Radio 4
Home Truths
Listen Again
About John Peel
| | |
Disastrous DIY Bathroom related incidents hover in the Home Truths unconscious - after a spell on the couch, Ron Boon remembered this one and wrote in at once to tell us... My sister knocked a plastic soap dish into the toilet pan. On the second flush the water flooded over the rim. Up came swearing Dad with wire and plunger. An evening of effort just resulted in more floods. The next day was Sunday and Dad spent all day probing and banging the outside downpipe. Mum suggested calling a plumber on Monday. Dad cursed her but she was delegated to ask a neighbour for the use of their lavatory. During the following week every evening was devoted to the toilet. Rods were borrowed to push up from the inspection pit in the garden. The weekend came. Mum and Dad had words. Mum and my sister escaped to Auntie Nellie's but I decided to stay and see the end. Holes were drilled in the cast iron down pipe. A paraffin soaked rag was then prodded down the loo and ignited. The remains were pulled up and the toilet was flushed. Water spurted out of the top drill holes but the pipe was still blocked halfway down. Some of my mates cheered from over the neighbour's fence. Dad was flushed and furious. Next came a small quantity of petrol poured down the loo. This had to be the end. A muffled explosion occurred. On Monday a plumber arrived. By Wednesday we had a new plastic downpipe and a gleaming new wc pan. We were never allowed to mention the episode again - at least not with Dad around. What incidents involving attempts to fix or mend have disturbed the harmony of your household? DIY can put a strain on relationships - how did your family and friends deal with an unexpected DIY result?  | |
| |
| |
