Single mums out there...do you do all your own DIY?

[PurpleOne]

Aw shit!

What was a simple 10 min plumbing job, has now ended with the water inlet hose on the washing machine being drastically overtightened, and the inlet tap has started moving and dripping water everywhere.
I bought a dishwasher and needed a 'Y' connector for my cold water inlet...but can't get my washing machine hose off to reconnect dishwasher and other appliance.

I can change lightbulbs, put up shelves and even installed my own elec sockets once. Have a huge bag of tools for certain jobs....but why doesn't a simple thing go right?

Before you all ask, my parents hate my guts and I have no mates anymore. Can't afford a plumber. Could ask exh, but I'm sure he would deliberately wreck it on purpose.

Any advice? DIY is great when you 'think' you know what you're doing LOL, but when it all goes wrong, I'd love a dp to lend me his muscles and advice!

Can't offer any particular advice, but many, many men are absolute crap at DIY, so owning one would not necessarily be the answer.

Im married and do all the DIY, because DH is disabled.
If you are haveing trouble just getting over tightened nuts off, try using one of those jam jar openers that have a strap. If you are seem to be getting a little dribble of water, take the connection apart and wrap PTFE tape around the offending thread, then do up again. Dont think of your xh's nuts whilst doing so, you may need to get it off again, so hand tight plus quarter turn.

Don't have a jam jar opener! I've tried a wrench and a teatowel.

I have a roll of PTFE tape and the water is shut off for now. Worth my while taking the whole inlet tap off, PTFE around thread and reconnecting the tap? I only wanted to get the damn hose off, put my 'Y' connector on and installing my dishwasher!

It's not a little dribble of water either, I'm not insured and live above an expensive clothing shop!

O.K. then, try doing it up quarter a turn to 'break' the corrosion that is sticking it, then try to undo again. Or try spraying with WD40 down the thread?

I don't do everything myself, purely because with a 16mo baby and nobody to help with her, I'd either be drilling with her round my feet or while she was asleep - both bad! I'm a bit of a girl when it comes to that kind of thing anyway.
purpleone - there is a website where you can skill-swap, probably more than one in fact, in your area. os you offer babysitting or whatever you're great at and have someone come and fix your shelves etc. I don't have a link, sorry, cos I don't know the name of the site but a google will find it I imagine.
No help in your current crisis though, sorry. Would a neighbour help?

Had to call a plumber, as bucket overfilled in the night.

£20 in the bank and plumber walks off with a £69 chq..of which I have no idea on where the money is gonna come from.
Guess the bills aren't gonna be paid next week then.

Thanks for all your help though ladies, much appreciated x