Patricia's Construction and Contracting Blog: Tips for Novices to Experts

  • Understanding water discoloration in your home

    9 May 2016

    Discolored tap water is a result of certain elements present in your water supply. The following colors can point towards specific problems: Yellow, orange or red water color This is a tell-tale sign of the presence of rust in your water supply. The difference in color is based on the level of rust. The rusty water may be coming from either the local council's water main or your own plumbing pipes.

  • Home Construction: Understanding the Mandatory Building Inspections

    6 May 2016

    When you are building your new home, you will be required to subject the structure to inspection. These assessments will be carried at different levels of the construction process, and the exact requirements will depend on the building regulations imposed in your local area. The technical examination of the home is performed by a licensed building inspector. Ideally, you should hire this professional as a specialty consultant, but there are also inspectors available from local council offices.

  • Advantages of Choosing Concrete House Stumps When You Need Restumping

    5 May 2016

    Australian homes that were built along the coast tend to be prone to high tides and high winds as well as the sand shifting. As such, these houses were typically constructed atop of wooden stumps to keep their foundation stable and the structure out of harm's way. However, over time, wooden stumps will deteriorate. This will present itself in various signs around your home including: Your home's floors will begin to sag Doors and windows will start jamming Floor tiles will begin to crack and crumble Plaster and paint will begin to peel off the wall  When you notice some of these signs, it could mean that your residence's foundation is being compromised due to the damaged stumps.

  • Pinned Down: Choosing A House Underpinning Method To Tackle Subsidence Damage

    2 May 2016

    The word 'subsidence' probably sends a shiver up every home owner's spine, and the changes in the contours of the land that occur during subsidence can cause extensive damage to your home's foundations. Subsidence can be caused by a number of processes, from natural limestone erosion to excessive groundwater extraction (a particular problem in the more arid parts of Australia), but when it comes to saving a home's foundations from crumbling, underpinning is almost always the best way to tackle the issue.

  • Why Portable Toilet Hire Would Be Ideal For Your Event

    29 April 2016

    When planning a large event that will have a significant number of people in attendance, there are a myriad of details that you would have to consider. As such, most event planners would want to hire a venue that would ease the burden for them by already having amenities that their guests can use. However, opting for a venue that already has its own toilet facilities that would be open to your guests does not necessarily mean that these facilities can appropriately accommodate them.

  • Ecofriendly Bricks You Could Incorporate In Your Building Design

    29 April 2016

    When constructing a new home, one of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to the building design is the materials that you will use. Generally, bricks are one of the more common materials preferred by contractors. However, standard bricks are not entirely environmentally friendly. If you would want to construct a home that is environmentally friendly but still aesthetically appealing, you should consider the use of ecofriendly bricks.

  • A Few Considerations to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Style of Roof Trusses

    29 April 2016

    Roof trusses are large beams placed in a type of triangle shape that are used to hold up and support a roof; they are usually left exposed for a more rustic and open look than you would get with standard roofing material that is then covered with drywall. When having a new home constructed or when renovating and considering roof trusses, you want to ensure you take your time to shop and know all your options for the various styles.