Renovation: Legate vs Blindexpert

We engaged Legate to do up our invisible grille, main gate and window grille and blind expert for zip track. Let me share my experience.

Legate:

• Sales is a China Chinese lady, who shared with me her past experience in this condo with whats'app pic and video. Very transparent.
• The wait from confirming the order to installation are about 1-2 months. They are busy, no doubt.
• The sales lady submitted the drawing and colour quote etc to the management office directly and informed me when the permit is approved.
• The installer (2-3 Indian) came on time and installed the gate, window but refused to install the invisible grille as the sales had submitted the wrong colour. He says will reschedule and bring back to redo the right colour. He says he knew the colour very well cos he did many in this project. I gave him a thumb up, very responsible, not to leave a headache for me. The installation takes about 2 full days.
• After-sales: the sales came over and make sure everything is in place for us before collecting the last payment.
• Overall, I'm pleased dealing with them.

8 months later, I wanted to install zip track, i called them up again for a quotation. Price range is the cheapest of all, but the one thing I don't like is about the wiring. They had a policy that for safety reason, the wiring has to be install outside the blind and kind of too expose. Hence i looked around and found blindexpert. 

Blindexpert:

• Sales is a Malaysia young chap, bringing all the materials up for the first meeting. He shared with me some points that the legate sales missed out that may cause some drainage problem. I'm quite happy with his proposal of the wiring and setting that he proposed. So decided to go for it even the price is higher than legate.
• After confirmation, The Salesperson keeps changing the installation date. From Friday to Sat to Monday then back to Friday. Their wait time after installation is about 2 weeks or less.
• I have to apply for the permit from MO myself. When I requested for drawing, he told me that he did 2 units in this project, and none asked for drawing. So he won't have any drawing. When I checked with MO on the other units, then realised the so call two units either did not submit to MO or its a bluff  deal, hence no records. I don't care, I insist the drawing else will have to change vendor. I don't care how ppl do it, I don't want to have any headache with the MO after installation.
• The installer came later from the appointment time, 2 Malaysia man and 1 china chinese took about 2 hrs to complete the job the installation of the metal bar WITHOUT the BLINDS. WHAT? yes, then they tell me that there is no stock of the blind. Worst is the installation and size i requested is different. This made me boils, scolded the sales and the manager, and they got the blinds for me the next day, another 6 hours job without rectified the size. Haiz. 
• After-sales: never heard from the sales other than collecting money. 

Alkaline water dispenser

Recently, my colleague is raving over alkaline water which she paid 3k+ from kangen water. She was sharing that she noticed signification improvement on her sons and husband especially when they came home perspiration but not smelly anymore. Does it worth the hype?

What is Alkaline water?

The “alkaline” in alkaline water refers to its pH level. Alkaline water has a higher pH level than regular drinking water. Because of this, some advocates of alkaline water believe it can neutralize the acid in your body. Normal drinking water generally has a neutral pH of 7.

After watching the introduction to Alkaline water on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfOcEH9OL2Y,

My os: “wow, too good to be true isn't it?”

Decided to put my husband on the test of alkaline water. I used alkaline water (those that I got it for baking) to wash the grapes vs normal water, without letting my hus and maid knows, and both say the grapes are different, the one washed by alkaline water tasted better. Not so “sei” I guess it’s because of the wax?

Started to read up more about alkaline water. Some say about the benefit of alkaline water,

- can help slow the ageing process, 

- regulate your body's pH level, 

- prevent chronic diseases like cancer,

- soothing acid reflux

- increased oxygen levels and improved energy and metabolism

- Detoxification

Sound good right? These are what people say, and claims but Clinical studies have not yet been able to support these claims confidently.

However, important note:
Do not drink ionized water 30 minutes before and up to 2 hours after taking medication. The smaller cluster size of the ionized water makes the water penetrate the cells in our body much more quickly, and it is best not to interfere with the prescribed absorption rate of the medication. 

In the market, there different models and brands:

1.     Without hot and cold dispenser, 5-7 different type of water series (Acidic – sanitization, facial wash; Purified – medication and baby food; Alkaline-drinking, cleaning, food preparation)
- Kangen Water: has 5 different types of water series. http://kangensingapore.com/product/kangen-leveluk-sd-501/

-        Novita: has 7 different types of water series. http://estore.novita.com.sg/products/water/water-ionizer/hydroplus-premium-water-ionizer-np9960i.html#.W4kJomYUkhc

-        From Best Denki, there is another brand like cleansui and Panasonic which having the same functionality.

2.     With hot and cold water dispenser and comes either with mild alkaline water at about PH8.5 or Purified water by removing one of the alkaine filter.

-        Novita: HydroPlus(alkaline water) or HydroPure(Purified water)  http://estore.novita.com.sg/products/water/hot-cold-water-dispenser/pre-order-hydrocubetm-hot-cold-water-dispenser-w9-delivery-collection-from-about-nov-2018.html#.W4kL6GYUkhc

-        3M Purification Water dispenser: https://www.3m.com.sg/3M/en_SG/purification-sg/Promotions/

-        Hydroflux: https://www.hydroflux.com.sg/

-        There are a lot more brands like coway, amway, etc

Each model will required to change the filter on 6 to 12 months (depends on usage), ranged at about $200 to $600 depending on the brand too.

Should i?

Do we need filter system at home?

Recently i saw some article on facebook that how harmful is heavy metals to our health and it is very difficult to expel from our body. Recalled the BRT treatment Janelle went thru in previous years, there is always heavy metals found in Janelle body. So was thinking if should we get a filter system at home since water is one of the important sources in our body. I was thinking if really that important, i don't mind to set aside one to two thousand for a good water filter for my family.

When i start researching and went wild on my reading... more and more filter system comes in.. and getting more and more expensive.

1) Diamond water - one of the brands that had been in Singapore market for many years and pop's place had used for a few years before we removed it. The product claimed it helps break water molecule clusters into smaller clusters for easier absorption and will enhanced the metabolism, improves gastrointestinal condition, improve fruit taste, better absorption of health supplements/medication, plants will growth faster and healthier and boil easily.

It consists of 6 filters:

• Filter A: Top notch ceramic filter, thoroughly filter out impurities like chlorine, dirt, rust and bacteria. 
• Filter B: activated carbon & natural mineral stones remove organic contaminants, unpleasant odours & colours in the water, while regulate mineral content. 
• Filter C: metal ion filter thoroughly removes heavy metals, chlorine and other chemical contaminates.
• Filter D: natural magnetic ceramic balls with natural mineral magnetic stones effectively break water molecule clusters into the smallest possible size.
• Filter E: natural mineral stones stabilises energy in the water to keep water molecule clusters at the smallest size for a prolonged period of time. 
• Filter F: calcium ions helps balance the water to a mild alkaline level.
• Price: $1680 

Push factor: 

• Diamond uses carbon filter but doesn't effectively remove harmful contaminants. Reports and news from Taiwan and Hong Kong claimed they have made false claims and banned them.
• Out of the six filters, only two are certified.

 

2) Hydroflux - one of Singapore’s first very own brand of water purification systems. It products Alkaline Water that brings benefit our immune systems. The filters will eliminate harmful bacteria. The Carbon Filter removes many volatile organic chemicals, pesticides and herbicides as well as chlorine, benzene, trihalaomethane compounds found in tap-water. It breaksdown the water molecules too, and 50% improvement in hydraiotion and 3x more effctive detoxification process. The water system produces water with anti-oxidant properties which help to boosting our immune systems.

Hydroflux filtration system is equipped with a 4-staged filtration system:

· Sediment filter - Remove dust, clay, water rust and other solid particles.

· Ultra-filtration filter - Consist of pores size 0.01 Microns, remove bacteria, micro-organisms.

· Carbon Filter - Using activated carbon technology, removes chemical substances such as chlorine, TMH compounds, borons etc.

· Alkaline Filter -Inputs alkaline mineral salts such as Ca into our water to increase the pH of the water, turning water from acidic to alkaline which is more suitable for our consumption.

Manufactured and shipped from our factor base at Korean, Hydroflux filters are strictly tested and certified.

Price: $2,188.00 / $2688 with purewater for baby

Each Filter change cost about $250

3) 3M - this is the one where i saw xiaxue photos beside it in homefix. It claims that their carbon block technology will reduces chlorine taste and odour, slime and rust, cysts, heavy metals like lead and with hot water applications.

Price: S$1,488

This morning, i asked myself again. Do we really need a filter system in Singapore where we all know that government had did a very good job with our drinking water ensuring it is safe for us to drink.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/askst-could-tap-water-to-homes-be-contaminated-by-heavy-metals-from-the-pipes

2015 Christmas Tree

Due to space constraint this year as we build in a TV console that maximum all white space, so i put my Christmas tree on the wall..

This is a combined of 2 2.7m long Xmas wired Christmas decor.. It's allow us twist and bend to any shape we want. Thanks to my helper, we managed to put this up within an hour or so.. (Pls don't ask me where my hus.. ><) 

Initially I started 3M stick on hock.. But after first 2.7m went up, which I need about 6, I find it too costly. $6 for two, 6x3 already costed me $18. So I went to local hardware store got got those cheaper version 2 for $1.20 and in order to protect my wall, I replaced the stick with 3M. And that's half of the price. Not very pretty as the 3M isn't the right size, but it's ok, cos it will be all covered up.