master of none

Glad you found it useful pachapapa!

Some info. here from a UK local authority building dept. which may be of help.  I realise it's not French reg's but should offer some guidence.  Don't know why the images are not visible but you get the idea!   Beams, rafters, purlins and binders must never be notched or drilled without calculations to justify the remaining timber. Rafters may be birdsmouthed by no more than 1/3rd of the depth. If joists are more than 250mm deep, seek structural advice. Remember Before you start work check that the joist size is adequate - see below Notches may only be made in the top of the joists, within the permitted area. Holes may only be made on the joists centreline within the permitted area. Please phone if you need further advice Safe areas for notching Depth and position of notches must be within the zones shown in this diagram and only in the top of the joists.   Notches of other sizes or in other locations may be acceptable if the joist is sufficiently oversized   Example to calculate safe areas Measure the clear span between supports and joist height .E.g. 3.0m (10’0”) and 150mm (6”). Figures in bold type are constants Safe area for notching is between .... 0.07 x 3.0 (10’0”) = 210mm (81/2”) and 0.25 x 3.0 (10’0”) = 750mm (30”) The maximum depth of notch is .... 0.125 x 150mm (6”) = 19mm (3/4”) So, safe areas to notch are from 210 to 750mm from either wall, and up to 19mm deep.     Safe areas for drilling Size and position of holes must be within the zones shown in the diagram overleaf and only on the centre line. Adjacent holes must be at least twice their diameter apart and no hole may be within 100mm (4”) of a notch. Example to calculate safe areas Measure the clear span between supports and the joist height. E.g. 3.0 m (10’0”) and 150mm (6”). Figures in bold type are constants. Safe area for drilling lies between .... 0.25 x 3.0 (10’0”) = 750mm (30”) and 0.40 x 3.0 (10’0”) = 1200mm (48”) The maximum diameter of hole is .... 0.25 x 150mm (6”) = 38mm (11/2”) So safe areas to drill are from 750 to 1200mm from either wall, and up to 19mm deep.     Safe areas for drilling Size and position of holes must be within the zones shown in the diagram overleaf and only on the centre line. Adjacent holes must be at least twice their diameter apart and no hole may be within 100mm (4”) of a notch. Example to calculate safe areas Measure the clear span between supports and the joist height. E.g. 3.0 m (10’0”) and 150mm (6”). Figures in bold type are constants. Safe area for drilling lies between .... 0.25 x 3.0 (10’0”) = 750mm (30”) and 0.40 x 3.0 (10’0”) = 1200mm (48”) The maximum diameter of hole is .... 0.25 x 150mm (6”) = 38mm (11/2”) So safe areas to drill are from 750 to 1200mm from either end and up to 38mm diameter.              

Thanks Peter.

How is this resolved when fitting a stove with a rear exiting flue?

[quote user="JandM"] I'm making my first foray into investigating the costs and logistics of complying with the sewage and drainage rules. I haven't been visited by SPANC yet, [/quote] Would it not be best to simply arrange for a number of quotes, the potential installers (especially if local) will have a good idea of your requirements. Your Marie should hold a list of contractors.

Thanks again for the replies, I thought you would be cruising around somewhere Sunday Driver (it is Sunday after all!).  The C.T. would still be valid in the spring but I take your point regarding the carte grise.  I do not intend to push for the C.T. to be renewed as I am getting the car for a song, certainly by French standards!  As yet another side issue (but related), does anyone know any good motor insurance websites (French of course)? 

Thank you both for the replies, more or less what I expected but it's nice to get things confirmed.  I think the point about the C.T. was vaugely what I was trying to get at as I believe the car in question as a reasonably short C.T. As answers inevitably bring more questions, how soon after ownership would I be legally required to register the vehicle in my name?  I’m sure you can see where I am going with this one but I suspect I know the answer!  Once purchased the car will most likely be garaged until the spring (this is when the C.T. is due to expire) with little or no use.

Could someone (Sunday Driver et al) please throw any light on these questions for me.  I am a UK resident with a French second home and I wish to purchase and use a car (LHD not an import) while in France. Am I correct in thinking that if the car has a C.G. and current C.T.  and insurance (in my name) that there would be no legal problems while driving in France, even though I have a UK licence with my current UK address on it?  As an additional question is it correct that I can only register the car in my name if I obtain the C.T. myself (in my name), if so do I need to get the car retested upon purchase or wait until the C.T. expires?  As a final point, what if (but unlikely) I wished to travel to the UK in the car for a short trip would my UK residency make it illegal for me to drive this car on ‘foreign‘ plates?  Sorry if this subject as been flogged to death before but I couldn't find the correct info.   Many thanks in anticipation of some useful replies.

[quote user="JP"]Width is about 3.2m[/quote] But do the floor joists run width ways? Have a look upstairs and see which way your floorboards run, the joists should be at right angels to them. If the dividing wall is parallel to the joists it is very unlikely to be a supporting wall. I assume it is a brick/stone wall not a stud wall!

Hello Dave, could you please expand on the difference between Geotextile and Geogrille and also tell me what the English equivalent would be.  Am I correct in assuming it has a causer mesh for filtering?

Judging by the quality of response, it's not just wood that is affected by woodworm!!!! they clearly have a liking for cerebellum also!

If 'the Welsh roofed the world' why did they stop before they got to our French house!!!!

Many thanks for that Clair.  The pool will only be used initially during the summer hol's, as we are 'part timers' and it will be covered when not in use during this time and removed when we are abscent.  I anticipate putting the pool in a location that is boardered on two sides by thick, prickly hedges and then putting a 0.8m high wire stock fence around the remainder, not very stylish but the childrens' safety is paramount.  I simply thought that there might be a requirement for the fence to be at least 1m and of a more perminant nature but obviously it is not a perminant structure.  Thanks again.

Well I didn't think I would be making enquiries in this section but the children and 'her' got the better of me!  Just purchased an above ground pool (Intex 12'X24') and we are obviously keen to keep the pool safe and 'legal'.  As I have, until now, managed to avoid pool issues I have not done much research into legal requirements and therefore only have a sketchy awareness of the requirements for having a pool in France.  I am therefore appealing for any relevant advice/information to ensure we fulfill our responsibilities.  Specifically I wish to know if any requirements for having a fix pool are also applicable to temperary above ground pools, particularly fencing, locked gates, alarms etc.  Any info. on this issue would be greatfully received. 

Hello Mister, I'm no expert and I don't know the geology or habitation in your area but is it not likely that the water entering and leaving your well is shared by others, in this case it wouldn't just be a question of you chosing not to use the well/water, just a thought! 

Although it was not a preparitory mix, during the summer my brother and I mixed a batch of sand/lime for pointing, we both worked from the same batch mix and when it dried his work was VERY noticably whiter than mine, reason being, he worked his mix/pointing technique more than I did. Overworking brings the water/lime to the surface, makes it whiter on drying and weakens the morter.  Maybe this is something that you are experiencing?

Just had a Seafrance quote for half term return trip £500, standard car flexi!!!!  ...£98 Euro Tunnel, guess which I went for!  New LD service, same route as Speedferries, £149 approx. but 1hr 45mins crossing.  

Thanks again Quillan, sound advice.  I do believe it would not require an escort as it is only 3m wide.  I did state it as 10m long but on reflection I think it is only 9m (30 foot).

Sorry, I didn’t realise that I had inadvertently posted this request in the ‘have a go at people’ section!  A lot of supposition on your part Boiling a frog, based on what I don’t know.  Just because I wish to find a ‘reasonable’ quote (from expats. or otherwise) does not suggest, in my view, that I wish to do anything ‘on the black’, clearly there would be implications, not least insurance, if I was to do as you suggest.  I was hoping for helpful, constructive advice but obviously open forums attract many types.  Please keep the helpful, constructive advice coming in the spirit in which it was requested, criticism I do not need!

Thank you for the resposes, ideally I am looking for personal recommendations as I have been quoted some very silly prices!

Hello, anyone out there willing and able to offer a quote for transporting a 10m x 3m mobile home approx. 30 to 35 kms in dept. 79 (St Lin to la Chapelle thireuil), or alternatively if you know of anyone willing and able at reasonable cost! Please let me know, many thanks.

Hello,  I sort similar advice recently on this forum and was given the following advice, this should generally hold true for you.  Hope this helps. 1.  Obtain a certificate of conformity from the base vehicle manufacturer;   2.  Notify DVLA that the vehicle has been permanently exported and cash in any unused vehicle excise duty left on the tax disc;   3.  Visit your local tax office and obtain a quittus fiscal import VAT certificate - it authorises you to drive the van on it's old UK plates for up to four months whilst you complete the registration process (no VAT to pay and no charge for the certificate);   4.  Obtain French insurance and cancel the UK policy;   5.  Book the vehicle into a local testing station for a controle technique (typical cost 60€);   6.  Book the vehicle into the DRIRE for a single vehicle approval (SVA) inspection (cost 86€); (I think this applies to your case!).   7.  Register at the prefecture.  The registration fee is 16€ per CV.  You do not have to produce proof of insurance.   8.  Purchase and fit new number plates (around 25€).

Hello, I signed up with XEtrade and World First for our house purchase.  It does take some time, they telephone to confirm details, sending fax copies, checking refs. etc.  After getting quote from W/F (and subsiquently using XE) W/F telephoned to 'follow up' and negotiate but we had already bought.  My wife thought I was insaine (more insaine!) transfering all our hard earned to a company I found on the internet, in the hope they would transfer it to a foreign currency in a foreign bank!  Inspite of her views of me (mostly correct!) I had done some research on the matter.  As it transpired,  I left it until the eleventh hour to buy, hoping (invain) for a better rate, every thing went like clockwork and the money showed up in our French account in a few days, two days before the purchase!  Hope that helps

Hello, don't want to give you information overload but this should be a good starting point, finished off with some forum views on the subject.  Hope this helps.  It is something I considered myself but my main consern at the moment is actually making the place dry and water tight.  All the best!    http://www.limetechnology.co.uk/pages/hemcrete.php?gclid=CPXI1bnltZcCFUob3godmXF2ig   http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=6502198   http://www.lhoist.co.uk/tradical/hemp-lime.html   http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=241&page=1

Washing line???? or are these also illegal in France?