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Original poster

Should we cancel the plumber?

29 replies

TwigTheWonderKid · 07/01/2021 13:49

At the end of November our plumber was supposed to come and move 3 radiators in our house. Once of our DC tested positive for Covid so we had to postpone.

He's due to come next Monday and I'm not sure what to do. I know it's "allowed" but it's not essential it's done now (though would allow us to plough on with DIY projects once it's done) and we have been very good at following the spirit and letter of the rules so far. Don't want to let the plumber down but it seems mad to have him in our house for an entire day in our living room and 2 of our bedrooms when one in 30 people where we live currently have the virus.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Frozenintime · 07/01/2021 13:54

No it's fine. Ours has been today to replace our bath taps and we had Safegas to fix a cold radiator issue yesterday

Oxters · 07/01/2021 13:58

I'd cancel.

I'm in Scotland and this wouldn't be allowed under our guidelines. We are permitted essential maintenance only (broken boiler, leak, etc.)

Guidance aside, I think you'd be taking an unnecessary risk for something that's not essential.

schlugt · 07/01/2021 13:59

I would keep the appointment

Timbucktime · 07/01/2021 13:59

I would go ahead

123rd · 07/01/2021 14:01

But if you stay out of his way whilst he is there and then clear/sanitise everything he touches ( you wear gloves etc ) then it would be fine

Original poster
TwigTheWonderKid · 07/01/2021 14:12

@123rd

But if you stay out of his way whilst he is there and then clear/sanitise everything he touches ( you wear gloves etc ) then it would be fine
He's not really going to touch very much and I'm less concerned about surfaces than about airborne transmission. In an enclosed space the virus can remain for several hours and as these are all rooms we would need to use shortly after he has finished and for a prolonged amount of time it would worry me. We have young kittens and it will be difficult to have our big windows open without worrying they might escape.
OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 07/01/2021 14:21

I need something like this done too but am waiting for the moment. Also in Scotland where its only essential work allowed. Yes, I could probably play fast and loose with the word essential, but its not about bending rules, its about safety - why put yourself at risk when the work can wait..

Doodlepip23 · 07/01/2021 14:22

Cancel if not urgent. I’ve cancelled a couple of people who were meant to do work in my house. I’m CEV.

Caspianberg · 07/01/2021 14:28

I would keep it. We had three radiators taken down yesterday ready for builders due soon. It only took him an hour.

He was here at 9am and I had ds in pram ready to go out. I took ds for a long walk. Dh was at home in home office and said plumber was gone just gone 10am. Mask on whole time

The hall, living room and kitchen windows where he worked were left open. When he left dh opened back door as well for 30 mins.

I came back at 11.30 and work was done, windows reclosed and house warming back up

Just put kittens in a room he’s not in for a couple of hours. They will be fine with their stuff in there.

Original poster
TwigTheWonderKid · 07/01/2021 14:42

It's going to take more than a couple of hours as it involves taking up floor boards to move pipework.

Thanks of all your advice, its definitely helped me to work through it in my mind. Think we will cancel. It just doesn't seem worth the risk. DH was really ill before Xmas with a non-Covid related chest infection, which eventually required hospital treatment. Trying to get him appropriate medical help was incredibly difficult even then, and it was all pretty scary. Don't want to take any risks with him or be the cause of any unnecessary extra pressure on the NHS.

OP posts:
user1497207191 · 07/01/2021 14:45

I'd cancel. We've had various jobs planned over the last few months. A few have gone ahead in the "safer" periods of time when covid spread was low (i.e. last Summer). There's no way we're having anyone in our house at the moment (except in case of emergency).

RedMarauder · 07/01/2021 14:49

If your DH is a risk cancel otherwise I would say go ahead.

Remember the plumber doesn't want to catch anything either nor do they want to pass anything on as they still want a livelihood after this pandemic ends.

BlueBaubles12 · 07/01/2021 14:59

If he’s happy to do the job, then I’d let him. Just keep your distance and let him get on with it.

Maisieme · 07/01/2021 15:03

I would cancel

pinguwings · 07/01/2021 15:16

Don't cancel if you aren't vulnerable. You've booked him, he's happy to come. It's his livelihood and he may not be able to fill those days otherwise

rosesinmygarden · 07/01/2021 15:30

If you're going to cancel then please tell him asap! Otherwise he may not be able to book other work and will be out of pocket.

I hope he's not laid out on materials yet...

You have to do what is safest for your family but have some consideration for the plumber too!

Skyliner001 · 07/01/2021 15:32

I'd keep the appointment 😊

NotGenerationAlpha · 07/01/2021 15:33

I would go ahead.

NotGenerationAlpha · 07/01/2021 15:33

And if you want to be careful, stay away from him in another part of the house while he works. Only talk to him when wearing a mask. Open windows once he's gone.

NotGenerationAlpha · 07/01/2021 15:35

Oh I just saw your DH has been very ill iwth chest infection. In that case, I'd cancel. It's different if you are both in your 30s and healthy and not vulnerable.

KitKat1985 · 07/01/2021 15:35

I've got some plumbing work booked into later this month and it's al going ahead, although will obviously social distance etc.

edwinbear · 07/01/2021 15:38

I have an electrician coming to finish off some work for me tomorrow. He's done a few things for us over lockdown with no problems, but if you are going to cancel, do please tell him asap so he can book something else in. If one of your DC tested positive, have you not all had it already out of interest?

SlopesOff · 07/01/2021 15:53

We have had need of some workmen in the last few weeks, all have worn masks and we have kept away from them as much as possible, I have cleaned doorknobs, edges of doors etc. when they left. However, the work couldn't have waited any longer.

nimbuscloud · 07/01/2021 15:54

I’d cancel.

NotTerfNorCis · 07/01/2021 15:55

I've gone ahead with something similar although felt a bit uneasy about it. This guy has had Covid and now donates his plasma so the antibodies can be used in treatments.