DIY with function over finesse!!

[CitroJim]

I also fitted a higher rated fuse as it was all that I could get but still well below 451ºF

Excellent work

Reminded me of this book and film...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451

[mickthemaverick]

That was the intention! That book was one of the trio of books that formed the Science Fiction part of my English Literature 'O' level, the others being The Chrysalids and The War of the Worlds

[CitroJim]

That was the intention! That book was one of the trio of books that formed the Science Fiction part of my English Literature 'O' level, the others being The Chrysalids and The War of the Worlds

You were lucky to have Science Fiction for 'O' level... We just had that old bloke from Stratford and some other old bloke from Dorset!

Neither truly inspired me much... Maybe if I got to read what you did I may have got a better grade...

[mickthemaverick]

The scifi was only 1 of 3 parts, we had Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Oliver Twist and The Cruel Sea as well!!

[mickthemaverick]

As I was coming downstairs this morning SWMBO called me into the kitchen saying "There's no hot water". I looked at the boiler and saw it was showing an SP1 error, no ignition. I reset it and turned on the hot tap, same problem!! I looked at the hob which was happily boiling her eggs so gas ok. After a number of further resets, re-pressure cycles and 3 pin resets it was still the same. At that point I looked under the boiler to check the gas tap and discovered the yellow knob which you can see in the picture below pointing at me in the 9 O'clock position, or in other words turned off!! I duly returned it to the 6 O'clock as in the picture and all was well.

MTMO

So that just left me wondering how it had got turned off. SWMBO had a hot bath last night after I had gone to bed and then she went straight to bed. This morning she got up early to put the bed linen wash on, which involves getting the necessary detergent, softeners etc from the bottom half of the boiler cupboard below the shelf. Then she made the tea and brought me up a cup in bed. Thus I went downstairs some twenty minutes after the tea was made to be greeted by her call. Draw your own conclusions but I decided the best course of action was to prevent it happening again :

MTMO - As it had been

MTMO - after my addition

I made and fitted the shield to ensure accidental operation of the under boiler taps is no longer possible!!

[CitroJim]

Nice one Mick I see/hear/understand, for your continued wellbeing, you're not actually blaming SWMBO.... Very wise!

Good work on the boxing-in

If that ever happens to my boiler I'll be needing to ask some very serious questions

[Vic Evans]

Alternatively could you just take the yellow knob off & hang it on the gas tap spindle ready for any emergency ?

[mickthemaverick]

I did think of that Vic but in this house prevention by barrier is almost always the only way to be sure. There is a gas stop cock in the lower cupboard which I would use in an emergency.

[mickthemaverick]

You remember the problem in Elstree:

Yes I did that and it seems dry below the dampcourse. I fear that because the membrane had been brought up around the water main the leak sprayed water onto the upper membrane surface which then seeped down across the membrane under the floor. Thus the only way to view it is between the concrete and the membrane and hence the need for a 'borehole' through the floor but not the membrane. Easier said than done of course but I'm not allowed to try!!

Well I finally got agreement to drilling a borehole and was able to confirm the water is laying on top of the damp course under the screed. You can see the glistening water drops on the edge of the membrane :

The borehole

However I also discovered a second major source of flooding:

A broken washing machine drain hose

My own theory is that the hose may have been chaffed causing limited squirting and then fractured by the machine's vibrations as it broke at the point where the hose was fed through the back of the unit. A new hose is required and maybe then the floor will get properly dried at last!!

[CitroJim]

Oh dear... Pleased you've found that Mick... I had that happen and it caused a lot of grief and the results can still be seen to this day if you know where to look...

Hope this now starts off the resolution...

[Rp0thejester]

I'm surprised you drilled a core hole to find that out, a 30mm percussion bit would of told you that. Plus you went through the membrane and used water to drill the screed. I'm not surprised you found water you pumped it down there.

[mickthemaverick]

Not with you there Ryan, how?

[Rp0thejester]

Just replied buddy

[Rp0thejester]

I edited my post during your reply Mr Eagle

[mickthemaverick]

Even more bemused!! Used no water at all. Drilled through memrane to check insulation was dry, which it was so no problem from ground water. The water in the hole driibbled in from above the membrane after we withdrew the bit. The hole is 32mm, a percussion bit may have caused cracking in the screed around the hole so we opted for low speed hole cutter.