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schiz0id

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Posts posted by schiz0id

  2. Posted · Edited by schiz0id

    Let me try to illustrate the layers based on my understanding, with the caveat that I am not an expert at all.

    We have:

    1. Granite tiles layer

    2. Grouting cement layer used to affix the tiles

    3. Water-proofing layer

    4. Cement screed for leveling of floor, if required

    5. RC layer for slab

    6. Cement plaster layer (your ceiling)

    So, you could see that for water/moisture to penetrate to your ceiling, it has gone through the 6 layers. It would continue to penetrate even after re-plastering the 6th layer.

    Now, each time the upstair neighbor changed his tiles, the floor should be re-hacked to the 4th layer. Otherwise, the floor wouldn't be leveled with other areas such as dining area etc. The question is if the water-proofing had been re-applied properly (this thing is expensive).

    Hope these help.

    You're spot on. That's also my concern. But how do I ascertain that waterproofing layer is done each time new tiles are laid? The contractor is very defensive. I'm wondering if HDB should step in. When I called HDB, the TO just asked me to monitor first to see if it gets worse. From his tone, I suspect he knows they've been doing reno for a long time.

    Lauer, what would you do if you were me?

    On a side note, my contractor does water-proofing before cement screed. Then another layer after cement screed before laying the tiles in the toilets and kitchen. My downstairs neighbour should have no complaints. :P

  4. Posted

    I'm very tempted to call my HDB TO and explain the situation and tell him my concerns about how the extended length of their renovations might affect us. I'm worried the kitchen ceiling is just a first of more to come? :P *touchwood*

    I really don't know how HDB can allow them to do renovations for 10 months. Wet works at that! 8|

  6. Posted · Edited by schiz0id

    Hi everyone,

    Thanks for all the advice. Real noob here when it comes to these water problems. :(

    I think what Lauer said has a point. I think i'll get them to plaster first and then monitor the situation before applying the oil-based sealant. Or probably get them to scrape it off, see how bad it is underneath and then proceed from there.

    I really wouldn't want to just solve it in the short-term and have greater problems in the long run as Jon has mentioned. Sigh... :(

    Eden, they really are filthy rich. My new neighbour owns several coffeeshops, according to the uncles who tell me (funny how in this neighbourhood, all the "gossip" I hear are from uncles and not aunties! :P )

    Anyway, I didn't get to see the plasterer today. They're only starting works on Tue though all their bags of plaster (more than 20) are now sitting happily outside the flat. Will try to catch him and seek his professional advice before proceeding.

    Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I really appreciate it :) Will update more when I speak to the plasterer come Tuesday.

  7. Posted

    I suggest you leave it for a few more days & monitor.

    If it's leaking from upstairs, it should get worse.

    If not, then plaster etc.

    The Indian so rich, he can hack a few more times no problem one.

    Jon

    It took 3 weeks for those green algae-like spots to appear. I wonder how much longer it will take to get worse. :bangwall:

    Shall ask the plasterer when I see him today. Thanks Jon.

    It was great seeing you yesterday! :)

  8. Posted

    Hi

    Can anyone share with me what is the usual period of time a contractor guarantees his workmanship for?

    My renovations are coming to an end and before I pay him off completely, I want him to put in writing how long his work is guaranteed for.

    Thanks!

    I think it's best you ask him.

    When we were hunting around for ID/contractors, everyone seems to give a different answer. I've heard 2 years, 3 years and one said after the initial 3 years can still call him, out of goodwill he will still do (not sure how true).

    Hope you won't have to resort to holding him to his guarantee period! ;)

  9. Posted

    If you are not convinced scraping and plastering will resolve the problem/root cause, please don't accept the given solution - cos if you give in now and the problem recurs after you have completed reno and moved in... can you imagine the mess it'll create in your place? And I can't remember if you are planning any false ceiling? Perhaps ask your ID find some 'subject matter expert' to have a look - like to get a 2nd opinion?

    **************

    Just wanted to let you know that I've been enjoying your regular updates and information sharing. I didn't go onsite as often during my reno so I find many of the stuff you've shared really interesting. Jiayou for the reno and your parents are lucky to have you supervise the reno! :yamseng:

    Hey thanks adidaem, I don't really know what's the best solution. First time I'm met with such a situation. HDB officer can only ask me to monitor since they just finished their renovation and it could be "remnants" from their renovation.

    Here's the thing that I suspect might have happened.. My upstairs neighbour has been doing renovation since 10 months ago. Yup, 10 months, not 10 weeks. :jawdrop: He told me so himself. They've hacked the kitchen floor tiles TWICE before laying this final selection of granite tiles. I'm wondering if that could've been a factor that water could have seeped through because that particular area was soaked for 10 months?

    I've asked the contractor above if they use waterproofing before laying their tiles, he assured me that it's a standard practice and they have already done it. He said this infront of the upstairs neighbour. My ID seems to accept the fact that they are going to redo that spot in the ceiling. And no, we're not doing any false ceiling there.

    I will probably ask my ID if there's any other alternative to this problem. Thanks again! ;)

    And thanks for the the side note! Appreciate it loads! :D

  10. Posted

    WET CEILING UPDATE

    Contractor came down with upstairs neighbour to take a look at the spot. Contractor says he will ask his guys to come and scrape it away and re-plaster that spot. I'll make sure they put oil-based sealant on it first before plastering!

    Will continue to observe but i'm not counting on the problem going away totally. It seems the neighbour upstairs laid granite tiles for his floor tiles. According to my ID, being natural stone, granite might pose long-term problems. :( I hope I didn't hear him right.

    Anyway, not many pics to show today. They did manage to finish the flooring in my parents' bedroom. Can't take pics cos it was too dark in the evening. Will update with pictures tomorrow when they finish the living room tiles!

    ID arranging for hacking of pillar (aka sore thumb) to take place tomorrow!! :sport-smiley-004: Looking forward to a wide open space in the living area!!

  12. Posted

    Go down everyday - A flat/apartment finishes in 3-4weeks, no defects after handover.

    Go down randomly - Contractually 4weeks, but delay another 2-4weeks. Defects still not cleared by handover time.

    Go down only when they want to claim payment from you - Hmm...

    Hey rummi, I really love the way you put it. And I totally agree with you. :good:

    But I guess most people fail to see it that way. That's why for me, because time is so tight, I really would've preferred my ID to go down everyday.

    Being there everyday, I do realise that it helps because the workers do have questions once in a while or sometimes miscommunication arises and you can nip the problems in the butt immediately.

    Give you an example. My common toilet's sink was supposed to be placed next to the toilet bowl (away from the old position). When they were just about to waterproof the floor with the cement screed, I noticed they didn't lay the pipe for the new sink position, even though I had already told my ID the position is not at the old position. So when I told them, the workers were very thankful that I'd saved them a wasted effort. Else they'd have to hack off the floor and re-screed and probably even re-tile the toilet! :blink:

    There are a few more examples but I guess you get the idea.

    So I guess having someone there everyday really does help. :)

  16. Posted

    Niceee..noticed that the tiles are placed brick-like. It will surely look more like it's parquet rather than tiles :yeah:

    Should be more interesting from now :good:

    Yeah.. they actually wanted to place the tiles in straight rows (like equal sign = ) but we decided against it.

    The ID concurred that it's better with this layout.

    I can't wait to see the finished product! :P

  18. Posted

    FLOOR TILING

    The day i've been waiting for has finally arrived! :sport-smiley-004:

    2 new guys are here today (can't call them uncles cos they're not much older than me). They're a flooring specialist (according to the uncle) and his assistant. I was very very impressed with his workmanship and his speed and professionalism. :good:

    IMG_0017.jpg

    First thing in the morning, they had to take measurements of the non-existent door frame (you can see there's no door frame) and carefully lay the first tile in the middle of the entrance. [This is a must and absolute necessity for us.] After using their laser equipment and laying the screed at several points, they were off! :sport-smiley-003:

    IMG_0022.jpg

    At the top of the picture, you can see the first few rows of tiles have gone on the living room. On top of these already laid tiles, there are small square pieces holding down the 4 corners of 4 different tiles to get them to be on the same level. The looong bedroom tiles are used to hold them in place while they dry.

    Next, comes the interesting part. See the middle part of the picture which looks like a zen garden? The guy pours a dry mix of cement on top of the screed, uses his "zen rake" to make this arty pattern. It really looks like a zen garden in the middle of our living room! Anyway, he proceeds to pour just enough water over it and lays the tiles on top. :good: He was so graceful and swift, it was like watching an artist at work!

    IMG_0023.jpg

    Can you spot his "zen rake"? :P

    IMG_0027.jpg

    Voila! The finished product for Day 1 :good: [Do you see the arghly pillar that absolutely has to go? They are working around that area and not tiling that part yet.]

    IMG_0026.jpg

    Another view on the left of the completed area. The new store room at the back of the living room is eagerly waiting its turn for the tiles too! ;)

    They will be doing the tiles right into the walkway outside the 3 bedrooms tomoro. Hopefully it's zoom zoom tomoro! :dancingqueen:

  19. Posted

    Did my check on the ceilings today. Carefully scrutinised every single nook and cranny.

    Found lots of peeling paint in the toilets. They weren't from bubbly patches. I suspect it's cos the previous owner didn't paint it at all when they moved in. The peeling paint was at the very most 2 layers, revealing the "raw" grey floor slab above.

    Will check it out with the plasterer when they come tomorrow. I'd assume they are the same fellas doing the ceiling. Better to get a second opinion :)

  21. Posted · Edited by schiz0id

    Hey eden,

    Thanks for that! ;)

    Yes, I think i'm lucky that I spotted it before the ceiling guys came and just painted over it. Then it'll be months later before the problem will literally present itself again.

    I called HDB early this morning and spoke with the TO, he said my neighbour upstairs just finished reno so asked me to monitor first. Even after I told him there's algae growing. :rolleyes:

    Anyway, the ID came up and touched the spot and told me it's wet. He wanted to speak to the neighbour or contractor upstairs but no one was around.

    So, I called up the contractor doing the house above ours and the boss is coming down to see the algae spots tomoro. He doesn't sound too nice about it but I'll wait and see tomoro.

    I doubt he'll want to do anything about it cos the house above ours took a very looooooong time to complete renovations and they're just about done. :wacko:

    Will update on my meeting with him tomoro.

  22. Posted

    I must put a very huge disclaimer that I am no expert in this area :P it's all from observations. Guess you hafta check the "quality" of the peeling paint. The peeling paint for the area that's leaking is usually uneven and has this "bubbly" looking surface, not a flat piece. Hope this helps :)

    Yeah, I know about the horrid looking bubbly stuff.

    I noticed some peeling paint in the bathrooms. Shall go "jab" them later. Hope the ceiling don't fall on me... :P

    Thanks silversurf! :good:

  23. Posted

    Oh meantime, while you are it, check the house for other areas which may have the leaky roof problem, especially around the toilet areas. Take a stick and poke around at the ceiling. If it's starting to leak, the paint will fall off easily.

    Ha i'm no expert at leaky roofs, just that I live on the top level of a HDB block and am used to such situations :P

    I just want to check.. If the paint is peeling but no water, is that an impending sign of things to come? :o

  24. Posted

    I had a similar problem sometime back. Neighbour downstairs complained about their leaking toilet roof. My parents called town council to see if they could do the repairs. Town council classified the problem as a regular wear and tear. In the end, the repair bill was spilt 50-50 between my parents and the neighbour.

    Guess the best way is to give town council a call. See what they can do for you. If they can repair, all the better. Otherwise, they will be a good neutral party to speak to the neighbour on your behalf. I think the leaky roof is a common problem for old estates. Don't worry! ;)

    Oh meantime, while you are it, check the house for other areas which may have the leaky roof problem, especially around the toilet areas. Take a stick and poke around at the ceiling. If it's starting to leak, the paint will fall off easily.

    Ha i'm no expert at leaky roofs, just that I live on the top level of a HDB block and am used to such situations :P

    Thanks dear :)

    From what you mentioned, I think it may be more than one area then.. :o

    Sigh....... :wacko:

  25. Posted

    I caught my female tenant in her early 20s showering without closing the bathroom door at night several times. I also caught her walking around in my living room in only her bra and panty.:notti:

    I told her that her photos may appear on STOMP and requested her to dress properly in the house but she didnt listen

    She also cooked and smoked in my house, although cooking and smoking were not allowed. During signing of lease, I already told her about these house rules and she agreed at that point in time. Whenever I reminded her not to cook or smoke, she would just argue with me. She poured her food straight into my kitchen sink and left her dirty plates in my sink for days. End up I would wash the plates for her. She used my washing machine machine 4 times per week, I closed 1 eye to this part and let her be.

    The last straw was she refused to pay her rent, so I asked her to move out within 1 month.

    The reason why I only sign 3-months lease with my tenants is to make it flexible for them and me to change tenant and landlord if we are not happy with each other LOL.

    Hey forgotten,

    Do you actually have those house rules written down in the contract? Maybe if you impose a fine of some sort it will help?

    I know of a friend who used to rent a room from this family. They made her sign an agreement that if she smokes or anything is damaged, they'll forfeit her deposit. Or something along those lines. Since my friend really doesn't smoke, she signed.

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