I saved a wad of cash today....

Quasar

My kitchen sink started leaking badly a couple of weeks ago. Since my workload did not leave me time to get a plumber in, I just shoved a bucket underneath the drain and emptied it as and when.

Last night I was planning today's chores and for some reason I decided to have a look at the sink's plumbing and noticed that the piece which connects the sink drain to the pipe, and has the flexible pipe for the overflow, was cracked (made of plastic). I saw how it was fitted on and with very little effort I unscrewed it from the pipe, the overflow hole and the sink drain. I thought to myself "this is easy". So off I went to Homebase carrying the piece with me, looked around and by matching the screwing bits I was able to find a new unit.

Got home, and it took me 6 minutes to replace the thing. Had I called a plumber it would have cost anything from £40 upwards. I spent £5.99.

What I'm trying to say is: even us single girls can learn to do things we normally wouldn't dream of. It's not just the money we save but also time, and we learn something new and useful, all of which adds to our sense of independence and competence.

redballoon_2

Well done you!

kiwichick

Excellent post QUASAR. I did something similar with a neighbour a few weeks ago. She was given a dishwasher months ago but didnt know how to put it in. So between us we moved the washing machine from the kitchen to the backroom, moved the dishwasher into the kitchen and plumbed it into the space where the washing machine had been. Then we drilled through the wall, pushed through the water and waste pipes, added a few bits to the outflow pipe (or whatever its called!) plumbed it all in and HEY PRESTO a laundry room at the back of the house (which now has shelves too I might add) and a dishwasher in the kitchen. I dread to think what a plumber would have cost.......................................and you should have seen our husbands faces when they got home from work that day.......................I dont think I've had the "you just sit on your ar**e watching tv all day dont you" comment ever since .

Quasar

kiwichick wrote:

Excellent post QUASAR. I did something similar with a neighbour a few weeks ago. She was given a dishwasher months ago but didnt know how to put it in. So between us we moved the washing machine from the kitchen to the backroom, moved the dishwasher into the kitchen and plumbed it into the space where the washing machine had been. Then we drilled through the wall, pushed through the water and waste pipes, added a few bits to the outflow pipe (or whatever its called!) plumbed it all in and HEY PRESTO a laundry room at the back of the house (which now has shelves too I might add) and a dishwasher in the kitchen. I dread to think what a plumber would have cost.......................................and you should have seen our husbands faces when they got home from work that day.......................I dont think I've had the "you just sit on your ar**e watching tv all day dont you" comment ever since .

LOL, that's a satisfaction to be savoured for a long time!

Since I moved into this small flat, I had to learn to do things for myself. There are no cupboards here, so I selected a suitable corner, took all the measurements, then designed a set of shelves, side panels and door. I paint and draw, so this was not a problem for me. Went to a local timber merchant and had the timber cut to size according to my drawing, bought a louvre door, and in half a day I screwed it all against the wall etc. Not very well finished but it works. It cost me very little.

In fact I enjoyed doing it because I learned how to use a screwdriver properly. Butch stuff, but I wore high heels and a dress later. :rotfl:

moggins

LOL, DH always has to ask me how to do anything when he attempts DIY. 6 years as an army wife taught me how to cope on my own The only thing I leave to DH is tuning in the TV and the video

mistresslenore

Well done!! I bet you feel so proud of yourself, it's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it
Keep it up

culpepper

Well done on the plumbing.
My neighbours are all ladies and they do laods of their own maintainance work . I do some but its still handy to have my OH or DS to undo tight bolts or reach higher than I can.

kazstevens

Yo .. Sisters are doing it for them selfs!! lol ...:j WELL DONE on a job well done!!

newleaf

Well done girls! It's always worth a look to see how tricky the job looks before calling in an 'expert'. In my experience they take one look at a lone female and charge what they like. My mum was widowed at the age of 31 and soon learned to 'do-it-herself' rather than pay the 'think of a number and double it' prices charged by tradesmen.

jessicamb

Well done you.

I've got a few little jobs that need doing....

Ah well I'll call my dad again. He's so trusting of my DIY skill (which arent that bad) that as soon as I say I'm going to do a quick job he hot foots it round with the toolbox. Expecially if I ask to borrow his drill

dolly_day_dream

I agree that getting in tradesmen can be expensive and I do worry that we won't be charged a fair price mainly because we just don't know.

A couple of years ago the tank in my loft leaked:eek: I don't like heights but had no money so off I went to investigate.

A bus ride later to a plumbers store I explained my problem and they sold me what I needed. I didn't get it quite right and so had to go back and they explained again.:o In this case by not pretending that I knew anything about it - as I have seen some men do - and following their advice, between us we managed to replace the ballcock!!!!. Oh boy was I proud! The best thing was at no time did the men in the store ask why I just didn't get a plumber in. Guess where I go if I need help now?