Hot water
A while ago (I can't tell precisely, because of course I still had a tank of hot water) my immersion heater blew its fuse.
Being competent and safety-conscious, I did what any reasonable person would: I replaced the fuse and tried again. The new fuse didn't blow, but I was suddenly only getting a litre or two of lukewarm water instead of an entire tankload of proper hot stuff.
I phoned my plumber; I got his voicemail; I left voicemail; he didn't return my call; I phoned again and left more voicemail; he didn't return my call; lather; rinse; repeat.
blue_donkey came round and satisfied himself that it wasn't the thermostat that was broken. joebunny pointed me at the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering website, which provided a convenient list of alternative plumbers. I worked through the list, starting with the closest. Most didn't answer their phone. One did and explained that he'd retired. Another did and said he was booked up for six weeks. Eventually I found a plumber who was prepared to replace my immersion heater; he lives seventeen miles away!
Still, he turned up this morning and changed the immersion heater with little fuss. He's also going to quote me for two or three other plumbing jobs that need doing.
So, finally, I have hot water again. I shall inaugurate it by rinsing out some jam jars for ghoti.
If anyone out there is currently deciding whether or not to go to university, please bear in mind that we have far too many media studies graduates and not nearly enough plumbers. You might find there's more money to be made doing the latter.
Being competent and safety-conscious, I did what any reasonable person would: I replaced the fuse and tried again. The new fuse didn't blow, but I was suddenly only getting a litre or two of lukewarm water instead of an entire tankload of proper hot stuff.
I phoned my plumber; I got his voicemail; I left voicemail; he didn't return my call; I phoned again and left more voicemail; he didn't return my call; lather; rinse; repeat.
blue_donkey came round and satisfied himself that it wasn't the thermostat that was broken. joebunny pointed me at the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering website, which provided a convenient list of alternative plumbers. I worked through the list, starting with the closest. Most didn't answer their phone. One did and explained that he'd retired. Another did and said he was booked up for six weeks. Eventually I found a plumber who was prepared to replace my immersion heater; he lives seventeen miles away!
Still, he turned up this morning and changed the immersion heater with little fuss. He's also going to quote me for two or three other plumbing jobs that need doing.
So, finally, I have hot water again. I shall inaugurate it by rinsing out some jam jars for ghoti.
If anyone out there is currently deciding whether or not to go to university, please bear in mind that we have far too many media studies graduates and not nearly enough plumbers. You might find there's more money to be made doing the latter.