DIY Hindsight

When the slates on my 1905 were replaced the slates that came off were not in the best of condition. I didn't want them and the roofer didn't want them. I believe the going rate paid at the local recycle yards was

Whatever happened to his green lifestyle change where he was running his vehicles on used chip shop oil and running a 40w lightbulb from a home built waterwheel? Or did that TV income steam die the death?

But how long is long? Sometimes you may want to save money if they are going to last longer than your lifetime and/or the ownership of that particular house.

A commercial property close to me had artificial slate installed which looked good, A decade or two later and they had slates slipping, probably due to poor workmanship using the wrong type of nails which may now be rotting.

I went from slate to concrete tile and had this conversation with the roofer. There is little difference in roof weight - slates can be a lot heavier than you think and he demonstrated by making a makeshift balance from a plank on a brick as the fulcrum . first balancing it with tiles on both sides and then replacing the equivalent area of tiles with slates.

In my area BC always seem to want additional support for the purlins irrespective of the replacement roof material.

I have just made a "busy board" for my 2 year old grandaughter's Christmas. I have incorporated a Friedland circular electric bell. It was last used in 1976. It has been through 7 house moves, but I knew I would need it eventually.

Interesting, ta. ;-)

This can often be down to a 'pet thing' of a particular BC person, a bit like MOT inspectors.

I had my campervan fail on lower ball joints, brought it home and changed them and took it back for a re-test. Different guy who questioned what I'd done and why and said that 'there was little point as they would be loose again in no time, that's how they are on those ...'. ;-(

Cheers, T i m

I'd say similar to modern slates.

Never tried.

Dunno, Tim. Very common in this part of London since the 70s and not seen any replaced. So saying some makes seem to discolour. Mine haven't and still look good.

Cellars are very common round here. Victorian housing, and originally to keep coal in, as gardens are typically small, and often no access except through the house.

I changed from what were ceramic double pan tiles to artificial slate. They are lighter - much lighter.

Load of houses round here which have had concrete tiles fitted - and sagging in the middle. So my guess is they are a lot heavier than the original - most likely slate.

Oh, I bet they will love you!

'Sorry darling, I think the battery is flat and only grandad can replace it, we will have to wait till we see him next ...'. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

p.s. Get her a drum kit next Xmyth ... <weg>

I was confused. Is the distinction being made that a basement is habitable? (FSVO "habitable")

Chris

I had an uncle whose house had a basement & sub-basement. The house was built on steep ground.

Oh, and still cut with tin snips, or are you talking of more of shears?

Sure, but from the feel, do you think they would. I was trying to work out of the were at all flexible or not?

Ok, so a good 50 years for them then.

Cool.

Cheers, T i m

Yes, they are flexible to a degree. I'd guess you could walk on them with care - same as most roofing materials. But best to use something to spread the load - same as with slates.

They will! Also the miniature electronic bleeper, advertised as requiring 3v - 24v, but makes an ear-splitting noise on 4.5v.

Someone else attended to that for her last birthday!

I remember my SIL (who didn't have a clue) buying some very noisy toys for our two when they were young.

We waited ten years until she had a sprog, and boy did we retaliate...

My mother bought my son a very loud drum. He loved it - she smiled serenely. I was a difficult child...

We got ours a little xylophone and that was bad enough but later a portable Yamaha keyboard and whilst she took that everywhere, when in the car she could wear headphones (and it had a volume control and even she didn't like loud things).

Possibly from that and when maybe 8 or so she would love to come with me to PC World as they had keyboards in there and she would play some of her favourite tunes. We never got moved on by the staff and often got a smile or praise from both staff and other customers. I think it made a change to have 'a kid' actually playing real music rather than just bashing the keys. ;-)

It was a similar situation in the hospice where step granddaughter (then 15) 'entertained' us all (inc her dying Mum, other reles and the staff) in the common room on their nice electronic piano. All the girls are good singers (Mrs was in a band in her day) so it was quiet powerful / moving.

Maybe you could fix a basic glockenspiel / xylophone to the busy board to give her something with tone / scale, after all, it couldn't make matters worse! ;-)

Cheers, T i m

Revenge is a dish best served ... with a bank of airhorns!

Cheers, T i m

freinds who were staying bought their kid a thomas the tank engine trike with noisy annoying tune buttons - i took the batteries out before he even knew they were there.