The Home Improvements Thread (2)

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Anyone know what exactly is covered by the electric COC?

Does it cover only the points and switches or should the wiring also be inspected?

Went into the roof and see wires for the lights just lying on the ceiling, lives, neutrals, and earths all bare, not in any casing.
 
MjK said:
Anyone know what exactly is covered by the electric COC?

Does it cover only the points and switches or should the wiring also be inspected?

Went into the roof and see wires for the lights just lying on the ceiling, lives, neutrals, and earths all bare, not in any casing.
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CoC covers everything from distribution board to the plugs/light fittings... so wiring should be covered.

Is this in a house you just bought? Have any pics of the wiring?
 
MjK said:
Anyone know what exactly is covered by the electric COC?

Does it cover only the points and switches or should the wiring also be inspected?

Went into the roof and see wires for the lights just lying on the ceiling, lives, neutrals, and earths all bare, not in any casing.
Click to expand...

Check out ecasa.co.za for an example. Do you mean copper is exposed or plastic wires lying in your roof?
 
krieg said:
Check out ecasa.co.za for an example. Do you mean copper is exposed or plastic wires lying in your roof?
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Copper exposed, as well as some connectors lying in a metal plug box, the ones that are supposed to be fitted into a wall.

Even had one switch point where there were cables connected to the feed from the DB, that was totally open, but luckily the ends were still in the PVC pipe coming from the ceiling.
 
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MjK said:
View attachment 1039750

House I just bought
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That should never have passed CoC.
I'm not sure what the correct process here is though... notify company that did CoC, or estate agent that sold you the place.

A formal complaint should be lodged against that company with the relevant authorities
 
Are water hammer arrestors not a thing here in SA?

The plumbing put in for my new laundry area is giving one heck of a kick when my washing fills and stops with water.
 
SAguy said:
Are water hammer arrestors not a thing here in SA?

The plumbing put in for my new laundry area is giving one heck of a kick when my washing fills and stops with water.
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Our water pressure isn't as high as American homes hence you don't really see them here. Plumber should have put some bends in your pipe as it's caused by the washing machine shutting the valve too quickly.
 
SAguy said:
Are water hammer arrestors not a thing here in SA?

The plumbing put in for my new laundry area is giving one heck of a kick when my washing fills and stops with water.
Click to expand...

Check this thread first

Water Hammer Arrestor for clanking pipes

Hi Anyone know where I can buy a DIY water hammer arrestor? I've seen some on Amazon that you just connect between the tap and the washing machine. Or any idea what a plumber will charge to install one as well as a directional valve? Thanks
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
SAguy said:
@MjK Please do lodge a complaint against the company, the CoC "industry" has become a money making scheme for incompetent and lazy electricians - just a quick way to make a buck with doing minimal work.
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Will be doing so, I called the guy who did the COC and he said its not his job to check the wiring. He only plugs in his tester and if it's all lit up he carries on.
 
MjK said:
View attachment 1039750

House I just bought
Click to expand...
MjK said:
Will be doing so, I called the guy who did the COC and he said its not his job to check the wiring. He only plugs in his tester and if it's all lit up he carries on.
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Point him in the direction of the old boy who did mine. In his 70's. Proper tradesman. He gave me such a hard time, going through every connection, switch and junction box. Wasn't happy with an earth reading - so he examines every connection, looking for the fault, finds it and fixes it. Made me label EVERY breaker PROPERLY.
Wanted me crawling under the house, taking pics of things he couldn't see.
Just sad that some guys couldn't give a ****.
The regs are there for a reason. Electricity can kill people.
 
MjK said:
Will be doing so, I called the guy who did the COC and he said its not his job to check the wiring. He only plugs in his tester and if it's all lit up he carries on.
Click to expand...

It's gonna be his job to fix it free of charge and get a warning from ecasa
 
Grouter said:
Point him in the direction of the old boy who did mine. In his 70's. Proper tradesman. He gave me such a hard time, going through every connection, switch and junction box. Wasn't happy with an earth reading - so he examines every connection, looking for the fault, finds it and fixes it. Made me label EVERY breaker PROPERLY.
Wanted me crawling under the house, taking pics of things he couldn't see.
Just sad that some guys couldn't give a ****.
The regs are there for a reason. Electricity can kill people.
Click to expand...
This breaker story as well, I asked him what one of the breakers does as it's not labelled, he tells me they removed a plug point and that's what the breaker powered. Anyways I'll call ecasa and see what comes of it.
 
MjK said:
This breaker story as well, I asked him what one of the breakers does as it's not labelled, he tells me they removed a plug point and that's what the breaker powered. Anyways I'll call ecasa and see what comes of it.
Click to expand...

I hate this about a CoC and buying a place. You could be happy that your new house has outside plugs, a pool light, flood lights etc... and then when you move in you find out it's all been disconnected instead of made to be up to code. Then it's a fight with the previous seller, estate agent and electrician.
 
So, he is not a member of ECASA, they can not help with it.
Will see if I can actually get through to someone in the department of labour.
 
MjK said:
So, he is not a member of ECASA, they can not help with it.
Will see if I can actually get through to someone in the department of labour.
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ECASA is unfortunately your only option. On your COC is anything filled in e.g. R1, Ze, etc values? Those numbers should have been noted down if he did the plugs at least.
 
MjK said:
So, he is not a member of ECASA, they can not help with it.
Will see if I can actually get through to someone in the department of labour.
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There has to be some sort of route to take, otherwise I could start issuing certificates just because I want money.

Since the seller is responsible for this - I'd take it up with the transfer attorneys.
 
I've been doing a small bit of renovating on the upstairs at my house. New flooring, ceiling and some painting. We decided to pull out an old cupboard on the landing with the intention of building a slightly smaller unit in the space.

Got a quote for 9k to for the materials (cheap wood) and for cutting. Seems rather high to me. Unit needs to be 1.8m high or so and 1.9m wide. Three to four shelves.

9k too much or am I just being cheap?
 
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