Renovation of HDB bathrooms

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Fri, 19 Jul 2013 06:27:23 GMT

jrmsoh — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 06:27:23 GMT

For LED lights, can also check out ebay for those with cree chips. My friends used them with good results. And overall, cheaper than many of those cheap looking LED in singapore.

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:46:10 GMT

Dreamgear — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:46:10 GMT

insider:
Today I got to learn about the importance of 'Heat Sinks' in LED downlight. These 'sinks' need to be of good heat conductor to dissipate the heat produced by the LED light efficiently in order for the driver and the light to last for as long as those number of hours promised by LED lights.

Was looking at the pretty 'superfine' LED downlight (more expensive but can have a 2\" false ceiling instead of 6\"). However, I cannot get info about how efficient is the heat dissipation of this superfine products with so thin heat sink (in my 'logical' thinking, superfine may mean it may not be able to dissipate heat as efficient as the chunky LED lights (4 - 5\" usually and false ceiling needs to be at 6\") and if that's the case, then superfine LED may = shorter lifespan.

Light sellers keep selling me that their materials are of the best but I am still unsure and so still doing research.

Found the below interesting to read:

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/when-good-lights-go-bad-led-breakdown/6204

Below read the comments after the article, about some LED lights may only last for weeks (how dismay to pay good money and get junk...):

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/the-hot-and-cold-of-led-lighting/5927?tag=header-scroll;header-sec

PS:
Chances are I will buy the Philip LED downlight. Saw the solid aluminium casing which gave me a good 'feeling' that it can dissipate heat efficiently. Well...still thinking... (coz buying about 35 pcs and so really have to think carefully...)

PS2:
Anyone can advise which LED downlight is good? (am really a layman and so have to keep digging for info and the best is people can recommend base on experience).

I got mine from a wholesaler, Max Beam.

When my project TOP, a number of the neighbours banded together and we got a bulk purchase price from him. He can come to your place to do a shoot out.
Contact is James - +65 9228 6485....good service as well.

But buy what his factory produced. His 3rd party lights not that great....

I have no interest in this business at all... Just in case CKS thinks i'm advertising.....

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:27:44 GMT

insider — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:27:44 GMT

Today I got to learn about the importance of 'Heat Sinks' in LED downlight. These 'sinks' need to be of good heat conductor to dissipate the heat produced by the LED light efficiently in order for the driver and the light to last for as long as those number of hours promised by LED lights.

Was looking at the pretty 'superfine' LED downlight (more expensive but can have a 2\" false ceiling instead of 6\"). However, I cannot get info about how efficient is the heat dissipation of this superfine products with so thin heat sink (in my 'logical' thinking, superfine may mean it may not be able to dissipate heat as efficient as the chunky LED lights (4 - 5\" usually and false ceiling needs to be at 6\") and if that's the case, then superfine LED may = shorter lifespan.

Light sellers keep selling me that their materials are of the best but I am still unsure and so still doing research.

Found the below interesting to read:

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/when-good-lights-go-bad-led-breakdown/6204

Below read the comments after the article, about some LED lights may only last for weeks (how dismay to pay good money and get junk...):

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/the-hot-and-cold-of-led-lighting/5927?tag=header-scroll;header-sec

PS:
Chances are I will buy the Philip LED downlight. Saw the solid aluminium casing which gave me a good 'feeling' that it can dissipate heat efficiently. Well...still thinking... (coz buying about 35 pcs and so really have to think carefully...)

PS2:
Anyone can advise which LED downlight is good? (am really a layman and so have to keep digging for info and the best is people can recommend base on experience).

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:03:08 GMT

insider — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:03:08 GMT

Hi Cutiepie!

I just came back from Lite Fusion and in total from the items that I can get get there, save about $800 (comparing almost apple to apple kind)!

Thanks a lot!

PS: Didnt get the rain shower from there. Not getting Grohe anymore and ‘downgrading’ to other brand and Balestier shop is giving a better price (in terms of design and the quality I ‘feel’…)

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 02:10:14 GMT

insider — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 02:10:14 GMT

slmkhoo:
insider:
My mum wants white light and she wants it BRIGHT. So difficult to get a nice light that is up to the BRIGHTNESS that she wants (standard round one is 40W. I figure she needs about double of that coz old people tend to prefer brighter...)

I totally agree with your mum! I also like bright and white! (We're nearly 50yo and eyesight going...)

As for shower, $1600 is certainly too steep for us.

Hi slmkhoo

I found a series of lights quite interesting at Balestier Point. It's a Philip specialty shop. It has a set of remote control light which I find price quite reasonable (think 2 dimmable energy saving bulbs + one remote = around $200). The remote can control up to 50 bulbs...

Am considering this series for the bedroom...(can bright can dim, can off one bulb and off the other, etc!)

Their Philip LED lights also seem price reasonable (at about $60/bulb) and look decent. This LED light is giving me some headache in selecting coz market has so many variety and from what I heard, some can spoil very easily and if spoilt, then very difficulty to change (need to remove the whole thing, unwire, rewire, etc, that I definitely wont go and play with it and things that I wont' do, I will not expect my hubby or son to do usually. I got one seller to demo to me how to replace light and he explained usually light got no issues and usually it's the driver that goes faulty and need to replace. Then he showed me how to remove wire, rewire, etc, and I went err....). Good LED can last for more than 10 years on average use. Lousy ones can last only several months and so cannot anyhow listen to contractor and just buy...

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 02:00:25 GMT

insider — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 02:00:25 GMT

Cutiepie1975:

If u want to buy W.c and otehr toiletries go to Lite fusion @ upper serangoon road..or just call and check the price with the model u have selected at either jalan besar or baleister..their pricing are cheaper than anyone in singapore.. whole sale shop..

Hi Cutiepie!

Thanks for the kan tao!

Is that a showroom coz want to see and knock knock at materials and see mechanism before purchase.

Thanks again!

PS: Have been walking up Balestier for the past 3 weekends and have many quotations that I yet to finalise (need to finalise within the next 2 weeks for installation. Now house is still doing wet work of laying marble floor, etc).

PS2: went to comb for the shop http://www.streetdirectory.com/litefusion//

looks good!

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 01:18:29 GMT

Cutiepie1975 — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 01:18:29 GMT

Cutiepie1975:
insider:
Thanks for all for the sharing of the rain shower item.

Today walked Balestier for about 8 hours, mainly looking at WC, rain shower, sinks, taps, etc.

Base on the feedback I gathered here, think I will settle for the Taiwan made rain shower set at $399. The mixer that I want, if it's from Grohe, will cost about $1600... (too extravagant) while the normal set (with standard 'normal' mixer) will cost about $750. For the taiwan set, can only feel the quality of the bar and mixer (feel solid when hitting on it). Just pray that the mechanism will be durable type like what Funz is having.

Thanks all once again!!

PS: Today also looking at lights. See until eyes gonna go blind and still can't decide. Two quotes so far for whole house is about $3000, find it a bit expensive coz dining light is still not in yet. My mum wants white light and she wants it BRIGHT. So difficult to get a nice light that is up to the BRIGHTNESS that she wants (standard round one is 40W. I figure she needs about double of that coz old people tend to prefer brighter...)

Hi recently i bought grohe package for 700 includes rain shower, mixer tap, and basin tap..Baoedge series..
Can check whetehr this package is still available..
they had one more package for 388 w/o rain shower.. Bought one set for C.T and Another one with Rain shower for M.T

If u want to buy W.c and otehr toiletries go to Lite fusion @ upper serangoon road..or just call and check the price with the model u have selected at either jalan besar or baleister..their pricing are cheaper than anyone in singapore.. whole sale shop..

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 01:17:01 GMT

Cutiepie1975 — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 01:17:01 GMT

insider:
Thanks for all for the sharing of the rain shower item.

Today walked Balestier for about 8 hours, mainly looking at WC, rain shower, sinks, taps, etc.

Base on the feedback I gathered here, think I will settle for the Taiwan made rain shower set at $399. The mixer that I want, if it's from Grohe, will cost about $1600... (too extravagant) while the normal set (with standard 'normal' mixer) will cost about $750. For the taiwan set, can only feel the quality of the bar and mixer (feel solid when hitting on it). Just pray that the mechanism will be durable type like what Funz is having.

Thanks all once again!!

Hi recently i bought grohe package for 700 includes rain shower, mixer tap, and basin tap..Baoedge series..
Can check whetehr this package is still available..
they had one more package for 388 w/o rain shower.. Bought one set for C.T and Another one with Rain shower for M.T

If u want to buy W.c and otehr toiletries go to Lite fusion @ upper serangoon road..or just call and check the price with the model u have selected at either jalan besar or baleister..their pricing are cheaper than anyone in singapore.. whole sale shop..

PS: Today also looking at lights. See until eyes gonna go blind and still can't decide. Two quotes so far for whole house is about $3000, find it a bit expensive coz dining light is still not in yet. My mum wants white light and she wants it BRIGHT. So difficult to get a nice light that is up to the BRIGHTNESS that she wants (standard round one is 40W. I figure she needs about double of that coz old people tend to prefer brighter...)

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:52:48 GMT

sharonkhoo — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:52:48 GMT

insider:
My mum wants white light and she wants it BRIGHT. So difficult to get a nice light that is up to the BRIGHTNESS that she wants (standard round one is 40W. I figure she needs about double of that coz old people tend to prefer brighter...)

I totally agree with your mum! I also like bright and white! (We're nearly 50yo and eyesight going...)

As for shower, $1600 is certainly too steep for us.

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Sun, 02 Jun 2013 15:21:40 GMT

insider — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 15:21:40 GMT

Thanks for all for the sharing of the rain shower item.

Today walked Balestier for about 8 hours, mainly looking at WC, rain shower, sinks, taps, etc.

Base on the feedback I gathered here, think I will settle for the Taiwan made rain shower set at $399. The mixer that I want, if it’s from Grohe, will cost about $1600… (too extravagant) while the normal set (with standard ‘normal’ mixer) will cost about $750. For the taiwan set, can only feel the quality of the bar and mixer (feel solid when hitting on it). Just pray that the mechanism will be durable type like what Funz is having.

Thanks all once again!!

PS: Today also looking at lights. See until eyes gonna go blind and still can’t decide. Two quotes so far for whole house is about $3000, find it a bit expensive coz dining light is still not in yet. My mum wants white light and she wants it BRIGHT. So difficult to get a nice light that is up to the BRIGHTNESS that she wants (standard round one is 40W. I figure she needs about double of that coz old people tend to prefer brighter…)

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Thu, 30 May 2013 06:22:27 GMT

KSmom8 — Thu, 30 May 2013 06:22:27 GMT

Funz:
Vinegar and a toothbrush. Haha. Soak the shower head in vinegar for a few hours, overnight if you can. Then use a toothbrush to scrub off any residue clinging on. You can get those descaling tablets/powder as well. I used to get them from Mothercare for descaling the steriliser and warmer.

Thanks for the tip. I also descale my airport and kettle with those packets of citric acid - leftover from sterilizer. Works well.

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Sun, 26 May 2013 09:27:28 GMT

insider — Sun, 26 May 2013 09:27:28 GMT

My brother's new HDB bathroom tiles are SO UGLY!! I really hate it and when my niece saw it, she asked me \"Wah, look like a public toilet!\"

Really dont understand what kind of people are working for HDB with so AWFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL taste.

Since cannot hack (can't hack within 3 years), have to do the dreadful overlay (taking risk of 'tiles popping' in future and have to redo).

Need feedback if anyone with experience of Rain Shower:

1. I am currently looking at Grohe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3H2exhhf0o

or Ideal Bathroom Rain Shower System.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyOdL4L1i3E

Which one is better?

2. Will the Rain Shower become a white elephant later?

Anyone would recommend a good shower head please?

PS:
Wanna please my brother when doing up his bathroom. He gave in to my mum for almost the design for everything in his house (mum's taste and his taste very different and I have to take 'directions' from them and try to please both). His bathroom is the only place that my mum totally hands-off and so I think I can 'play' a bit for that space but then still trying hard to avoid white elephant...

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 13 May 2013 06:01:50 GMT

buds — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:01:50 GMT

atrecord:
Yes, water proofing nowadays - like everything else - is not as good as it was decades ago. I remember I stayed 15 yrs in a previous flat with my parents and there was no complaints from our neighbour downstairs nor from us (on our neighbour upstairs). After we moved to another flat, our neighbour downstairs complained of ceiling leaks in the toilets after some years, and we had to re-waterproof it.

Then when I got married and had my own flat, we found our neighbour's toilets upstairs got leak. Asked them to fix it, which they tried to avoid till we got HDB to send them a letter, and within a few years it leaked again...

The contractors for industrial/commercial projects also provides warranty for only 5 yr, as I realised at work previously.

So to avoid inconvenience later, it is advisable not to save the money or trouble and re-waterproof the toilet if you're renovating anyway. And depending on your needs, you might want to choose tiles that are smooth (for easy washing), or has more grip (for safety).

Agree with you.

We also selected the better tiles. Ours were called homogenous tiles. (floor)

The ones on our walls are glossy and easy to wash. Just a sponge and soap/wee bit of CIF does a great job. Colour selection also important... for better disguise.

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 13 May 2013 03:42:46 GMT

atrecord — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:42:46 GMT

Oh, and better tell the upstairs neighbour/contractor and if need be inform HDB fast, when the contractor is still there. They should then sort out your problem at their costs, since it’s their responsibility.

If this delays and they have finished work, they might evade responsibility and then if problem persists and you want to resolve it and said it’s their waterproofing/works no good, you will then have to share the bill with them although work is done in their unit upstairs…

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 13 May 2013 03:37:07 GMT

atrecord — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:37:07 GMT

For sure it’s HDB, not town council - although if TC is good they might have helped to contact HDB.

Which pipe is leaking, and where’s the leak?

I had some experience too:

Once, the contractor upstairs when redoing the waterproofing/tiling of toilets, forgot to put a plastic like cylindrical structure in the floortrap, so while toilet floor was waterproofed properly, when water drains off into floortrap, it can seep into the cement side of the floortrap before it drains into the plastic pipe. This water seeps through cement and leaks out from the top of my pipes and drips down. Complained to the neighbour/contractor and they rectified it by putting in the plastic cylindrical structure to join to the plastic pipe so water does not come into contact with exposed cement between floortrap and the drain pipe inside/underneath.

Another time is the metal pipe itself i think seal at the connectors not so good so got bit leaks that will accumulate… That was during SARS period when HK one apartment got pple kanna infected through drainage pipe. HDB came to use some sealant to seal it up FOC…

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 13 May 2013 01:12:06 GMT

straffan23 — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:12:06 GMT

My experience is this: Town council handles everything outside the flat. HDB handles everything inside the flat.

Best to find a reliable contractor/ID and redo the flooring. Especially with the kind of drainage you mentioned. Unfortunately, for HDB using the kind of concealed drainage is the only solution - all the more so you should hack and re-do after all these years.

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Mon, 13 May 2013 00:17:00 GMT

Dreamgear — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:17:00 GMT

qms:
Dreamgear:
The town council will step in and make your neighbour upstair rectify any damage to your unit, if the damage was due to their make-over

Don't think it's Town Council's job. It should be HDB, right? Town Council handles the management of the estate.

For my case, i call up the town council and they arrange from there.... But could be they looped hdb in... Not sure if thats the case

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Sun, 12 May 2013 22:49:15 GMT

qms — Sun, 12 May 2013 22:49:15 GMT

Dreamgear:
The town council will step in and make your neighbour upstair rectify any damage to your unit, if the damage was due to their make-over

Don't think it's Town Council's job. It should be HDB, right? Town Council handles the management of the estate.

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Sat, 11 May 2013 02:02:51 GMT

Dreamgear — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:02:51 GMT

The town council will step in and make your neighbour upstair rectify any damage to your unit, if the damage was due to their make-over

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Sat, 11 May 2013 01:59:44 GMT

Www — Sat, 11 May 2013 01:59:44 GMT

How Town council touch up the unit? Need to pay?

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Sat, 11 May 2013 00:56:47 GMT

Www — Sat, 11 May 2013 00:56:47 GMT

Dreamgear:
Www:
Can neighbor's interior designer continues the work after the expired of the hacking period?

Upstairs neighbour still doing renovation to bathroom after the date stated on the paper, till now water dripping to our bathroom pipe. Have been a few times already. First ceiling cracking, now after the date, the renovation still continues... even now pipe got affected.

:frustrated: I am the one cleaning after the mess.
Did you call town council? They are supposed to come down to touch up your unit after they have finished. If water dripping, that means their water proofing is not down properly. Better ensure its done properly, else it will be more trouble for your down the road...

Town council got provide such service? The last time when ceiling crack, the upstairs ID sent the staff do for free. Now after the reno period stated on paper send to us, they still ongoing what they call \"minor reno\". :nunchuk: Do not know what they do until now our pipe starts to leak. The staff from ID said they clearing clog basin? Clear until our pipe leaks. :stompfeet:

On and off I have to clean up. :frustrated: Could we write to HDB complain and ask the upstairs to stop the minor reno since after the date stated on the paper?

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Fri, 10 May 2013 13:33:03 GMT

Dreamgear — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:33:03 GMT

Www:
Can neighbor's interior designer continues the work after the expired of the hacking period?

Upstairs neighbour still doing renovation to bathroom after the date stated on the paper, till now water dripping to our bathroom pipe. Have been a few times already. First ceiling cracking, now after the date, the renovation still continues... even now pipe got affected.

:frustrated: I am the one cleaning after the mess.

Did you call town council? They are supposed to come down to touch up your unit after they have finished. If water dripping, that means their water proofing is not down properly. Better ensure its done properly, else it will be more trouble for your down the road...

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Fri, 10 May 2013 12:33:46 GMT

Www — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:33:46 GMT

Can neighbor's interior designer continues the work after the expired of the hacking period?

Upstairs neighbour still doing renovation to bathroom after the date stated on the paper, till now water dripping to our bathroom pipe. Have been a few times already. First ceiling cracking, now after the date, the renovation still continues... even now pipe got affected.

:frustrated: I am the one cleaning after the mess.

Reply to Renovation of HDB bathrooms on Tue, 07 May 2013 06:20:15 GMT

atrecord — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:20:15 GMT

Yes, water proofing nowadays - like everything else - is not as good as it was decades ago. I remember I stayed 15 yrs in a previous flat with my parents and there was no complaints from our neighbour downstairs nor from us (on our neighbour upstairs). After we moved to another flat, our neighbour downstairs complained of ceiling leaks in the toilets after some years, and we had to re-waterproof it.

Then when I got married and had my own flat, we found our neighbour’s toilets upstairs got leak. Asked them to fix it, which they tried to avoid till we got HDB to send them a letter, and within a few years it leaked again…

The contractors for industrial/commercial projects also provides warranty for only 5 yr, as I realised at work previously.

So to avoid inconvenience later, it is advisable not to save the money or trouble and re-waterproof the toilet if you’re renovating anyway. And depending on your needs, you might want to choose tiles that are smooth (for easy washing), or has more grip (for safety).