As we are starting work on our bikes, or making them more winter-proof, please don't forget about your garages and homes. My workshop was at one point a fully fitted "Granny flat" at the bottom of the garden.. With electric, running water, toilet and even a shower! We've turned it in to a pretty decent workshop and use it to fix/maintain not only my own bikes, but also other peoples. We charge a small fee which keeps beer in our bellies and buys the occasional new tool!
Last night one of the regulars came round to have his steed looked at and noticed water pissing out from under the gate. I thought maybe the toilet had failed to seal and over flowed, as has happened once before (rectified of course).. But only if it was that simple. As I opened the door I was greeted with a curtain of water pissing out from the upstairs stores.. I dashed over to the stop-cock and turned the mains water off, but it was too late.. The damage had already been done. Countless manuals have been ruined, along with my PA/Disco system, various consumables, spares and not forgetting the ceiling itself. All this because it had got so cold, one of the pipes had burst, even though they're properly insulated.
So the point of my post is to warn all about making sure your pipes are in good nick and not leaky. I can't imagine what It would be like if this had happened in the house. Thankfully some stuff can be saved, but most can't.
Now.. Back to drying tools off and emptying buckets!
