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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

No boiler for at least a week?

65 replies

grenlei · 29/09/2020 17:26

AIBU to be a little concerned as to how we will manage this, without any hot water?

My trusted plumber isn't able to get to it until then. I have had so many bad experiences I don't trust anyone else, so I'm a bit stuck. Previously we have managed situations like this by having showers at gym, work etc but in these Covid times that's no longer possible.

Heating I'm not too bothered about but the lack of hot water is rather different.

WWYD if you were me? Any advice?

OP posts:

bathorshower · 29/09/2020 19:01

Having lived overseas without hot water, I used to fill a bucket with pleasantly warm water (your kettle will help; I'm assuming you won't have to collect wood and water first), then put it in the bath and use a jug to pour it over you. If you have a big bucket (20 litres) then you should have enough to wash your hair. 10 litres isn't really enough for my hair!

zukiecat · 29/09/2020 19:16

It's not undoable, although it's not pleasant either.

I went 10 years without heating or hot water, just could not afford it, only found out last year after we'd moved house that the meter at my previous address wasn't set up properly, and I got a cheque for the amount I'd overpaid.

Living through freezing conditions in a house with no heating is not fun.

MsEllany · 29/09/2020 19:22

Well, we had a new boiler fitted last week after six weeks without so I think you’ll be fine!

I had cold two minute showers and washed my hair over the side of the bath, or filled up the sink and had a strip wash. Or just went without, I’ve been working from home since March so just made sure I didn’t need to go out.

Sucks though.

Original poster

grenlei · 29/09/2020 19:32

Swimming pool is open but shower isn't. Plus there are weird rules at the pool now, it's all lane swimming only which is no good for me as I am a weak swimmer and don't like being out of my depth!

I guess we have to look at our week of sink washes and cold water showers as a challenge :)

OP posts:

Obbydoo · 29/09/2020 19:47

You can buy shower wipes that are usually used for elderly people or those with other mobility issues. I used to buy them for my dad when he was ill. I think the brand was 'Drench'. Obvs not as good as a proper shower but better than nothing and easier than a kettle.

ahhanotheryear · 29/09/2020 19:53

Leave a flask full of hot water in the bathroom at night, ready for the morning wash.
Don't try and fill the bath from kettles and pans, use a large tub (we have a big strong plastic box) instead.

mumwon · 29/09/2020 20:04

www.carryongardening.org.uk/shop/flexible-rubber-bucket-df6510a2/default.aspx
this type of bucket - place in bath mix hot & cold water in this use large (plastic?) measuring jug - kneel or sit in bath lean over bucket rinse hair into bucket use shampoo rinse (into bucket again you are saving hot water) than use jug to wash yourselves use shower gel or soap in appropriate areas & rinse into bath
this is not an expensive item & can be used as a laundry basket afterwards

EmmaGrundyForPM · 29/09/2020 20:16

Buy an additional.kettle and plug it in upstairs near your bathroom.

I use Batiste dry shampoo when not got time to wash and dry hair. It works really well.

year5teacher · 29/09/2020 20:18

Not to one up you but we haven’t had a reliable boiler for over a year.
Can’t remember the last time I had hot water.
The joys of renting!

year5teacher · 29/09/2020 20:19

Although our shower is on a different system - fuck not having a hot shower!!!!!!

thevassal · 29/09/2020 20:23

You say friends are out because of covid but if my friend asked I would be more than happy to let them use my shower if they needed to! Are you sure you don't want to check? They could wait outside or in a completely different room if you were particularly worried - again I wouldn't mind this at all if you asked.

You've mentioned the local pool but do you have a cheap gym anywhere near you? DP goes to pure gym and their showers are open plus there is an offer on membership so it's about a tenner for the first month and you could cancel after? It's very covid safe too, everyone wearing masks and constantly cleaning.

PeppaPrick · 29/09/2020 20:24

I had exactly this happen to me, it was sink washes and then would use a watering can with sprinkler bit, filled up with hot water (plus a splash of cold) from kettle for a make shift shower 🤣 For your hair, I just washed it as close to the root without touching the scalp so I couldn't feel the cold water. Hope you get it fixed soon.

Wherehavetheteletubbiesgone · 29/09/2020 21:34

We did two weeks with just the kettle. I'm sure you will cope it wont be luxury but you can get through it.

mrsbyers · 29/09/2020 21:36

Dry shampoo and camping style bit washes

86jabberwocky · 29/09/2020 21:41

I was in a similar situation a few years ago in mid January no heating no hot water. I basically used the kettle to heat up and used large buckets mixing it with cold water. First I washed my hair by bending down and with the remaining water I jumped into the bath and gave myself a quick scrub and emptied the bucket over my body. I know it's not ideal. Remember to blow dry your hair to avoid the sniffles as it's cool in the evenings now.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/09/2020 21:42

I manger for two weeks over Christmas without hot water, shower or heating. It went much fun but I manged.

ButtWormHole · 29/09/2020 22:14

If you were one of my friends and you didn’t ask I would be mortified! We could easily make a bathroom/shower visit COVID safe for you with disinfectant and leaving the house for awhile.

Howlooseisyourgoose · 29/09/2020 22:22

OP, could you call your local gyms and ask if they offer any taster offers like day or week passes?

Pipandmum · 29/09/2020 22:40

Um, why don't you just get another plumber? There must be someone out there who will fix it. Go with a company (not a lone tradesman) if you really dont trust anyone. You'll pay more but at least it will get done.

CoffeeandCroissant · 29/09/2020 23:10

You can buy rechargeable usb showers, you fill a bucket with water 💦 (using hot from kettle and cold from tap) stick the pump base in the water and use it in the shower. They are meant for camping, but work ok indoors although it takes a few kettles full to fill a large bucket. I used to do 2 buckets as 1 drained too fast. (Had to do this daily for over a year due to landlady refusing to fix boiler, so doing it for a few days/week should be bearable).

bebarkered · 29/09/2020 23:19

Sod waiting for your usual plumber, get another plumber OP. X

Ginfordinner · 29/09/2020 23:26

@Pipandmum

You will find one by posting on your local Facebook page. This is how we found our last plumber when our loo needed fixing.

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 29/09/2020 23:31

I’m on week 4, by next week when they can fix it it will be week 5, fortunately I do have an electric shower that I can use but it is a bloody pain in the arse. If I didn’t even have the shower I’d be popping to a family members house for one regardless of the rules because I need to wash!

Original poster

grenlei · 29/09/2020 23:58

The only people I know well enough to ask locally either have more than 6 people at home (so me visiting would breach the rules) or have vulnerable family members at home, or both. I don't feel I can ask in those circumstances.

My gym is one of the cheap ones - showers not in use. Eldest DC is a member of the local PureGym and thinks the showers are also sealed off there but will double check tomorrow.

Of course I could go to another plumber however I simply don't trust anyone. I've had a really shitty experience with a big regional firm and local guys. Big firm came out 3 times for the same problem which wasn't fixed and I had to have a massive row about it to get them to accept I only should pay once. And even then they didn't completely fix the issue.

After that I thought I'd go by recommendation and used a company with glowing reviews on social media...the chap who came out didn't seem to know one end of a boiler from another, and was basically being talked through what to do by a colleague over the phone, then the 'main guy' called me and told me I needed to replace my boiler and wanted a grand up front. I refused and got a torrent of abuse.

As an aside I've also had many other dodgy tradesmen, a painter who couldn't cut in properly (sent by my insurers following a claim, they also sent me a 'kitchen fitter' who'd never fitted a kitchen before), various useless plumbers who left leaks and unfinished work in their wake, a tiler who put my tiles up crooked, the list goes on. Sadly hardly anyone takes pride in their work, too many people want a quick buck for a shoddy job.

After all that my current guy was recommended by a good friend, he is completely trustworthy and honestly I'd rather a week or two of cold showers than go through all the above nonsense again!

OP posts:

Original poster

grenlei · 30/09/2020 16:23

update on the showers is they're not open at DC gym either :(

have been sitting festering in my own filth today - had a lukewarm shower yesterday from the last of the water in the tank, trying to decide between cold shower or awkward wash at the sink. Have realised I don't have a bucket to facilitate a shower/ bath wash (we did, it's now full of earth in the garden) so that's on the shopping list for tomorrow.

OP posts:

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