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I was relatively happy with our Ring products. The app works really well, with several clever features and settings, and it integrates fairly well with Alexa, which for better or worse is now rather integrated into our house. However, after a break in I want to install some more cameras outside, and I really rather use PoE cameras as I don’t really have any other sensible way to power them and this saves having to sort out an external WiFi AP, although that could be done if absolutely necessary. To my surprise, the ONLY outdoor PoE cam that Ring do (apart from the Elite doorbell, which I think might have been discontinued in any case) is the Ring Stick Up Cam Elite 2nd generation -(formerly known as Stick Up Cam Wired)–2018 release. Given its now 7 years old, I find that surprising and indicative of a company that is not focused on the prosumer market which is a shame. I know their subscription plans get a lot of stick on this forum, but I quite like the peace of mind that it’s all being stored on the cloud and backed up on the cloud. Gives me one less thing to worry about. I asked ChatGpt what alternatives there are to Ring, which come with the option of a cloud based video hosting and have decent PoE options, and assuming ChatGPT is right, those alternatives are: Reolink Reolink provides a range of PoE outdoor cameras, such as the RLC-820A, featuring 4K resolution and smart detection capabilities. They offer cloud storage plans, allowing users to access and manage footage remotely. Swann Swann offers PoE security camera systems, such as the Master Series 4K PoE NVR, which includes multiple cameras and a network video recorder (NVR) with substantial local storage. While Swann primarily focuses on local storage solutions, they also provide cloud storage options for specific models, enabling remote access to video footage. Aqara Aqara’s Camera Hub G5 Pro is an outdoor camera compatible with Apple HomeKit Secure Video, offering PoE connectivity and integration with iCloud for secure cloud storage. This camera provides features like color night vision and AI-based motion detection, ensuring reliable performance and seamless access to footage through Apple’s ecosystem. Eagle Eye Networks Eagle Eye Networks specializes in cloud-based video surveillance solutions, supporting a wide range of PoE cameras. Their platform offers robust cloud storage and management features, catering to both commercial and residential needs. Users can integrate various camera models into Eagle Eye’s system for centralized cloud storage and remote access. Does anyone have any experience of the cloud services offered by each of these companies?

I have done exactly that: my side gate is 3.2m tall, made of steel with very sharp spikes on top. All my locks are PAS24 rated and all glazing on ground floor is laminated. We have a few cameras and some security lighting. The problem is that my neighbours have not done the same. And London being as densely populated as it is, you can enter through one craply defended house, and then climb over fences until you find the house you are targeting. Razor wire may possibly help with that, and I’m not bothered if someone gets cut on it. That’s the point, it’s a deterrent. But query whether it will deter this scum. What else can I do?

After a nasty burglary, I need to further strengthen my defences. I had a PAS24 window broken into by the burglars simply crow baring it so that it twisted almost of its frame. It probably took them all of 5 minutes to do it and as the glass is laminated it didn’t shatter and cause a noise. Is PAS24 a con? Any stronger security standards for the replacement window I will have to order? Our window is an aluminium crittall style window. The company that supplied and fitted our window also makes steel windows. Is a steel version of this window going to be significantly stronger?

After a nasty burglary, I need to further strengthen my defences. Can anyone recommend some razor wire that looks and is seriously scary and that I can order for relatively prompt delivery I need a few runs of it above a fence that is 8.3m long. So I thought if I bought 25m I could run it three times with each run 10cm from the adjacent one, thereby increasing the height of my fence by 30cm. Is this worthwhile or will a determined thief just cut it with bolt cutters?

I managed to capture the sound on camera. Have a listen from about second 18 of this video. Any ideas what the reverberating sound is? IMG_3542.mov

The stack on the left services a loo on the top (second) floor. The horizontal bit shown at first floor level receives waste from two toilets; I believe both first floor toilets send the waste to the right side of that horizontal.

Thanks @Nickfromwales, do you mean this: If so, surely a small leak wouldn’t be causing this kind of flushing noise issue, particularly because the noise happens from the ground floor toilet as well, and that toilet connects to the stack below this point?

Presumably, the only way to check this is to shut off the mains water supply, and then flush the toilet? That would eliminate the source of the sound being water refilling the cistern? The reason I’m not sure that’s the cause is that process shouldn’t be any different whether one is flushing for the first time in 8 hours or 8 minutes. But maybe I’m overlooking something.

That’s reassuring, so you wouldn’t even bother checking the fall of the flat-ish looking piece? Easy enough to do, they only issue being I’m not sure my ladder is tall enough to reach. Cold mains fed, I assume, on the basis that there is no cold water tank. The water comes in from outside where it is divided into two: 1) drinking/gardening water 2) everything else. The “everything else” then goes up to the second floor where it gets passed through a water softener, this then goes everywhere else.

I think technically the top of the stack on the left should rise higher than the roofline, but given it’s pretty high up, I’d be surprised if there is insufficient air flow up there. Is the one on the right ok?

For the last month or so I’ve noticed that the first time I flush the toilet, there is a strange noise. It’s a bit like water is struggling to pass through a pipe somewhere, and so the water passes intermittently as it fights with an air bubble or vacuum somewhere. It lasts about 2-3 seconds and always sounds the same. It only occurs when the toilet hasn’t been flushed for 8 or so hours. After the first flush, the noise doesn’t reoccur in subsequent flushes unless you leave it for about 8 hours. And even then it won’t always make the noise, just usually. All our toilets are wall hung with the cisterns inside the wall. Three are grohe and one is Vitra. Although I have only observed the sound with the Grohe toilets, I don’t think it’s to do with the toilets themselves, as if that was the case wouldn’t the issue occur with every flush, not just the first flush of the day? The Vitra toilet is the only one on the 2nd floor, whereas the three Grohe are on the ground and first floors. The toilets are also not that old, everything having been brought and installed in late 2021 and only in use since May 2022. I had considered it might be to do with the fact that I had switched off the circuit which runs to our two outdoor taps for the winter, as this issue started a couple of weeks after I did that this winter, but this issue hasn’t occurred in the two previous winters we’ve lived in the house and yesterday I switched that circuit back on and today we are still experiencing the noise. Another systemic issue might be our sewage stack outside. I shall post a picture in case anyone spots an issue, but again, I don’t think this is the culprit as it wouldn’t explain why the issue only materialised 32 months after we moved in.

Having problems with this again. Haven’t managed to fix it this time. Don’t understand why it stopped working, given I hadn’t changed anything. Just out of the blue it stopped working yesterday. Finally got round to trying to fix it today. Nothing. The motion sensors are triggering motion correctly and I can switch on the pump remotely from my phone, but they won’t speak to each other. I tried deleting the code and then re-inputting it, but that hasn’t worked. Wasted almost 2hr on this. The app seems a bit buggy. Pretty disappointing for such an expensive setup. Have lodged a ticket with their support people. Yawn.

This worked for my tiles:

I see that genieclips were discussed on this thread. I have soundproofed a utility room and I am very happy with it. We used various quite expensive products in combination with eachother and have succeeded in being able to run both laundry machines in the utility room without hearing them outside the utility room. Only problem is that I now want to hang shelves on my utility room wall and I'm concerned that piercing the wall to fix shelf brackets will compromise the soundproofing. One solution I am contemplating is to put up some genieclips, and then use a furring strip or channel (like the one shown here) and then attach the brackets to those furring channels. Will this work, or am I missing something obvious?

Thanks @Onoff. I had a look at your recommendation and alas I need an integrated one (and an integrated one that is black) so this won't work for us.

Would you mind posting the model name please?

I’m considering either the Bosch cma583mbob or a Samsung NQ5B5763DBK Series 5 Smart Compact Oven with Microwave Combi & Air Fry. links to both below. Trying to figure out which one is easier to use in terms of the microwave. sWMBO wants it to have at most two buttons to press to activate the microwave for 30 seconds. The manuals aren’t particularly clear on this, so looking to see if anyone has any experience of these models or similar. Bosch: https://www.mpmoran.co.uk/bosch-series-4-build-in-microwave-oven-with-hot-air-cooking-black-44ltr-900w-454x570x594mm-109139502?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj9m7BhD1ARIsANsIIvB9UvFoDpmhh9e2bCrS8DwatsVX5tj7WC-EulNv6EGzB6v2f60oWogaAqopEALw_wcB) Samsung: https://www.rdo.co.uk/products/samsung-built-in-combi-microwave-nq5b5763dbk-u4-black?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX-Main&utm_content=7d5&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7NO7BhDsARIsADg_hIay-AooSxB4rckN_cqwFcxenrSv5hNBCf4_i5Mfn8dns9cWUzt0NBoaAom1EALw_wcB

Agree 💯

Of course there is an excuse. The education in this country is pants. Here are results for two random years (which are likely to be representative of other years given COVID hadn’t hit these results): Given c. 43% got a 7 (which I think is a C in old money), the other c. 57% of students got less than a C. A grade C isn’t even that good, given grades A*, A and B are better. When hiring a heating engineer would you prefer him to have aced his physics exam, or merely passed it? Moreover, the level of teaching is so poor in most schools with so much focus on passing exams and league tables that unless the student carries on with the subject at A-Level, for something as technical as physics, it’s usually forgotten quite quickly.

I’d be interested to understand why it’s more comfortable.

Welcome to the United Kingdom.

Certainly, it’s more likely that hell will freeze over than me paying them any money. It’s quite possibly the most expensive residential gas boiler on the market, so I intend to get my money’s worth. Currently, it is the manufacturer that owes me: 1) cost of heating 300L of water with an immersion heater 2) damages for stress and inconvenience of coming home to a cold house; 3) time costs of dealing with this crap 4) interest on the above.

Indeed! And on calling them this morning they did speak to a technical guy who said it sounded like a manufacturing problem. My installer is abroad till 10th Jan, and I really don’t want to take any chances (with gas leaks or loss of heating/HW over the next couple of weeks.

I called Veissman and they think it might be a manufacturing fault so are going to send out an engineer on Monday under the 12 year warranty I paid for. Of course if it’s not a fault, I get charged £144! You may be right about local gas supply. If there is a sudden drop in temperature as we had, everyone will suddenly use more gas.