Used house surprises, even 10 years later

[Jaime C]

We’ve been having peculiar electrical issues in our house this week. Tripping both upstairs and downstairs breakers at the same time. No air fryer or microwave usage, and not during a time all lights are on.

I ended up turning my 1/2 pk AC off a couple of nights. Then it happened again at about 2am, yesterday when the AC was already off.

My wife called PLN, and a tech showed up in a couple of hours.

Even though we did a huge top to bottom remodel on the house when we bought it 10 years ago, some rooms we basically left alone. Seems the electrical wiring going to the guest bathroom on the main floor was pretty badly done. A couple of breakers needed replacing, too.

We paid the PLN guy about 550k, with receipt. Hopefully no more problems.

 

[jstar]

Eh, 10 years over here is practically the time a major renovation (read: rebuild) is necessary again.

Hyoerboling a bit but you get my drift.

Talking about flipping circuit breakers (MCB’s) and electrical wiring electrocuting multiple cats on the roof:

 

[Bad_azz]

For us after 13 years it seems to be all the plumbing; pipes either splitting or growing holes- it is a never ending bocor hunt.

 

[marcus]

Luckily in 21 years our small & badly built (but electrical installation better than the one in Jstar's photos) house had only 1 important recent problem so far : the plastic sewage pipes broke & blocked so we could not use our toilet for around 4 days . But we will soon need to change around 10 m2 of rusted rain water collector in the roof .

 

[jstar]

The PVC piping is always risky here. Direct sunlight will break down the structural integrity of the plastic. The same for the use of chemicals and temperature fluctuations. Over here they often use the thin version and glue to connect pipes (instead of manchet/sleeve). Cost cutting and ease of use make it just a matter of time before it deteriorates.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a good alternative. And PP(R) ia a very good solution against high temperatures. But then it can’t be glued but has to be ‘welded’. And with the black pipe welding method you need special equipment from Rothenberger or so which is sold here (LTC) but very expensive.

 

[Jaime C]

We had problems last year with the drainage pipes. Someone had poured grease down the kitchen sink, and over time, a pretty solid blockage happened way down the pipes.

It’s always an adventure here, for sure!

 

[jstar]

Soda api would resolve and remove the blockages but could also destroy the pvc pipes.

 

[harryopal1]

Soda api would resolve and remove the blockages but could also destroy the pvc pipes.

That sounds a bit like... The operation was done brilliantly but we killed the patient.

 

[jstar]

Well Harry, as so often here it is choosing between the pest and cholera.

That deblocker reacts with the dirt/grease/… in the pipe and literally starts boiling. Extreme temperatures so if you rinse it fast or it falls down it could be okay. But if you’re too late…

 

[jstar]

Btw. It’s always smart not to have too many ‘side branches’ in the pipes. And no 90° angles. Let them all come to a collection box that has a bigger pipe to the sewer.

It facilitates the cleaning, esp. with the flexible metal crawler and -my personal favorite- the ‘bicycle pump’ system that explodes with a lot of force. Both cheap solutions.

 

[snpark]

Sitting in the outside throne room dropping the kids off at the pool and a huge gnarly hungry mozzy settles onto your balls. Pop quiz hot shot. Watcha gonna do.