The Nice People Thread, No.16: A Universe of Niceness.

chris_m

Pyxis wrote: »

From what I've heard, it seems a lot more dryers catch fire than washing machines.

Indeed - I think in most cases it's a buildup of fluff that either clogs the ventilation and causes the motor to overheat or catches fire itself.

Don't know about washer-dryers, haven't heard anything that implies they are or can be as susceptible.

PasturesNew

Pyxis wrote: »

...., manoeuvring a washing machine that was on fire is not something I'd relish trying to do.
Plus the rush of air from opening the door might fan it all up.


What I might do instead, though, is reach for my fire extinguisher, one suitable for electrical fires, and use that. Then call the brigade. No wrenched back or burnt hands that way.

In the main there's smell/smoke first.... and you can flick the switch and turn it off. Then hop from foot to foot and run round in circles panicking/checking ...... wait 10 minutes and keep staring at it .... then it can be unplugged and lugged.

When I moved in here, even the chap who put it into place for me was struggling with the weight to shift it into position... and he was a big chap/used to it. I like washing machines to be easily accessible from top, bottom, sides ... so you can move it about, if/when you wish to. It seems the only way to get it out of the slot is to stick your arm inside and have the power from one arm to lift/wiggle it out ... which seems like a cr4p idea to me, loaded with problems.

PasturesNew

Against my better judgement, I'm going to have to throw some random paint in the general direction of a few walls.

I am a lover of "white everywhere" .... but, for this auspicious moment when I make choices and wield brushes ... I plan to go for "a bit of a light grey" and to only use it in a few limited spots (like a feature wall idea, but mostly picking the easiest walls to paint).

In the main, the walls here are clean/OK, so, in the main, they will just need a good clean down. But there are a couple of OTT walls painted by the previous owner that I need to cover over as they chose a couple of mad and bright colours that just "smack you in the face" ... and I think grey would work in both those spots, so they will be quite easy.

I also need to do the entire stairs balustrade and handrail as that was painted by the last people and has SERIOUSLY deteriorated, with about half of it peeling off. That'll have to be some "gloss type of stuff".

Today I will be buying paint, quickly followed by getting it home and wishing I'd not decided to paint anything.

Not having a utility room is, again, a nuisance - as utility rooms are brilliant for laying all this stuff out - and washing out brushes etc later and leaving things "lying around" between coats and between bouts of enthusiasm.

So far I feel I've achieved nothing. I've made a lot of noise in this forum about it ... and walked round the house staring at things that I need to do .... and made a list or two .... but achieved precisely nothing. But I have made a decision, and am following it through ... so I figure that's a start.

It's raining today - I hate the rain and would prefer to stay indoors .... but I have paint to source ... and brushes ... sanding paper .... masking tape .... *sigh*

I HATE painting.

vivatifosi

If the agent has been around for a look, I'd ask them what needs a quick spritz before breaking out the paint. It may save you a bit of time and money.

silvercar

In the main, the walls here are clean/OK, so, in the main, they will just need a good clean down. But there are a couple of OTT walls painted by the previous owner that I need to cover over as they chose a couple of mad and bright colours that just "smack you in the face" ... and I think grey would work in both those spots, so they will be quite easy.

An undercoat of white will save you having to do many coats to cover the OTT colours in the right shade of grey. It would also be cheaper.

GDB2222

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

The cause of the fire in Grenfell Tower was a washing machine.

I thought it was a fridge? They are much more flammable than washing machines, because they are full of plastic. And some contain nearly a litre of lighter fuel as refrigerant.

Pyxis

So far I feel I've achieved nothing. I've made a lot of noise in this forum about it ... and walked round the house staring at things that I need to do .... and made a list or two .... but achieved precisely nothing. But I have made a decision, and am following it through ... so I figure that's a start.

Pastures, you have actually done an awful lot.


# To start with, putting it all on here helps to crystallize your thoughts and to sort out the pros and cons of particular actions.

# Then, you made the decision to move.

# You got an estate agent round to value the house.

# You've had a look at house prices in a couple of areas.

# You've decided to declutter before putting the house on the market.

# You have started the decluttering process.

# You have discussed and arranged for someone to deal with the two appliances.

# You have thought about a bit of painting for a couple of walls and are making a list for that.

# Plus, you've probably done other stuff that either I've left out or that you haven't mentioned.


And all that while feeling s** t scared, anxious, worried and upset by the kids' goings-on.


I would say you have done one hell of a lot!

Just don't get overwhelmed by it all.......... please factor in some pause times for switching off a bit and consolidating.

You're right in doing it by chunking. I.e. do the decluttering and sprucing before having to deal with viewers and viewing other houses.
That way, you'll have big things already crossed off the list, and you won't feel pressurised into making the really big decisions of which offer to accept/which house to make an offer on.

You'll be able to make those decisions knowing that the house is ready to roll, iyswim.

Pyxis

Lydia, how is the Aged P?

You haven't mentioned him lately.

Has he got his books sorted out?
Is he enjoying it there even more?

PasturesNew

vivatifosi wrote: »

If the agent has been around for a look, I'd ask them what needs a quick spritz before breaking out the paint. It may save you a bit of time and money.

I spoke to the agent to ask when's the best time for the market - and what their rates were - and what they thought mine might get.

I said I didn't want them round yet as I needed to do a de-clutter first.... and he agreed - he said "you wouldn't believe how cluttered some houses are; it's definitely the right thing to do".

So I'm decluttering and doing "the obvious bits that need painting" before getting them round to ask if I need to do more. So my target is: least effort/most important.... then ask.

When I last sold a house the agent was there, I signed and he whipped out a camera... so this time I want to be "ready and prepared" to just say "and here it is, all ready to sell", without having any jobs hanging over my head in case there's "a rush"

PasturesNew

silvercar wrote: »

An undercoat of white will save you having to do many coats to cover the OTT colours in the right shade of grey. It would also be cheaper.

That was my plan as one's a strong fuschia and the other's a strong aquamarine. I was hoping to get away with 1 white + 1 colour... hate doing it more than once.