Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

[geoff]

Hi everyone. I'm Geoff and have been a dedicated Volunteer on the forums for 13 years. I am proud to have stopped some of the stigmas that are associated with mental health as well as doing my best to help others too

Before my health went south I was a builder in all aspects of home construction and renovation. If you don't have a handyman around I hope I can offer you some tips that may be of help. I have had many years of experience in home renovation and will do my best to help you out if you are stuck and need some advice

I hope my experience may be of help to the people on Beyond Blue and make their life a little bit better. Even if you need help with the most basic painting job or putting up a shelf I can help there too with some tips

I will do my best to get back to anyone that has a question when I can as this is social yet important thread

Geoff

[geoff]

Hello Hanna, that's ok, always post how you feel and what's been happening.

Let's hope no gas will escape but what you do is to mix in a jar/glass some dishwashing fluid and water together and let it settle, then if you have a paintbrush or you can use your hand, (but will use more mixture than what a paintbrush will use), then you can see whether or not any gas is leaking by 'painting' some fluid over the joins.

If there is a gas leak a large bubble will appear from the fluid mixture, do it a few times, and if you see the bubble appear, then a gas leak is happening.

Any small bubbles you may see, the same as you do in the sink, there is NO leak, it has to blow up like a small balloon.

Let us know about what happens with AGL.

Geoff.

[Hanna3]

Thanks Geoff, I think you'll be kept busy on this thread with everyone doing things at home! Take care of yourself, cheers.

[Hanna3]

Hi Geoff, hope you're OK.

I phoned AGL today got onto the resolutions dept the woman was so nasty! She said if the leak was on their side no gas would have gone through the meter so it's my responsibility to pay. I said it's only for hot water she said how do I know how much gas or hot water you use etc etc etc. I was shaking when I got off the phone. I will have to ring Housing and I managed to get a month delay on the bill and will have to find out what to do... the plumber told me the lead was on the provider's side so they were responsible, but the company tells me no gas would have gone through the meter so I must just be using a lot of gas - yet they have the report a leak was found.. help! Thanks 

[Guest_1643]

Hey ... finally got internet access today... yay... also in the plus side this month will be free because i was meant to get it two weeks ago so they will not charge for the full month. I also asked the landlord to repair the blind so I hope that will happen!!!!

[geoff]

Hello Hanna and Sleepy, in regards to AGL there is a complaint form which you can google, that may give you time to think about what you want to say, and I'd be asking for a reduction in the amount you have to pay.

The other option which you can do, after the complaint has been settled on, is to change to another company but won't happen on paper until the next reading.

The reading charge for them to come out and read your meter is extraordinarily high, so much for the 'smart meters', but I would consider changing companies.

Hi Sleepy, with these internet companies and you, have a problem with the net or it hasn't been fixed and feel as though you should be entitled to 2 weeks free net, ask them for 4 weeks, they might give it to you as they have for me, several times.

It's good you've let the landlord know about the blind, but you have to do this once again when the restrictions have been relaxed.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

Hey Geoff - that is great advice, thank you. They charge per month, eg bill you once for March, once for April.
I am getting March free.
Do you think I should ask them, and there is a chance they would also give me April free?
It was expensive because for the two weeks of this month whe I didn't have internet, I had to pay through the roof for portable internet. Do you think the internet company doesn't mind to give another free month to make a customer happy? I would sure appreciate it but thought they might not be so helpful, as that's 6 weeks of internet then that I got for free

[geoff]

Hello Sleepy, you can only pressure the internet company and empathise how expensive it was while their net was down.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Geoff - thank you! The blind was fixed today (small win) so I now have the option of privacy.
I asked the internet company and told them how much I paid and struggled while their internet was down. Not sure what they'll say - but worth a shot in these days when money is so tight. Thank you 🙂 The internet connection works well and i'm so glad it's fixed.

[Guest_1643]

hi again geoff, they seem to be considering giving me free internet for another month!! I hope they say yes - i really do need it. I'm waiting to hear back but they said they'll try help. Though it will go to a supervisor who may not be as nice as the casual I was speaking to. Let's see how it goes

[geoff]

Hi Sleepy, I'm really pleased the blind has been fixed and even if they give you 3 extra weeks free, then that's another win, as we slowly and gradually ease out of lockdown.

Some boating has been allowed today, so I hope my son can take out his boat and go fishing to catch 'the one that got away'.

Best wishes.

Geoff.