I’m one of the world’s worst handymen. I laugh at those do-it-yourself shows when they tell me how easy a project is going to be because they’ve never met me and they really have no idea just what they’re suggesting. I don’t try the projects they suggest because I know that they’ll look nothing like they should at the end of it all. They will have a much closer resemblance to some kind of modern art gone wrong.
Having said that, there are some small victories that I am able to win. Last weekend I was instrumental in fixing a blind to a large window in our house. After Pauline did the measuring I drilled the holes, screwed in the brackets and helped lift the blind into place. Just over a week later it’s still there.
This weekend provided another challenge. Our ensuite toilet has been leaking for a little while. I had tried tinkering with the internals to no avail. Finally I pulled the bits apart and realised it needed a new rubber washer. No problem.
I visited WA Salvage only to find that they didn’t have the right one. So off to Bunnings. They didn’t have it either. Our system is too old.
Then I clapped eyes on a new float / tap thingy. That’s what I needed. A complete replacement for the old float / tap thingy. It was less than $20 so I grabbed it.
Installation went even better than expected. It all fitted together very nicely and even worked first time. Brilliant. The pool of water surrounding me on the floor was of little consequence compared to this handyman victory.
Then it was just a simple matter of putting the toilet seat back in place. Well, it should have been simple. It took me far longer to get the seat back where it should be than to install the aforementioned float / tap thingy.
Oh well – it’s all fixed now. No more leaks and the world is wonderful yet again.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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Normally I’m not allowed to touch tools, or even look at them. But when I’m working at Houghton’s winery I’ve got to look after this massive machine that transfers bottles to a conveyor belt. No one bothered to ask me for references as to whether I should be using it or not. Scary!!
Congrats in the victories.
Funny… had to do the same job yesterday!
Sitting reading the Sunday Times quietly at 7.30 when I am roussed to fix the toilet. There goes that quiet Sunday AM!
The good news is the beast is fixed at last
I know how you feel Rodney. I sold my house and started renting, much easier when something technical goes wrong. I only have to know how to use the telephone and be able to describe whatever hitch needs unhitching.
Helen