Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

talosian

Feb 10, 2005, 10:01 AM

Post #1 of 5 (2714 views)

Shortcut

I'll bet Rolly can chime in here.

Can't Post | Private Reply

I have been going all around (inside and out) my 3-story casa and am having a real problem finding access to plumbing "stuff" such as clean-outs for the toilets. It seems things are buried in concrete and there is limited if any access should something happen. Am I right?

Also, I'm wondering if they use PVC here or Galvi. I am in Vista del Lago and I think the house was built about 4 years ago.

Lastly, is there such a place as "Planning" or "Building and Sefety" where there may be a set of original plans for my house including plumbing and electrical (as in the US)?

Thanks.

Spock.
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.

Rolly / Moderator

Feb 10, 2005, 10:34 AM

Post #2 of 5 (2709 views)

Shortcut

Re: [talosian] I'll bet Rolly can chime in here.

Can't Post | Private Reply

>It seems things are buried in concrete and there is limited if any access should something happen. Am I right?

Clean-outs as we now them in the USA are generally not found in Mexican construction. The typical Mexican clean-out is a brick box set in the ground outside the house. See my building story for a typical setup http://rollybrook.com/05-24-03.htm

>Also, I'm wondering if they use PVC here or Galvi. I am in Vista del Lago and I think the house was built about 4 years ago.

It is most likely PVC.

>Lastly, is there such a place as "Planning" or "Building and Sefety" where there may be a set of original plans for my house including plumbing and electrical (as in the US)?

It is very unlikely that anything useful will be available. Building permit requirements vary from place to place, but most are likely to require very simple drawings. The most important items of interest are columns and beams -- the structure. Things like plumbing and electrical are often not shown on plans at all; those are field decisions. Since yours is a 3-story building, the chances are good that there was an architect. He may have plans in his file. You might be able to find his name via the building permit department.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Feb 10, 2005, 10:37 AM)

patricio_lintz

Feb 12, 2005, 8:13 PM

Post #3 of 5 (2676 views)

Shortcut

Re: [talosian] I'll bet Rolly can chime in here.

Can't Post | Private Reply

My dad was a plumber, electrician, typewriter repairman, HVAC etc. etc. He worked for many years at the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas in plant maintenace.

I have watched him many times when he had such a problem.

The solution is ridiculously simple. 1) Shut off the toilet water supply. 2) Flush the tank. 3)Pour a gallon or so of water into the toilet base to drain the siphon. 4) Option: if you have no helper, unbolt the tank from the base and set it in the shower. If you have a helper, leave it on. 5) unbolt the toilet base and remove it, setting it in the shower on something like a garbage bag. The wax seal ring is very messy. 6) Now just run your toilet snake, or powered Rooter down the hole until the clog is clear.

To reinstall, remove old wax seal ring with a putty knife & install a new one. Then bolt everything back into place. Turn on the water and check for leaks.

I also learned sweat soldering, electrical repair, etc. mostly just by watching. Practice as an adult also helped.

One thing he would do which I will never even try is to wet two fingers and stick them into a live socket to check for power. The current goes from one finger to the other. He reported that it just gave a mild tingle. I prefer working on dead circuits with the master disconnect off.

bournemouth

Feb 13, 2005, 7:07 AM

Post #4 of 5 (2662 views)

Shortcut

Re: [patricio_lintz] I'll bet Rolly can chime in here.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Your father and the electrician working on our remodel have much in common. Juan tells us he can tell what the voltage is by how far up his arm the shock travels - I just look at him in horror. At his request, we brought him a volt meter from NOB but I think he's happiest with the old method.

patricio_lintz

Feb 13, 2005, 8:15 AM

Post #5 of 5 (2658 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bournemouth] I'll bet Rolly can chime in here.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Another good story!

The directions for cleaning out the sewer drain assumes that there is enough seepage to allow dumping the tank & toilet bowl. Otherwise, you have a very messy job. The kind where a plumber really earns his bucks.