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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
How important is it to do the foundations right for a conservatory? It will
go over an area that is currently half concrete slab (looks thin) and bricks (a bit wobbly). Can I just get some concrete over the whole lot to level and strengthen it, or do I need to do some serious digging? The sides would be wooden. I want to use the room as a dining room, as it is right next to the kitchen. The back garden has no access except through the house. It is not possible to get large pieces of equipment to the rear. Is it possible to have ready mixed concrete pumped through the house through a hose? Obviously the quantities required aren't huge, but I don't think you'd get a mixer round the back. A full wheelbarrow is out of the question as there is a sharp turn and newly sanded and varnished floors. You'd need to upend it to get round the corner. One edge of the conservatory may form the boundary, replacing a rotten fence. Windows on that side would be painted out, or replaced with ply. Does this complicate the issue, as this wall would be right on the edge of the slab? I could build just up to the fence, and just take the fence panel down when maintaining. This will probably be at the neighbours option. Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
It used to be the case that this wall needs to be half-hour fireproof
and you need building regs approval. I have no idea if this is still the case; I would check if I were you. I thought conservatories were a specific exemption to this. Does anyone know for certain? In case it makes a differerence, the floor area of proposed conservatory is approximately 11m2. The ground floor area of house (terraced) is about 36m2, giving approx 72m2 total area on two floors. Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
Hmm. I'd be tempted to see if a hired concrete mixer would be
gettable in through the house, and then just get bags of sand, cement, and ballast and do it the hard way. It would be as easy to get a ocean liner through the house as a mini digger or concrete mixer. Anything of that size would need to be craned in over the house. I suppose you could get one of those tiny mini mixers in, but it would take an age to make up the required amount and it couldn't be done in one pour, so would presumably be very weak. Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
. net... kitchen. The back garden has no access except through the house. It is not possible to get large pieces of equipment to the rear. Is it possible to have ready mixed concrete pumped through the house through a hose? Obviously the quantities required aren't huge, but I don't think you'd get a mixer round the back. A full wheelbarrow is out of the question as there is a sharp turn and newly sanded and varnished floors. You'd need to upend it to get round the corner. You certainly can get concrete pumpers - a house near me had the solid ground floors re-made using one. IIRC it had a truck with some hydaulic extending supports to get into the house, and then flexible pipes to go inside the house. I don't know where from or how much, but I'd expect a hefty minimum charge. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
I thought conservatories were a specific exemption to this. Does anyone know for certain? In case it makes a differerence, the floor area of proposed conservatory is approximately 11m2. The ground floor area of house (terraced) is about 36m2, giving approx 72m2 total area on two floors. Christian. You will need both planning permission and building regulations approval if the conservatory is attached to the house and it exceeds 10% of the existing floor area. Note that because it is a terraced property the size limits are smaller. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
You will need both planning permission and building regulations
approval if the conservatory is attached to the house and it exceeds 10% of the existing floor area. Apparently, though, the 10% applies within a range from 50m3 to 115m3, so the minimum permitted development rights are 50m3, however small the house. A very rough estimate of volume is 3 x 3.5 x 3m, which gives 31.5m3, well within the limits and enough left over for a lean-to over the side of the kitchen. The house was built in 1909 and there has been no previous extensions, just a garden shed, not attached in excess of 5m away from where the conservatory would end. For building regulations, different rules apply, based on a 30m2 floor area. Total area will be about 10.5m2. So I can't see why I'd need Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval. Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
I suppose you could get one of those tiny mini mixers in, but it would
take an age to make up the required amount and it couldn't be done in one pour, so would presumably be very weak. You would be suprised at how much comes out of a mini mix tripod type mixer in a day, the only struggle is getting all the materials close by. I wheel mine through the house OK (90deg corners et al) although it's also possible to carry it, goes in the back of a small car with the seats down. If it's a really tight fit, you can remove the drum from a Belle 150. If you were to mix the foundation for the curtain walling, and the base on separate days, you would possibly get away with a weekend hire. A house built as infill behind existing houses 400m from here had a pumped foundation, the contractors turned up with what looked like enough kit to build a motorway and *unanounced* closed/blocked the road, until a small contingent of neighbours pointed out that they still needed to get to work somehow. The mixer, pump lorry, and gantry/rig/crew lorry stayed out the front of the site, the vertical gantry was built up out the back to form a high point for the operators to swing the nozzle about from. It did not look cheap. I havn't seen a smaller version of this anywhere, and it doesn't seem to be in my plant hire brochure as an option. Toby. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
A very rough estimate of volume is 3 x 3.5 x 3m, which gives 31.5m3, well within the limits and enough left over for a lean-to over the side of the kitchen. The house was built in 1909 and there has been no previous extensions, just a garden shed, not attached in excess of 5m away from where the conservatory would end. Apologies I have misread it! I thought the 10% was a lower figure for terraced properties. I also assume your house is not in a conservation area. AFAIUI Building regs will apply since it is an extension. The best thing is to talk to BCO before you do the work since it can be incredibly expensive to correct. Don't forget the new rules on insulation standards if you are DIYing the conservatory. You WILL need approval for that unless it is installed by a FENSTRA registree. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
In article ,
Christian McArdle wrote: I suppose you could get one of those tiny mini mixers in, but it would take an age to make up the required amount and it couldn't be done in one pour, so would presumably be very weak. The limiting factor is how much you can shovel in a day - a bigger mixer just means fewer larger batches. When I did my foundations I arranged things so that my Belle Minimix (on swivel stand) was positioned so as to tip straight into the section being concreted, and my pile of ballast likewise to go straight into the mixer. You'd be surprised how much you can do in a day if things are in the right place. -- Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk Free SEDBUK boiler database browser http://www.sda.co.uk/qsedbuk.htm |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
Apologies I have misread it! I thought the 10% was a lower figure for
terraced properties. It is. Non-terraced properties seem to get 15% between 70m3 and 115m3. Mine falls off the bottom anyway, though, hitting the 50m3 minimum. As an Edwardian building, it has no restriction on permitted development rights that has been common on more recent estate conveyances. OTOH, I don't want to use too much permitted rights up. I'm thinking of a dormer rear roof extension if it can be made to look OK. A quick back of envelope calculation shows 20m3, so it'll be marginal and probably require PP, especially if the lean to is constructed. I probably overcooked the estimate on the conservatory so could probably squeeze both in. AFAIUI Building regs will apply since it is an extension. I still think not. Conservatories below 30m2 floor area appear to be exempt, with loads of conditions that aren't too onerous. It needs to have a transparent roof, 75% glazed walls, a proper external door between it and the house, seperately zoned and controlled heating (if heated), below a certain height etc. Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
Nick Finnigan wrote:
You certainly can get concrete pumpers - a house near me had the solid ground floors re-made using one. IIRC it had a truck with some hydaulic extending supports to get into the house, and then flexible pipes to go inside the house. I don't know where from or how much, but I'd expect a hefty minimum charge. It certainly is a heft minimum charge - I was recently quoted £800 to hire the pumping gear for one day. This didn't include the concrete. -- Grunff |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
AFAIK the rules changed from 1st April this year. A quick call to
the local BCO will confirm or correct. I would appreciate knowing what they say because the local one here in Somerset suggested the exemption no longer applied. Oh. Are the new conditions really bad? What about flammability? It's going to be wood and on the boundary. Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
Mainly to do with insulation standards but as it was explained to
me if it is attached to the building it is no longer exempt. As I said before give the BCO a ring and ask. Do it anonymously if you are concerned! I'm going to insulate anyway. But there is no way a conservatory would meet general building regulations. Perhaps the exemption is finished, but only a tiny subset of rules apply? Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
"Christian McArdle" wrote in message . net... How important is it to do the foundations right for a conservatory? It will go over an area that is currently half concrete slab (looks thin) and bricks (a bit wobbly). Can I just get some concrete over the whole lot to level and strengthen it, or do I need to do some serious digging? The sides would be wooden. I want to use the room as a dining room, as it is right next to the kitchen. The back garden has no access except through the house. It is not possible to get large pieces of equipment to the rear. Is it possible to have ready mixed concrete pumped through the house through a hose? Obviously the quantities required aren't huge, but I don't think you'd get a mixer round the back. A full wheelbarrow is out of the question as there is a sharp turn and newly sanded and varnished floors. You'd need to upend it to get round the corner. One edge of the conservatory may form the boundary, replacing a rotten fence. Windows on that side would be painted out, or replaced with ply. Does this complicate the issue, as this wall would be right on the edge of the slab? I could build just up to the fence, and just take the fence panel down when maintaining. This will probably be at the neighbours option. Christian. This should explain a bit more about it: http://www.pavingexpert.com/concrete.htm --- BigWallop http://basecuritysystems.no-ip.com Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.500 / Virus Database: 298 - Release Date: 10/07/03 |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
I'm going to insulate anyway. But there is no way a conservatory would meet general building regulations. Perhaps the exemption is finished, but only a tiny subset of rules apply? Let me make it a bit clearer. Yes the standards for conservatories is lower than other extensions. This does not alter the fact that they are, if attached to the main house, subject to building regulations approval. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
"Christian McArdle" wrote in message .net...
How important is it to do the foundations right for a conservatory? The sides would be wooden. I want to use the room as a dining room, as it is right next to the kitchen. The back garden has no access except through the house. It is not possible to get large pieces of equipment to the rear. Any building stands or falls according to its foundations. But why are you considereing a slab for what is only going to be a lean to? Get a bore hole auger from a toolhire shop. If the ground is suitable they work fine if not hard luck. Test it and see. What would it cost to hire one for a day? a few quid. Now you can pour concrete piles or sink bitumin treated wooden ones. If you buy them long enough they will make the sides of your dining room. Put them in a window wide apart or whatever and there you are -built in the time it takes to lay the concrete. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 19:17:14 +0100, "Peter Crosland"
wrote: I'm going to insulate anyway. But there is no way a conservatory would meet general building regulations. Perhaps the exemption is finished, but only a tiny subset of rules apply? Let me make it a bit clearer. Yes the standards for conservatories is lower than other extensions. This does not alter the fact that they are, if attached to the main house, subject to building regulations approval. That isn't what the Statutory Instrument says..... In the Approved Document to Section L1, paragraphs 1.58 to 1.62 apply and there is a difference when the conservatory is attached to a new building vs. an existing one. With a new building, there would be Building Control involvement anyway. The situation here is of a conservatory associated with an existing house. In any event, the conservatory will be *physically* attached, but that isn't the issue if you read the document. The discussion there is about *thermal* separation, which is not the same thing. ..andy To email, substitute .nospam with .gl |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
The situation here is of a conservatory associated with an existing
house. In any event, the conservatory will be *physically* attached, but that isn't the issue if you read the document. The discussion there is about *thermal* separation, which is not the same thing. .andy Yes but according to the local BCO it IS subject to building control UNLESS the installation is done by a FENESTA approved installer. Two installations locally since 1st April have gone through this and not without problems either. Are you saying that there was no legal basis for this? |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 22:36:21 +0100, "Peter Crosland"
wrote: The situation here is of a conservatory associated with an existing house. In any event, the conservatory will be *physically* attached, but that isn't the issue if you read the document. The discussion there is about *thermal* separation, which is not the same thing. .andy Yes but according to the local BCO it IS subject to building control UNLESS the installation is done by a FENESTA approved installer. Two installations locally since 1st April have gone through this and not without problems either. Are you saying that there was no legal basis for this? That's what the Statutory Instrument says and so does FENSA. http://www.fensa.co.uk/cons.phtml Were the ones that you mention not exempt because they didn't meet one or other of the requirements perhaps? Also, the applicable date seems to be April 2002. ..andy To email, substitute .nospam with .gl |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
Were the ones that you mention not exempt because they didn't meet one or other of the requirements perhaps? Also, the applicable date seems to be April 2002. I must wake up! I of course meant FENSA. Yes I see what you are saying now. What it comes down to is that Chris did not give enough information to decide one way or the other. Certainly the local BCo people seem thoroughly confused about some of the detail. No doubt they have been dropped in the brown and malodorous. The April 2003 date of course refers to boilers which on of these schemes involved replacing and relocating that added to the confusion. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
"BigWallop" wrote in message ... "Christian McArdle" wrote in message . net... How important is it to do the foundations right for a conservatory? It will go over an area that is currently half concrete slab (looks thin) and bricks (a bit wobbly). Can I just get some concrete over the whole lot to level and strengthen it, or do I need to do some serious digging? The sides would be wooden. I want to use the room as a dining room, as it is right next to the kitchen. The back garden has no access except through the house. It is not possible to get large pieces of equipment to the rear. Is it possible to have ready mixed concrete pumped through the house through a hose? Obviously the quantities required aren't huge, but I don't think you'd get a mixer round the back. A full wheelbarrow is out of the question as there is a sharp turn and newly sanded and varnished floors. You'd need to upend it to get round the corner. One edge of the conservatory may form the boundary, replacing a rotten fence. Windows on that side would be painted out, or replaced with ply. Does this complicate the issue, as this wall would be right on the edge of the slab? I could build just up to the fence, and just take the fence panel down when maintaining. This will probably be at the neighbours option. Christian. This should explain a bit more about it: http://www.pavingexpert.com/concrete.htm Hi Again Christian, After reading your post again, with a bit more attention this time, I notice you say one wall will form the boundary of your property. It would then fall under party wall legislation and may be a problem to build without special planning permission. I take it you do have planning permission already for your proposed original site ? If not, stop even thinking about building anything until you do. A conservatory falls into two categories. Firstly you have what is refereed to as a glue on conservatory, which is just a glass covered patio area. It consists of a small foundation which takes the weight of the people walking on it, rather than the actual structural weight of the whole build. A glued on covered patio needs written consent of non-objection from neighbours who will be looking at the thing when they go into their own property, and is also regulated by drainage warrants for surface water soak away. The second type of conservatory is totally different. This type of conservatory is called an added room to your existing property. Now adding a room to your property, as you can imagine, brings with it all sorts of regulation and legislation for ground support (foundations), structural height (the roofing material) and wall spanning (the size, shape and weight of the whole thing), all of which must be drawn on paper and submitted to your local planning department for approval. The local planning and building control people will inspect the site for any drainage problems, overlooked area problems (this is in case you have any pervs' about, remember the see through walls) and any conservation notices on the land Etc, Etc. Now you say you'd like to use the area as an actual dining "ROOM", and I emphasise "room", and therefore, you need to plan for fire break qualities, escape route plans, thermal regulation properties, floor structure design (remember, if it collapses while you have guest in it, it is a manslaughter charge) and insurance restriction for its security qualities. So, after finding out in more detail what is actually involved, do you still plan to bang posts into the ground to take a few panes of glass and lay a couple of pallets on the ground with a plywood sheet over them ? My advice to you is, "you should now go to an actual company that does them for a living, and ask how they go about building one of these things". Put your mind at ease. --- BigWallop http://basecuritysystems.no-ip.com Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.500 / Virus Database: 298 - Release Date: 10/07/03 |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
After reading your post again, with a bit more attention this time, I
notice you say one wall will form the boundary of your property. It would then fall under party wall legislation and may be a problem to build without special planning permission. I was under the impression that the Party Wall Act was a toothless tiger and, in any case, didn't affect what you could build, just the way that you inform your neighbours. I take it you do have planning permission already for your proposed original site ? If not, stop even thinking about building anything until you do. I've still seen nothing to suggest that I need planning permission at all. The proposed conservatory is well within the requirements of my available permitted development rights and would be so even if made of brick as a proper habitable room, as I understand it. My advice to you is, "you should now go to an actual company that does them for a living, and ask how they go about building one of these things". Put your mind at ease. Because I can build one for 4,000 quid myself or pay some scrote with only a mobile phone number 15,000 to do it for me. This is uk.d-i-y you know! The only things left for me to find out a a) What's the definitive answer to the building regulations question? (i.e. does it need approval, what are the rules applicable). b) How should I construct the floor/foundations and attach the conservatory to them? I've just looked again and I have about 30cm available for a concrete floor, Jablite and DPM, which I hope is enough. My guess at the moment is that you construct a concrete floor, with DPM right to the edge, about 20cm above ground level and just attach the wood frame to the concrete. Any problems with this? Would a suspended wooden floor be better? Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
"Christian McArdle" wrote in message . net... After reading your post again, with a bit more attention this time, I notice you say one wall will form the boundary of your property. It would then fall under party wall legislation and may be a problem to build without special planning permission. I was under the impression that the Party Wall Act was a toothless tiger and, in any case, didn't affect what you could build, just the way that you inform your neighbours. http://tinyurl.com/guwe I take it you do have planning permission already for your proposed original site ? If not, stop even thinking about building anything until you do. I've still seen nothing to suggest that I need planning permission at all. The proposed conservatory is well within the requirements of my available permitted development rights and would be so even if made of brick as a proper habitable room, as I understand it. http://tinyurl.com/guwe My advice to you is, "you should now go to an actual company that does them for a living, and ask how they go about building one of these things". Put your mind at ease. Because I can build one for 4,000 quid myself or pay some scrote with only a mobile phone number 15,000 to do it for me. This is uk.d-i-y you know! http://tinyurl.com/guwe The only things left for me to find out a a) What's the definitive answer to the building regulations question? (i.e. does it need approval, what are the rules applicable). b) How should I construct the floor/foundations and attach the conservatory to them? I've just looked again and I have about 30cm available for a concrete floor, Jablite and DPM, which I hope is enough. My guess at the moment is that you construct a concrete floor, with DPM right to the edge, about 20cm above ground level and just attach the wood frame to the concrete. Any problems with this? Would a suspended wooden floor be better? Christian. --- BigWallop http://basecuritysystems.no-ip.com Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.500 / Virus Database: 298 - Release Date: 10/07/03 |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
http://tinyurl.com/guwe
I can't seem to get the tinyurl to work. Could you post the whole URL? Christian. |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
From the chaotic regions of the Cryptosphere, The Natural Philosopher
wrote on Fri, 11 Jul 2003 11:59:52 +0100: Hmm. I'd be tempted to see if a hired concrete mixer would be gettable in through the house, and then just get bags of sand, cement, and ballast and do it the hard way. What about a pump over the top of the house. May be a bit expensive for a conservatory, though. -- Hugo Nebula "You know, I'd rather see this on TV, Tones it down" - Laurie Anderson |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
"Hugo Nebula" wrote
| Hmm. I'd be tempted to see if a hired concrete mixer would be | gettable in through the house, and then just get bags of sand, | cement, and ballast and do it the hard way. | What about a pump over the top of the house. May be a bit | expensive for a conservatory, though. How heavy's a little mixer? Would it be hot-air-balloon-able over the house? Owain |
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Conservatory floor/foundation issues
From the chaotic regions of the Cryptosphere, "Christian McArdle"
wrote on Mon, 14 Jul 2003 10:14:46 +0100: The only things left for me to find out a a) What's the definitive answer to the building regulations question? (i.e. does it need approval, what are the rules applicable). A "conservatory" is exempt from the Building Regulations (in England & Wales) if it meets the following criteria: 1. It is less than 30m² floor area, 2. It is built at ground level (ie, not with an undercroft or on a balcony), 3. It is an _addition_ to a dwelling, with external quality doors between it and the house, 4. The roof is transparent or translucent, 5. Any heating should be controlled separately from the remainder of the house (ie, TRV's on any radiator), 6. It should not contain any controlled services or fittings (any drainage or heat-producing appliances), and 7. The glazing should comply with the requirements for safety glazing. -- Hugo Nebula "You know, I'd rather see this on TV, Tones it down" - Laurie Anderson |
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