Home DIY

Hm, it turns out that there actually is a 'crank spider', whose photo I won't post in consideration of Aaron. It's pretty ugly. It's just a good job that it's not real. :)

photos are fine, and often morbidly curious, I'm just so keen on the real thing.

/off to google crank spider

Here it is. It's a bit DIY, though.

So I am toying with the idea of giving up the fall and instead add a millimeter or two of leveling compound – if that can get it perfectly flat and smooth.

It really shouldnt be flat. It should fall away from the window slightly.
Build up the tile adhesive at the back to create the fall and dont waste money on self levelling compound which is for floors anyway.

.....
c) Normal Bathroom - waterproof tile adhesive will take up 1mm easily, (so don't worry about ultra precision if it is only 1mm out.)

True... so I am obsessing over nothing ain't I? The other plan would be to cut out a piece of plywood the exact size of the sill. Then when it comes to tiling (in four weeks time) give the sill a generous dollop of adhesive, I then sort of press the tiles into the wet adhesive with the plywood plank whilst I at the same time hold a spirit level on top of the plywood to make sure it is level left to right whilst falling slightly forward.
Poor explanation... but sounds OK?

You could cut strips of packing wedges, 6mm at the back, 4mm at the front, apply adhesive then stick the packing pieces in, then bang the tiles on.

True... so I am obsessing over nothing ain't I?

This!

Do you guys have any opinions on fungicidal washes and primers?

I have a small bathroom which by the looks and smells of it doesn't have any humidity problems, but I think I spotted a few pin prick sized black spots here and there before I started sanding down the walls. I washed the freshly sanded walls with sugar soap, but I am undecided as to what I want to do next.

There are fungicidal washes, and an obvious choice would be to use Dulux Fungicidal Primer. There are also fungicidal paints and fungicidal paint additives, but that limits your choice of paints so screw that.
But either way I am not sure I want to use lightly poisoned stuff on the walls of a small room for a problem I am not even sure if I have? I am reading elsewhere on the interwebs that the moisture produced when you shower triggers reactions with the fungicidal stuff which means you will find yourself in a carcinogenic steambath every morning. But then again that could be the usual tinfoil hat brigade talking....

Personally I'd spend cash on a really decent extractor and heater for the bathroom- nice big towel rad, or under floor heating, or both, plus a fan that stays on for ~30 seconds/whatever after you turn the light off.

If it's dry it's not going to grow mould.

Yes, the heated towel rack is generously sized for the room. Have a trickle vent and I am discussing with freeholder if we can smash trough the external wall for a more substantial vent solution (but that might take up to a year). Keeping windows open most of the time and I am considering one of those dehumidifiers that have been mentioned earlier in this thread. Anyway, as mentioned I don't really think I have a damp problem.

I think I am just going to crack on with a normal skim coat tomorrow and forget about the fungicidal. Unless anyone else has some other advice by that time?

I'll race you- tiling the remaining wall in my ensuite tomorrow.

If I get a shift on I could be grouting by mid-afternoon.

Proper ventilation and heating are the answer.
But there's a company called Killtox (in Hither Green) who supply (manufacture?) fungicide paint additives and whatnot. I've used it, it works.

I had a mould problem on the tiled walls to a small ensuite shower cubicle. It was built in a corner which was also the 2 outside corners to the house. The only ventilation was an extract fan which I didn't want running when we were in bed. I got rid of the problem by always leaving the cubilce and ensuite doors just slightly ajar instead of fully closed.

How hard is it to plaster a ceiling yourself? I'm not fond of artex so would like a smooth finish. Is this something I can do myself or would that a a dumb idea?

Dumb idea.

Thought so.

How hard is it to plaster a ceiling yourself? I'm not fond of artex so would like a smooth finish. Is this something I can do myself or would that a a dumb idea?

What do you have of the following:
1) Experience of using plaster (multicoat should do this)?
2) Equipment/tools?
3) Mates with 1 + 2 above?

If you have none of the above its looking difficult but not impossible.

Get a quote to have the ceiling skimmed by a pro then you can weigh up the costs and benefits better.

Whats the worst that can happen? Barring accidents, lots of cleaning up and wasted time and money.

Sounds like I'll leave it to the pro then. I've got someone in mind but thought plastering a whole house would work out cheaper if I did it myself.

If all goes to plan we'll be buying a house that needs some work - just modernisation really, new bathroom suite and kitchen may knock the kitchen through to the dining room.

tiny glory hole?

precision

what's with the shower half way down the hallway?

You mean you don't have a shower-hall?

I thought everyone did.

what's with the shower half way down the hallway?

It leads to a walk through wardrobe. Bed through washed, dressed and out the front door in 3 minutes flat. That little hole is for the piped coffee feed.

Wet rooms are for swingers