Nice People Thread Number 10 -the official residence of Nice People

Nikkster

lostinrates wrote: »

They get disgusting, That's how they are.


We replace this same mechanism quite often on water troughs. Its simple but there will be a couple options at the DIY stores, I think to do with pressure. Cannot remember, . (I'm having a serious fuzzy head day). All I wants to say is, its cheap, its not hard, and its ok its a bit gross in there, it doesn't make you particular sloppy housekeeper or anything. . Cleaning it maywell help everything not seize though, as the calcification might be an issue. We find ours go in sub zero weather.

Yep - it definitely should be cheap to fix (says google), just need to try and find something that looks like the right part (they all look slightly different?). Have just found a vid on youtube which I might follow to see if it's the whole valve or just e.g. the membrane.

Seriously though, it is foul in there. I'm not taking it as a sign of my poor housekeeping though. I have the previous tenants for that.

PasturesNew

Nikkster wrote: »

...

Somewhere, in the past, I've seen that one of the big DIY stores runs occasional one-day courses/workshops in some stuff.... which:
[a] Might be stuff you're interested in learning
Might be in your area.

So, then, I figured that's a big vague, so I Googled it. It's B&Q You Can Do It Workshops
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/content/support/services/youcandoit_classes/index.jsp

They do a plumbing one:

Changing a Tap & Plumbing Faults - 4 hours
Learn about common tap problems that you may come across and how to rectify them. Practice replacing existing taps including isolation valves and learn about the tools required to carry out the job. Understand how to rectify basic plumbing faults and complete the maintenance in your own home.
Removing a Radiator & Installing Thermostatic Radiator Valves - 3 hours
Learn how to remove and replace a radiator in order to decorate behind it. Understand the benefits of Thermostatic Radiator Valves' throughout your home and practice installing them.

They don't seem to be near you though

Nikkster

PasturesNew wrote: »

Somewhere, in the past, I've seen that one of the big DIY stores runs occasional one-day courses/workshops in some stuff.... which:
[a] Might be stuff you're interested in learning
Might be in your area.

So, then, I figured that's a big vague, so I Googled it. It's B&Q You Can Do It Workshops
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/content/support/services/youcandoit_classes/index.jsp

They do a plumbing one:



They don't seem to be near you though

I've looked for those before. I'd have signed up to pretty much all of them if they did do them nearby! Off to see if what I think is the stopcock really is the stopcock...

Spirit_2

I have posted before that DD has a close ex who she remains friends with. Chewie guessed his occupation without prompting when I posted that DD had had to change the wheel on his car.

He is an ACEAW, specialising in tax, in a v large professional firm. Lovely guy, horsey, gentle natured, self effacing, with a total absence of style. He was with us last night and we are fond of him.

Today I spent time with three of his colleagues, they were more typical of this firm - had style, confidence, "charisma". I did really well to only come across as grumpy...and not knock any patronising g!ts head off.

Spirit_2

I think our neighbours of 3 doors down, are away. I think this because their burglar alarm is ringing. The house one door up has a key, but they are out.

DD is going to check that there is nothing amiss. OH has gone to Moscow and I am ready for bed. I just want the noise to stop.

chewmylegoff

PasturesNew wrote: »

Well, going up into the loft was pretty thorough! Or is it converted?

No - had to climb up the rickety little ladder and bang my head. Roof is brand new, chimney brickwork is not! Blown render everywhere, falling off to the touch, mortar completely shot. Chimney isn't used anymore either so no heat going up there to dry it out. Not sure if it is fatal to our interest in the house but will have to see what the sellers attitude is as I am going to want some money off whatever we offer if the surveyor says it's serious. I doubt they have noticed it - they didn't realise half the paint had fallen off the wall behind their tv.

Nikkster

So...
Either the 'stopcock' isn't a stopcock after all, or I'm being to cautious in trying to close it.
I've checked back in the paperwork from the vendors and they say that the stopcock is under the sink (as is standard, but not where my 'stopcock' was). There is definitely some pipework there, but unfortunately it is largely behind a cupboard back.

I don't feel like I'm cut out for big girl pants tonight lir

lostinrates

Nikkster wrote: »

So...
Either the 'stopcock' isn't a stopcock after all, or I'm being to cautious in trying to close it.
I've checked back in the paperwork from the vendors and they say that the stopcock is under the sink (as is standard, but not where my 'stopcock' was). There is definitely some pipework there, but unfortunately it is largely behind a cupboard back.

I don't feel like I'm cut out for big girl pants tonight lir

Oh dear. That's ok, I only suggested you wear them once about one little issue. Not for life. You cannot wear the same pants every day.


Go commando today, How attached are you to that cupboard back? . ( lir has a fairly gungho attitude to get at the bit she needs)

vivatifosi

Nikkster wrote: »

OK - I've found number three of my 'bad things come in threes'
1. npower
2. damp patch on wall
3. I think I need to get a new fill valve for my toilet. Yesterday I noticed there was a damp patch, guessed it came from the toilet overflow pipe.
Indeed it does - the toilet doesn't quite shut off filling up. I think it is the fill valve. Unfortunately I've realised that at 20:03 and the local DIY stores shut at 8pm. I guess another few hours isn't going to make that much difference now.
I guess I can do some research into what the right replacement part is. I would take a picture, but the inside of the cistern is absolutely disgusting (vomit smiley). Once it is fixed, it is definitely getting cleaned!

Can you tie some string round the ballcock to stop it dropping and making the water fill? Might work, did with my old toilet. I then used the weight of the top to keep the string taught.

Spirit_2

lostinrates wrote: »

Oh dear. That's ok, I only suggested you wear them once about one little issue. Not for life. You cannot wear the same pants every day.


Go commando today, How attached are you to that cupboard back? . ( lir has a fairly gungho attitude to get at the bit she needs)

For about 10 years we had to turn the water off at the external mains as there was no stopcock in the house. Then when we had our wood burning cooker/boiler removed we found one behind it. The cupboard we put in its place has a bloody great hole sawn in it so we can get to this vital bit of plumbing.

We were mystified by this planning, and then when we thought about the combination of switches you need to press to make particular lights come on we came to terms with it as normal for here.