Long storey short. (Pun intended)
Rebuilding my house. Bricklayer used a screenshot of a pdf of the structural drawings and layout which was 6 month old.
He has to knock down two stories because the window edges upstairs and downstairs are way off.
He has agreed to rebuild.
He is carefully removing the bricks, blocks and insulation.
(1) can you reuse these bricks. Does it impair the use? He said he will use on extension where it’s hidden from view of neighbours
(2) insulation celetox is being reused. These comes in boards custom cut around the bricks.
How can I check he fills the cavity with insulation boards? As they are already cut. Wouldnt want him to miss anything because he gets lazy
I was thinking thermal camera once water tight and windows in. But by then, it’s too late
(3) if anything is missed. Can it be filled with foam?
Edit
Of course Buildijg control will be there. But won’t be micromanaging the site every single day during build
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Wow wondering how often you go to look at house two stories lot of work to be coming down without anyone noticing this before hand and one if you not given updated drawing had things changed without letting them know and could fit cost of rebuild as for insulation needs to be fitted before any brickwork goes up so check with Brickie not to start any face work until you seen it if you can’t make it get someone to go for you photograph all side insulation most these days needs to be taped and use fastener's to hold insulation also wall ties to be 600mm apart and straight up on top of each two reasons clean cavity better that way but of you get 3 fastening points on insulation as as insulation is 1200 by 450 hope that helps
Oh yes can reuse bricks
Ps screen shot says everything can’t build right off phones or tablets because unless you can bring 4/5 drawing all up at same time can’t see whole picture this why building trade going down hill fast so many mistakes happening
Hello,
1. Yes bricks can indeed be re-used and this is great he is suggesting to do so to avoid buying new ones. As you say, they just need to be carefully removed to not break them. Some will likely break in the process but if he is careful most of them can be salvaged.
2. If you insulation is also being re-used I would check none of the boards are damp or soggy or being left out where this is a risk before being reinstalled in the walls. Also if the boards were also pre-cut to the previous design/window/door layouts in the walls there may be gaps between the boards in the walls which would need to be filled with more new celotex.
This should indeed be monitored by building control inspector - or the only other way is to ask the builder what day they are working on insulation in those walls and to make a visit yourself this day to ensure it is not covered up before you check.
3. Depending on whether the wall will be a cavity wall or a full fill wall the appropriate insulation is to be used so it would not be recommended to fill the cavity in the wall if it is designed to be a cavity wall. A 50mm ventilation gap in the wall (between insulation and external brick) to allow for air and to reduce condensation.
If the wall is to be full fill insulation (no air gap) then a different breathable type of insulation is to be used (celotox have both products).
I would recommend being there on the day to see what is being installed rather than trying to fix something afterwards as this could cause more damage if not following the correct system as noted above. Ultimately this is for building control to check though to ensure your builder is building things in a compliant way.
Hope this helps!
1) Yes the bricks can be reused providing they are still whole and in good condition, especially if they are not seen for example behind a rendered wall.
2) Yes you can reuse the insulation boards as long as they are dry and in good condition (not cut so they won’t join properly when reused)
3)I would ask for either photos of work done or be there on the day to inspect the work yourself. If you are keen to look in the cavity when the work is complete you could use an inspection camera.
