Thread: Unexplained house problems

With all of the knowledge on TD, I'm hoping someone can direct me.
10 months ago I completed a house in Issan. At the time I bought what I thought was good bathroom fixtures (chrome finish from Germany) and good doors. The wood with carving that you have all seen.
These were bought from a major home improvement store.
Here is the problem:
Doors are very warped (had applied stain and polyurethane when new) All fixtures are very corroded, and I am unable to fix that.
Does anyone have any idea what would cause these problems, and what I can do in the future?
I will have to get new doors, so I guess metal framed glass.
Any suggestions?

The only good doors here cost at least 30000 each all others look good when new but the wood is not kiln dried and warps as it dries. Bath room fittings need very regular cleaning as the basic water here is very corrosive to them.

The chrome plated stuff is usually rubbish - only good for a year tops. Composite crap in a chrome dip. Stainless steel is the way to go in Thailand. Anything from homepro and homeworks is the cheapest shite sold at the most expensive prices. It really is shocking what they get away with. You can try fibreglass doors - they will last a lifetime.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

The chrome plated stuff is usually rubbish - only good for a year tops. Composite crap in a chrome dip. Stainless steel is the way to go in Thailand. Anything from homepro and homeworks is the cheapest shite sold at the most expensive prices. It really is shocking what they get away with. You can try fibreglass doors - they will last a lifetime.

Yeah, the synthetic doors can be quite practical long term, yet usually lack style aesthetically .

I do get the sense that most jokers find that their only option is to shop/purchase through the usual big box stores - imprisoned by the unfit quality shit that most have to offer - the mass manufactured crap that one will expect to find in such places.

Doesn't anyone have the ability to explore alternatives as to how such applies to their projects or lives? There are numerous recourses and choices if one looks around and understands how to apply the alternatives to their situations......instead of going along with the herd and succumbing to the [almost always shitty quality] mass manufactured crap of today.


Simple example: have your chosen bathroom door [lovely wooden variety] custom made to your specifications and budget -

Plenty of independent craftsmen and establishments that are there for the taking.

Originally Posted by mykthemin

The only good doors here cost at least 30000 each all others look good when new but the wood is not kiln dried and warps as it dries. Bath room fittings need very regular cleaning as the basic water here is very corrosive to them.

Holy shit, 30,000 for a fucken door. WTF are they made from ?

Originally Posted by pseudolus

You can try fibreglass doors - they will last a lifetime.

We got them; very cheap, look shite, feel cheap, but no problems at all.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by mykthemin

The only good doors here cost at least 30000 each all others look good when new but the wood is not kiln dried and warps as it dries. Bath room fittings need very regular cleaning as the basic water here is very corrosive to them.

Holy shit, 30,000 for a fucken door. WTF are they made from ?

I have purchased solid teak doors from 5000 to 8000 baht and refuse to buy the synthetic crap. As thiameme said, there are some good craftsmen in Thailand that work with quality materials. The trick is finding them. I would like to find some quality stainless steel fixtures up here in the NE.

Regarding your bathroom fixtures, where's your water coming from? - town water supplies or village water supplies (via the wat)?

I'm on village water and I've experimented with buying decent taps etc and crap taps etc, and it doesn't seem to make any difference. After a few months, I get a corrosion effect that has a blue-green colour (reminds me of the colour that we used to get in grammar school chemistry experiments when doing anything with copper). I assume this is something to do with the chemicals that come through the village supply.

A spray with WD40 provides some solution to the problem but not 100%.

Re your chrome, wouldn't be surprised if it is the crap in your water. I used to have the same issue with corroded taps, brown stains where water dripped from the shower and stained toilets. Had none since I filtered my water with a whole house system.

My two bahts worth:
Faucets:
I suspect that most all faucet bodies are brass..Easy to machine and provides for pressure joints. Pot metal too hard as is stainless. Chromed pot metal handles on cheaper product.
Hate to think that corrosion is due to potable water? More likely use of harsh cleansers or soaps. Any problems with your kitchen faucet or that little chromed chain in your toilet cistern?
Lots of good Thai made product in hardware stores.
Used cheap taps in downstairs bathroom…no problems except part of pot metal handle snapped off washer supply tap.


Doors windows:
Had lots of expansion problems with 8 panel doors, windows and frames made of hardwood..Wet season all sticking so out with sander for three years during wet season…No issues last few years.
Apart from oily woods like teak or cedar all wood will absorb water from the atmosphere. Have a carved teak front door absolutely no problems. Think the topical sealants I applied all but useless in trying to prevent water absorption.

VR products are made of stainless steel, Thai producer of quality items, not to pricey, good stuff that lasts...

Products found in all major shops arount the kingdom, i found them in Home Depot in Philippines as well.

VR Stainless | Stainless Steel Manufacturing Supplier, Thailand

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I do get village water, and I'm sure that's the problem. I think my next steps are to ask around for a good filter, and replace one bathroom fixture to start with and see what happens.l
If anyone has any recommendations re a filter, I'd love to hear it. This is all way out of my expertise.

Originally Posted by phinik

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I do get village water, and I'm sure that's the problem. I think my next steps are to ask around for a good filter, and replace one bathroom fixture to start with and see what happens.l
If anyone has any recommendations re a filter, I'd love to hear it. This is all way out of my expertise.

Seems to be more of the fashion these days to drill your own well [if one has large enough property and can tap] - adding filtration systems - for household use. And local water systems for everything else outside, etc.

If such projects are within your budget, would be advisable.
If not, a decent solid system of filtration will probably suffice.

Yes, that was my point. I paid 30,000 baht for our solid teak double carved front doors, but interior solid teak doors can be found throughout Thailand for the price I quoted. They rarely warp and last forever, but one has to get off their butt and do some looking. Stay away from the cheap doors found in places like Global House or Do Home.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Yes, that was my point. I paid 30,000 baht for our solid teak double carved front doors, but interior solid teak doors can be found throughout Thailand for the price I quoted. They rarely warp and last forever, but one has to get off their butt and do some looking. Stay away from the cheap doors found in places like Global House or Do Home.

Indeed, Rick.

Custom made teak doors [or anything else, for that matter] can be doable at a reasonable cost.

I've got plenty of wood in my gaff in Laos , all my floors are wood , wooden staircase etc but the house was built 15 years ago so I'm guessing they used good wood then, hard to find good wood now due to over logging and expensive now to. The couple of carved doors I've bought lately have been crap and quickly warp,

What kind of wood were they BLD?

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Yes, that was my point. I paid 30,000 baht for our solid teak double carved front doors, but interior solid teak doors can be found throughout Thailand for the price I quoted. They rarely warp and last forever, but one has to get off their butt and do some looking. Stay away from the cheap doors found in places like Global House or Do Home.

Right, so hand carved exterior double doors are 30k, I can believe that but that other moron is implying a normal internal door is 30k.. Which clearly it aint.

Nope not that much for an internal door. If one is priced that high, just find another shop. My supplier actually grows their own trees which holds the price down. Many places are now using reclaimed teak from bridges and teak rice barns and houses. Dr. Andy had a good carpenter who reworked his teak.

Take a look at JP's building thread. He had some nice teak refurbished into very attractive trim, cabinets and doors as several other builders have done on this site. Just takes some research and patience.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Yes, that was my point. I paid 30,000 baht for our solid teak double carved front doors, but interior solid teak doors can be found throughout Thailand for the price I quoted. They rarely warp and last forever, but one has to get off their butt and do some looking. Stay away from the cheap doors found in places like Global House or Do Home.

Right, so hand carved exterior double doors are 30k, I can believe that but that other moron is implying a normal internal door is 30k.. Which clearly it aint.

Yes tosser good quality are 30000 and will out live us all especially a miserable old git like you. fooking wanker.

As some have suggested a filter system on all water supplies is useful. Their are many variations.

On sailing boats brass, bronze or copper is the metal of choice for water pipes and fitings, due to sea water corrosion one suspects.

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Yes, that was my point. I paid 30,000 baht for our solid teak double carved front doors, but interior solid teak doors can be found throughout Thailand for the price I quoted. They rarely warp and last forever, but one has to get off their butt and do some looking. Stay away from the cheap doors found in places like Global House or Do Home.

Right, so hand carved exterior double doors are 30k, I can believe that but that other moron is implying a normal internal door is 30k.. Which clearly it aint.

Yes tosser good quality are 30000 and will out live us all especially a miserable old git like you. fooking wanker.

And how many Bt.30,000 internal doors are in your house ?

If the answer is more than zero you are a liar.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Yes, that was my point. I paid 30,000 baht for our solid teak double carved front doors, but interior solid teak doors can be found throughout Thailand for the price I quoted. They rarely warp and last forever, but one has to get off their butt and do some looking. Stay away from the cheap doors found in places like Global House or Do Home.

Right, so hand carved exterior double doors are 30k, I can believe that but that other moron is implying a normal internal door is 30k.. Which clearly it aint.

Yes tosser good quality are 30000 and will out live us all especially a miserable old git like you. fooking wanker.

And how many Bt.30,000 internal doors are in your house ?

If the answer is more than zero you are a liar.

I have 8 in my house tosser, you know nothing about my house.

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Yes, that was my point. I paid 30,000 baht for our solid teak double carved front doors, but interior solid teak doors can be found throughout Thailand for the price I quoted. They rarely warp and last forever, but one has to get off their butt and do some looking. Stay away from the cheap doors found in places like Global House or Do Home.

Right, so hand carved exterior double doors are 30k, I can believe that but that other moron is implying a normal internal door is 30k.. Which clearly it aint.

Yes tosser good quality are 30000 and will out live us all especially a miserable old git like you. fooking wanker.

And how many Bt.30,000 internal doors are in your house ?

If the answer is more than zero you are a liar.

I have 8 in my house tosser, you know nothing about my house.

this little 'spat' ain't nothing without pics