I Said, Brrr...it's Cold in Here!

Movie reference? {Bring It On}

And no, I'm not complaining about the outside temperatures here. I know I will never make comments about that given the weather is so mild here compared to the Midwest temperatures back home. I'm actually talking about inside our flat.  I know our visitors so far have been told to bring warm clothes to sleep in and lounge around because generally our place is cold (single pane windows that give off a good draft).  But anyway, on Sunday our boiler started acting funny.  We noticed our radiators weren't staying warm and then our water wasn't getting hot either.  We called our property management, and they sent an engineer out...although it started working again by the time he got here. Long story short, it went out again...and he was unable to come back to look at it.

 One of the many non-working radiators

The property management did bring over 3 small heaters, so our house looks funny right now with mini-heaters strategically placed around our apartment.  We are staying warm at night with the heaters and multiple blankets on our bed.  Although the lack of hot water has been an issue.  Good thing we belong to gyms, so we are able to have a place to shower.  Jeff made a comment to the property management that it is a bit of an inconvenience going without hot water, and they didn't seem to think it was a big deal. 

 All three heaters are strategically placed around the apartment (where I work on the computer, bedroom, and couch)

Our boiler is unique---so the engineer told me.  Therefore, they won't be able to get a new boiler for a couple days since this one has to be ordered instead of picking it up off the shelf. Hoping it will be fixed soon, as bringing tons of items to the gym isn't ideal to get ready for the day. I felt bad for Jeff this morning as he came back in the flat at least 3x forgetting different things for his day.  Sadly, he texted me later and said he forgot his breakfast as well.

Our boiler

For those that are wondering "go to a hotel or a friend's house"...we have had offers to stay/shower at other places, but we're sticking it out.  The weather is about 29 degrees today and around 38 degrees tomorrow (potential snow, too!).  Cross your fingers that the problem will be fixed soon, and we will be able to live a normal life again soon.

Off to the gym....

[Update as of January 22 at 10:15AM] The boiler is fixed...after 4.25 days without heat and hot water.  They have to send a contractor back out to fix the cupboard around it because the lock is broken...which is a major safety no-no apparently. Hopefully by this evening our house will be back to a normal temperature! No need to worry about us anymore...

[Update as of January 22nd at 11:15AM] The boiler is no longer working...great. Called our property management, so we'll see what happens now. I hope I only update you one more time with good news!

[Update as of January 22nd at 5:00 PM].  After a contractor came to fix the lock on the cabinet and the engineer came back with another worker to work on the boiler...it is still is not fixed. Break out the heaters and another gym shower.  They are ordering a part, and hoping it will be fixed soon. I'll continue updates, as this is becoming pretty annoying.  

[Update as of January 26th at 12:00 PM] Jeff and I were pretty annoyed on Friday as we were trying  to leave for our holiday (vacation). The "engineers" knocked on our door around noon on Friday...we told them they only had a few minutes before we left. Long story short, we kicked them out and told them property management would have to let them in again.  Our property management does not usually stay with the workers, but we insisted they do so.  We left thinking it would be fixed when we got home on Monday (today).  We received a test on Saturday saying they could not fix it and would order a new boiler on Monday.  Needless to say, we are still without heat and hot water. So thankful for our hotel this past weekend to get a break from it all. Cross your fingers it is fixed tomorrow or Wednesday!

[Update as of January 28th at 8:20 AM] Well, the clock is ticking.  The "engineers" are supposed to be here from now until 9:30 to put in a new boiler. I might go nuts if they do not come today...

[Update as of January 28th at 6:00 PM] A week and a half later...we have heat and hot water!! It took them all day (9:30-5:40) to complete the boiler situation.  I was without water for part of the day...but who cares as long as it all keeps working.  We have a fancy new boiler with user friendly knobs and a remote digital thermometer. Keep your fingers cross the heat stays and our first showers are worth the wait! 

[Update as of January 29th ay 5:30 PM] Our first night with hot water and heat was fantastic! I took the longest shower ever and enjoyed every minute of it.  I'm sure Jeff enjoyed it this morning instead of starting his day in a gym shower every morning.  They engineers left a complete mess in our bathroom, so once the contractor comes to put the new cabinet in around it...then I'll do my magic to make the room useable again.  Today was filled with few blankets, zero mini heaters in use, a hot shower, and lots of laundry.  It's the small things...

This whole experience brings back awful memories of the week that the building's fire alarms went off 3-4x a day.   Do not miss that, and I won't miss this either.  Something we all take for granted...heat and hot water.

On to the next adventure...