living dangerously

[eastlmark]

Talk about living dangerously, first call this morning, a SMEG oven, open my toolbag placed on the floor infront of a dishwasher and notice my neon live tester is glowing in the bag. Pick it up and its glowing near any of the appliances in the kitchen, I carefully test each socket, no earths anywhere. Customer remarks they have been getting shocks ever since kitchen was installed 2 years ago. :zap:

then, this afternoon a Miele washer prog not advancing (an old thing with a mech timer, I knew straight away it would be BER but had to go through the motions in order to justify the bill). Customer demonstrates for me on spin, I then swing the front open, switch on and notice a whisp of smoke from the timer, which quickly turns into a flame! I try to blow it out but just fuel the fire, never seen anything like it before, tall flames and acrid smoke. With power of I resort to panic mode and pour a bowl of water into it! Just wonder what would have happened if it was just the customer trying to use it again with the lid on; she would have had no idea.
Turns out they had sprayed loads of WD 40 (or similar) into the timer to try and fix the problem the day before, i can only assume a spark from a contact ignited it, scary stuff.

[RocketMan]

Re: living dangerously

I was at a customer this afternoon, knocked on the door waiting for her to come to the door – GAS all I could smell was GAS. Getting concerned, started looking around and meter box about 7 ft up the wall. The lady, who I know but not that well, “oh we always smell gas but can’t notice it if there’s any wind.”

OMG what planet is she on? Back there soon and I think I manged to persuade her to call util company. Told her if it’s after the meter then it’s your responsibility (offering to call a gas eng I know) – “oh we’ve got insurance cover on water, gas and electric so might won’t cost me owt.” Just sort it woman!!!

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