Simple home DIY repairs

[Ct3833]

On 11/19/2021 at 9:33 AM, Mkl22 said:

A pin hole leak on my copper pipe. This was quite sudden. Wife heard water sounds in the toilet. Lucky we caught it early enough else the whole false ceiling would have been water logged had it happen during the night. 
managed to seal it temporary via a rubber strip and a G clamp. Will have to call a plumber to replace the section of pipe. Sigh old copper pipe woes. 
 

Good idea. 👍👍

Notice there is a breaker above your false ceiling, good design. 

Edited November 21, 2021 by Ct3833

[Lala81]

Lol I tried to install the base for my living room TV just now. And realised... I threw away the base plate required to attach to the stand. I thought it was the base stand for my old Samsung TV which I junked in 2019. 

Now as per @inlinesix, I need to get a vesa universal tv mount. 搞笑行动。

[Fitvip]

On 11/19/2021 at 11:35 AM, Stratovarius said:

You shouldn't use dissimilar materials for pipping:

https://www.nuflowmidwest.com/will-using-dissimilar-plumbing-pipe-metals-accelerate-pipe-corrosion/

Other than corrosion, it will leak easily due to different material hardness. 

I have been using dissimilar material whenever I need to replace the leaking pipes. So long, so far, no problem!

[Stratovarius]

5 minutes ago, Fitvip said:

I have been using dissimilar material whenever I need to replace the leaking pipes. So long, so far, no problem!

Maybe you can. The leaks will not show so fast but it's just not the proper way of doing things. Similarly, alot of electricians for reno anyhow one. 

i admit i take alot of reference from industrial standards due to my job nature. lol. if a plumber tells me to use dissimilar material i would probably screw him upside down and label him as an incompetent plumber. on the other hand, a general contractor will probably advise against using different material. Maybe that's why my ID say my standard very "high". It is not high, just that alot of standards are not practiced for home reno. This is to cut cost and owners are not aware of the difference.  

[Fitvip]

When I bought the flat, it came with PVC piping. I changed them to copper. On hindsight, I should have used Stainless Steel instead.

13 minutes ago, Stratovarius said:

Maybe you can. The leaks will not show so fast but it's just not the proper way of doing things. Similarly, alot of electricians for reno anyhow one. 

i admit i take alot of reference from industrial standards due to my job nature. lol. if a plumber tells me to use dissimilar material i would probably screw him upside down and label him as an incompetent plumber. on the other hand, a general contractor will probably advise against using different material. Maybe that's why my ID say my standard very "high". It is not high, just that alot of standards are not practiced for home reno. This is to cut cost and owners are not aware of the difference.  

If I were to have a new house, or I renovate the house, of course I will insist the proper materials to be used. Like electrical cables, there are various grades. Pipes too!

When I bought the flat, it came with PVC piping. They looked so flimsy! I changed them to copper. On hindsight, I should have used Stainless Steel instead.

For repair of pin holes etc, I wouldn't mind using SS to replace copper pipes. And no, there  is no leaks!

Pipes, after all, are just conveyors for water to flow thru! Unless, there is proof that the water going thru SS and copper pipes would generate harmful materials!

Edited November 22, 2021 by Fitvip

[Kxbc]

On 11/21/2021 at 10:30 AM, mersaylee said:

I had to find my own stand and matching screws when I inherited an old big led screen from a relative…many similar ones at carousell…luckily I measured the distance between all mounting points and verified with various sellers…

after almost 2 months a correct one came along…I used a long nail to determine the length of screw needed then used my stockpile of matching reused screws I gathered from discarded appliances and voila…boh pian…boh lui is liddat one 😁

my small collection of unused screws from different appliances did save my diy job 2 times. But it is really dependent on luck.

[mersaylee]

6 minutes ago, Kxbc said:

my small collection of unused screws from different appliances did save my diy job 2 times. But it is really dependent on luck.

Mine are mostly used but salvaged for reuse after I dismantled the appliances 

I have even those tiny little ones for spectacles 😁

[Stratovarius]

34 minutes ago, Fitvip said:

When I bought the flat, it came with PVC piping. I changed them to copper. On hindsight, I should have used Stainless Steel instead.

If I were to have a new house, or I renovate the house, of course I will insist the proper materials to be used. Like electrical cables, there are various grades. Pipes too!

When I bought the flat, it came with PVC piping. They looked so flimsy! I changed them to copper. On hindsight, I should have used Stainless Steel instead.

For repair of pin holes etc, I wouldn't mind using SS to replace copper pipes. And no, there  is no leaks!

Pipes, after all, are just conveyors for water to flow thru! Unless, there is proof that the water going thru SS and copper pipes would generate harmful materials!

Not sure what pipe is it but pvc is usually use for drainage pipes. Supply pipes generally need SS or copper as they are pressurized and need more secure joints. 

It's not about generating harmful materials in this case. Just that combining 2 materials will accelerate corrosion. And if use SS fittings to join a SS and Cu pipe together, the SS fittings being harder will damage the thread on the Cu pipe if over tighten. 

[Karoon]

@Volvobrick same. I only call plumbers for toilet bowl replacement. Normal leaks, replace inside of cistern, should be homeowners 'projects'.

[Kklim]

On 11/21/2021 at 1:22 PM, Kb27 said:

TV stand is always a problem. 

If you decide to hang it, then later you try to put it back on the stand, you can't find it or lose item like screws.

They don't sell the parts, they expect you to buy a new TV.

https://shopee.sg/TV-Mount-Hardware-Kit-Wall-Mount-Screw-Washer-Spacer-36PCS-M4-M5-M6-M8-i.13756617.2026234715?sp_atk=266342be-68cc-43a9-9d7e-d6cdf7f46057

[Ct3833]

On 11/21/2021 at 5:46 PM, Lala81 said:

Lol I tried to install the base for my living room TV just now. And realised... I threw away the base plate required to attach to the stand. I thought it was the base stand for my old Samsung TV which I junked in 2019. 

Now as per @inlinesix, I need to get a vesa universal tv mount. 搞笑行动。

Don't waste time , go buy a new TV🤣🤣

[Karoon]

@Lala81 last time my contractor put up screws on my wall  (drill+plastic wall plugs+ screws) to mount mirrors , racks etc, he used a tool that could detect wires and pipes behind the wall before he started. So, careful there!

 

[Lala81]

3 hours ago, Karoon said:

@Lala81 last time my contractor put up screws on my wall  (drill+plastic wall plugs+ screws) to mount mirrors , racks etc, he used a tool that could detect wires and pipes behind the wall before he started. So, careful there!

 

Hmm you are probably referring to this. It's a bosch gms 120 wood stud/wire/metal pipe detector. But it may not work so well if the wall is thicker? 

https://s.lazada.sg/s.ZvkJc

u need to have some common sense and understanding of how things run in your home. 

Definitely don't anyhow put a screw if u are not sure. 

Anyway for me it can sorta be seen where the concealed wires were laid cos the plastering and cement is slightly different if u look closely at the light reflection off the paint. 

My place is quite old Liao, so it doesn't come precast with concealed wiring. 

Edited November 22, 2021 by Lala81

[Volvobrick]

3 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

Hmm you are probably referring to this. It's a bosch gms 120 wood stud/wire/metal pipe detector. But it may not work so well with concrete and especially in toilets. 

https://s.lazada.sg/s.ZvkJc

u need to have some common sense and understanding of how things run in your home. 

Definitely don't anyhow put a screw if u are not sure. 

Best advice in this thread - Don't anyhow screw.... 

[Kb27]

15 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

Hmm you are probably referring to this. It's a bosch gms 120 wood stud/wire/metal pipe detector. But it may not work so well if the wall is thicker? 

https://s.lazada.sg/s.ZvkJc

u need to have some common sense and understanding of how things run in your home. 

Definitely don't anyhow put a screw if u are not sure. 

Anyway for me it can sorta be seen where the concealed wires were laid cos the plastering and cement is slightly different if u look closely at the light reflection off the paint. 

My place is quite old Liao, so it doesn't come precast with concealed wiring. 

Metal detectors are used exclusively in American homes where the construction is wooden vertical studs covered by drywall. Pipes and electrical wiring are always hidden behind the drywall.

Thus to drill into the drywall, metal detectors are needed to avoid hitting pipes and wiring.

Now do we need them here ? Probably it depends on how the apartment or house is constructed.

[Mkl22]

48 minutes ago, Kb27 said:

Metal detectors are used exclusively in American homes where the construction is wooden vertical studs covered by drywall. Pipes and electrical wiring are always hidden behind the drywall.

Thus to drill into the drywall, metal detectors are needed to avoid hitting pipes and wiring.

Now do we need them here ? Probably it depends on how the apartment or house is constructed.

Majority of private housing the electrical wires and pipes are concealed. So it does help. Typically pipe and power cable runs should be vertical or horizontal from the outlet. But there can be some idiot contractors who heck care and pull the line via the shortest distance to save on cable. 

[Lala81]

Hahaha my auger arrived last night. Today morning used it. And look what it removed. 

Obstruction cleared. Will follow up with some drain cleaner chemical. 

Quite happy. Good start to the day. 

[Kb27]

I think some contractors are lazy. When they are working on the tiles, they push debris into the drain discharge. They don't care bcuz they are no longer around when the drain clogs up.

My first hdb flat clogged, my mum use her hand to dig up loose cement, etc. How did they get there? Obviously left behind by the contractors. Those rocks, hardened cement, they don't go away, even if you use chemical, bcuz it has no effect on them. Basically, the drain has bcum half size.