scrubbedexpat091

Your lab operates different, haven't seen that type of system in years. I check in online and relax at home until my time comes...lol Helps the lab is in our building, and is 2 minute walk, and that they allow online check in.

scrubbedexpat091

This Subway owner is a generous man.

https://globalnews.ca/news/6323911/e...H0iSAKmwawye4s

BristolUK

Perhaps that level of convenience is also convenient for hackers.

Discovered our hot water tank was leaking today. Probably explains why we had a higher than usual water bill last quarter.
We'd had a puddle on the floor of the basement but the old freezer - that we're working towards dumping - gives off a lot of condensation and when the lid is opened it runs off onto the floor. We thought that was t he cause but today I saw it was bigger and I noticed the leak upon closer inspection.

It's rented so I called the power company around 10.30am and it was all replaced/reconnected by just after 2.00pm. Pretty impressive I reckon.

One minor quibble:
Before calling I saw on the NB Power website that for a leak one had to turn off the water and power to the tank and they'd only send someone out when that was done.
The power was easy and there was only one tap/valve by the tank so I did that and called.

Guy on the phone said there should be a valve part way down the tank and I told him the only obvious water shut off point was above the tank; the one I'd closed. I said there was one red line fixed. "No valve on that?" he asked. No, I said.

"So you'll need to get a valve installed before I can do the job order...have a plumber do it and then call back for me to order the work."
Didn't sound right to me. The red line looked electrical. I'm completely thick when it comes to this sort of thing but I asked if this shut off thing could be further on the red line. He says maybe. So I follow the line through the pipes and stuff in the basement ceiling and...it's connected to the circuit breaker box.

So now he agrees the one I shut off fits the requirement for the job order and he completes it.

The contracted plumber arrives and first thing he says is the shut off valve isn't working. It'll cost $80. Well that's fine, I didn't hear any change in sound or have any perception me turning it actually did anything. So replacement/installation happens along with a new tank to replace the one that was apparently installed 22 years ago.

Since the guy who came to do the work is a proper plumber - either with his own business or employed by a plumber - and installed the new valve, obviously that didn't need me to arrange it (as suggested at first) with the delays involved in that (the power company can obviously get priority action) as well as getting back to them later. Seems to me the power company should have said "any work not related to the replacement is your liability" and I'd have been happy with that. That should have been offered to me.

So I'm happy enough to have the tank replaced as part of the rental agreement and to only pay the parts price. If I'd have gone the independent plumber route as initially suggested, not only would there have been delays, there'd have been a minimum call out charge equal to at least an hour's work, potentially adding another $100 or more.

scrubbedexpat091

Oh the joys of Vancouver rentals.

https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/c...this_as_a_two/

Sometimes looking at house prices in parts of Atlantic Canada makes me wish I was a risk taker.

BristolUK

Pet friendly though.

scrubbedexpat091

Indeed it is which can be tricky in Vancouver.

Housing is an out of control cost in BC, especially rentals, and where rent is cheap there are usually no jobs/limited employment and living in a more isolated location up north.

Vancouver is a city for the rich more or less.

scrubbedexpat091

NIMBYs if anything provide amusing entertainment.

10 absurd things said by residents against a 5-storey Kitsilano rental building

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/1805...t-marks-church

scrubbedexpat091

This kid as the skills. Seems to be doing well in the candle making business. Found the video as I was looking into candle making, but can't find places in Canada that sell the supplies at a low enough cost.

Teaandtoday5

BristolUK

I think the nomination threads start just after xmas.

Siouxie

Last year's turnout was so sparse that I didn't think anyone wanted them to run anymore, so hadn't bothered this year! - I normally start them before Christmas.

If you would like the Canada Annual Awards again this year I'm more than happy to start them up soon - though the voting may have to go on until 1st!

BristolUK

Ah, I see where I went wrong. The one I found that started on the 28th was actually a vote thread with the nominations already in.

Teaandtoday5

MillieF

One more chocolate in the Advent Calendar and it's all over for another year...

Siouxie

It's not adding to my workload - so if you would like them just shout and let me know and I'll get something sorted in the next few days.