I am in the midst of a plumbing nightmare. Long story short 1st plumber replaced stopcock that didn’t work and that caused rust to drop into old water pipes. Water reduced to a dribble and as he was going away for a week I thought I had better contact another plumber to come and fix it. Rogue traders, advertised as local were not. Huge bill and problem worse, no water at all. Now facing having new mains water supply through garden and new water pipes connected to house. Currently no heating or hot water as both supplied by a Rayburn that I cannot have back on until the water situation is sorted, so environmentally grim. My wonderful husband, best friend, soulmate and lover died two years ago and this situation has really thrown me back into the dark depths of grief. Do you think morally bankrupt people see our vulnerability and exploit it or is it just a case of naivety and lack of due diligence when facing something you know absolutely nothing about. There does not seem to be a resource for widows to access really useful information about house issues like where do you find a fuse, how do you change a plug, how does the whole plumbing thing work etc. As well as the intense emotional pain of grief there is also a huge practical loss when you face these situations alone and worried.
Very difficult to comment on your situation not knowing all the facts but do you know any friends, neighbours or relatives locally who could recommend a plumber to get a second opinion. It seems a bit over the top to have to replace the incoming supply pipes. These rogue traders that advertise as local and rip people off are always on Watchdog etc and it’s not surprising they have overcharged you and walked away leaving the situation worse. Is the original local plumber willing to come back and help? Hope you get something sorted soon.
Thanks for your response Lostfornow. The situation is now in hand thanks to Wessex Waters advice to always look at Watersafe approved plumbers. Old house, old corroded water pipes. I just keep thinking well, when it’s done, I can stop worrying about it.
So sorry for this hassle you’re having with plumbers. My partner died 13 months ago and there has been so many repairs needed for the house. I’m beginning to think I’m cursed. I do think that some traders see a lone woman and try to rip them off whereas they’d think twice about it if it was a man.
I had moss removed from the roof which was a messy business, but I thought it was essential as it was beginning to block the gutters. Now I 've got water ingress at the back dormer window, We had no problems since we bought the house only now, since the roof was cleared. They also hosed debris through a ventilation grid into the utility room. I’ve complained but haven’t heard back from them. Some people have no morals, it’s just a sad fact of life. To add insult to injury the last storm has partially damaged the back garden fence, so that’s more money on a reduced income.
It’s really hard having no one to share the worries with. My late partner would have methodically sorted everything out. I think I’m going to have to downsize, everything gives me angst nowadays. but my partner loved this house he put a lot into the garden and the renovations. I feel I’m betraying him by moving. I hope you get your problems sorted soon. Take care
Thank you Norma1. I agree it’s so hard when you are on your own with things your husband always dealt with. I have also been thinking of downsizing but, like you, I love the house and all the happy memories it holds. I do hope you manage to find reliable, honest people to help you.
Hello, I think unfortunately since Covid or maybe it’s Brexit a lot of really good tradesmen vanished leaving sometimes handymen saying there tradesmen & people that don’t know/care etc..
In the end I joined a service where you pay monthly & if you have any electrical or plumbing or heating issues they send someone to fix it, since I’ve had it I’ve not needed it but I do like the peace of mind, if you look up home emergency cover including non emergencies you’ll get well known companies come up.
Hello Flower-Garden
Thanks for your response, that sounds like a really good idea and would certainly ease the angst about things going wrong.