Paddy Engineering Consultant

Lath and Plaster is one of the most preferred ways of finishing the internal surface of one’s home. It was a common method used in the 1950s, consisting of sawing or riveting thin strips of wood (laths). These strips are covered with plaster and leveled off. Just as with other things, they also require minor repairs to last for their expected years. Cost effective methods Short Term: Repairing Lath and Plaster in your home requires key decisions in the areas of time, budget and the final appearance required. The first choice is to remove dust by vacuuming and simply re-decorating with any suitable paint (preferably water based). However, this method is the best before the plaster starts to sag and crack. The cost is low and depends on the original condition of the plasterwork. Though this is best for cottages and buildings that exude an old-world charm, it is a short term solution and cannot give a ‘flat’ finish. The next method is to scrape out the cracks and remove the loo...

Copper is an extremely ductile and malleable element and pipes made of copper are much in use for the same reason. PVC or poly-vinyl chloride is a synthetic plastic polymer and PVC pipes are referred to those pipes made out of synthetic plastic. Copper vs PVC The table below illustrates the  differences between copper pipes and PVC pipes : Copper pipes PVC Pipe Copper is a metallic element and is immensely malleable and ductile and hence finds easy application for pipelining purposes. Poly-vinyl chloride being a polymer for synthetic plastic is such a strong element that it is liked by several users for their pipelining purposes. Preferred among general masses even though incase of corrosion along the pipeline the copper if mixed with water might be a potential health risk. Since it’s a synthetic it is not much preferred and the chemicals that is used in the production of PVC if found even in minute traces can be fatal. This pipelining has...

Cracks, pop outs, discoloration or any other flaws on concrete shouldn’t be a headache anymore because of concrete overlay. A concrete overlay enables you cover up surface imperfections that may be present on existing concrete. It provides for an alternative to a complete removal or replacement of the concrete and the good news is that they can be of a decorative or non-decorative variety, the choice is yours! They are a good alternative to acid staining old concrete hence giving the old concrete a brand new look. They are very versatile in nature and can be utilized with a number of coloring techniques in order to achieve a wide range of colors and effects. Normally, the concrete overlay is meant to be strong and hardy hence making it ideal for trowel stenciling, stamping, or as a primer coat on previously tiled or stamped surfaces. In the days of old, cement-based overlays were prominent, but today, they have been blended with polymer resins, sand and other additives in a bid t...

With concrete sealer, concrete is made more resistant to weather exposure, grease and oil stains, water as well abrasion and salts. In addition it is essential to bringing out the concrete’s natural beauty and making it easier to clean when applied right. When concrete is sealed, porosity is reduced so that the level of oil absorption is also reduced. Preparing the surface Before you can seal concrete, be sure to prepare the surface first. Ensure that you thoroughly clean the surface and remove as much stain as possible. Sweep off any debris that may be present, make use of a degreaser to remove any present grease or oil and scrub off any heavy stains that may be present. It is recommended that all trace of previously used sealers is removed from the surface before applying the new one. This is because in most cases, when you seal concrete, you will find that no two products of sealants from manufacturers are the same or compatible. One of the best ways you can ensure that the ...

Making concrete mold depends on a number of factors such as the materials used, your skill set, the shape you desire and the tools you have. In order to have a durable mold, it is important to ensure that it is smooth and waterproof with an ability to hold the concrete until it sets. Molds enable you produce consistent and aesthetic results. Materials needed A look at what you will need to make the concrete molds: Mold materials You can opt to utilize available mold material from stores or around your house or you could opt to make your own. The essence is to utilize a container of any shape and size on condition that once the molding is done; you are able to get the finished product from it. You can make use of non-stick spray prior to applying the concrete in case you wish to easily remove the concrete molds after they set. Release agent In order to prevent the mold from sticking to the material, you can make use of a release agent or non-stick cooking spray. You can al...

If you are planning to build concrete steps on the exterior of your house, you need to check local laws and conform to the same but for internal steps feel free to make them the way you like. This project involves building of forms, mixing the concrete ingredients in correct proportions (you could use pre-packaged mix), pouring concrete and the process of curing. You should also keep in mind the material you intend using for handrails. Here are the tools and materials needed for the project: . Hand tools, rakes, shovels, brooms . Level, ruler, hammer, saw, tape ruler, saw, hammer, nails . Wheelbarrow or portable concrete mixer, mixer trowels . Premixed concrete or . Concrete ingredients: Portland cement, sand, aggregate, water . Plywood, lumber for forms and stakes . Some grease or oil STEP 1 – Stair Design – Calculate the size of the concrete steps The first step to building concrete steps is to calculate the floor to floor height and the length of the stairway. Exteri...

Granite Slab Granite is one of the most popular building materials in the market. It is useful for both interior and exterior application. Granite is one of the hardest types of stones available and granite slabs are part of it. They are known for their heat resistance and resistance to wear. Granite is used for making buildings, bridges, paving, monuments, etc. In your house you may use granite as the countertop, tile floors, stair treads, etc. Granite gives an impressive look which makes it very popular for general use in the modern market. However, when you are using Granite, it is very important to focus on the granite slab size. If you get the Granite slab size wrong, then it could turn out to be very problematic. Granite is a very hard substance. Therefore, cutting it or making small changes to it is next to impossible. Most of the time, granites are cut in general dimensions. Granite fabricators usually have granite slabs with them. When a customer specifies the granite ...