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X6GT

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Posts posted by X6GT

  6. Posted

    The contractor quoted the following repairs:

    14274366816_4b5c017e71_o.png

    I learnt quite a bit from this contractor. He did a quick drawing for me to show that for the toilet floor, there should be a first layer of tiles/marble, followed by a porous cement/sand screed, then the water-proof membrane which sits just above the hard concrete floor slab. I had thought that the water-proofing is done somewhere just below the tiles, to prevent the water from penetrating into the floor, but he said no. He said many contractors just hack away the tiles to do the water-proofing but this is wrong. He says the correct way is to hack away not just the tiles but also the cement/sand screed all the way to the hard concrete.

    14295857724_0154c0fd5d_o.jpg

    He further explained that water is bound to seep between the tiles into the cement/sand screed. But this layer is porous and meant to allow the water to flow to the floor trap. And that is why if you look at the floor trap closely, the sides of the first few cm of the down pipe are very rough, made up of cement/sand screed only. It is only further down that the sides are smooth PVC. If the sides of your down pipe are smooth all the way from the opening to down below, it looks really nice but it is wrong!

    14293122321_84636ce3fd_o.jpg 14316558823_670ca0aca6_o.jpg

    I also came across a HDB video clip on inter-floor seepage repairs. The process is similar to what my contractor described.

    Hi bro, your this contractor seems pretty good and forthright. Is the workmanship good, are you having any problems at this juncture? Do they do small wet works jobs? And most importantly, are they decently priced...? If so, could you please share their contact? Thanks :)

  7. Posted

    when we do overlay, we also add a new layer of "warrior w1" aka "milk" before overlay tiles.

    W1 is also added into the cement for better bonding.

    having said this, you will have 2 layers of waterproofing instead of 1.

    generally, most of the water seepage is from the floor traps and WC sewer opening, so get the contractor to pay extra attention to these area.

    however, if the development is more than 20yrs, it will be good to hack.

    Hi GMC, will the overlay job include everything that the original layout has? I.e. concrete, then waterproof membrane then screed (and strengthener) then the new tiles? I understand from certain BCA literature I've been reading that this is the correct and best layout, so just wondering if it will be replicated for the overlay job as well.

    I think KSToh's blog also talks about something similar:

    http://www.renotalk.com/forum/topic/62505-top-kew-drive/page-10#entry857733

    I can't wrap my head around how much less overlaying costs (vs hacking) if they are actually going to be replicating all 3 layers exactly...? Doesn't add up...hmm.

    Thanks in advance for your views! :)

  8. Posted

    HI,

    Just some advice for u.

    For wooden blinds , the effort to maintain will be much higher compare to roller blind as it tend to collect dust on the wooden slats. As for the downside of roller blind will be the tendency not to open your window fully due to the wind blowing and knocking the blinds on the window grilles or panels.

    regards,

    jpcool

    I agree that slatted blinds are more high maintenance...will need to dust it often.

    However, I really like the look of it more than roller blinds defo. I've had 5 blinds for my 5 rooms in different apartment so far. I like it because it looks sleek. 3 of the blinds were those aluminium(?) kind and 2 were wooden kind. Both also very swee. All but 1 were from IKEA (but now IKEA doesn't sell anymore, so sad! they were really super cheap). So, gotta bear with it I guess.

    There is a shop doing those bamboo blinds at the very end of Jalan Besar there. It's on the left side, after the bus stop there. I can't recall the shop name offhand but if you just walk all the way past the food centre, it's right there. Before the road turns left to the 'thieves market' stretch.

    Young man tending to the shop (not the PRC workers) seems very nice and knowledgeable. The prices seemed reasonable, like $9/sq ft for the upper end ones. And about $6/sq ft for the mid range. Also got bamboo chicks type. I get the feeling that their prices are way cheaper than those curtain shops... because I have asked at curtain shops in Clementi and TPY before (those shops under the block), they quoted me like $600 :no:

    If anyone has ever made with these guys at Jalan Besar, please give a review? I may want to make in the future, if their quality is good... Thanks! :)

  9. Posted

    So far only 1 company has entertained me. I'm not even sure where it is...like Eunos area there. Industrial park. Will update later when I find their company name, address and number.

    I kinda just wandered into the industrial park and started driving around a few blocks slowly, looking at each shop to figure out if they did metal works. I finally stopped at these guys and the China staff gave me their manager's number. Manager referred me to the guy doing the work, and after a few days he came back with a quotation on something similar to the website link that I sketched out for them.

    Erm... I have to say the quotation for the finished product shocked me, as it was about 6 times the price of the materials. The materials (like single galvanised mild steel hollow squares) added up was only about $300, give or take. But the guy quoted me incl welding and mounting as $1800.

    I'm thinking it's really not worth the price tag. It's ridiculous. I am pretty sure that if the steel were drilled with the right holes etc, I could very easily assemble them and mount them myself. And the whole project would only cost me less than $500! *faintz*

  10. Posted

    This was the Davco material I saw the contractor using:

    14294458952_fe9d41ab05_o.jpg

    He also helped me patch up a leak into my hall from the air con trunking area.

    14295848864_b090029de9_o.jpg

    14295842874_717fe17206_o.jpg

    If you are staying in an HDB flat, you probably have no such worries. If there is any leak, you just call the HDB or Town Council. If you are staying in a private condominium, I guess you have to call the Management Corporation. But if you are staying in a landed property, you are on your own.

    Hi KSToh,

    Do you know what exactly are the properties of this brand of Sovacryl, that they used it for your job?

    I do recall a long time ago while I was looking at options for the roof (polyeurethane painting vs acrylic vs epoxy vs SKK's fancy-named "Ceramifloor"), I came across sovacryl and the name stuck. I am given to understand it's a standalone waterproofing layer. Not so much a paint, in that sense.

    Fast forward some years later, recently I was asking around several companies about their paint solutions and pricing (for my roof terrace floor, currently a very yucky tiled surface). Then I was told by one of the companies I asked quotations from that a) there would be no proper bonding because I didn't want to hack my tiles and b) even if I cemented over my tiles, it would not be an ideal solution for my roof terrace because the tiles would pop/crack over time.

    They suggested hacking (totally not an option because it's so exorbitant and we're looking at over 100sq metres of space... totally bo lui!) or 'painting on the tiles'. I'm not sure I like the sound of the 2nd one, is it something like those garish kitchen tile spray painting gigs? Painted tiles look HORRID and like they belong to the 1960s. Or would they paint several coats on of at least 5mm thick so that the end result will not have those grout line depressions between the existing tiles?

    Don't know how reliable these people are since they are actually only paint sellers (main objective is to sell the paint, they don't really care if suitable or not I think)... but do you have any advice on my roofing situation? :) Thanks...

  13. Posted

    Since there is not much information available in Renotalk blog and forums on the choice of sanitary products - WCs and Toilets, available in the market, I decided to do a research. After spending few days of my time in going around and visiting various shops, I have compiled below some of my research in WC and toilet products (1 piece models only):

    Jalan Besar area:

    I started visiting the shops in traffic direction from Lavender Street.

    1. Poh Joo Hardware, 389 Jalan Besar (opp. Lavender Square):

    My first stop. Brands they carry & promote are mostly Clayton only. Clayton prices seem to be on the cheaper side. But models don't inspire much. Also they carry other brands like Arino but very limited choice and price seems to be more expensive than others for such brands.

    2. Hupfarri Bathroom, 255, Jalan Besar.

    My second stop. Nice, big showroom carrying primarily OTTO products. The staff are knowledgeable and able to explain the products in detail. But pricing is at a premium. For eg., a model like 7030 WC, the price quoted is $599 inclusive of a $300 FREE basin. Mind you - some decent basins cost $350 here; so you need to top-up another $50. Man, use this showroom to learn about the products and buy somewhere!

    Warning: Be careful - as some models are P-trap only with exposed back; not be suitable for HDB's, unless you use a converter. You will still have to live with the exposed back.

    3. Fullsun Marketing, 146, Jalan Besar

    3rd stop after third time! Don't get it right? They are like an Corporate office. Work only on weekdays. No weekend service. So I had to come here 3rd time. Please ensure you visit them only on weekdays and office hours only. Premium products right - you have to bear it!

    They market TOTO products. Well need not say much. Basic models start at $850 and move upwards of $1100 for decent ones.

    Ofcourse they claim to give you 20% discount on the list prices mentioned above. Also bear in mind, most of their models only cater to P-trap WC's; so not really suitable for poor HDB cousin's (like me!) unless you opt for converter to fit in the existing floor type S-trap's in HDB's. With being not comfortable with this converter stuff, I decided to walk out of the showroom.

    With my dreams of doing my stuff on a luxurious TOTO smashed, I decided to take a break and have a humble Nasi Briyani and Teh Halia to refreshen in Little India.

    4. GR Link Marketing, 155 Jalan Besar (just opp Fullsun)

    I have read enough about them from Renotalk especially the very sweet lady and Uncle Ben, the owner.

    Brightly lit showroom, although much smaller than Hupfarri and Fullsun; products are neatly arranged. Friendly service and lots of advice.

    Models that impressed me here are:

    1. Baron WC 888 (1 piece) with Geberit flush - 10 years warranty $389

    2. Inspire 6081 (1 piece) with Geberit flush - 10 years warranty $399

    3. OTTO Mercury (1 piece) - 10 years warranty $350

    Add $68 and get a wash basin from the available choices. As usual, available choices don't impress me and I then see something that needs top up of $120.

    5. Eng Soon Huat Hardware Merchant Pte Ltd 140 Jalan Besar, Next to Fullsun

    Not friendly service; not so much variety. Carry few Otto, Inspire, baron & one more chines brand (Caroma or Carona). I took note of the models and moved on quickly.

    6. Poh Seng Hardware Enterprise, 153, Jln Besar (just next to GR Link Marketing)

    ALL prices here are inclusive of GST. Very experienced Uncle – Mr. Seah Boon Seng.

    Prices seem to be cheaper than GR Link Marketing.

    Models suggested by him:

    1. Arino Caprio WC with Geberit (1 piece) new model where the top flushing system cover is invisible) with heavy duty seat cover $320

    2. Treo T200 WC with Geberit (1 piece) - with a nice oblong shape; looks really nice. But more expensive than Arino Caprio. $380

    7. Royal Fanco, 135 Jalan Besar

    Highly recommended by many people in Renotalk;

    Small showroom; cramped; not much on display; price seems to be cheapest especially if you go for package deal ie., WC+Basin.

    Models suggested:

    Baron (830x370x700) SINGLE PIECE $399 with basin

    With slim seat cover add $30

    Magnum (640x360X780) Single Piece with new slim seat cover – same price.

    The slim seat cover was very impressive. No other shop seems to have that.

    8. Ideal Merchandise, Block 808, French Road, #02-21

    Had a big difficulty to locate this shop. It is above NTUC.

    Specialize in Bidet primarily for Toto, Bravat and other high end models. Approx cost $350 for a bidet.

    Not much focus on selling WC's. More interested in pricing a bundle offering of Bidet+WC.

    Geylang/Tanjong Katong:

    9. Hoe Kee, Tanjong Katong Plaza

    Carry mainly their inhouse brand Roz. Didn't see the designs to be modern and contemporary. So left the shop quickly and headed to Geyland Road.

    10. Wasserbath, Geylang Road

    WC’s : only deal with IXIS brand; supplied to many private condo project; Offer for GSS period $599 with Basin.

    WC's look decent and nice. Not heard of this brand much.

    11. Heritage Bathroom, Geylang Road

    Carry Toto Brand. Prices are very competitive for Toto. (seems better than Fullsun); but no display.

    Suggested models:

    Inspire 6081 WC (1 piece) with Geberit ($320). Most competitive price.

    Baron 888 WC (similar to Inspire 6081) was $290. Again most competitive price.

    12. Universal Union: not so impressive. not much knowledge from staff to explain.

    13. *spam: give it a miss. - too tired leh!

    Not visited from original list:

    14. Bathroom Warehouse, Changi

    Guess, this gives you an idea of where/what to shop.. Happy shopping! :thumbs up:

    Perhaps just to share with fellow forumners for future reference, the things that I believe I learnt from my walkabout.

    1. Johnson Suisse - Malaysia brand, don't know made in MY or China

    2. Inspire - China

    3. Otto - Local brand but MIC

    4. Caribbean - Local brand but MIC. No, not from the Caribbean :D

    5. Carona - China

    6. Baron - MIC

    7. Crizto - Thai brand, but MIC

    Please correct me if my info is wrong? And please add on any other brands you know of that others might find useful...?

    Thanks (:

  14. Posted

    Oh, no worries. Discuss all you like...I'm not offended or anything... Just that a shed isn't what a regular HDB dweller would look for, so no help from me here. LOL...

    Hehee... who says HDB owners can't have garden sheds? Can set up one in your living room as an enclosed 'entertainment capsule' with surround sound and lighting on the roof that looks like stars ma! :jammin:

    Anyway I enquired because I thought you might have seen on TB... lol. But I guess not :dunno:

  15. Posted

    Mine are in the sheltered yard. So no issue. I am not sure if these are waterproof. By the way, I realised the brand is Keter. Maybe we are referring to different products.

    http://www.keter.com/products/xl-utility-louvre-cabinet#main

    If you need to discuss further, better do it at my blog.

    My bad, kstoh! Keter of course hehe.. I have no idea why I kept typing Kettler, I must have been itching to go to the gym so much. :sport-smiley-003:

    Oh man. I just took a look at the first bits of your blog...awesome!!! I think it will be my weekend reading. I don't know why I never came across it before, despite having lurked on Renotalk for over 5yrs. You have such a wealth of experience and things that I could learn from.

    And especially since I am going to embark on my own (serious DIY) reno projects around the house in December... :notti:

  16. Posted

    At one time, I was also looking for those garden sheds. Found quite a few at Far East Flora @Upper Thomson. But in the end, I just bought a few of those Kettler tall cabinets from Giant.

    Ya...those are the ones I was referring to :( Went to Far East and Fun's but not only were they ex (minimum $1200++), most were also pretty dusty and grubby. They're not quite FMCG so they sit around for a while before anyone actually buys them. Fun's is pretty much an orphanage of unselleable (but incredibly expensive) useless stuff!

    Do ur kettler ones fade/get discoloured? My dad has eight, of various sizes, and they're all in various stages of discolouration.

    Sorry for being OT, OP... heh.

  17. Posted

    Heheh...I was only 'good' in languages during school days, so reading Chinese isn't a pain for me. Gimme chemistry and I faintz...that's why I am not even sure if the salt container steel is the problem or the chemical reaction is the problem....wahaha....

    Technically, a lot of the stuff is MIC, even if you buy it from USA. Though of course, if the brand did ask their manufacturers to make it in China, there is quality control in place there. I am pretty sure the brand wouldn't want their name stuck on something that is too lousy.

    Some MIC really CMI (cannot make it)....but so far so good for my purchases..nothing extremely bad encountered so far.

    TB has loads of stuff for sale. not sure about garden sheds though. Not too sure what it's translated as either. A shed sounds like a huge item. Are you talking about a whole wooden 'house'?

    Hmmm nonono...I don't think hansgrohe makes their stuff in China. Do they??? :(

    Yup garden sheds like these but in aluminium or some other assembly-type steel/plastic:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arrow-Metal-Sheds-10-x-8-Backyard-Garden-Shed-Kit-Outdoor-Medium-Yard-Storage-/281470910063?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4188f93e6f

    Kettler is a very popular brand but the importers here chop carrot ah. Over $3k. Siao! Arrow is a basic brand you can find at Home Depot etc. I wish we had those kinda places here in Sg!

  18. Posted

    Someone told me Heritage Bathroom @ Geylang is having a SALE!

    Baron W888 WC + Basin @ $ 390

    Happy shopping!

    Hi aluka...thanks for this thread. Indeed, most of the previous posts on this topic are outdated. I actually used your 'roadmap' to do my walkabout around Jalan Besar today...heh.

    My problem is I'm only looking for American Standard or another reliable angmoh brand thts made in angmoh country, not MIC.

    Toilet you cannot afford to scrimp on ma...supposed to last forever. My prev home used American Standard and it lasted for over 10yrs, and if u notice a lot of posh hotels etc also use American Standard. I'm not an expert on toilets, but I believe this is because American Standard lasts and is very durable (eg. Hotels and commercial buildings a lot of ppl use every day...and with the abysmal levels of care that we don't use in our own precious homes).

    But i read American Standard has been bought over by a Japanese brand. Which is confusing cos in the US they are still being sold regularly.

    Anyway none of the shops on ur list along that row actually have American Standard... some clueless sales people had nvr even heard of it!

    :( Anyone knows where I can get...? Or at least around the same standards n price around Toto? I'm ok with Toto quality but really hate the name... i hate gambling hahaa

  19. Posted · Edited by X6GT

    Thanks yoongf! Will call them for a quotation and compare with the other installing-only folks... see if it's better to get the people to do all at once or to DIY+get glass only installed.

    I am very tempted to just saw off the existing railings myself and then just get the glass suppliers to come install. Am quite sure that we have the tools for that (and to file and patch up the sawn-off parts of the concrete wall)... Don't see why I should pay $200+ more per railing for that removal :no:

  20. Posted

    Update : DO NOT get stainless steel for salt container. :D

    Some kind of chemical effect with salt+humidity in singapore + steel. Either that, or the seller is bluffing about this being stainless steel. The container has 'rust' brownish spots on the inside of the container. Aiyah, I forgot to take a picture before I threw it out. Really grossed out with 'brown' salt. [they got stained.]

    Gives me an excuse to go shopping again~ not that I needed one....

    Yup, salt and most kinds of metals iodise... like cars, will get rusty if exposed to too much humidity from 'sea air' for instance.

    You should try looking for plastic or porcelain container. Or mother of pearl, if you can afford it hehee... cos ppl eat caviar with mother of pearl spoons to avoid the chemical reaction :jammin:

  21. Posted

    Dehub mop or misc holder. Looks very plasticky. Not sure if it really holds up as good as they advertise. Tried one, will update if it falls, or not. LOL....After locking it I did try to pull it off and it was quite firmly stuck on my tile wall, just not sure how it will hold up over time and once water hits the wall. :P

    IMG_3430_zps9a8d59d2.jpg

    IMG_3432_zps20618830.jpg

    Washing powder container, fits about 3KG of washing powder.

    IMG_3446_zpsb7198a70.jpg

    IMG_3448_zps745027ca.jpg

    Misc glass containers with stainless steel & acrylic lids. These came in a box so heavily protected with styrofoam that i was puzzled when I just opened the box....All I saw were white styrofoam.....

    IMG_3445_zpsc7dbfeee.jpg

    Lolz I just love the very animated way you describe your reno journey and the purchases from TB...

    Unfortunately I can't read Chinese (beyond maybe 50 characters :( ) so I'm still sticking to Ebay that I've been using for over 10yrs. I generally stay away from MIC stuff, esp food... and Ebay has served me well over the years (especially when I used to live in US and Canada). But I get very jealous when I hear my friends talk about their TB loot, cos it's all so cheap!

    Hmmm I wonder if TB has garden sheds for sale...

  22. Posted

    tempered laminated glass (two panes of glass laminated together) is recommended for additional safety. there are regulations in Singapore controlling the minimum requirement for balcony glass parapets. talk to your contractor and make sure they know what they are doing.

    Ya I think there's something the BCA would decree. But I assume since so many of these neighbours have already done it, it must be perfectly legit.

    But I'm not looking for these kind that they have made, these are frameless... I wouldn't feel secure with these! I want to do something more like those normal shopping centre glass railings. Those must be safe and secure, I'm sure.

    But yes I was told by a Besglass sales person about that laminated glass thing. Their price were a bit steep though (they are apparently a "you ming" local brand)... and they only install, but they do not remove my existing railings.

    Anyone has any contacts for such railing specialist for homes?

    Thanks! :)

  23. Posted

    Hi folks,

    I have been desperately looking for months, for a steel or other metal contractor who can do small home project.

    Looking to do a simple wall mounted structure like a giant steel shelving. Can take load of 70++kg.

    Initially I had wanted it done using solid wood, but I was told by the carpenters and contractors that they cannot do it or they need an engineer's certification that it can be safely mounted on the wall. They said better to ask steel guys to do.

    I need to build something as follows:

    http://jumpew.com/20-sneaky-ways-to-saving-space-bedroom-with-furniture/sophisticated-space-corner-saving-bedroom-furniture-wall-mounted-bunk-bed-with-wood-frame-and-hidden-lamp-lightning-dining-room-on-below-also-brown-personal-sofa-on-laminated-wooden-floors/

    Would appreciate your help on sharing with me your personal contacts... especially around the * areas like Sg Kadut, Woodlands and Toh Tuck/Bt Batok.

    Thanks!

  25. Posted

    Hi, was wondering if other fellow landed property owners can advise on what's a fair quotation to change my (1) balcony grille/railing to tempered glass railing like this:

    HgrjU4.jpg

    R0BQgu.jpg

    lYlQqx.jpg

    l13piN.jpg

    As we are very DIY people who do a lot of our reno ourselves, I wouldn't pay more than $450 for one (single side i.e. single panel of glass unlike most of the ones in these pics that are 2 or 3 sided) including installation.

    This is my estimate based on quotations from glass factory direct and well... from the fact that a normal swing door price which is like $380. The only difference I see between a swing door and this is the additional frame to secure the railing :P

    The largest area to be covered with the tempered glass i.e. the panel size roughly is 2.85m (L) x 1m (H). Thickness is standard 10mm.

    Anyone has actually done the above and can give me a real quote please? Thanks in advance!

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