Latest news with #renovations
SBS Australia
21 hours ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
Nûjenkirinên DIY: Berî destpêkirinê divê hûn hûn çi bizanibin
For many of us, home is a work in progress. Whether it's giving a room a fresh coat of paint or building a new deck, DIY renovations are popular in Australia. 'There's this sort of culture that you can just get in and do it, and a lot of people will tackle DIY renovations themselves. I think that, as a trend, given the cost of construction at the moment, and the cost of hiring a builder, people are going to turn more to DIY renovations,' Kribashini Hannon says, an experienced building and development manager, DYI renovator, and founder of Build Play Live. But while DIY projects can be rewarding, they also come with important safety and legal considerations. Staying safe around asbestos and other hazards Before you start any project, big or small, safety should always come first. That means learning how to use tools properly, wearing protective gear and being aware of hidden dangers in your home. One of the biggest risks? Asbestos. In Australia, one in three homes contains asbestos, a mineral that can cause cancer if disturbed and then inhaled. If asbestos needs to be removed, you should engage a licensed asbestos removal contractor. Source: Getty / PixeloneStocker Asbestos can be found all around the home, including wet areas (bathroom, kitchen and laundry), eaves and wall sheeting. There are around 3,000 different building products that can contain asbestos, and homes built before 1990 are most at risk. Asbestos isn't necessarily dangerous if it's left alone. But cutting, drilling or breaking it can release tiny fibres into the air. 'If you're doing DIY work where you're drilling or cutting or breaking the sheeting or the asbestos-containing material, what can happen is that mechanical disturbance will disturb the material itself, causing the asbestos fibres to become really small. So we're talking about these microscopic fibres that will get into the air and ultimately get into your lungs because you'll breathe that in,' explains John Batty, member of the Asbestos Education Committee and EDP Consultants managing director. If asbestos removal is needed, Batty recommends playing it safe by hiring a licensed contractor. Other hazards to watch out for include lead-based paint , which is common in older homes, and dust. Control the dust at the source as much you can and go get yourself a respirator or disposable mask. John Batty "Ensure you're wearing that during any demolition works and ensure that you're washing your hands and face appropriately before you go and eat or drink, because you've got that risk of inadvertent ingestion,' Batty says. Safety means wearing the right gear and knowing how to use the tools. Credit: Asbestos Awareness Renovating legally: Permits and licences Each state and territory in Australia has different rules around renovations, so it's important to check with your local council and building authority. Some types of work, like electrical or most plumbing jobs, must be done by licensed tradespeople. You'll need building and planning permits for big changes, like removing structural walls, building an extension or putting up a large deck. Skipping permits might seem like a way to save time and money, but it can backfire badly. Hannon says you could be fined, forced to undo the work, or even risk your family's safety. 'You don't want to encounter the risk of something failing,' she says. 'With DIY renovations, we'll see people who haven't done the waterproofing correctly or they haven't prepared their subfloor properly. Within a couple of years, you've got mould, you've got timber rot, and you're having to replace everything that you've done.' If you're new to DIY, start small Geneva Vanderzeil, a DIY expert who began her journey while renovating her Brisbane cottage, says DIY can be a great way to save money… but warns that costs can add up quickly. It's easy to imagine that DIY home renovations are going to be really cheap because you're not paying someone else to do it, but things like materials, tool hire, delivery fees and waste disposal, all those things do add up. Geneva Vanderzeil If you're new to DIY, start with smaller, low-risk projects to build your skills. 'Buy a table and tile it, and learn how to do it first before you tackle the bathroom floor,' Hannon says. Saving money is one reason why people try DIY, but the costs can mount. Source: Getty / Maskot No matter your skill level, there's a project out there for you. Vanderzeil encourages everyone to give DIY a go: 'You don't have to be a pro to get started with DIY. Mistakes are really part of the learning process and starting with smaller projects or starting with those painting projects, those simple projects, will really help you hone your skills and make you feel a lot more confident.' Subscribe to or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia. Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Send us an email to australiaexplained@
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Methodist church in Boston gets £250,000 for renovation work
Boston's Centenary Methodist Church has been awarded £250,000 for renovations by the borough church said the funding was vital for the upkeep of the Grade II* listed plans to create a new community room, and said the money would help support the services it provides to people in money has been allocated from Levelling Up funds. The Reverend Val Ogden told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "We need to do things like doors and floors and walls."We had damp problems to fix. We needed to refurbish one of the upper rooms that's underused at the moment, which will be for community space."The church provides services including community meals and providing a warm space during cold church said in a statement: "This investment ensures the long-term future of a cherished community space that serves people across the town and the borough."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Yorkton water park shuts down on Monday as maintenance work begins
WATCH: Yorkton's water park will be getting a well deserved break, as it is set to close down for renovations on Monday. Fruzsina de Cloedt has more. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual As Yorktonians go on their summer vacations, one of the city's landmarks is also taking a well-deserved break. Yorkton's Access Communications Water Park at the Gallagher Centre closes down for renovations on Monday. David Balysky, general manager at the Gallagher Centre gave CTV News and Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle a tour of the mechanical room on Thursday, a narrow space, which is always locked from the public. The noise of machines beyond the blue door were inaudible. Behind the door, an unseen part of the public pool opened up. A series of pipes and tubes ran along the ceiling, big barrels were humming and something made a clanking sound. Balysky pointed out that one of the barrels has such a small opening that only one technician can fit their arm in there to clean it. Yorkton pool Yorkton's Access Communications Water Park at the Gallagher Centre closes down for renovations on Monday. (Fruzsina De Cloedt / CTV News) 'On Monday we'll begin, draining the pools here, early in the morning,' explained Balysky earlier. 'And then we'll get into the thick of the project.' They have plenty of work cut out for them. The pool is on a bi-annual maintenance schedule. According to Balysky, they will work on 'tile repairs, and just a good deep cleaning of the water park, as well as the changing facilities.' This year is different, however, as some new tech will be installed. 'The current filtration system was installed, I believe, in 2004, so we've gotten just over 20 years of life out of it,' Kienle said. 'And we're now upgrading from what was an ozone filtration system to an ultraviolet - a UV-- filtration system, and hoping to get another 20, 25 years off of that.' Hopes are that it will provide a cleaner, safer environment for all users. Yorkton is not the first to adapt this technology. 'Other aquatic centers in the province and in the country are sort of moving away from [the ozone] system just due to the difficulty in sourcing parts and maintaining the system,' Balysky said. In the mechanical room, Balysky pointed out where the ozone filtration system used to be. Ozone tanks, as well as the associated piping and pumps were removed in May, when preliminary work began. This big undertaking is not cheap, as Kienle explained. 'The replacement of the ozone to the ultraviolet is just over $1 million, 1.1 million, and then the rest of the renovation that's happening is bringing it up to about $1.5 million,' he said. The project was awarded at the March 23 Yorkton Council meeting, with Ful-Flo Industries Ltd. as the contractor. Due to the maintenance work, East-Central Saskatchewan's only water park will be closed from July 28 through Oct. 2. Balysky encourages everyone to visit Yorkton's Shape Your City website to check what city projects are ongoing and what has been completed. 'That's the best place to go,' he said. 'We try to post weekly updates on there, what's going on with pictures, so people can kind of see those behind-the-scenes areas that they normally wouldn't see.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Yorkton water park to shut down for maintenance work
Regina Watch WATCH: Yorkton's water park will be getting a well deserved break, as it is set to close down for renovations on Monday. Fruzsina de Cloedt has more.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Patio season over for some ByWard Market businesses for NCC renovations
Some restaurants in Ottawa's ByWard Market are bracing for a significant financial blow after the National Capital Commission (NCC) informed them they have to close their patios while renovations take place in the Clarendon and York courtyards. The NCC says that work is being done in the historic courtyards on Clarendon Lane starting in August. In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, the Crown corporation says the closures will be to facilitate work in the area that will 'preserve heritage elements, improve access and update storm water management.' Business owners and managers say the NCC's decision to close their patios was done with little consultation and is going to have devastating consequences at the height of patio season in one of the most picturesque and sought after spots in the city. At Dark Fork, which sits on George Street near Sussex Drive, owner Moe Alameddine says he set up his patio in the courtyard just weeks ago. Now, he has to take it all down. 'We spent money and time and a lot of effort to make this happen. And suddenly you cut us? This is not acceptable,' he said. Alaeddine says he was told about the work two weeks ago and was caught off guard. 'With very short notice, they kill the season,' he says. 'They kill the business.' It's a costly decision at the height of the patio season. He says he's set to lose out on at least $50,000 in potential revenue. He says he's also going to have to cut eight members of his staff. The Dark Fork is a unique restaurant concept that employs blind servers who attend to patrons in the dark inside, while on the patio, deaf waiters and interpreters serve customers. He says the patio servers cannot be moved inside. 'Some businesses - they survive on this season like this. Two months are very important for the restaurant business and the city,' Alameddine said. The NCC says the work will finish in the spring of 2026. 'We understand the impact these much-needed repairs will have on our tenants and are working with them to help minimize disruptions,' the statement from the NCC says. 'We adjusted our construction plans and timelines to reduce disruptions to patio season for this year and next year as much as possible.' Across the courtyard at Social Restaurant and Lounge, the restaurant's general manager Jessica McEwan says closing patios at the height of the season is extremely disruptive. 'Sixty per cent of our business in the summertime months is patio activity,' she said. 'So unfortunately, we're going to really be at a loss.' The restaurant is part of the E18teen Hospitality Group, which consists of five restaurants that have patios in the complex. David Godsoe, the group's director of food and beverage, says the 'most frustrating thing is the lack of communication and the short notice.' He says the restaurants, Restaurant E18teen, Social, Sidedoor, The Clarendon Tavern and The Hyde, are expecting at least $200,000 in lost revenue collectively. 'Renovations will have a huge impact on customers,' he said. McEwan says she has already had to tell two August weddings about the changes and has concerns about the coming weeks. 'Obviously devastating,' she says of the impact. 'We are a really event-forward summertime destination, which means I do host a lot of weddings in the summertime. And a lot of the discrepancy right now is that the devastation for my brides and grooms who are coming in for August, who will not be able to take their patio pictures outside or have their ceremonies hosted on my patio.'
