Jeff asks: Can you help me select a suitable adhesive for James Hardie's Ezi-Grid Tile Underlay please. Substrate being existing T&G timber floor boards.
EziGrid Tile Underlay is no longer manufactured by James Hardie. They do supply another flooring product, Tile and Slate Underlay in two sizes. 1800 x 1200 and 1800 x 600. A solvent based adhesive like Max Bond, No More Nails, Sika 11 FC etc can be used. When fixing over solid timber like T&G using adhesive in conjunction with annular grooved nails is optional.
Phil Watson asks: What is the best way to lift ceramic tiles from concrete floor. thanks
Unfortunately there is no easy way. First of all take the grout out. Then it’s the chisel or a spade and a lot of hard work. Most of the tiles will break so don’t expect to be able to save them. If you’re putting tiles back down, you’ll need to grind back the concrete so you have a good surface for the next lot of tiles to adhere to.
michelle asks: Hi, I have a very ugly 70's kitchen and would love to update it , but have a tiny budget of $1000. An idea I thought of that might work , would be using shelves and maybe a chopping block / island or even a sold kitchen table, in place of my ugly cupboards. Can you help me with this idea or something better ? many thanks michelle
To give your cupboards a face lift you could try painting the cupboard faces (a cheap fix from Dulux) and putting on new handles which you can pick up at your local building merchant at a really reasonalbe price. Clear the clutter is something that costs nothing. Clear off the bench tops and accessorise with some funky canisters or a coffee machine. Functional and fabulous! Trawl the internet and magazines for some ideas. Homestyle magazine focuses on affordable style and might be able to offer you some other tips and tricks.
vincent asks: We would like to modify our existing open plan kitchen. It's an 80's style kitchen with formica bench top. Could you provide a good starting point so that we could have alook at some designs,possibly a way to calculate cost of renovation and also kitchen installers .
You could try getting in touch with Stewart Scott. They offer a design service called Face Lifters and also do installation. For more information visit www.stewart-scott.co.nz/face-lifters-6.html
Shirley asks: Please can you advise me who to phone to get my kitchen cupboards sprayed a different colour?
The best place to start is by visiting the Master Painters website www.masterpainters.co.nz, there is a list of their painters on the website and one of these painters should be able to point you in the right direction.
Lynda Halliday asks: We have a dark kitchen, it does not have any dedicated windows, although we are opening up some other areas to let in more light. What colours should we be looking at for a dark kitchen, fairly small also.?
Ideally to make your kitchen seem lighter and brighter, you should be using light colours such as whites, off whites and light neutrals. Alternatively, you can look for a colour that is close or matches your kitchen cabinetry then select a colour that is a half or quarter strength of this colour for walls, and then contrast with a white or off white like Dulux Sandfly Point or Mt Aspiring for your ceiling and trim. You can visit www.dulux.co.nz to see colour options or look at Dulux Colours of New Zealand palette cards in store at Mitre 10, Bunnings and Guthrie Bowron.
Judy Gardiner asks: In my kitchen I have rimu cupboards (which we don't want to change), cream walls, terracotta floor tiles and terracotta carpet throughout the house. We would like to change the colour of our benchtop, which is at the moment is charcoal with pink tonings. Can you please suggest a colour that would suit?
We recommend that you contact the team from Italian Surfaces on 09 636 6995 or Stewart Scott on 09 2620608. Italian surface specialise in stone benchtops and Stewart Scott can help you out with full kitchen design and installation.
Brigitte McIntosh asks: We are a couple approaching 50, and recently brought our first home. The home was well maintained by previous owners but the interior colors and kitchen are rather dated. We have large open plan living/kitchen area separated by the usual island bar (this we dont mind - it defines the two areas nicely). However the kitchen section of wall is divided by 'picture rail', wall paper above and wallboard below, the wall board is the type that was often used in bathrooms and on counter tops! We want to live in the house for a couple of years first before renovating the kitchen. But we want to freshen what we have with paint. Can this type of board be painted? Is there some sort of preparation/product that can be used that will allow us to paint it? . We would also like to paint the kitchen cupboards and drawers, they are a thin board with a faux wood grain, similar to formica. Many thanks for any suggestions you might have.
Clean the area with Selleys Sugar Soap to remove all surface dirt, then undercoat with Dulux Primerlock (this is a primer made to stick to hard to stick surfaces similar to formica) then top coat with Dulux Wash & Wear, and cupboards and drawers with Dulux Aquanamel.
kim silvey asks: I have recently (last week!) purchased a 1950's dwelling. I am now discovering its flaws, the first two big ones being the kitchen and bathroom.... I don't think I can handle either and am keen to start renovations. Should I get a local builder in to assess them and deliver the bad news or can I begin assessing the situation myself before I decide what needs addressing? (im no builder but i have some experience of renovating...) Any info/advice would be appreciated.
It is always a god idea to discuss the project with someone who works on these types of renovation projects on regular basis e.g. a builder, designers etc. Make a list of what you "need" and what you "want" and then discuss this list with a builder or designer. Once you have figured out your requirements and know what to do first, you can then get your renovation underway. The end finish will of course depend on your skill levels.
Marlene asks: We have a leaking cold water tap over our bath and want to change the washer. We have a header tank. My question is, do we have to climb into the ceiling to turn off header tank as well as at the mains? Dumb question , I guess but don't fancy climbing into the ceiling, really!
If the bath tap is connected to the header tank, than yes you will have to turn it off at the tank, it could be that the cold water to the cylinder is gravity fed so that will mean the hot water to all the outlets is possibly from the header tank, the cold water how ever could be mains supplied and this will have to be turned off at the street. The way to check if your hot water cylinder is gravity fed is to check under the hot water cylinder and if there are reducing valves under there then it is low pressure if there is not then it is gravity. Check the pressure at a hose tap on the outside and compare it to the bath tap it could be mains or equal low pressure.
Nadine Wilkins asks: Our kitchen cabinets could do with a spruce up. We're happy with the layout and they're in pretty good condition, however their yellowy cream colour doesn't suit the fresh white paintwork used on the walls to brighten the room. It looks like a kitset style kitchen, so the cupboards have that standard vinyl surface. Can they be repainted? Or can be the door and drawer panels be replaced with new ones? Do they have to be the same brand or will any kitset brand do? Thanks
We suggest you get in touch with Stewart Scott who specialise in kitchen cabinetry.
Barbara Baker asks: The gap required around a fridge bothers me. What is the neatest way to fit units around a fridge allowing for required clearances, door swings etc
We recommend a space of 50mm around product to allow for air circulation. Fisher and Pykel sell ‘surround kits’ for refrigeration products which can be purchased at any Fisher & Paykel retailer or from their spare parts desk at East Tamaki. These are detailed along with installation dimensions in the back of their Creative Living kitchen brochure. The kit allows you to build your refrigerator into your kitchen to give a truly integrated look. Available to fit 790mm, 900mm, 2 x 635mm, 2 x 680mm, 2 x 790mm available in Stainless Steel or Iridium. There is also a joiner kit available to provide a seamless join between refrigerators. If you need any additional information phone their customer care centre on 0800 37 2273 (0800 FP CARE).
Katie asks: Is it possible to paint formica benchtops? If so, what sort of primer, paint and protective surface layers should be used?
Sometimes the manufacturer will put their sticker underneath the benchtop. We recommend contacting them to see what they recommend. Otherwise, you could contact Dulux for their recommendation on painting and priming.
Dayle Cottis asks: We have just purchased a 1960's home which we plan to live in after renovation. The kitchen is new about 2-3 years old and in excellent condition except for the bench top which looks as if its been used as a chopping board. The scratches are not deep and haven't gone through the laminate, but what can I do to freshen it up, and or hide the scratches? and also protect it.
Sometimes the manufacturer will put their sticker underneath the benchtop. We recommend contacting them to see what they recommend. Otherwise, you could contact Dulux for their recommendation on painting and priming.
Carol asks: Are there any restrictions or rules regarding the removal of old building materials that may contain asbestos, other than wrapping the material in building plastic before disposing, and dampening the material before removal. I am also assuming that masks, and gloves are worn. Do I need to get a special contractor to do this work or can any builder do this as part of my renovation project?
It is always best to consult the Occupational Health and Safety Website for this information and check with local council where product can be taken too.
