What is a site manager?
A site manager runs the building site on behalf of the contractor and makes sure work follows the drawings and agreements. Duties, working foreman and tips for clients.
What is extrusive rock?
Extrusive rock is igneous rock formed when lava cools quickly at the earth’s surface. Features, examples such as basalt and porphyry, and its use in construction.
What is a quantity take-off?
A quantity take-off measures the quantities of materials and work from drawings and specifications. It is the basis for estimating, pricing a tender and ordering.
What is a dutchman repair?
A dutchman repair replaces decayed timber with a closely fitted insert of the same species and grain direction, so most of the original wood is kept. Method and tips.
What is a full-size setting-out drawing?
A full-size setting-out drawing is an exact 1:1 drawing of a stair, hip rafter, valley rafter or roof, used to mark out and cut parts straight from the paper.
What is plinth extension?
Plinth extension (Dutch: ‘uitplinten’) means enlarging or converting the ground floor of a residential block, for example by turning storage units into homes.
What is leaching?
Leaching is the slow release of bound substances from building materials into water, such as zinc from gutters or salts from treated timber. Causes, tests and practical tips.
What is a monastic grange?
A monastic grange was a medieval farm owned by a monastery or abbey, from which its lands were worked. Its purpose, who lived there, its buildings and what survives today.
What is a projecting sign?
A projecting sign sticks out at right angles from a facade and shows what shop or trade is inside. History, materials, safe fixing to masonry and permission questions.
What is efflorescence?
Efflorescence is a usually white deposit of salts or lime on brickwork and concrete. How it forms, how to tell salts from lime staining, and how to remove it safely.