Category: Fixed Abode

DRAINS In our homes we have different types of drains which serve different purposes: *   “Black water” drains carry sewage from our toilets. This must go to either to a septic tank for processing or to a sewer (if you are on the government sewerage system). *   “Grey water” drains carry washing water from our […]

Mold and Mildew are common problems and found in houses across the world, they cause health hazards and damage to clothes, buildings, paper and wood. Let us look at what causes mildew and mould (or mold), what is the difference between them and what are the health hazards that they pose? What steps can we […]

Balinese traditional culture is one of the most amazing cultures in the world and probably the most visible aspect of Bali’s cultural treasure trove is its architecture. The elders of Bali are constantly considering how their culture can be preserved and protected and, to this end, have built a series of rules into legislation. Before […]

At around 1:30 in the morning on Thursday June 24th 2021, in the small town of Surfside near Miami in Florida, USA, a large section of a 12 storey beachside residential building collapsed. Over 150 people are missing. The building was completed in 1981 and had not been reconditioned since. The cause of the collapse […]

Living in Indonesia one of the important investments we will make is in our air conditioners. We expect them to run continuously for many years with very little maintenance and to not let us down particularly on those occasional very hot days. So what do we buy? There are so many to choose from. A […]

The wet season is ending and the weather is starting to warm up, now is a good time to think about your air conditioning. Are your air conditioners working well enough? Let us look at common problems with selecting and maintaining air conditioners.   How big an air conditioner do you need? It is important […]

I went to see a house the other day. Oh sure it was alright, you could move in tomorrow, if you don’t mind the nails some vandal had banged in the walls for pictures long ago discarded, or perhaps the doors that wouldn’t close. Then of course there was the running toilet, the ten years […]

Terrazzo is used extensively as an attractive, hardwearing floor surface in places such as banks, hotels, railway stations, supermarkets, public buildings and private homes all across the world. While mostly used for floors, terrazzo is a versatile material often used in Indonesia for walls, kitchen benchtops, washbasins, shower cubicles, baths, planter boxes and tubs, tables, […]

Wet and damp walls are a perennial problem in many parts of the world. Waterproofing is a specialist skill and can be surprisingly difficult, even the most competent contractors will be doomed to failure if they don’t know what they are doing. By following some basic principles and using initiative combined with sophisticated materials walls […]

It’s wet, very wet. Ark Constructions Pty of Serangan are doing a roaring trade, ducks are getting new seals fitted to their nether regions and my dog is growing webbed feet. Finally, after years of pretty feeble attempts at a wet season, we are now being treated to a more acceptable tropical monsoon experience. Who […]