Leaks

Well, I was late in to work today by the simple expedient of not leaving the house until 10.20 in the a.m.

This was entirely for the sole reason of having to stay in and meet two different roofers who had separately arranged to come along and quote to fix the leak where the bathroom extension roof meets the main house. Both gave basically the same story – whoever built the extension didn’t finish the join off properly. Instead of putting a lead trough under the roof tiles to allow rain water to drain away, they had stuffed a big blob of cement on top of the roof tiles, which worked until weathering did its job and now there is a leak.

I am pleased that they both said essentially the same thing and both indicated that it would only be a small job to fix. Quite what that means in terms of conkers is anybody’s guess, since neither has yet come back with a quotation for the work. I daresay we have divergent views on what constitutes ‘simple’ and ‘cheap’. Nevertheless, best get it done before winter sets in and any freeze widens the breach. Back in my Clapham garret (now THERE’s a name for a Private Eye!) days I experienced first hand what happens when leaks are ignored: a huge chunk of sopping plaster and wood work drops off the ceiling with an almighty crash at the most inconvenient time it can contrive. That’s bad enough when it’s someone else’s place; don’t want it in our own house.

Our war chest is already on life support following the move; now we have this to contend with. At least it’s happened while we are still both drawing salaries to pay for the repairs.

It occurs to me that the phrase ‘it never rains, but it pours’ may be too ironic for school, to mangle a saying.

Leaks

Well, I was late in to work today by the simple expedient of not leaving the house until 10.20 in the a.m.

This was entirely for the sole reason of having to stay in and meet two different roofers who had separately arranged to come along and quote to fix the leak where the bathroom extension roof meets the main house. Both gave basically the same story – whoever built the extension didn’t finish the join off properly. Instead of putting a lead trough under the roof tiles to allow rain water to drain away, they had stuffed a big blob of cement on top of the roof tiles, which worked until weathering did its job and now there is a leak.

I am pleased that they both said essentially the same thing and both indicated that it would only be a small job to fix. Quite what that means in terms of conkers is anybody’s guess, since neither has yet come back with a quotation for the work. I daresay we have divergent views on what constitutes ‘simple’ and ‘cheap’. Nevertheless, best get it done before winter sets in and any freeze widens the breach. Back in my Clapham garret (now THERE’s a name for a Private Eye!) days I experienced first hand what happens when leaks are ignored: a huge chunk of sopping plaster and wood work drops off the ceiling with an almighty crash at the most inconvenient time it can contrive. That’s bad enough when it’s someone else’s place; don’t want it in our own house.

Our war chest is already on life support following the move; now we have this to contend with. At least it’s happened while we are still both drawing salaries to pay for the repairs.

It occurs to me that the phrase ‘it never rains, but it pours’ may be too ironic for school, to mangle a saying.