schiz0id

This looks like an upside-down leaf insect with eyes that are far-apart. Nice photos there, eden!

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.

I am sincerely wondering what the draw is for these people to go to Bedok Reservoir to commit suicide. The rate at which the number of bodies are found is really startling.

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

Nope, he didn't mention. At that moment, I also didn't ask. He just said "Oh, no wonder will have this problem..."

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! ) 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.

It took 3 weeks for those green algae-like spots to appear. I wonder how much longer it will take to get worse. Shall ask the plasterer when I see him today. Thanks Jon. It was great seeing you yesterday!

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!

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. 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!

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!! Looking forward to a wide open space in the living area!!

Hahahaha! Forgotten, you're really so funny!

Hey rummi, I really love the way you put it. And I totally agree with you. 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! There are a few more examples but I guess you get the idea. So I guess having someone there everyday really does help.

Well, from reading some of the t-blogs here, I noticed some of these ID/contractors visit their sites everyday. And one of the IDs in my shortlist phase also 'sompa' that he goes down to the site everyday, so I always thought that's the norm. Oh well, guess I'm the only one who goes down religiously to look at the works done

HDB TO just called me to say the pillar (aka sore thumb) is approved for hacking!!! Yippeeeee!!! Boy, they really work fast! Application submitted yesterday afternoon and less than half a day later it's approved!! :D

Thanks! Yeah hope it gets resolved soon. So new to all these water leakage problems. Brrrr...

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!

FLOOR TILING [bEDROOM] My parents' room were the first to start on their bedroom tiles today. The looooong wood-lookalike tiles are looking nice! Hopefully after they finish doing the floor tiling outside the other 3 bedrooms tomoro, we can start tiling the bedrooms on Sat!

FLOOR TILING The day i've been waiting for has finally arrived! 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. 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! 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. He was so graceful and swift, it was like watching an artist at work! Can you spot his "zen rake"? Voila! The finished product for Day 1 [Do you see the arghly pillar that absolutely has to go? They are working around that area and not tiling that part yet.] 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!

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

The thread is looking good! You really have green fingers

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. 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. Will update on my meeting with him tomoro.

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... Thanks silversurf!

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

Thanks dear From what you mentioned, I think it may be more than one area then.. Sigh.......

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.