Well who would ever have thought that whilst suffering all the traumas of separation and divorce we would all learn how to be plumbers and save ourself a fortune!
Me 43 XH 45 M 2.7.88 Divorce 7.10.09 Kids D20,S17 & D15
thanks gals! I will try your suggestions, the plumber fixed what stbx thought was the problem with the leak in the basemant, 250$ later (more than 2x of what I planned to spend) I pray it is fixed, they will turned the water back on today, cross your fingers everyone! because if it wasn't the valve, the problem is underground, and digging might be required :|
On a funnier note (not), the kids and I need a shower, the hot water hasn't fixed itself (doh!) will try to con one of my neighbors to take a looksy.
Be not afraid...I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten Joel2
30something 2kids survivor of S, MLC, A, D I have peace in my heart, at last.
you! lol, thank heavens for Bath & Body body spray. I'm going to my gym for a shower on the way home, then I'll bathe the kids at my friends'/neighbors.
Last edited by cat03; 04/24/0803:39 PM.
Be not afraid...I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten Joel2
30something 2kids survivor of S, MLC, A, D I have peace in my heart, at last.
hey cat thanks for that insight in teh "est, love & pray" book. I've been meaning to get it, I saw the authur on Oprah and it sounds like the book I need to read.
"so you and your xw get are in good terms?" "no, she still thinks I changed my name to motherf*cker"
"there are mosquitos here big enough to rape a chicken!"
"God knows what you want when you pray, do *you* know what you want?"
"You can choose your thoughts"
...more to come, I love this book!
I like the one in my sig line.....which describes how I used to be....sitting around wishing my life would magically be better instead of having a backbone and doing something about it!
"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." Jon Kabat-Zinn
Saw your post on my thread and jumped over to offer a quick encouragement and then saw you sinking in plumbing woes. (Disclaimer, I am NOT a handyman, just learned a few things along the way)
First things first, quick thoughts on the hot water. If your stove works, your gas is still on (stating the obvious but in trouble shooting you take it step by step). If you have hot water anywhere in the house, your water heater is working and there is a problem between the water heater and the shower. Can't help you with that. However, if there is no hot water at all then your pilot light may simply be out.
PILOT LIGHT - caution If there is no hot water at all, MAYBE your pilot light went out. You can follow the instructions on the water heater to relight it. In many areas, the gas company will relight the pilot for you for FREE (This is the safest option if the EXACT instructions on how to relight it are not EXACTLY CLEAR to you).
THERMOCOUPLER Think of this as the lighter for your pilot light. This is the most frequent reason a pilot will not light and can be replaced by a professional OR someone who is somewhat handy. I have replaced mine but because you are dealing with gas and a flame, You REALLY, REALLY want to be sure and safe.
IF your thermocoupler will not light the pilot light but the gas is flowing (again, is your stove working?) you can light the pilot manually as you would a stove that will not ignite itself once the gas is flowing. BUT YOU MUST MAKE SURE THE GAS SETTING ON THE WATER HEATER IS TURNED TO THE "PILOT" SETTING!!!!!! If not, imagine starting a BBQ with old fashioned brickettes doused with lighter fluid. Once you light the match the flame just jumps out at you.
My thermocoupler once went out after I replaced it and I did not have time nor did I want to spend a couple hours messing with it so I opened the area, turned the setting to "PILOT", took a flashlight to see where the pilot was, straightened out a wire hanger, attached two matches to the end, pressed the button that let the gas flow to the pilot, lit the matches, extended it to the pilot and the pilot lit it's tiny little flame. Then I closed the hatch and turned the setting to it's normal position and... hot water
I also agree that a good basic "Do It Yourself Repairs" book will save you tons of money in the long run (you can find a book at Home Depot or Lowes or some other local do it yourself mega store). If you have such a book and you need to hire someone to do some work, you will be informed and you could offer comments like, "oh, you think I need to replace the water heater? Did you trouble shoot my thermocoupler?"
Many, many good general handymen are honest just like there are many honest mechanics but it helps to do what homework you can. Like anything else, word of mouth reputations are the best.
Below is the link to the HOME DEPOT "DIY" (Do It Yourself) site. A quick view of the site revealed it has video on some projects, DIY guides with pictures AND message boards. If you take a look up at a problem you may have, do some quick trouble shooting AND THEN go to the Home Depot (or store of your choice), you will be better equipped to talk to one of the store associates who work in those specific departments. Guys love to be extra helpful to ladies, especially if they have shown they done a little homework.
TIP: Do you have a video camera? I once shot some video of a problem I was trying to fix and showed it to the person at the Home Depot. He was able to see what I had and was able to make some recommendations. This USUALLY isn't needed but it helped in this case. ALSO, when dealing with replacing parts, if you can, take the old part into the store, this has saved me dozens of return trips over the years.
As you do some of these things, involve s9 so he can learn. It can be an adventure and a bonding experience and he will start to feel like he is the little man of the house.
wow, got off on a tangent there, orginally just came over to say "good luck"
Committed2Him- "C2H" All Things (Back from Spain!)...18
However, if there is no hot water at all then your pilot light may simply be out.
