I live in rented accommodation in the UK. The hot water is scaldingly hot. The radiators burn to touch. The shower temperature is hugely unreliable -- scalding or freezing. The landlord is worried that a plumber will rip him off, based on bad experiences in the past, and unwilling to pay to investigate. Can you help me understand what's going on? I'd like to put my landlord's mind at rest regarding plumbers, and set his expectations regarding likely diagnoses and solutions -- and hence cost. I also suspect this situation is wasting energy and hence driving up the cost of heating bills. I'd like to persuade the landlord that fixing it might be a good idea. [more inside]
posted by ajp on Apr 12, 2013 - 23 answers

Without warning my hot water (and hot water only) has suddenly started running brown, and when I drain a tub of it silt like material is left in the bottom. I suspect it's rust. After running the water for a long time it does not seem to be going away. Am I right in thinking that this is probably my boiler and it should be replaced? The suddenness seems weird. Also: my family has been showing and bathing in this, could it be harmful in any way?
posted by Artw on Mar 19, 2010 - 19 answers

Why is my bath not hot anymore? [more inside]
posted by ottereroticist on Oct 19, 2008 - 5 answers

Why does my upstairs shower run out of hot water long before the one downstairs? I only have one water heater... [more inside]
posted by tomwheeler on Dec 29, 2007 - 17 answers

HotWaterFilter: We want to put in a propane powered hot water heater in a very remote cabin that does not have electric power. Any recommendations? (more specific details inside) [more inside]
posted by anastasiav on Jan 6, 2006 - 5 answers