Its been a week of things going wrong this week. First the router packed up so no internet on Sunday, then we went to bed to watch TV only to find our Sky had been cut off, but also discovered 2 direct debits had dropped into a black hole after hubby had changed bank accounts. Got those sorted, Monday had a puncture, so that was an hour or more at kwik(slow)fit. Today the boiler packed up!
There is a story to my boiler. We have lived in this house since it was new, about 23 years now I think, so in all honesty the boiler has outlived itself. But the damn thing has been a nightmare since the word go, noisy, unreliable and we get hot radiators upstairs when the water in on, summer or winter , whether its freezing or baking, what a joy. Over the years we have had numerous people look at it, including British Gas, and no one has ever really got to the bottom of the constant problems.
3 and half years ago it packed up, and we were prepared to just throw in the towel and go for a new central heating system, we had had enough of it. But in the meantime we needed heat and hot water given that it was December. BUT trying to actually get a plumbing/heating engineer is a nightmare in itself. There are plenty of them, most are crooks and I think we have seen most of them at one time or other. But when the boiler wont work, you are at their mercy. So, 3 and half years ago, sick of the inefficiencies of British Gas and the local crooks, I decided to try one more time and did a search on local plumbers. Phoned about 10, all too busy to come out, then came across Mr Fixit from Thatcham. Now, I have to admit I had my serious doubts about anyone who calls themselves Mr Fixit, but I was desperate. I rang, explained the problem and he told me that it was his paperwork day of which he had much to get through, but he would come to my rescue. I was ecstatic, I was nervous. How much was he going to charge just to walk through my door, and then invent every thing possible wrong that was going to cost 100's if not worse.
He turned up about an hour later,opened up the boiler, found the problem straight away and fixed it, just like that. It didnt solve all the problems though, he waited to see if it would stay alight and then the banging from the pipes and tank upstairs started. I was so used to it I hardly noticed, but he said Thats not right, let me see if i can sort that. So the next half an hour or so was spent with him on his knees in my airing tank messing around with a valve. Well I can put it right for now he said, but it will come back. He then showed me how to stop it making the banging noise myself (which involves a screwdriver and a rolling pin, weird but true). I then asked him about the cost of replacing the system, and his response really surprised me. He said that we should stick with it until it really died, would probably get another 2 or 3 years out of it and why spend money now when we didnt need to. I was gobsmacked, and even more so when i asked how much I owed him and he said, I didnt really have to do very much so just give me some petrol money for getting here. I think I gave him £30 and was very grateful for it. He then explained to me what options we had for replacing the boiler when we decided to do it, he also told me a lot about his background and how he has worked with various boiler manufacturers designing efficient systems, I was impressed!
So since then I have been able keep the noise under control by twisting the valve a quarter turn with a screwdriver whilst tapping the top of the valve with a rolling pin. High tech stuff lol.
So this morning, 3 and half years after his visit, and pretty much true to his predction, the boiler packed up. I called him, he returned my call within 30 minutes, remembered who I was and was here this afternoon. Once again he did the magic trick with the boiler within minutes, and then offered to set my dishwasher up that was delivered this morning and still in its packing, and this time he wouldnt take more than £20 off me. I love this man!
So, the upshot is that it really is time to get the heating replaced, and he will do it while we are away. No idea what the cost is going to be, it wont be cheap for sure, but im sure we wont get ripped off either, he will give me his quote tomorrow morning and hopefully get started on it next week.
Fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong this week!
