy... I think sometimes at the expense of functionality, but you can't have it both ways it seems, those that offer more often take away a lot of the privacy controls.

Onto today's update. Nearly drove out this morning, but some photos were uploaded by the site supervisor so didn't have to get in the car. It's day 18.




This view is taken roughly from where the kitchen island will be, looking towards a combined dining/living room. Large space for one of 2 windows in this area and the space at the back is the sliding doors onto back patio – the plan is to have grass along that fence and retaining wall, leaving the other side with pavers/pebbles as it will have AC Pad, laundry access, clothes line, etc. The room to the right is the activity space that will lead to the guest bedrooms/bathroom and as it will have no light sources other than from the rooms around it, will be where I plan to store some wine. It also has its own AC zone for added measure.


This view is from the patio area looking back into the house. I have highlighted the extra bracing that is added for a TV support. We also have extra bracing in the media room, kitchen (presumably for cabinets) and laundry (presumably for hanging a dryer), from what I can see in the photos so far.

 

[travelislife]

Any more updates Sam?

 

[samh004]

Any more updates Sam?

Planning on heading out later today. We were out there on Tuesday as they were preparing the gutters, but would have had to stand in the sun for a while to wait for them to actually be installed, so left before we saw them up. It's an overcast day today (just started raining here actually) and I believe rain is forecast for the weekend, so I'm hoping they have started on the roof, but I guess I will find out in a few hours when I'm out there.

My first "site visit" is in a weeks time, so that should be a little different and I'll try get some good photos then as well.

On a different topic, my mind is currently fighting between two different wine cellar (room) ideas. The location is the activity space that leads to guest bedrooms and bath so there's little/no natural light and the space has its own AC zone. On the one hand, I can go the cheaper function over form design (likely in a black powder coat) similar to this: Shop/buy 18 high x 12 wide Wine Rack or on the other hand I can choose the more expensive and elegant solution: Modulosteel Metal Wine Racking System

Support has already been added to both walls to secure such racks so they don't topple, but I can't quite workout the direction I want to take. One os far more functional and provides for more options, but rustic can sometimes be best, and let's not forget the price difference.

 

[samh004]

So we went out today and they were securing the battens to the rafters in preparation for the colorbond... tomorrow! Rotten luck with timing, but the next time we're out there we'll have a roof over our heads. I do have a few more photos, but nothing particularly interesting at this stage. You can sort of see the colour the roof will be in the gutters... if you squint!




A better photo of the TV 'studs', the wine will go on the other side of this wall


This will be the guest shower (and bath to right) and you can see the built-in shelf

 

[Pushka]

Grey? Grey is my new favourite colour right now. Just had a leather lounge suite delivered Wednesday. In that grey.

 

[travelislife]

It’s a simple, but often not done thing, so have to say, looks like you have got a good builder/trades, just in the way they keep the site so clean. Shows they take care in what they do.

 

[samh004]

Grey? Grey is my new favourite colour right now. Just had a leather lounge suite delivered Wednesday. In that grey.

It's a colorbond deep ocean. You are perhaps looking at the backside of the roof sheets on the ground, or the fascia behind the gutters on the house. I think our roof will certainly be different to others in the street.

Deep Ocean®

Recalling the intensity of ocean depths and the mystery of distant mountain ranges, COLORBOND® steel in the colour Deep Ocean® is a strong and adaptable colour, both for traditional and modern building design.

colorbond.com

 

[p--and--t]

Ah what ever happened to the good ol' days of "mission brown"

 

[Pushka]

Ah what ever happened to the good ol' days of "mission brown"

As in this carpet? I call it poop brown and it’s in our property we are moving into next year and it will be goneski by Christmas.

 

[vetrade]

Regarding water hammer in pipes, most people are under the misconception that it is caused by the pipe knocking on the framework, but that is not the cause at all - and it is not exacerbated by a steel frame. The hammer noise is actually caused by a sudden change in the velocity of the water in the pipe when the flow is turned off or on suddenly. The pressure generated by this causes the water to surge backwards and forwards within the pipe causing the vibration noise.

So, even if your plumber has installed the pipes carefully and they are firmly attached to each stud, water hammer is still likely to occur.
Wider diameter pipes throughout would help by decreasing the pressure but it isn't practical for most domestic construction to have bigger diam. fittings throughout so the only realistic fix is to have a flow restricter fitted at your water main to slow down the pressure surges. The downside of this is that if you have the washinging machine, the shower and the kitchen tap etc. all on at the same time you might notice the flow rate is reduced.

 

[jakeseven7]

As in this carpet? I call it poop brown and it’s in our property we are moving into next year and it will be goneski by Christmas.
View attachment 231139

Also commonly known as 'rental brown' by real estate agents

 

[samh004]

Next update from me should be on Thursday. Busy week here for me so not sure I'll get to the land before then.

 

[cove]

Water hammer arrestors are a plumbing product that can be installed if you experience banging noises in your pipes. You can get it from washing machines, dishwashers and off the mains irrigation systems where a valve closes too quickly. Typically a water hammer arrestor is a spring loaded device that absorbs the shock. Breaking pipes can be a result and that can be expensive to fix.

 

[samh004]

Heading to the site later today, but the site supervisor uploaded some photos to the portal this morning ahead of my visit. It is day 32 of the build – the concrete was poured on day 10.




Ensuite, WC and WIR. Media off the back.


Living, dining, outdoor – I know some will say there's not enough space (outside), but don't forget I grew up in HK!

 

[samh004]

Windows and doors should be in this afternoon, but we’re already heading home. Bricking should start tomorrow and continue next week.



Inspection today went well, electrical is where we wanted it so we’re happy. Next inspection not due till end of November.


Taken from the wall of the media room looking at the combined dining/living and kitchen. Laundry is extreme right.

 

[love_the_life]

Windows and doors should be in this afternoon, but we’re already heading home. Bricking should start tomorrow and continue next week.

View attachment 231841

Inspection today went well, electrical is where we wanted it so we’re happy. Next inspection not due till end of November.

View attachment 231840
Taken from the wall of the media room looking at the combined dining/living and kitchen. Laundry is extreme right.

Wow seems so fast - looking fantastic

 

[travelislife]

Looking good, but no roof blanket/sislation before roofing fixed on? That roof cavity being in Queensland will get very hot without it making the ducted AC have to work much harder.

Post automatically merged: Oct 29, 2020

Impressed again at how clean the site is!