General Chat

I've been waiting for an hour and a half.
Had to call a plumber.
I've got a new washing machine arriving tomorrow.
I've paid £10 for then to take it away - but of course, it has to be unplumbed.
EASY! I connected it, I can disconnect it.
Pulled it out, the valve leaver came off in my hand, and it started dripping. fast!
No problem, I'll use a screwdriver to close the valve. Didn't work.
Okay, as the machine is only connected to the cold tap I'll turn the water off using the isolating valve under the cold tap. No I won't, it's too stiff. Take off the 'u' pipe for easier access - still doesn't move.
Okay, turn the water off at the mains stopcock - ah too stiff as well.
Phoned up the emergency plumber.
The lady told me to turn off the washing machine if it was leaking. :-S
Pointed out it wasn't on, it was the copper pipes (plumbed in by the council) delivering the water TOO the machine that were leaking - and by that, I didn't mean the flexible pipes.
Apparently he has 2 jobs before me, and, as it's the washing machine, I may be charged. I can't wait until tomorrow, as the water is coming out at about a gallon an hour.

As for charging - they can coco. I put new lino down less than 2 weeks ago, they better watch I don't claim for that :-| :-| :-|

I had a plumber out less than 2 years ago as the isolator valve and stopcock were jammed, and I needed to change a washer on my kitchen tap :-P
He did a good job then - NOT.

edit: They're delivering the new one between 7 and 9 tomorrow morning :-(

sometimes when its jammed its cos it has got corroded

a big dollop of oil left to soak in often allows a stoptap to be turned

flexible pipes :-( :-( :-( :-( :-(

that's what caused our flood!!!

The flexible pipe in the upstairs bathroom burst (in the middle of the night, when we were asleep) and flooded the whole house!

check them at least every 3-5 years.

I have a cental heating maintenance contract with British Gas but took out extra cover
The top up doesn't cost too much but it covers all plumbing.

I have had to call them out quite a few times for a blocked sink, dripping taps, radiator valves and a broken toilet flush
They have always come the same day or the next.
When my bathroom sink blocked, I explained on the phone that the blockage was well beyond the u -bend and all the waste pipes are on an external wall.
British Gas sent Dyno-Rod out within an hour.

The service is excellent and as a house warming gift for my daughter when she bought her own house last year, we bought her the same policy.

She has used the plumbing service contract twice already !

The plumber turned up at 11:55, and took all of 3 minutes :-D
He changed the valve from the hot pipe - which isn't connected, to the cold pipe, which was leaking.
He will report the other faults - ie jammed isolating valve and stopcock.
Shirley, I'd tried WD40 - still jammed.
Scozz - the flexible pipes (inlet and outlet pipes on washing machine) are fine.
Glasgowlass, I'm in a council house, and have to put up with various contractors, hired by the council for the lowest pricee, most of whom are okay - some are just plain cowboys :-(

Just had a text. New machine being delivered in an hour :-D

Just as well, as I have loads of towels etc to wash after using them to soak up water last night :-(