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Original poster

British Gas turned out boiler off 22 Nov

86 replies

blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:26

It's December and snowing. No Hot water, Heating or Washer for nearly 2 weeks.

No problems with boiler. Just had a routine service. The engineer advised us not to use it and switched it off. They sent someone out on the Friday (24th) to give us a quote for a new one.

I asked when it could be done he said it could be done the following week.

It's booked in for this Wednesday but they don't even know where it's going. Whether they need new piping to go upstairs and remove the floor boards so it might not even be Wednesday.

Am I expecting too much?

I know I can't do anything about it and they will be busy but it's been really difficult for us to have a shower and wash clothes never mind the cold. DDs are 11 and 13 so not babies but still.

Thanks.

it won’t let me edit the title. “Our” not “Out”

OP posts:
margotrose · 04/12/2023 07:29

We didn't have a working boiler for six months the other winter thanks to British Gas.

Luckily we have a wood burner and an electric shower!

Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:30

Ah ok I feel silly now.

OP posts:
Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:30

Our shower is electric though?

OP posts:
MrsWimpy · 04/12/2023 07:32

The shower should work without the boiler.

But still, you are not wrong to be struggling. British Gas are terrible and I can't imagine not having heating at this point. Do you have space heaters at least?

Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:32

Sorry the shower works but it's freezing.

OP posts:
MrsWimpy · 04/12/2023 07:33

Electric showers usually have a "box" on the wall. Is yours like that?

Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:34

My mum gave us two tiny heaters that the kids have. I'm autistic and I just can't handle these grown up problems and dh is away and leaves it to me.

OP posts:
margotrose · 04/12/2023 07:34

Your shower should work and have hot water if it's electric. It should have nothing to do with the boiler.

Hummusanddipdip · 04/12/2023 07:34

If your shower is electric @blackfluffycat you should still be able to have hot showers regardless of heating I thought?

Short term and possibly expensive, but space heaters?

Have you got any heated blankets?
Family you can send washing to to be tumble dried? Or a heater airer you can borrow? It's not cheap, but aldi are currently selling them for £40 something

Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:34

MrsWimpy · 04/12/2023 07:33

Electric showers usually have a "box" on the wall. Is yours like that?

Yes

OP posts:
Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:35

I'm so confused. The water is definitely very very cold.

OP posts:
SecondUsername4me · 04/12/2023 07:36

Did the engineer say what was actually wrong with the boiler? Are you being advised not to use it or told do not use this?

mewkins · 04/12/2023 07:36

Hi OP, I feel your pain- I had the same a few years ago - you can phone them and complain about the length of time- they may drop round some small electric heaters while you wait. I also had no hot water for a few weeks and had to keep going to friends' houses for a shower.

Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:37

He said it's not safe. It's 14 years old. It's been serviced every year and been ok up to now.

OP posts:
JoanThursday · 04/12/2023 07:38

blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:35

I'm so confused. The water is definitely very very cold.

Our boiler was recently out of action and our electric shower was fine.

When it's cold outside we do have to turn the temp dial up further to get the hot shower we like. The pipes and cold water are so cold right now. Could it be that?

Panderoo · 04/12/2023 07:39

Sound like it has been condemned, my sister had this a few years ago and that’s why it’s been totally switched off. Post a pic of your shower and people can see what’s up.

Original poster
blackfluffycat · 04/12/2023 07:39

Yes comdened

OP posts:
rwalker · 04/12/2023 07:40

I’m presuming they’ve turned it off because it’s unsafe you can’t argue with that

you can get heaters everywhere from supermarkets to Argos from £15

10 working days isn’t that bad tbh
your washer should still work you’ve got electric shower 2 heaters and could buy some more heaters

RoseDog · 04/12/2023 07:40

Your washing machine should be fine to use, they don't need hot water, they draw in cold water and heat the water.

Can you get in a local recommended gas engineer for a second opinion?

Soontobe60 · 04/12/2023 07:41

What you could have done at the point BG switched off your boiler was to find another heating engineer to sort it , unless you gave a service plan with BG. In which case you’re stuck! Sadly, there are too few gas engineers available to meet everyone’s need. It’s not just a BG issue.
If your shower is cold it’s likely not an electric one,

Yogibearspicnic · 04/12/2023 07:42

If you can, it might be worth getting out another independent engineer to give you another opinion and tell you what is actually wrong? I think British Gas can be quite variable in their engineers and what they do. They might just be a bit lazy about it and it's easier for them to say stop using it and buy a new one than try and sort out a problem.

newnamechangeforthisone · 04/12/2023 07:43

You can still switch it on. They haven't capped it off so it's not immediately dangerous.

Your shower should still work if it's electric.

Are you able to call them and ask.

It's likely it's unsafe if they turned it off but there is also the fact they have to sell boiler leads as part of their contract. Personally i would switch it on and make sure I had a carbon monoxide detector. The engineer should have made clear why it was dangerous and what the issue was.

Call and get more information, or get your husband to call and deal with it.

newnamechangeforthisone · 04/12/2023 07:45

Yogibearspicnic · 04/12/2023 07:42

If you can, it might be worth getting out another independent engineer to give you another opinion and tell you what is actually wrong? I think British Gas can be quite variable in their engineers and what they do. They might just be a bit lazy about it and it's easier for them to say stop using it and buy a new one than try and sort out a problem.

More to do with the pressure to sell I think. They also sub contract a lot of work off. But absolutely agree with getting another opinion.

clarrylove · 04/12/2023 07:45

An electric shower is basically like a bit kettle on the wall. It takes in cold water and heats it up. If that's not working, then that is nothing to do with your boiler.

In any case, I hope you get both fixed soon as it is miserable at this time of year without them.

clarrylove · 04/12/2023 07:46

Same for your washing machine, that should work fine too.