The Minton: Ideas and Renovation – 46 – Clotheslines

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Another decision we made early on in our new Minton home was to move away from bamboo poles (or ‘tekkos’) for laundry clotheslines. Bamboo poles with laundry are common sights here on the island. They’re simple in function and design, cost little to install, and nothing to maintain. Given the amount of laundry that we’re doing though, hanging laundry using ceiling-mounted bamboos has been quite a chore over the years – or rather specifically, having to use the aluminum prong to foist each piece of clothing up and down was something we wanted to move away from!

There are several clotheslines systems contractors here, and while some of them have pretty exotic solutions, many of them at least offer the same basic types:

Completely motorized

Chain pulley-based

Rope pulley-based

The motorized systems were the priciest ones, but I wanted to avoid employing systems that were electrical – on account that we would be buggered if those parts ever failed from wear and tear. The chain pulley system isn’t electronic, but uses gears to expedite the pulling process to lower or bring up the poles. We seriously considered these too, but eventually decided on rope-pulley systems. These seem to come in two flavors too: the ropes could lower all the poles at the same time, or it could be individual pole pulleys. We chose the latter.

As for us deciding on the specific manufacturer and specialist offering these systems, we went Ezzliving – as their ‘EZ Tier‘ rope pulley system which gave us the most confidence in load-bearing (quilts are heavy!), and their price points were reasonable too though not the lowest. As our yard balcony is sufficient long too, we went with not one but two of these systems. Total damage was just a shade above $400 for each of our two systems.

2 days before our move.:)
2 days before our move.:)
We went with a four-pole system. It's possible to go with more poles than this though for clotheslines systems, but we wanted wet laundry to be reasonably spread out later.
We went with a four-pole system. It’s possible to go with more poles than this though for clotheslines systems, but we wanted wet laundry to be reasonably spread out later.
A closer look at the pulleys - very key to the whole setup.
A closer look at the pulleys – very key to the whole setup.
Then the poles get mounted in.
Then the poles get mounted in.
Ropes are then pulled across the ceiling.
Ropes are then pulled across the ceiling.
One rope guide for each pulley.
One rope guide for each pulley.
Part of the ceiling is false, so we had the contractor re-position the ceiling mount bracket slightly inwards. Also gave allowance for the remaining yard blinds for the aircon ledge access.
Part of the ceiling is false, so we had the contractor re-position the ceiling mount bracket slightly inwards. Also gave allowance for the remaining yard blinds for the aircon ledge access.
Closer look at the completed setup.
Closer look at the completed setup.
Two such solutions; we just about maximize our usable ceiling space!
Two such solutions; we just about maximize our usable ceiling space!
We had ceiling downlights already installed, so the poles were positioned to be on either side of the downlight.
We had ceiling downlights already installed, so the poles were positioned to be on either side of the downlight.

5 thoughts on “The Minton: Ideas and Renovation – 46 – Clotheslines”

  1. Wow, excited for all of you – moving in tomorrow!! Congratulations! Wishing you all a really lovely and wonderful stay in The Minton! Will come visiting when you all have settled down. :)

  2. Hi, i’m one of the Minton resident at Blk 2A. May I check with you, if your shower water pressure is very low too? If yes, what can we do with it? and Congrats to your new house :)

  3. Hi Wayne; thanks.:) About the shower water pressure – ours is quite alright, and even a little overpowering that we have to dial down the pressure when we bathe our kids. The reasons could be many; including internal plumbing issues (leakage?), that the water master lever has not been turned all the way out, incorrect diameter of pipe that’s restricting water-flow, and finally the design of the shower head itself.

    If you’re still in defect rectification, get the defect team CSO to look at it to see what needs to be done. If you’re already in renovation, then you can also get a plumber to see what he can do to improve water flow too.

  4. Dear CY, thank you very much for your help. We have spoke to the CSO and they spent the whole morning at our unit checking. The CSO then told me, apparently the units on 1st to 3rd floor are not using the water from the tank but the government water from underground pipe. I’m not too sure about this and I guess i have no choice but to live with a slightly low water pressure during my shower :(

    Anyway, do you have any opinion on the proposed childcare centre? Where can we voice out our concern (other than writing emails to the lawyer?)

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