Odd job man burst a pipe

[mnbvv]

So on my Facebook I asked if anyone could recommend an odd job man. I wanted someone who I knew through friends or someone I knew had used. I hate people coming to the house. No replies. I asked on a local selling group. So many replies / messages / friends requests that it put me off as I didn't know where to start.

I asked on our estate group. I know most people on there abs there are only a couple of hundred. I wrote asking if anyone knew an odd job man. I specifically said I needed some shelves and mirrors putting up as I know these are minimal jobs abs I didn't want to waste anyone's time. A woman said her partner has his own business and does these jobs for a living. So he came yesterday and put up 2 shelves. Took about 2 hours 30 kept going in and out to his van. Moaned about the items I'd bought / the walls / new builds / I asked if he lives in the same type of property of one of the bigger style. Asked which road he lives on. Took a while to answer. Kept saying erm. Asked his baby kids if got. Says he doesn't have any but the woman he lives with does.

I was relieved when he went. He came back this morning at 8am as he'd left some stuff. He said he would put me a mirror up that he hadn't done yesterday. He mentioned he has two kids from two different mums who lived in another city but one has lived with him a couple of months and one moved in just last week.
Wug has contracts what he said yesterday. He said he hates doing these little jobs and isn't a handy man at all and doesn't need the money. Apparently he works for big businesses but his partner's girlfriend has Corona so has to isolate so he thought he would come round as he has nothing else to do. Strange. He started to put up another shelf which by now I wasn't that bothered about I just wanted him gone.

He started shouting. He's drilled through a pipe. There is water everywhere. He put a bin underneath to catch the water. Said sorry. Said thus is why he hates doing jobs like this. He said he will need to go and get more parts. That was over an hour ago. All very weird. Usually my husband brother or step dad do these jobs for me. I have autism and anxiety and I hate small talk. My brother reckons he won't come back. He asked me where I found him. I don't even know his name. My brother told me to turn the water off at the mains. I have to home school 2 kids too. So stressed. I'm nit sure what I'm asking here in just sat in a daze. My autism makes me switch off.

I doubt you’ll see him again. He sounds bloody odd. Sorry you’re going through this. If he doesn’t return I’d also add something to your post to say what’s happened so that no one else uses him.

I wouldn’t let this man back in, even if he does come back. Most people know not to go banging nails or screws through walls without checking there are no pipes or wires behind them first. If he did not check this, you do not want this man doing anything else in your home.

Switch the water off at the mains. Put the children in front of the tv. Grab buckets, bowls and as many towels as you can to soak up the water. Call a plumber (via Checkatrade or equivalent) and when it’s fixed, contact him to ask for his insurance details. I suspect this is going to be expensive for you.

I keep going upstairs looking at the road waiting for him. My brother said I should have waited until he could do it. Kids are walking in the water on purpose. I just wanted to try to get the house in order wish I hadn't bothered. Thanks.

Do you do any meditation or breathing? If you’re feeling anxious and stressed atm the best thing to do is not shut off or you end up with a tight chest/sore stomach for the rest of the day.

Is there anyone that you know personally (and you’re comfortable with) that can come and look at your pipe today? Do you have water stored up if you’ve had to shut it off at the mains?

And for what it’s worth, I recognise the despair and frustration you must be feeling atm too. Most frustrating thing in the world when you just want things sorted and it all goes sodding tits up. It makes me shut down too, struggle to remember that just because somethings went wrong it’s not the end of the world, it just feels too enormous when you don’t know how to fix it

Take a few deep breaths.
Plonk the kids I front of the telly.
Clean up the water before it damages the floor or anything else.
Then you can worry about getting back in touch with the handyman etc.
Do you have home emergency cover - if so get them to send someone to sort it out.

OK clearly you’re overwhelmed but it’s ok just sort this one step at a time. First things first. Abandon homeschooling this morning and get the water cleared up.
I don’t think the man will come back but if he does tell him to go and that you don’t want him to do anymore work. Certainly don’t pay him.
Call a plumber to get the problem fixed. Show plumber the issue and then take yourself off to another room whilst he does his job to avoid small talk.
It will be ok. If the water is off and once you’ve cleaned up take an hour to just sit with a cup of tea or something until you feel ready to sort the rest out. The children will be fine missing a day of homeschool.

oh bless you op I understand the frustration, iv revamped my house over the last year and a couple of things went wrong and I just felt like why the hell do I bother !! All got sorted though as will yours

Mop up the water as it could cause damage if left to soak in . Google a local plumber and check their reviews rather than just relying on Facebook

I’d have a dig about and see if you can find out a little more about this guy to see if there is anyway of claiming

Hi he's back. Said sorry and I said it's not his fault 🙄 I told him I spoke with my brother and I'd turned the water off. He said the central heating water is different to the other supply. Also said the pipes are plastic so he couldn't test for them. I just want him gone now. Even before all of this I felt uncomfortable. I've no idea about it insurance. Obviously we have gone insurance. My husband works away but although he pays the bills he hasn't a clue what's what I don't think and I certainly don't.

@Changemaname1 I've checked his car it's not a work van. No name on the side. I asked my mum to send my step dad over but she hasn't replied. I feel about 12 not nearly 40.