Christmas .. and Student Flats.

Posted: December 11, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Yes, it’s that time of year yet again ! All those hard working students will be packing up and heading home to Mummy for Christmas.

A bit of advice … which might save some heartache if this cold weather keeps up … or gets worse !

  • Landlords make sure you have keys so that you can get into your flats in case of emergencies if they are unoccupied over the holidays.
  • Students … make sure you don’t leave any windows open. Don’t leave taps dripping… and don’t switch off the heating completely.

I’ve lost count of the number of times over the last “few” years that I have been called out to gain entry to an empty flat where the students have left a window wide open in the bathroom and the pipes have frozen and then burst. A real mess and very expensive all round, plus when they get back after the holidays they find they are locked out !

It might sound as if I am talking myself out of business but these things have a nasty habit of happening on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day when (to be honest) I would rather be having a few days off !

Do you mind if I watch ?

Posted: December 3, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Called out this afternoon to a failed multi point lock. Unfortunately failed locked! Customer had kindly waited way over an hour for me as I was on site at a job completely the other side of Edinburgh when he called.

On arrival found lock had failed with deadbolt, latchbolt , top and bottom hook bolts out. Magic !

Anyway to cut a long story short there was the usual “helpful” neighbour hanging around speaking to my customer. Without going into too much detail I was getting set up with my drill. ” Do you mind if I watch?”says the neighbour. ” I had the same problem recently and I would like to see a professional tackling it.”

Normally I am not that bothered about idle curiosity… but …. “Yes I do actually” was my reply. “Sorry but it makes me feel a bit like a performing seal. My customer is paying , you’re not.

Thankfully he took the hint !

Anyway got it open. From arrival including opening and new gearbox and cylinder installed ….all within 45 mins. One very happy customer who had visions of the door being pulverised etc.

Ok sonny off yer orange box …. That’s enough !