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w7_lee

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Everything posted by w7_lee

  1. When the HDB contractor call me, he told me: if problem inside the house, it is chargeable. If problem outside the house, it is FOC. So I told him: OK, come. For my case, because it was a problem outside my house, I did not have to pay. For TS case, it is also from outside (problem on Starhub line), so I am guessing he did not have to either.
  2. I would hack all and re-tile again. If cost is a concern, consider going direct to contractor.
  3. Main reason I'm thinking of doing it is to see if there will be cost saving in the electrical bill. Their monthly is almost $300 nowadays. They used the aircon but for 2 to 3 hours per night (in 1 room only) and inverter type. The only think I can think of to lower the bill is the light (9 sets altogether), so thinking of switching out those that they use regularly. If there are no savings in the bill, then can go back to CFL types again. Secondly reason is that I have a week's annual leave to clear, so nothing to do, try some hands-on. Will see how it goes.
  4. If it's a landed property, then can be move but will involve hacking and re-routing the drain piping. If it's a non-landed (HDB or private), then it is not possible. Because we cannot alter the drain pipings connected to the floor traps. The drain piping are hanging on the ceiling of the unit below yours.
  5. Has anyone convert their compact fluorescent light to LED light without changing the casing? From this .... To this .... I am thinking of doing it at my parent's 26 year old HDB. They are getting older now and the HDB design is poor (the hall have no window), so they have to switch on the light much earlier nowadays. If anyone has done it before, can give some advise like what watt for LED should I choose (existing CFL is 36watt but becomes not so bright as the lamp ages). And any significant decrease in electrical bill after changing to LED? TIA.
  6. You can ask your ID/contractor to conceal it. I have dark floor tiles and my floor trap is white, so it is an eye sore. Forgot to ask my contractor to build the floor trap lower than the floor level and cover it with a piece of cut tile. You can even ask them to seal it permanently but that would not be advisable because you will not have a drain point. In the event there is flooding (due to pipe burst or something else), the water will have nowhere to flow. The other reason is that in the event there is a choke, the handyman may need the floor trap to clear the choke.
  7. He also did not do anything much. I remember he re-sleeve the end of the cables and replace with a new splitter; all the outside riser. And the issue was gone. I suspect it's the splitter cos contractor told me he has not receive similar complain from my stack, only I have this problem. I do not have the contact anymore. I called HDB to report the problem (telling them that I was directed to them by TC) and then the contractor call me.
  8. My problem is solved but is slightly different from yours. Like you, I have no pay TV and I normally watch CNA, 5, 8 & U in living room. I have no TV in the bedrooms. For my case, I suddenly had horizontal line running across CNA only while Ch 5, 8 & U are fine. I tried changing splitter and cable but it did not go away. When the HDB contractor call me, he told me: if problem inside the house, it is chargeable. If problem outside the house, it is FOC. So I told him: OK, come. After checking, he told me the problem was outside the house, that's how I know I have a splitter outside my house (in the utility riser). According to him, there is only 1 signal cable coming to each unit. In my case, HDB split the signal outside and connect it to the master bedroom, bomb shelter & living room. Mine is an older HDB, so the common rooms have no TV point & I have to split it myself during renovation. If yours is an newer unit, you will have build-in TV point for all rooms but it should still be from 1 single source. You need to find that source and check the splitter there. Hope it helps.
  9. For my house, the HDB build TV points are in the living room, master bedroom & bomb shelter. The splitter is in the SCV junction box in the riser along the corridor. You may want to check there. IIRC, I reported my problem with TC and was directed to call HDB on this issue.
  10. Problem is the starter (or sparker).... iirc, you need battery for it to generate spark. Replace with a new battery and see if it works. I'm using HOBZ. Thou not the same brand as yours, I believe they are the same. I had this problem too after a few years. Change new battery but still the same, so call HOBZ and the service guy came. He check and told me the starter is spoilt. He can replace it for me (out of warranty, so will need to pay) but he warn me that it will fail in future too. I decided to continue with the handheld lighter b'cos I remember that I could buy more than 10 handheld lighter or 1 new build-in starter.
  11. Mine did not cause ELCB trip but it started leaking. I believe the inner casing ruptured. Was Ariston, about 6 years old. Initially was a slight water seepage (I notice water stain on the white casing and wet spot on the bathroom floor) but within a week, it was dripping badly. My parents using Everhot, also failed when it start leaking. If can replace just the heating element (not sure if anyone doing it), we won't know the worksmanship and what will fail next.
  12. It is like the 13amp fuse in our normal 3-pin plug but this is rated for 20amp and cannot be plug/unplug easily. Probably also more moisture resistant.
  13. In my opinion, the damage is aesthetic only. It is just the edge that is intended to overlap with the smaller size door on the right. This damage is repairable but the problem would be to find a door installer that is willing to do it for you. It is possible to 're-shape' the broken odd shape into a proper rectangular shape. Then fix on a matching piece of rectangular shaped wood. It is a small job and I believe that most door company would rather sell you a new set. But of course you should still call and ask. Maybe ask for their freelance contact number. Otherwise, if you happen to see your neighbor renovating, better chance if you approach the worker directly and ask if they can do it on their day off. Of course, pay them more to entice them. But the repair will not be un-noticeable unless the whole door is painted (not varnish). Since it is a rented house, it will depend if your owner can accept it.
  14. Main door must have fire retardant rating, so the door manufacturer must get it certified, thus more expensive. A latch is just an accessory, so no need certification. If the latch is broken, just replace the latch... but I'm not sure what exactly you meant. Pic would be helpful.
  15. I pour in the bleach along the drip tray (before disconnecting the hose from it), helps to remove the algae growing there too. But last service, I found the right way to completely remove the drip tray, so now can bring to toilet to scrub. When I inhale to blow, of course also disengage my mouth from the hose, so not going to poison me. Actually, I also watch how the AC service ppl do it on the first time. They weren't doing anything special, so why pay a package? Later like C***fornia Fitness.... I image that the only situation when I would need professional assistance would be if I am going to replace with new set or I need to top up the refrigerant (touch wood), but have not encounter this problem yet. Now trying to explore removing the blower fan to wash but have not been successful yet.
  16. Will be easier if the front cover of the fan coil is removed. It will be easier to locate the drainage hose that is connected to the drip tray. The other end of this drain hose will go to the drainage pipe and end in your toilet. I attach what I have in my home. In the picture, I have disconnect the drainage hose from the drip tray and insert a blue pneumatic tube just to extend it. I am using the blue tube simply because it's external diameter is equal to the internal diameter of the drainage hose. I normally pour bleach down the drain pipe and let it be for 15 minutes. Go to the toilet & you will smell the bleach and see bleach exit the drain pipe. (If you can't smell bleach or see it, probably it is choked) Then I pour warm water thru it and wait another 15 minutes. Then I normally just blow into the blue tube. If there is a choke, you will have a tough time blowing. If the drainage is not choke, it will be easy. My drain pipe from bedroom to toilet is at least 20 meters and I had difficulty blowing thru it on my first DIY cleaning. After numerous breath, the gels in the drain pipe finally exit and it was easy to blow into the piping. Now I clear it this way every 6 months and have no problem. And if you have a wet & dry vacuum cleaner, vacuuming it (from the toilet end) works too.
  17. Just sharing my experience... Renovate my home in 2009 and install glass door on my shower area. 2 years back, I realize the lower hinge seems to be leaking oil (or maybe grease), probably because it is lower, so more contact with water. Dismantle the glass & cleanup the oil/grease. Took some photos of hinge & glass cut out (with intention to find replacement). Hunt for 1 month but could not find a hinge that will fit. Went to a friend in the glass business. He took my pictures and went to his hinge supplier. After 2 weeks, he told me even his supplier could not find. Only available option for me would be to get a new the glass door with new hinges but that will mean that I will need to drill new holes on the wall to mount the hinge. For now, I left it as it is. Glass door still swings but make a crack noise at a particular position. Conclusion: If you replace new glass door with new hinge, a good idea to buy a spare set of hinge from the contractor for future replacement. The glass will not break (if not abuse) but the hinge will wear.
  18. IMO, it will never be allowed. Image if it is allowed, ppl would be repositioning their main door in different location. It would look ugly from outside the block with doors at different location and facing different direction. Not to mention the structural integrity might be affected.
  19. Town council normally will have handyman service contact number. Changing new lockset for main door should not be a problem for the handyman but not sure about replacing the broken glass panel.
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