What 'daft' DIY error have you made (with amusing outcome, rather than disastrous!)
- Thread starter Fastpedaller
- Start date
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postman
Squire
- Location
- Meanwoodshire.
I was part of a church group,that helped people who were looking for work done,and not sure if they were getting ripped off.My trade was decorating,we did not get paid,but were fed watered and well looked after.So i turned up to a house to decorate a small bedroom,that was 1989 in 2026 i am still here.I did too good a job.
Tom B
Guru
- Location
- Lancashire
I set about changing the thermostatic valve in the shower.
Popped the plastic cap off... took of the knob revealing a big brass nut.. as I'd expected...
Decided to take out the set screw from underneath the bar before popping down to turn the water off and get a suitable spanner for the nut. Didnt engage brain and question where there would be a set screw and a huge nut...
A couple of turns on the set screw released the valve body and the water pressure blew it out followed by loads of water at mains pressure.
Fortunately I was able shut the shower door and only needed a change of clothes having personally stopped the jet of water from flooding the bathroom.
Turns out the big bras hex was part of the body assembly and not for holding the valve body in. I guess because I saw a big brass nut that I was expecting to see there was a bit of confirmation bias affecting my thinking.
Popped the plastic cap off... took of the knob revealing a big brass nut.. as I'd expected...
Decided to take out the set screw from underneath the bar before popping down to turn the water off and get a suitable spanner for the nut. Didnt engage brain and question where there would be a set screw and a huge nut...
A couple of turns on the set screw released the valve body and the water pressure blew it out followed by loads of water at mains pressure.
Fortunately I was able shut the shower door and only needed a change of clothes having personally stopped the jet of water from flooding the bathroom.
Turns out the big bras hex was part of the body assembly and not for holding the valve body in. I guess because I saw a big brass nut that I was expecting to see there was a bit of confirmation bias affecting my thinking.
Last edited:
matticus
Guru
Not an egregious "error" - more overdue maintenance - but:
Garage rollover door cable snapped, about 10pm, while bike-fettling. I had no idea what had happened; bang, then door slunk down one-sided.
With the door fully open (and in the dark), you can't see the mechanism, and thus work out what the heck's gone wrong. I jiggled about with - in fear of head injury - then retreated to google+youtube.
Thus figured out what had broken, but no idea how to safely secure the garage without injury. Moved more valuable stuff indoors/elsewhere. Then hacksawed partially thru remaining cable before losing my nerve. Then I did some more jiggling and the remaining strands snapped - luckily it was now slightly jammed in the door frame, so didn't crash down. I managed to lump it back into the runners, and eased it down+shut. Locked OK.
I spent that hour expecting one of two other, bad outcomes:
- admitting defeat, and leaving garage insecure overnight. Or (more likely):
- door falling on me noggin, doing Grave Damage [no i did not fetch my only-worn-under-duress h*lmet, dear reader!!!
Went to bed VERY relieved (after quick shot of brown fluid made in Ireland).
Garage rollover door cable snapped, about 10pm, while bike-fettling. I had no idea what had happened; bang, then door slunk down one-sided.
With the door fully open (and in the dark), you can't see the mechanism, and thus work out what the heck's gone wrong. I jiggled about with - in fear of head injury - then retreated to google+youtube.
Thus figured out what had broken, but no idea how to safely secure the garage without injury. Moved more valuable stuff indoors/elsewhere. Then hacksawed partially thru remaining cable before losing my nerve. Then I did some more jiggling and the remaining strands snapped - luckily it was now slightly jammed in the door frame, so didn't crash down. I managed to lump it back into the runners, and eased it down+shut. Locked OK.
I spent that hour expecting one of two other, bad outcomes:
- admitting defeat, and leaving garage insecure overnight. Or (more likely):
- door falling on me noggin, doing Grave Damage [no i did not fetch my only-worn-under-duress h*lmet, dear reader!!!
Went to bed VERY relieved (after quick shot of brown fluid made in Ireland).
