Mum’s washing machine stopped working - would DH be allowed to fix?

[PixieN]

Just wondering what views are on this. My DH is pretty handy with fixing things and has fixed a washing machine and done other jobs for my mum before. Obviously we haven’t been to see her since lockdown. The last time her washing machine broke it was just a case of ordering a small part which didn’t cost much (when she was convinced she’d need a new one) and didn’t take DH long to fix. She doesn’t have a lot of money and has mental health issues so she is quite vulnerable. Would it be o.k (and legal) for DH to go and have a look at it for her? Thinking she’ll have to stay in another room for distancing or go out and leave the door unlocked for DH to go in and check/fix. Obviously, he would take sanitiser and make sure anything he touched was wiped down etc. The other option would be for her to just buy a new one, but I don’t won’t her to waste money if she doesn’t need to and there is still the worry of having someone in to plumb it in for her and take the old one away.

It would be fine

Just do the things you've said - her in a bedroom/garden (not fussing around him making him a cup of tea & biscuits or a hug to say thank you etc). Keep the room well ventilated.

And wiping down everything he touches (It takes quite a lot of thought as you touch more than you realise)

Plus make sure he takes everything he might need (couple of old towels, rags, as well as tools)

Much safer than a random & no need to buy a new machine!!

Of course he can go and fix it. If she bought a new one someone would need to deliver it into the house, and remove the old one wouldn’t they?

TBH (I'm my mum's carer so similar situation) I can't see why not.
It's perfectly legal to provide assistance to a vulnerable person. Mum's neighbours have ordered a new washer and they have been told that when it's delivered the delivery people will wash their hands when they come in and when they leave, and the neighbours must be in another room.

This is a landlord's page about property management but it seems like a good overview - www.propertymark.co.uk/advice-and-guides/coronavirus-covid-19/maintenance-repairs-and-the-upkeep.aspx

Well if it isn't, then I have broken the law myself when I went to fix mil's.

I didn't even give it any thought, it needed looking at so we went.

Well if it isn't, then I have broken the law myself when I went to fix mil's.

It's OK - you were just following your instincts.

Of course!
I had a man in to clean my oven - he distanced, wore a mask and wiped everything.

Follow your instincts as a day daughter😉

rslsys

Day daughter?

Seriously yes it’s fine just be careful. Someone has to come and fix it might as well be your DH

Do what you like.

Of course he can go and fix it. If she bought a new one someone would need to deliver it into the house, and remove the old one wouldn’t they

Not at the moment, they drop the new one at your door and direct you to a YouTube video showing you how to plumb it in.

Mine's just broken and it was a bit stressful.

Of course he can fix it!

We can still thankfully have repair people in.

Plumbing a new one in is really easy to do. Hardest bit is finding the main water cut off.

Hardest bit I’m finding is getting of the machines.
Just before lockdown my fridge/freezer broke, luckily managed to get one delivered. Person who booked it forgot about booking the removal bit.

Still stuck with it 🤣

Well I had a repair man in to fix my washing machine on Saturday. If that’s okay I’m sure your DH is fine to help your mum out.

Yes your DH should definitely go and try to fix it. It's caring for a vulnerable person. My DM washing broke a few weeks ago. We had to get a new one delivered then a local engineer out to remove the old one and install the new. The major high street retailer would only deliver to the front door! It was a logistical world of pain!

Yes, of course, but he and your M need to take precautions. They could both wear masks, he could wear disposable gloves. He needs to wipe down everything he touches (inc light switches etc) taps, etc with something strong enough to kill the virus if he doesn't wear gloves. After he's gone, it would be wise for your M to wipe everything down again just in case your OH missed something. Also, your M should stay in a different room whilst he's there. Better safe than sorry!

My MIL is shielding and had a boiler failure. Called out British Gas. On the phone, they promised he'd wear a mask and gloves, wipe down everything and stay only in the room with the boiler. On the day, he did none of that. No gloves, no mask, he didn't wipe anything down and not only did he go to use the bathroom, he walked into her lounge (where she was keeping her distance) to tell her he'd finished. No precautions at all despite knowing she was shielding.

I think you're far better with someone you know rather than a "respected professional" as someone you know should be easier to "train" to take precautions than a know it all!

Thanks for your comments everyone. DH was all set to go round and have a look and I got a message from my mum to say she’s already bought a new one and they’re fitting it today and taking the old one away. Typical. She can be very impulsive, but that’s fast work even for her as she only told us it wasn’t working last night!

Oh well. At least it’s being sorted

It is fine to do this. She has MH issues. It is helping someone vulnerable. It is acceptable under the guidelines to provide help to someone who is vulnerable.

Of course it's ok. Plumbers could continue to work from the very beginning- and if your OH is going to provide a plumbing service then thats fine. If he washed his hands properly before it will be fine. My OH has helped out several elderly neighbours with odd jobs that they couldn't do- bleeding a radiator, rehanging a curtain rail, changing a landing light bulb.