Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Canberra custom KDR 121Sep 04, 2018 12:35 pm Wonderful news Algernon. You must be stoked that the design is working as it was designed to and it will be interesting to see how the summer goes for you. In regard to the oven, there will always be issues with different things. For me it's not so much that you have a issue, it's how well it is handled when it happens. Re: Canberra custom KDR 122Aug 28, 2019 7:23 am hi Algernon, So now you've been in the house for awhile, can you please comment on the build, relationship with the builder after moving in. What are your gas/electricity bills like compared to the old place. Much appreciated. Beth Re: Canberra custom KDR 123Sep 07, 2019 11:20 am Sorry for delay in replying - I'm not much on these forums these days! The build: the structural quality of the build was good, although there were a few minor cosmetic things at the end (paint marks on tiles, the painting required a lot of touchup and rework). The biggest practical issue is the roof drainage - it obviously wasn't tested as there's no water going into the water tank at all. A year on now and that still isn't fixed, unfortunately - the plumber hasn't been cooperative. The builder has also lost his two best staff, and the replacements have been pretty hopeless, to be quite frank - so unfortunately I can't say the relationship with the builder after moving in has been very good. The build process itself: a bit too rushed at times, and too many variations/issues discovered as we went through. In hindsight would probably like it to have taken a bit longer, possibly with some predefined 'pauses' in the process to assess and revisit plans for the next stage, rather than having to think on our feet all the time. Overall, though, happy with the end result, and the house has stood up well to it's first year-and-a-quarter (has it really been that long?). We don't have gas, and our electricity bills are noticeably lower (10-20%) than our previous house (a 2006 build with 3.5-star energy rating that was half the size of this one), despite not having final window treatments (blinds/curtains) in still. Re: Canberra custom KDR 124Sep 08, 2019 5:51 pm algernon The biggest practical issue is the roof drainage - it obviously wasn't tested as there's no water going into the water tank at all. A year on now and that still isn't fixed, unfortunately - the plumber hasn't been cooperative. Report him. The installation is incompetent. I have yet to see a builder's water tank installation on Homeone that is best practice and your issues go beyond your primary concern. If you want competent practical advice that you can act on, just start a dedicated thread in Eco Living. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Canberra custom KDR 125Nov 25, 2019 7:30 pm Okay, a recap of the time since my last post: Much as I'd like to blame the plumber for that given some of the quality of his other work, it turns out (eventually) that the problem was the concreters for the footpath. How so? Star pickets for formwork driven deep into the ground + no marking for where the charged downpipes were buried... you can see where this is going.... Three hits, three holes, all leaking any and all rainwater into the ground - fortunately, not under the slab and downslope (as much as we have a downslope) of the house (plus we're not on highly reactive soils). In a spot which naturally collects water and is shaded, so greener grass there was not a dead giveaway. Leaks located, pipes patched and sealed (by a new plumber, who not only does good work but also explains things well, provides good records and photos of all work done, and actually turns up when booked - amazing!) Hose down drainpipe = the system finally charges and puts water into the tank! Yay! Hang on, what's that water pooling around the base of the tank? Seems to be dripping out from around the tank outlet... the problem quickly determined to be the fitting INSIDE the tank. Put in a warranty call to the tank manufacturer, takes a few weeks but quickly fixed. They said it was due to overtightening of the fitting (another good bit of work by the original plumber) and would normally charge for it, but kindly waived the fee. Okay, water's now getting into the tank, fill it up a bit - no more leaks! Finally! Done! Hmmm... why is the system losing its charge overnight? And why is this soil over here looking a bit damp? To be continued.... Re: Canberra custom KDR 126Nov 25, 2019 9:30 pm algernon Much as I'd like to blame the plumber for that given some of the quality of his other work, it turns out (eventually) that the problem was the concreters for the footpath. How so? Star pickets for formwork driven deep into the ground + no marking for where the charged downpipes were buried... you can see where this is going.... Three hits, three holes, all leaking any and all rainwater into the ground Well, the water had to be going somewhere. The pipes require a minimum 100mm cover from the top of the pipe to the surface but this gives no protection against star pickets. It's good that it is finally fixed. algernon Hang on, what's that water pooling around the base of the tank? Seems to be dripping out from around the tank outlet... the problem quickly determined to be the fitting INSIDE the tank. Put in a warranty call to the tank manufacturer, takes a few weeks but quickly fixed. They said it was due to overtightening of the fitting (another good bit of work by the original plumber) and would normally charge for it, but kindly waived the fee. A bit off topic but related,,, many overflow pipes crack at the outlet fitting due to ground movement. It is best practice to fit an air gap or an expanda joint in the overflow pipe but it is uncommon to do so because most plumbers are oblivious to the need. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Canberra custom KDR 127Nov 25, 2019 10:22 pm Hi algernon. Great thread. Can I ask which company it is who you found re the ERV which is coupled with a heat pump for heating/cooling? This is exactly what I've been trying to find. Cheers. Re: Canberra custom KDR 128Dec 31, 2019 10:31 pm HugoBarney, sorry to jump in , perhaps this would help ? https://recoveryvent.com.au/product_category/product/ also , how about https://geoflow.com.au/geothermal/ - bit brave but sounds great. Re: Canberra custom KDR 129Jan 01, 2020 9:15 am Whoops, I did respond to HugoBarney via PM, and intended to also post it here - thanks, ligongl, the RecoveryVent was who I found. Sitting here typing this with outside air pollution (due to bushfire smoke) at dangerously high levels - in excess of 1,500 μg/m3 (for reference, WHO guidelines stipulate that a 24-hour mean shouldn't exceed 25, so we're 60 times the limit, and have been since yesterday afternoon). Our comparatively airtight house means that the bedroom air is still nicely clear and we've had a good smoke-free night's sleep (can definitely smell the smoke when we go out into the living areas, but the house as a whole is much better than outside). Hate to think how bad it is for typical leaky homes around here at the moment, and the short- and long-term health issues that will result. Re: Canberra custom KDR 130Jan 01, 2020 3:27 pm Great thread algernon It's really really informative, can i ask which loose lay long boards you ended up going with as the colour looks really good. We are currently trying to choose from the karndean range. Cheers Re: Canberra custom KDR 131Jan 01, 2020 4:46 pm viccountry Great thread algernon It's really really informative, can i ask which loose lay long boards you ended up going with as the colour looks really good. We are currently trying to choose from the karndean range. Cheers We went with the lemon spotted gum (my partner's preference, I would personally have also been happy with the blackbutt). Re: Canberra custom KDR 132Jan 03, 2020 7:22 pm algernon viccountry Great thread algernon It's really really informative, can i ask which loose lay long boards you ended up going with as the colour looks really good. We are currently trying to choose from the karndean range. Cheers We went with the lemon spotted gum (my partner's preference, I would personally have also been happy with the blackbutt). Thanks for that algernon, lemon spotted gum was on our short list along with mountain spotted gum & wormy chestnut. 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