edenstrauss

White putty cement was then prepared to seal off the base of the WC so that it sat well & steadily onto the toilet floor. We were not supposed to use the WC until the following day becox this is to allow the white putty cement to cure completely. However, before the installer sealed the base with putty cement, he had tested the flushing as many as 3 - 5 times to ensure that there is no water leaking out from the base. If it does, this is a sure sign of misalignment between the pan collar and the "waste pipe" of the new WC.

More photographs of the installation process & the anatomy of the new POTEX water tank:

Then finally, he resorted to an electric driller to break up this cake of hardened cement on the toilet flooring. I was terribly concerned over any potential damages to our toilet flooring. However, the plumbing team at our place assured us that there will be no such issues. And true enough, no damage to the flooring occured much to my relief. After cleaning up the debris in the toilet, this same young chap started installing the new pan collar. However, we had "scars" of the old hardened cement which were too stubborn to be removed as shown in the photograph below: The installer started to prepare the water tank for mounting on top of the new porcelain toilet seat with his toolbag of "goodies".

Day of replacing our old Potex WC with its new counterpart... When the big day arrived (Saturday), 2 guys from in Lucky Khoon's black signature T-shirt arrived and because there wasn't much of a space for maneuvering at the kitchen balcony, I wasn't able to capture every single moment of their work procedure. The younger of the two dismantled the old water tank which was still sitting on top of our existing porcelain toilet seat. Then, he started hacking off the base of the porcelain toilet seat with a tool that looked like a hammer to me. The loud clanking noise that was generated while he hacked the porcelain toilet seat was really loud! However, it didn't take long for the porcelain toilet seat to be severed from what's stuck fast to the ground. However, the air in the toilet & kitchen reeked of a horrible stench that was a familiar scent to those who were living nearby monsoon drains that were choked to the core & flooding with carcass & rubbish. It suddenly occurred to us that the installation fee of $120 was justifiable becox the poor chap had to come into contact with both the stench and the dirty contents associated with the old WC. (which in our case, was dysfunctional for the past 8 years or so...) While the young boy continued in hacking off leftover porcelain, the installer explained to us that HDB's method for installing WCs in the past meant allowing the porcelain toilet seat to be balanced on to a pile of cement, which in his opinion, was not necessary. The removal of cement that had hardened within the interior of the old WC was not easy. The young boy continued to hack off hardened cement with a hammer as shown in this photograph:

Shopping for a WC at Lucky Khoon... My hubby & myself made our way down to Lucky Khoon's showroom at Joo Chiat Place during a weekend about 3 weeks ago. We walked around the showroom, sat on display pieces of WCs for POTEX, CP-UNO and Lucia. When we sought the expertise & opinion of their sales representatives, they had recommended their own inhouse brands, namely CP-UNO and Lucia. However, we noticed that their toilet seats were cut out for those who had petite bottoms and some of these models were jarring into my buttocks when I sat down. Well, I wouldn't want to risk getting injured if I need to spend alot of time sitting on it. There would surely be days where errr, I suffer from constipation & I would want to add on further injury on my bums. What deterred me further from selecting these 2 brands were the sizing of their toilet seat covers. The plastic seats were smaller than the porcelain rim (edges) of these brands such that the edges of the seating area were left exposed & not covered by plastic. The design was understandably made to accomodate to the seat cover, when it has to be closed. One of their sales represantative directed us to the toilet of Lucky Khoon's lighting shop (a few doors away) to test out the flushing mechanism of their one piece LUCIA which spotted a rectangular button on top of the water tank. We visited the toilet in their other lighting shop and yes, it is true that the flushing system was strong. But since I'm a bottom heavy person whose not willing to compromise on the comforts of answering nature's call, we settled down for POTEX. That's even after POTEX Singapore has liquidated. And moreover, many heartlanders used to swear by POTEX which is a brand name that was found in the toilets of many older HDB flats. We have decided to bear the risk of installing a POTEX since Lucky Khoon is a legitimate seller for WCs & relatively popular with IDs. The sales representative collected the full amount of $320 (WC + installation fees) from us after we ordered the POTEX WC in the showroom. Appointment on a Saturday was given as requested but their plumbers couldn't commit any specific timing becox time taken for completion of plumbing assignments is determined by the complexity of the works on-site. And needless to say, it's also dependable on the installer's skills.

The birth of a "thesis" for WCs... Prior to starting off this thread, we had embarked on a draggy journey of scouting around for a reliable brand of toilet bowl. I had started off the following threads in an attempt for soliciting recommendations through renotalk forum and wish to thank all those who had contributed to my threads: What Brand Of Wc (toilet Bowl)? http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=38294&st=0&p=611083&fromsearch=1entry611083 Toilet Bowl Brand : Cp-Uno An extension of Topic: What Brand Of Wc (toilet Bowl)? http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43458&st=0&p=664458&fromsearch=1entry664458 And because I had done such a thorough research on the different brands of toilet bowls, including their respective flushing mechanism's "strength", my hubby told his friends that I had earned a PHD in toilet bowls recently. We were extremely tempted to settle down for Maclaire becox of its raving reviews over the forum. The so-called originals were operated on using Geberit's system. However, we decided to pass up this brand in view of expensive maintenance issues with our potential tenants at home. The receptionist for Maclaire (Singapore) had directed us to Universal Union to take a look at the Maclaire WCs. They have a huge variety of WCs & service from the staff was not bad. However, we decided to throw in our lot with our contractor who reinstated the wall between our MBR & common room, when he recommended us to Lucky Khoon. (Please refer to the following link for works done by my contractor in our flat: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=40463&st=0) After much consideration and delays in sprucing out our flat, we finally settled on Lucky Khoon becox we observed that they have had a thriving business in the showroom with IDs & their clients. As such, we had the idea that their plumbing & installation skills ought to be decent.

Disclaimer: Permission has been sought from the supposed proprietress (Madam Ong) of Lucky Khoon Bathroom Studio Pte Ltd for the hacking & installation process of their plumbing works at our home to be featured in this thread. Photographing of products in their studios is strictly forbidden. As such, my thread does not contain any of such photographs. Kindly note that this thread is strictly for the purpose of sharing my humble & objective views of works and services provided by the aforesaid company. And not an advertising platform. I am not affliated to this company and am an existing client who bought a WC (glamorously known as "water closet" as compared to calling it a toilet bowl) for my kitchen toilet. Reader's discretion is therefore sought when viewing this thread. For the ease of viewing and reference purposes, photographs containing "Lucky Khoon Plumbing & Renovation Pte Ltd" are uploaded. Selective photographs featuring their plumbing works had also been water-marked in view of copyright issues. (I would not want to be implicated in any copyright issues should such photographs be abused by other users or their competitors!) Thank you for your kind understanding.

Hi folks, I've finally acquired the art of procrastination much to my dismay and haven't been contributing much new threads even though I have had quite a fair bit of DIY photographs snowballing into a mountain soon. After much deliberation over which brand of toilet bowl to purchase, we've finally settled on getting a POTEX from Lucky Khoon at Joo Chiat. Well, the transaction was not exactly a breeze and there were exasperating moments when it came to aftersales service. However, before I dish out my verdict for Lucky Khoon's plumbling service, I seek the kind patience of all renotalk members in walking through the entire thread. Thank you.

Just to share this: my current altar is wall-mounted and facing the balcony windows. It could be easily seen by anybody who is coming towards the flat or standing outside our door. However, we have bought a new, bulky altar that's made of rosewood with oyster ornamentation; and during the recent fengshui audit, we were told to relocate the position of the altar. The new position is such that the guanyin would be facing the wall and overlooking the first half of the living room. (Our living room was split up into 2 sections, and according to the elderly, they have the "Qian Ting" & "Hou Ting" in chinese. And in our situation, it seems like it's appropriate to get it relocated at the "Qian Ting" i.e. the first half of the hall, instead of the inner half of the living room.)

kudos to both samsara & bepgof for such wise words! I agree absolutely with them.

Since you have not identified yourself or your ID in any manner yet, you should still be in safe hands pending commencement of lawsuits. Unless you have shown deliberate evidence in twisting facts & defaming your ID & his company as a result. Doing so could seriously lead you into big trouble & getting sued by the ID firm that's involved in your story. Whatever the outcome, may god show you the right path to be taken in solving your current problems. good luck!

if she can afford a condo at such a relatively young age, then, it goes to show that she is financially well-off from the average singaporean's standard right?

Hi bepgof, you've done us all a great favour in re-examining the victim's complaints about her ID. Your comments had a retrospective impact on me when you had been less than merciful in your "cross-examination" of the series of unfortunate events with the problematic ID. I personally feel that the ID has to be identified for the benefit of all renotalk forum users & for substantiating one's claims on such misfortune instead of plucking out a story from the air without being able to identify who this treacherous ID firm was. Of course, the choice lies with renotalk member, nat0206 who is the victim in this uneventful episode. I'm sorry if I came across as being blunt & not as sympathetic as what's expected by many readers but if the ID had indeed conned his client, he ought not to be getting away scot-free & unscathed for cheating. At least, the victim should be sharing his company's identity on renotalk, otherwise, more & more clients would be walking into his trap. And that is indeed sinful when other potential victims could have been warned before committing their monies into this deceitful ID's hands. Afterall, if he dares try anything funny such as harassing his victim & his family becox she has published this on any forums, then by all means, report him to the police & tell the police that this ID is the prime suspect becox you guys have never ever been on the wrong side with others. Although the police might require more evidence but this would have placed this ID in a bad light & law would catch up on him one of these days for threatening & bringing harm to his victims.

Hi Synchron, U're right: A WC is simply a WC; so long as it serves its purpose, then it's probabbly good enough I've completed editing my photographs & videos on the WC in action while we flushed it. Would be uploading it soon

I would recommend that you take up the 3rd option with your renovator. Consider the 2nd option & get compensation from him.

I would strongly encourage you to report the matter to the police. The police should be interested in such cases becox this is outright cheating of $$ and they should liquidate his company & throw these idiots in jail!

Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to you. If the renovator kept asking customers for $$, it is to buy time & it obviously shows that his renovation firm is not in good financial standing. But would you be able to share with all of us the name of your ID firm? Becox this would help the rest of us, including new home owners watch out for this ID firm and to avoid it at all means. It'll be sinful if such conmen goes around cheating other new home owners. The information provided in the forum isn't foolproof, meaning that unwanted "surprises" can still take place even with good reviews. So there is also an element of luck in play when it comes to renovation especially due to the fact that manual work is involved. Did you report the matter to the police? Becox, this is something that amounts to cheating or a scam. To pursue the losses incurred in view of this irresponsible renovator, you would need a police report & it's likely that the police might ask you to pursue the matter in court. As for the $2k cheque, I didn't quite understand what that was for?? Is it possible for you to put up at your parents' place for the time being & if you are gainfully employed, you should still be able to secure a loan if there are no bad records under your NRIC with the credit bureau.

Yes both my hubby & myself pasted corrugated paper using masking tape. But it's not advisable on a prolonged basis becox the masking tape might leave adhesive stains on whatever we pasted on, especially on floor tiles. Once this happens, we've got to buy adhesive remover from DIY shops like home-fix & the chemical smells awful. Urgh!

Ah Ha! that's how it's like for the riddle king to be making a come-back on renotalk forum Welcome back! Life is very boring on the forum when it's not graced by your presence

The 3 years timeline given refers to LIMITED warranty and applies across to most of the Tv sets found in Giant hypermart. Brands include Akira, Akai, Hyundai, etc. I bought a 26" Hyundai LCD TV which doubles up as a PC monitor from Giant (Tampines). But this particular model has beautiful resolution & the colour tones looks even better than SONY's from my opinion. It is very userfriendly & has a auto-tuning function for local channels. But I'm not sure about their 32" LCD versions. If u are willing to pay abit more, u could try to go for Panasonic. Their plasmas are one of the best in the market becox of the great colour tones & resolution.

Hi sugar, not all geomencers would make u pay tonnes of $$ after the fengshui audit. All masters have different practices & like what mae29 shared in your thread, buying products of certain significance to be placed on the wall is different from classical fengshui. Her video link for Joey Yap is very useful so please know what you are paying for a fengshui audit before you even engage any masters to take a look at your new place. Those who make their clients pay tonnes of $$ for products in their shops or through channels affliated to the geomencers run the show in a very commericalised manner. From my perspective, those who are professionally trained & of great substance in their industry would generally never resort to such means of ripping off their clients. They are selling clients their expertise, not a physical object such a piece of rock or stone If you come across such a geomencer, I think you do without the audit. best wishes to your new home!

Hi, do u mind sharing who your installer was? It's kind of scary to be spending tonnes of $$ on appliances nowadays & having to bear the brunt of inconvenience & emotional frustrations caused by faulty products.

yeah makes sense but newspapers leaves blackish residue & unwanted black markings all over the foot soles leh

It's so strange that even Mitsubishi's inhouse technician / engineers do not know what was wrong with it! I felt so sorry for u & ur family when u've spent so much & things didn't work out... So what do u intend to do now?

yes it's a good idea which is what we are doing too! the other alternative is Nippon's plastic drop cloth which u could use it for covering your personal effects (if any) or tap it along your skirting down to the floor - it isn't supposed to be slippery becox there's some supposed friction to the texture. the quality of the plastic isn't those thin flimsy sort but thick & cannot be torn up easily with your barehands. U can take a look at it from this thread which I created on renotalk's forum. http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=40270&st=0&p=632883&fromsearch=1entry632883 the rag n bone aunty happily took over the plastic drop cloth for her own use after we completed our reno & passed it on to her. happy painting!