Doomed, I tell you, doomed!: zorac

Doomed, I tell you, doomed!

See that icon? That's one of my windows, that is. Happened ages ago, but the building management folks never returned my call and the Christmas happened and I never got around to sorting it (it's only the outer pane of the double glazing that's bust). Now, I have a more urgent issue - after a week or two of increasing ropiness, my hot water has died entirely. To add to the fun, the main stop-tap for the flat is sheared off - meaning that there's no way to cut off the water supply and facilitate major plumbing work. I called the management people last week and spoke to a nice man who couldn't answer my questions and told me that the guy I really needed to speak to was on holiday. Just now, I called back to discover that rather than being back as expected, this chap is trapped in Cyprus and they have no idea when he'll be back. Oh, joy, oh rapture.

Hopefully, somebody there will be able to help me soon - at the very least I need to know where the building stop-tap is so that I can get the one in my flat fixed (I'm leaning towards the "beg forgiveness rather than ask permission" option as regards to turning off the building at this point). Thankfully my gym membership is really coming in hand - at least I can use the showers there to stave off smelliness for the time being...

Update: Shock, horror! I got a call back! Unfortunately, it was mostly to say "Now't to do wi' us. We don' know nuffink." and tell me to RTFLA. Unfortunately, while the lease agreement does tell me whose responsibility the repairs are (both mine, alas), it doesn't (as he claimed) have information leading to the whereabouts of the stop tap. This leaves me Up the Amazon on a Rubber Duck (any minute now, piranhas will infest the not-hot water tank...) Say it with me: d00med.

Update 2: Two thumbs way up to Thames Water! I got straight through to a nice chap who knew what he was talking about and arranged for someone to come out and do a trace and leave me a note with the details (including which, if any, of the other flats will be affected). The downside is that it will take 5-7 days, but as they're not charging me to do this, I can't really complain (he did also point out that a rebutable plumber can freeze the pipes to allow work, but as there's about half an inch between the stop tap and the floor, that's not an option for me).

Tags: home

sophie10

March 8 2004, 09:12:18 UTC 17 years ago

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Oh that's awful! You could just cut off the building, get your water fixed and then deny that it was you. They can never prove it :D

zorac

March 8 2004, 10:26:17 UTC 17 years ago

It is awfully tempting, if it weren't for the fact that I have no idea where to go to turn it off. Why can't there being a big red wheel somewhere labelled "turn me to cut off water supply"? (Well, apart from the fact that passing druken louts would doubtless abuse it...)

March 8 2004, 10:28:55 UTC 17 years ago

It would be handy. Wouldn't a plumber know? Or would they half-heartedly look for it, look baffled and then charge you £200?

kazzik

March 8 2004, 10:36:40 UTC 17 years ago

I can do that for you if it comes down to it Mark. I am practicing my baffled look as I type.

March 8 2004, 10:46:08 UTC 17 years ago

That's awful kind of you, but unfortunately I've used up my bafflement budget for the milennium. I'll be sure to keep you in mind in case of any bedget increases ;-)

March 8 2004, 10:44:21 UTC 17 years ago

Wouldn't a plumber know?

It's possible - although 'tis presumably a case of "guess which manhole cover it's under" (Probably not the ones labelled "gas". Annoyingly, further down the road there a dinky ones labelled 'Water Stop Tap', but not, of course, outside my building.)

I think my next step may be to ask the water board, as I presume that they must know (yay for sudden brainwaves!)

March 8 2004, 10:55:42 UTC 17 years ago

Annoyingly, further down the road there a dinky ones labelled 'Water Stop Tap', but not, of course, outside my building.

Silly street designer!

March 8 2004, 09:40:18 UTC 17 years ago

"Just now, I called back to discover that rather than being back as expected, this chap is trapped in Cyprus and they have no idea when he'll be back. Oh, joy, oh rapture."

But on the plus side, whilst you have no hot water and a broken window, you are not trapped in Cyprus. I think you've got the longer straw to be honest!

I am empathishing with your mood, especially since I have a Lush! gift voucher -.-

Good luck with getting things sorted out honey >:D

March 8 2004, 10:24:37 UTC 17 years ago

But on the plus side ... you are not trapped in Cyprus.

That is a very good point. Many years ago we went on holiday to Cyprus. One week was plenty enough to see all the sites and get thoroughly bored with the entire local cuisine (well, except for the honey and yoghurt we used to have for breakfast). Suddenly, I feel (a little) better!

March 8 2004, 10:32:17 UTC 17 years ago

"That is a very good point"

I have them occassionally.

I have never been ~~abroad~~ to Cyprus, however I would not like to be trapped anywhere. I value my freedom such as it is.

I am glad to have made you feel (a little) better in your bathless existance.

hermorrine

March 8 2004, 14:25:39 UTC 17 years ago

Awww honey... *hugs* This really sucks.

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Doomed, I tell you, doomed!

Really Exciting RL Update (not)

My water is teh hot!

\:D/

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Really Exciting RL Update (not)

My water is teh hot!

\:D/