meepok

Hi Toppie, I think even after you 'switch' the opening direction of the door, there may be another problem. If I'm not wrong, by swinging the door the other direction to the left, it may not open fully but will stop 3/4 of the way cos of the wall. For mine cannot cos will surely hit the left wall, unless your MBR toilet layout is different? meepok

Hi Zephy, Just PM you. What did your aircon guy say? Technically cannot be done or illegal to do it? meepok

Hi Mrs_Png, Just checked with my aircon guys... it's not exactly illegal to hack thru from the toilet to the aircon ledge, just that they'll need to hack thru multiple walls from the bedrooms to get into the toilet, then out to the ledge. Unless your flat design has the aircon ledge in the MBR, that's a different & less complicated story altogether. For Zephy's case, the wall in the living room below the aircon ledge window is similar thickness to the wall in the toilet. So if it's illegal, then it's wrong to hack thru either walls. Unless they run the pipes out via the window? Can't be leh... My aircon guy say as long as we don't hack thru the thicker structural beams, it's ok. Cos all the walls in our flats are reinforced concrete, much much thicker than those in other places like Sengkang etc, and with more metal rods inside the wall! They actually spent one full day drilling & hacking thru all the walls to install a Sys-3, which by right should have taken half a day to complete. They did not expect the walls to be so thick and hard to drill thru. Now they're scared to install for our 79 blocks!! !! His conclusion is that the other aircon guys maybe smoking the flat owners... just maybe only... cos it's always easier to hack fewer walls, just run the trunking along the walls and try to minimise the number of walls to hack thru?? But most importantly is not to hack any beam structures like those just above the bedroom door frames. I've heard of some units lowering their door frame & cutting short the doors, just to fit in the aircon trunking. meepok

Hi Meowie, Saw this from the HDB website: Technical Conditions Governing Installation of Air-Conditioners 1. No hacking of holes or openings through existing reinforced concrete structures within the unit is allowed for the installation of air-con/condensing unit. 2. No embedment of air-con pipe in reinforced concrete slab, column and reinforced concrete beams. 3. For Precast facade with tiles, a single opening of 50mm x 50mm per panel for the running of refrigerant pipe is allowed. However the flat owner/tenant must ensure that his BCA trained air-con installer check the wall tiles surrounding the location of the opening for the bolts and refrigerant pipes are not delaminated. Delaminated tiles, if any, are to be removed. I suppose as long as no hacking or embedding pipe in the reinforced concrete structures should be alright? But for Zephy's case, they hacked through the living room wall, isn't it the same? Cos looking at my floor plan, both walls are not reinforced concrete structures/beams leh... meepok

Hi Zephy, It's illegal to hack through the toilet to the aircon ledge??? But I've seen many instances of such construction leh... mine they hacked through from the top of the toilet out, through the concealed partition box with all the sewage pipes and that silver grill covering thingy. Hi Toppie, I think the screw and hose already spoilt or worn off liao, or maybe the washer in the hose is spoilt. Best to get HDB to replace or buy a new hose to replace. Or maybe just use the hoses supplied if you're getting those instant heater. I think maybe can paint over those big screws at the bottom of the toilet bowl?? Later I go check and see if they've started to rust or not... As for the 'brilliantly' designed toilet door in the MBR, my suggestion is to remove it and install those bi-fold type of door. Since you have a shower screen on one side, it's safer to get it replaced. One may forget and swing open the door with force and hit the shower screen at the side!! Or worse, hit someone's leg who's sitting on the WC!! meepok Hi Zephy, Then your layout should similar to mine... but why the ran the trunking out to the living room? Many of us just ran it through from the toilet leh.... if really illegal then jialat liao... anyone knows if it's really illegal??? Mine got those thick trunking in the bedrooms loh... alongside the aircon unit and along the ceiling beams, and trunking inside both toilets as well... but considered 'hidden' in the rooms, can't see the trunkings from outside though. I remembered Tension's MBR trunking was hidden totally from view within a boxed up beam/L-box. meepok

Hi neighbours, Just wondering if anyone is using Teka Hoods in their kitchen?? I got mine fixed up but with some minor defect, the Teka people will come by to rectify the fault. But the Teka guy saw my photo and said that my ventilation space area is not sufficient/correct, the vented air may not escape properly thus it may cause the motor to overheat in the long run. There needs to be some form of outlet to let the air escape outwards. I've checked with my contractor but he says it's ok to do it this way as many other hoods are installed this way as well. Teka actually recommended doing a vertical, boxed up chimney within the cabinet to vent the air. Not sure who is correct now??? I remembered seeing Rinnai hoods installed in the same manner as what I did, no chimney, just a 'space' above to vent the air output only. Am I right or is the Teka guy correct?? Any neighbours can advise? Thanks! !! meepok

Hi Toppie, Mine had the same problem in the other toilet as well, the part of the shower head handle base & the connecting hose was defective. Cheap lousy plastic shower head material from HDB said my contractor people. You can try to twist and tighten it further see if it helps to stop the leak, mine didn't. Otherwise, just have to get a new hose and replace like what I did. The shower head from HDB has started to discolour already, the silver finishing is beginning to 'fade' off. I guess we'll have to replace it pretty soon again!! You can check and report as a defect with the office at 79C, even reno started also no problem. !! meepok

Hi Kiwy, I thought 1.8m should be quite sufficient in blocking the splashing water? Mine is 1.8m but the screen stands on top of a 2" kerb between the shower and the sink area. I have yet to actually shower in the bathroom yet, so can't tell if the water will indeed splash over the top of the screen. Unless you have those 'rain forest' shower thing? I'm about 1.9m so I guess water may splash over when I'm washing my hair? Are those in the hotels higher or the same??? Can't recall... maybe just have to hunch over abit when washing hair??? Hi Gadgetman, Thanks for your kind comments! Just hope everything will be done up swee swee... cos we have minimal carpentry stuff also... plan was to do basic/minimal reno works, then compliment with other accessories and furniture items loh. Tight budget, that's why didn't do any bathroom makeovers like some of our neighbours here... can only admire and drool! Hi Zephy, Did you fix any unit in your living room? Or your Sys-3 all meant for the bedrooms? For mine, my aircon guys hacked a hole from my bathroom to the living room aircon ledge outside. Then, the gas pipes ran on top of my 1st bathroom to the mbr bathroom, then across the beam into bedroom 2, and finally into bedroom 3. For the drainage pipe, they did a split-off in the gas pipe trunking in the mbr bathroom, then hid the pipe inside my shower kerb, and drain off at the corner of the kerb. Is one of your bathroom in the kitchen? Hi Liana, I went down to the office at 79C today, showed them the photo also. Seems like they're able to fix the problem. Something like plastering it or something to level it. But will need to repaint the ceiling after that. Is yours a line or in patches?? I was told it's due to the uneven joining of the slabs. Maybe you want to go to the office and file a defects request as well? Or unless your ID can help to 'even out' the ceiling problem then don't need trouble the HDB people liao?? Hi Redwyrm, HAHA same here! (oops!) I think they only shot the pilot episode for now, haven't start with the actual series yet, right? Must go check again... But The Sarah Connor Chronicles Season 1 already ended. Hope to catch that series too, saw the pilot and it looked promising. Anyway... hope to find some movie buff neighbours too, so can exchange DVDs or have Movie Weekends! I'm a movie fanatic, so if u need any movie, maybe I can help meepok

Hi Sushibabe, Yeah, I guess it'll be a little cramped. My contractor just told me that he will do the planks to cover up the pipes, something like Liana's version but without the backing board thing. The pipes will then be 'embedded' within the planks, then the external area covered with laminates. I got a feeling it'll not be cheap to do the carpentry for all 3 planks. Maybe just do FOC for 1, then think of some DIY to cover up the top pipe? Hi Bonkitty, Maybe it's becos of more than usual cement/sand usage?? Extra cost on top of the usual haulage fee I suppose?? Hi Redwyrm, Yeah, went down to report defect and the guy there said they'll plaster and level it. Hope it turns out alright! Knight Industries Two Thousand! now is Three Thousand liao! Was a fan since the early 80's series man! Way before Hasselhoff did Baywatch... KITT was like the dream car then! Caught the pilot of the new series yet? KITT is more 'muscular' now being a Mustang... still prefer the Pontiac though... Hi Tension, Think now must be calm liao... stay positive... I guess part of the problem also lies with the design of these sinks. Not like those older HDB flats where you use a black rubber stopper to hold the water in the basin. These new built-in type stoppers just isn't as good. Once you remove the stopper, there's a big hole in the sink and everything & anything will just drop in! I was thinking of a way to minimise the drainage hole without using the stopper provided. Maybe get a separate metal drainage filter and place it on top? Similar to those used in kitchen sinks. meepok

Hi Tension, I think didn't switch on the lights that afternoon, that's why didn't see loh. Only with the lights on then can see. So we did not get HDB to rectify when we checked for defects earlier on. Dunno is it too late now since reno already started and going to complete liao! Hi Jacky, I also suspect is formwork defect when they did the slab cast. Like when you make snow skin mooncake, then suay suay kena the skin never mould properly come out koyak pattern!! meepok

not too sure about this though... maybe other neighbours can clarify?? Me also curious... My homo tiles for the living, foyer, bedrooms are all level with the HDB kitchen tiles, only the 2 bathrooms got a small kerb entrance. Is this normal?? I've heard another neighbour say they had to trim all their bedroom doors just so that the tiles can be on level with the kitchen tiles. But my doors were not shortened though... meepok

Hi Meowie, Hmmm.... maybe that's why all your piping can cut away... Mine not hacking any walls loh. I guess if no choice then just use the shelving idea to 'hide' the pipes liao... you're using instant heater as well? very true! more like HK or Tokyo pigeon hole flats loh! now all the new flats soooo small... but yet so expensive! you know the previous old Blk 79 was only 12th storey tall if I remembered correctly... not sure how many units stretching across from the current 79A to 79E length area. But I'm very sure they made a huge bundle from demolishing the old 79 to build the new 79A-79E flats! And that's after deducting the $$$ paid to those for en-bloc! HDB : Let's make lots of MONEY! meepok

Maybe those HDB designers think we want to watch TV in the kitchen like the Americans mah! But then you gotta fix those mounted type TV loh... like those in govt stat boards... even some stat boards using LCD wall mount liao! meepok

Hi Meowie, Can cut and hide like that ah??? My ID say cannot leh, just cut away the U-shape but there'll still be 2 short pipes sticking out. The top pipe cannot even cut short. So yours they cut away everything then use white cement to cover the hole? or they use tiles to cover up? Got photo to see?? very paiseh! Cos if really can cut away everything and make flat, I will tell my ID to do likewise loh. But I remembered my ID say that if cut away the U-pipe, you'll only get water flow when you swing the tap to one side. Cos hot and cold flow now disconnected, left with one flow only. True?? Thanks! meepok

Hi Tension, My wife suggested doing either 1 or 3 shelves to 'hide' the pipes... meaning the 1st shelf sitting on top the cold/hot U-pipe, 2nd shelf in between the U-pipe and top pipe, the 3rd shelf sitting just below the top pipe. So when you view from standing height, all pipes should be 'hidden' by the shelves. Not sure how much it'll cost yet. But if it's just doing the 1st shelf, then it's FOC. I think Liana's version had the pipes embedded within the wooden planks. My version is to just let the planks 'sit' on the pipes, so the pipes can still be seen if you bend down and look up below... meepok

Hi neighbours, Was just wondering if anyone did any carpentry or DIY to cover up the ugly hot/cold and gas pipes in their kitchen? I'm using instant heater for both bathrooms, so did not utilise these piping for any storage heater connection. I remembered seeing Liana's kitchen with a red shelf and board thingy covering up the pipes, quite a good idea also... was wondering if anyone made any other design to conceal the pipes. My ID said the next best thing is to cut away the U-shaped pipe and shorten it. But then I'll still be left with 3 short pipes sticking out from the wall! meepok

Hi Jacky, I think it's the ceiling which is uneven. Went up the ladder to feel the ceiling today... not flat loh. So when light is reflected, it creates a shadow line. Dam jialat. Don't think they can plaster it to level it either. Will go down tomorrow and make some noise. Here's how it looks with the lights switched on... !! meepok

Hi Tension_z, Have yet to do mine also, thinking wait for all the works to be completed before fixing the rack. The normal metal+wooden shelf L-shape type should cost around $160-180+. There's a few shops in the Ubi area doing such racks. I believe they also stuck some of the advertisements in the lifts. They can come by your house to take measurement, etc. Then I also saw this more chio-looking but more expensive racks from this site: http://www.gawa.com The cost is much much more, using metal planks for the shelving. But I think I'll just get the normal metal frame+wooden plank racks... since hidden in the bomb shelter all the time, doesn't need to be so expensive loh! meepok

It's not a hairline crack... more like uneven ceiling, like one side higher than the other... cos now with the lights up, it casts a shadow mah... previously no lights can't tell from naked eye. It's more like a mini-slope on the ceiling. You think it's serious?? Structurally should be safe, but visually abit jialat cos it stretches almost the entire length of the ceiling with the lights on! I think my ID can't do much also... but what can HDB do? Can't plaster right? The ceiling in the other area all ok, except for this room. After fixing & switch on the lights, nearly fainted! meepok

Wah, u also night owl? Yeah, we very the ONz loh, cos staying quite near to TPY mah, can go down kpo the progress everyday, just in case anything need to rectify, can inform the ID fast mah. More ON than the guards at WDC! hahaha We will move in slowly after completion, cos our barang barang not packed yet also. Still got some furniture haven't buy... bit by bit loh. No hurry. Your night scene must be dam nice... next time casino ready even more tokong view I think. But heard the million dollar wheel seldom rotate nowadays... no biz??? Almost forgot one defect in my bedroom ceiling... after fixing the light, now can see the ceiling got one very long dividing line, looks like uneven ceiling from HDB. Looks like an unintended mini L-box!! Must go make noise with the office downstairs next week. meepok

Hahaha busy is good mah!... ok will reserve your kopi peng! Just sms either of us should you be near loh. We should be there almost every other day in the evening loh. We more 'on' than the ID mah hahaha So your reno started buay? Cos we want go up and see F1 fireworks in Sept leh! meepok

Hi Jacky, My reno so far still ok loh. Now almost finishing, about 85-90% done. Should complete by next week, with quite abit of touching up for the paint and grouting. So far, no more hollow tiles. But I'm just using my knuckes to test loh. Don't have the metal ball thingy which Bonkitty mentioned today. Knock all the tiles until my knuckes red! The flooring, kitchen cabinets, mbr wardrobe, lights, bathroom accesories, grills all done. No left with the bomb-shelter feature wall and some minor carpentry stuff. We wanted to box up the circuit breaker and do some shelving to 'cover' the U-shaped hot/cold water pipe in the kitchen. Saw some very impressive reno/carpentry stuff today. Mine is peanuts when compared! Got massive w-i-w, got stylish vanity bathroom tops, got island counter, got Blum system drawers too! But we got tight budget, so no choice I guess... maybe strike Toto then renovate again!??! But lucky my ID quite accommodating loh... got problem will always try to rectify and solve. So can't complain much. The flooring could have been done better I guess... it was after we mentioned about hollow tiles in the foyer that they did a better job for the rest of the house. But still some cut-leg tiles here and there in the rooms. Some we asked to change, some we close one eye loh. Another lucky thing is that the carpentry guy is quite good. One man show all the way except for the first day! So the process abit slow but we're fine with it. His kung-fu quite neat & meticulous. We are quite pleased with the outcome of his workmanship so far. So when u want drop by? Still owe you kopi leh meepok

Hi Tension_z, Hmm... in that case I must check on the replaced tiles again for cut-leg symptoms next week liao. I guess that's an inherent problem with these homo-tiles, no such problems with the old-school ceramic tiles in our older homes. Sometimes these ID will try to play tai-chi with us... just got to be alert and tai-chi back sometimes! I think it's still best to talk to either the head ID or the assistant and sort things out loh. At least get them to rectify the bomb-shelter slanted door once and for all. Don't let them play tai-chi with you anymore loh. All the best with your reno ps: sorry to have accidentally 'headed' your dining lights this afternoon!

Many thanks to Tension_z, Meowie49 and Liana79b for showing us their homes today!... missed out on some house-hopping midway as we had to rush back for some bathroom fitting works (so maybe can kpo Gadgetman & Bonkitty's house some other day??) Nice meeting the rest of the 79er gang too; Gadgetman, 312079, Bonkitty, Alister & Rachel79! Hi Tension_z, I think you should talk to your ID to get him to rectify the unacceptable items. I believe the slanted door problem can be corrected, maybe the wood structure for the door was already warped when they installed it?? But I think more importantly is whether the door closes to a straight flush. As for the hollow homo-tiles, die die must get them to replace for you. No ifs, no buts. I got my hollow tiles replaced as and when the workers were laying the tiles, so as to avoid a messy rectification later on (cos we went down kpo almost everyday!). But found a few cut-leg tiles in the rooms and got them to replace as well, after that no longer cut-leg. It all depends on how serious is the cut-leg problem and your acceptance level i believe. We also did not get the ID to rectify a few not-too-serious, minor cut-leg tiles in the rooms. Did you check with your ID as to how he's going to rectify your kitchen cabinet ABS trimming? Has he taken a look at the finished product yet? I think as long as the ID is willing to rectify the problems & defects to your satisfaction, all hiccups along the way we can forgive and forget... that's how I feel, cos there were also some hiccups for my reno along the way; miscommunication between ID and worker, delay in schedule, defects, etc. So I'll pester my ID almost every other day with questions, queries and requests. I guess we tend to be more fussy cos it's our home mah! My wife is more fussy than me also mah! Some things I just close one eye loh. Don't worry too much, just talk to your main ID about your concerns and see what he proposes after that. End of the day, it also affects his ID Co's reputation. I'm sure you guys can come to some middle ground and finish the job on happy terms! meepok

Hi Jacky, Thanks for the advice! In that case, think I'll skip the flood testing for the time being... As for the wiring for my living room L-box downlights, I'm getting my ID to make a small box to cover up the circuit breaker, along with the trunking and light switch, up to the foyer false ceiling. They initially wanted to "dig" a trench to conceal the wiring from the main centre point in the living hall, but they told me HDB has a rule against "digging" more than 3ft. So in the end, cannot dig. Same situation for my MBR L-box, cannot dig from the centre point, they wanted to lay trunking on the ceiling, so ugly! So ended up not having L-box in MBR altogether. Just fix the normal room lights good enough. Will not be fixing a ceiling fan in the hall on second thoughts, may just fix a budget-type designer light with warm lighting there instead. Cos I'm having 8 downlights along my L-Box in the hall. I'm hoping the 8 downlights of 18W will be bright enough for the hall as I'm not fixing any dining light. Just finished installing the Sys-3 the other day, the aircon fella took almost the whole day to hack and finish everything! They told me the walls have alot of metal structures and wiring. They did the above-height kind of trunking for the gas n water pipes. Cos due to my layout, it's not advisable to lay them above the floor skirting perimeter. Still plenty of stuff to buy... so far only bought dining table, cooker hob n hood, TV, lights. Will be starting on the floor this Friday... will be going down to kaypoh probably everyday if possible! !!