pneumonia - feeling rough

Sorry to hear you havent won the lottery. I am sitting with gas fire on and heated throw. Am reluctant to attempt to sort out the water pressure until later because once the boiler is up and running, it usually stays on for 4 hours. So I thought I would try and do the water pressure about 4pm today. My husband says I should do it but I am nervous as have only done it once before and I struggled. He was reluctant to call because of the snow they gave out. It has snowed but not as bad as expected. I seem to be losing my confidence, what with one thing and another!

Sorry, carry on with your plans for tomorrow.
No winnings, I'm afraid.

Thanks.

Got my fingers crossed for you for a big win. Good luck!

You're not on your own while you can manage to post on here, even if it's just "help!"
We can give moral support, if not much else.

Anyway, I'm planning to win the lottery tonight, and I'll start up a scheme to give practical help for those who are in a fix.

Was so glad that my husband topped up the water pressure and the heating was on. But it has gone off now and the water pressure has dropped to zero. I think I will manage tonight then in the morning, I am going to attempt to top up the water pressure myself. There are several youtube films showing how to do it, if I am cold enough and desperate enough, I shall probably go ahead and do it correct. It is just a shame today that I didnt top up the water pressure whilst my husband could supervise so to speak then I would feel more confident. At least I have had 2 more hours heat than yesterday because it went off about 4.30pm yesterday and hasnt gone off till approx 6.30pm tonight. I think if I had left the heating on and turned down the stat, then the boiler may have stopped as and when the boiler lost the water pressure but not sure. It is so good that you have all been there and made suggestions etc, it makes me feel supported and like I am not on my own - thanks a lot.

we once had a leak between floors in a brand new house, pipe connectors could not withstand the pump pressure. Weekend and no-one would come out and the emergency plumber said he would not be creating access, bearing in mind new fitted carpet and a large hole would have to be cut into the floor. We turned our ch off and that stopped the leak and saved the ceiling below

Allira

^I thanked the gent for his help and said I would think about it. I think I am best keeping local with a company that I know^

Presumably, Vince will give you an estimate if it does need more extensive work and proves to be more expensive, then you can go down the insurance route.

Could you turn the thermostat down at night so that it does cut in occasionally? Would that work? Better than losing heat altogether.

I was thinking the same re turning the thermostat down overnight. Trouble is that if there is a slow leak eg under a floorboard, then water will keep leaving and more will enter to replace and the boiler will keep turning on

Plus a leak overnight could be the last straw on the ceiling plaster and the situation could get a great worse. At least if the ch is off, the pump will not be on and the leak should stop temporarily

You sound pragmatic wintersday and you seem to be coping very well, considering

I was going to ask if you could keep the heating on for the night.
No doubt it'll cost, but you'd be nice and warm,and it would heat the place through properly which is a good thing.

No good if it keeps you awake, though.

Hopefully, Vince is determined to fix things for you,so it might be best to stick with him now.

I thanked the gent for his help and said I would think about it. I think I am best keeping local with a company that I know

Presumably, Vince will give you an estimate if it does need more extensive work and proves to be more expensive, then you can go down the insurance route.

Could you turn the thermostat down at night so that it does cut in occasionally? Would that work? Better than losing heat altogether.

Vince plumber has phoned me today even though he isnt at work. He hopes to be here on Monday to get to the bottom of the problem. Husband took me for xray then toppped up water pressure and heating been on a good few hours now. But when I switch it off tonight, the water pressure will automatically drop and the boiler wont work. I asked husband if he will call to do it tomorrow and he says, cant you do it, but I am nervous of doing it as I havent had a trial run or anything. But they have given out snow and he would prefer not to travel but maybe the roads will be clear and he can come. Generally I dont think my house is a very warm house as considering how long the heating has been on, it doesnt feel overly warm. But it is January and maybe all houses arent getting very warm at the moment. I phoned my insurance co. today out of curiosity. I have an excess of £400 so I would pay the £400 and they would send someone to locate the leak and make it accessible. Then I pay a plumber to do the work, then the co. via the insurance come back and make good. I thanked the gent for his help and said I would think about it. I think I am best keeping local with a company that I know. It is very stressful here with this heating as I am half expecting it to go off - it did that yesterday so it could today. Just keeping my fingers crossed. I dont think I want to keep the heating on all night as the noise of the boiler would wake me up then I would be anxious about that too. Just brilliant that I have some heat as I didnt expect to. It felt really alien being out today a I havent been out since 27 Dec, oh that is only 8 days ago, feels like 8 weeks ago! Thanks again for all your support x

Probably best to break down these problems into bite sized pieces.

For now, it'll be cold, but you can get dressed and go for this xray, so you know how the land lies.

Put some hot water bottles amongst the clothes you're planning to wear, so they're warm when you put them on.
Just remember to take them out, or you'll be sloshing!!

I do have several small electric heaters as I have solar panels and on a bright day I can run them at zero expense. They have given out sun today but it hasnt broken through yet so when it does, I will be warmer. Have phoned heating co. twice today but have just left messages. But my thoughts are will they ever find the leak! Maybe best to wait till the spring if they have got to get the carpets and floorboards up. The doc said is there anywhere I can stay over this cold spell and I could go to my husbands. But it isnt ideal and he only has a single bed and you are treading on egg shells at times with him so I thought maybe best I stop here where I have my things I need and my heaters and I have hot water bottles and 3 massive thick dressing gowns on at the moment. I am not looking forward to having to get dressed and go for the xray but best I get it done. Thank you for all your support, it is very much appreciated.

British Red Cross Support Line
0808 196 3651

Please contact them Wintersday.
This exactly what they are for.

Are you registered with your utility company, as a vulnerable person?
I have been for years and it has meant I get priority treatment if required.

I once had a Scottish Gas manager in my home, when he got an urgent phone. I was most impressed with his efforts to assist a vulnerable, ninety year old man, whose boiler was unrepairable in the middle of winter. The manager was pulling out the stops to get him some emergency heating.

Maybe phone your utility company and stress to them that you have (or had) pneumonia.
Ask them if they can provide a small heater.

Do the council help with that sort of thing?

Allira

Can you afford to buy a couple of oil-filled radiators? They are quite economical to run I think.
One could be in your living room, the other in your bedroom. Otherwise, could the plumber find you any you could borrow if he can't fix the heating?

My daughter had no boiler recently. Her utility company supplied a heater to tide her over until it could be replaced.

Just a thought, you could book yourself into a Premier Inn or other hotel, if finances allow, anyway.
They usually have some cheaper weekdays, will have heating, and food.

Then you could get properly rested and warmed up, ready to do battle with the boiler.

We are all v concerned about you wintersday.
Is the xray dept in a hosp ?
If there is an urgent treatment centre there or out of hours service Could you pop in after having the xray for a check up.
Think it would good to have your obs done.
Take care.

Do you use the gas fire much?
Has the flue been checked recently.
I don't want to worry you but if you feel any drowsiness or a sick headache coming on you must turn it off and quit that room immediately.
I have had this experience years ago.

Do you have a local Upcycling place? We have some locally and they will take unwanted goods, including electrical items which are renovated and fully checked before being sold at a reasonable price to the public. It might be worth looking to see if there is one; they may have a Facebook page and a phone number.
They collect items so might deliver if you explained your situation.

Agree bout heating your bedroom overnight. Need to keep warm. Acold bedroom is not good surely with pneumonia.

Can you afford to buy a couple of oil-filled radiators? They are quite economical to run I think.
One could be in your living room, the other in your bedroom. Otherwise, could the plumber find you any you could borrow if he can't fix the heating?

Just wanted to add my best wishes. Its awful being alone when you feel so wretched.

Thanks for your reply. The xray is to check my lungs. You mention insurance cover and staying in a hotel, that sounds interesting. But my house/contents ins is very basic, nothing fancy. The heating situation is affecting me mentally as I so want to put it on but cant. I wonder if it will ever be fixed as the problem must be out of sight and a matter of elimination.