-
Draining and waterproofing basements: Effective measures against moisture and flooding
Draining my cellar was a lengthy and challenging project that I implemented using various methods to permanently combat damp and mold. From waterproofing with injection methods to installing a pump sump and retrofitting a horizontal barrier – I share my experiences, the challenges and how the measures have proven themselves even under extreme weather conditions. Draining and waterproofing basements: In this blog post, I describe how homeowners can effectively combat moisture and mold to create a dry and healthy basement. Draining a damp cellar was an important step for me to preserve the building fabric and prevent mold growth. In this article, I’ll shed some light on the measures I…
-
Repairing broken wires: Finding and repairing the boundary wire for robotic lawnmowers
A robotic lawnmower can be a considerable relief in the garden, but what happens if the boundary wire or control cable is damaged? In this blog post, I describe step by step how I quickly and easily repaired the defective control cable and the broken boundary wire on my robotic lawnmower. A cable break on the boundary wire of my robotic lawnmower recently presented me with a challenge. While I was out with the gas mower, the mower was set too low and cut the boundary wire. Although the cable was laid in the ground, it was completely cut through.
-
Draining the basement with a new horizontal barrier – conclusion after 9 months
It is now nine months since our old damp cellar was drained with a retrofitted horizontal barrier – time to take stock. In a building over 100 years old like ours, which was built without the foundation waterproofing that is common today, moisture in the basement is a real challenge. As the rising damp in our cellar became increasingly visible, I installed a new horizontal barrier with injection cream in the thick cellar walls to create a barrier against the ground moisture. In this article, I show in detail what effect the moisture barrier has had, where problems still exist and what other measures seem sensible to keep the cellar…
-
COMMAIK: HeyGen Video Translate – Translate videos on YouTube lip-sync with AI!
In order to increase the reach of my YouTube channel COMMAIK specifically for German and English-speaking viewers, I have set up separate channels: “COMMAIK” with videos for the DACH region and “CommaikEnglish” with content for the international audience in English. In this article, I describe my approach to translation, the technical background to this decision and the use of the AI tool HeyGen for lip-synchronous translation and dynamic video length adjustment. HeyGen offers the possibility to translate videos into different languages, including English, Spanish and Hindi.
-
Designing a garden kitchen with a concrete look: Instructions for robust walls in the outdoor kitchen
In my garden kitchen, I designed the walls in a concrete look to create both a modern design and an easy-care, high-quality surface. The design of my self-built outdoor kitchen not only offers functional extensions for the outdoor area, but can also be a visual highlight. The concrete look is particularly popular in combination with the spatula technique, which gives the kitchen an industrial flair and creates a durable, weather-resistant surface. In the article, I describe how I proceeded step by step: from preparing the Ytong walls to the filling technique and sealing. I also compare alternatives such as tiles and clinker bricks and provide insights into the challenges of…
-
Reolink Altas PT Ultra: The powerful 4K battery-powered surveillance camera in a test
The Reolink Altas PT Ultra is an impressive surveillance camera that I tested in my latest project. With 4K resolution, ColorX night vision and 360° auto-tracking, it offers powerful functions for outdoor use. In comparison to the Reolink TrackMix PoE and the RLC-1212A, I examined the image quality during the day, at night and at dusk and found interesting differences. In this article, I describe my installation procedure, how the cameras work and which models are particularly suitable for certain areas of application.
