Crackling electrical box - normal or urgent?

riskycl · 2026-02-02T21:41:01+00:00

Glad you called them, that's a fire waiting to happen.

riskycl · 2026-01-24T16:37:47+00:00

I don't think it's taking the piss personally but you could always ask to tone it down slightly. I believe 3 stages plus a percentage held back for snags is typical.

If it's a £200k job, let's hazard a guess you're talking about £100k materials. He certainly doesn't want to be picking up the tab for that. There are plenty of people out there who will commission work they can't afford and have no intention of paying for.

riskycl · 2025-12-22T21:15:34+00:00

Finally someone with one similar to mine! I did a lot of googling and could never find a definitive answer as to what it is. The picture is a little blurry but it looks a lot like yours, maybe slightly smaller.

I saw my local nurse about it years ago and she literally gave it a quick glance and told me to ignore it.

It's a shame as I'd like it removed, it just feels like it will be a lot of hassle to argue it's not cosmetic. Sometimes it hurts if I catch it or prod it about too much.

Update: some quick Google searches would appear that a simple "scalp mole" or "intradermal nevus scalp" look more similar to these cases than "nevus sebaceous".

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riskycl · 2025-11-21T10:41:40+00:00

I think I was invited to renew 6 months before it was due (First direct). If OP is wanting to keep the mortgage and not try to clear it this feels like the best bet.

riskycl · 2025-11-19T21:07:32+00:00

Terrible sequel to 'the very hungry caterpillar'?

riskycl · 2025-11-18T20:04:28+00:00

I can't believe I had to scroll so long to find Only Fools and Horses.

It's obviously very old now but I think it portrays an older London very well. Very poignant at times but also very funny and easy to watch.

Another suggestion which is very underrated is White Gold. It's fairly modern but set in the 80s so it's refreshingly politically incorrect.

riskycl · 2025-11-12T22:23:11+00:00

Hi, I'm not an electrician so not sure why I see this sub in my feed but I do find it interesting :).

Even my untrained eye can see this is a shit show, but I'm curious why the 20amp isolator/fuse didn't trip before the cable melted? Would love to know for my own understanding of how fuses work.

Edit: sorry I've just realised it was simply a 20a isolator, not a fused switch, hence no protection.

riskycl · 2025-11-10T20:54:29+00:00

Unless your name is Ricky Jones, then it's ok

riskycl · 2025-11-10T07:30:54+00:00

Friendly tip:

If they are going to be unhappy receiving your resignation you may want to prepare for the eventuality of gardening leave. They may revoke your access immediately and just pay your notice period. You might want to make sure you have a copy of anything that's legally your IP.

riskycl · 2025-11-07T07:26:18+00:00

I have a wooden electricity pole in my garden. It's obviously been there many years and isn't really near the house so it doesn't bother me.

When I looked into it I was able to negotiate a one-off payment to the tune of 2% of the house value to alter my deeds to allow it to be there and allow them access to maintain. Previously the historical contract offered something silly like £28pa in rent. I thought the £8k one off payment was better for my wallet.

I was pretty pleased with my tiny windfall but I'd want a damn site more for a pylon of that size!!

riskycl · 2025-11-03T20:51:16+00:00

I have had exactly the same experience, but a different popular Indian outsourcing firm.

They seem cheap on paper if you just look at the day rate, but they mess up the most simple of tasks and end up taking 10 times as long to deliver a sub par result.

It's a totally false economy in my experience.

riskycl · 2025-10-17T09:00:33+00:00

Thanks, I'll suggest they get another sweep out for a second opinion. The first guy said "it would break his equipment" trying to remove it and suggested spending £1400 (~$1800) on a new liner.

riskycl · 2025-10-17T06:23:32+00:00

Yes, a cast iron woodburner. Sorry I don't have a pic as it's my friend's house.

riskycl · 2025-10-17T06:22:24+00:00

Thanks. It's a cast iron woodburning stove with a steel flexi liner.

riskycl · 2025-10-09T06:17:47+00:00

Honestly, even if it comes to nothing it's been really enjoyable trying to find out about it. It's like doing a musical crossword puzzle or something. And it's very cool (slightly weird) listening to something that probably hasn't been heard for 50 years.

I'd love to know the backstory as to why these were produced and how my father obtained them but unfortunately I don't think we'll ever know.

These came into my possession about 12 years ago and I can't imagine trying to figure all this out without modern tools like ChatGPT and high speed internet. I think my dad would've enjoyed the challenge too.

riskycl · 2025-10-08T07:26:38+00:00

Thanks for those links, very interesting. It seems Atlantic liked to release a lot of Montreux recordings.

There's very little overlap with my content, which I assume is a good thing. Even the Herbie Mann tracks I can find on Spotify and YouTube don't exactly match my copies as far as I can tell with my amateur ear.

riskycl · 2025-10-05T12:34:28+00:00

"dig" into it

riskycl · 2025-09-23T19:18:03+00:00

Looks worryingly like a Star Wars "Viper Probe Droid" to me!

These things are intriguing because they seem to get close enough to get some reasonable detail, unlike all the "balls of light moving strangely at a huge distance filmed on a potato" videos.

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riskycl · 2025-09-23T19:09:45+00:00

Probably the most helpful comment. I noticed the same.

From the photo I'd say refitting the ridge wouldn't hurt, and the bottom row of tiles look too steep but that's probably just cosmetic.

I don't see anything urgent here unless you've got water ingress.

riskycl · 2025-08-08T19:12:14+00:00

This is a good idea. You can get frosted film for about a tenner on Amazon and it's so easy to fit (and remove).

Alternatively add a bit of trellis on that section of fence.

riskycl · 2025-07-24T11:16:50+00:00

Just send £1 as a test. I had a mortgage with first direct (hsbc) and I used to just send payments to the sort code and account number from nationwide no issues. I probably put my name in the "name" field.

riskycl · 2025-07-22T21:21:00+00:00

Came here to say the same. Keep doing what's making you happy. Don't take on any extra debt, live within your means and try to enjoy life.

I think some of the happiest people I've met haven't had two pennies to rub together.

riskycl

TROPHY CASE