A houseboat is like a house. Or maybe like a boat. It requires maintenance. We lifted and renovated the entire boat in the summer of 2014. But of course there are still things that need to be fixed, continuously. Now it was time to change some things that we did not change last time, and to fix various water leaks. The toilet leaked water, the kitchen tap leaked water and then we found water ... in the hull!
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ShareNew in the bathroom
Even though our houseboat is quite spacious, it is safe to say that we have a small bathroom. One of the reasons we didn't change the toilet when we renovated was that the existing one was extra small - and that meant we gained a few centimetres in the shower space. Yes, it's at that level!
Now the toilet was leaking, so we had to change it. We asked in the shop if there were smaller toilets and the salesperson said "yes, there is a children's toilet". So, no thanks! But now we have a new toilet, from Ifö. At the same time, we got a new bathroom cabinet.
New tap in the kitchen
It was not only the toilet that was leaking in our houseboat, but also the kitchen tap. So it was time to change it! It was very difficult, but now we have a new tap, bought at Bauhaus.
Water in the hull
So both the toilet and the kitchen tap have leaked, but the largest amount of water was discovered in ... the hull! Suddenly one day the bilge pump started - what was going on? We opened the inspection hatch and there was some water, but not much. Then we broke open the floor beyond the inspection hatch and found ... 40 litres of water!
We have cleaned everything up and studied it for a few weeks. No new water is appearing, and we have concluded that it is condensation that forms when cold and hot meet in a confined space. Peter has now installed a fan and by now we have been closed for a while. It was a bit nervous when we opened up to the hull last night - but it was still completely dry!
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Lennart says:
It's all about being handy and fixing!
29 April 2017 - 7:04
Helena says:
When you have a houseboat (or any other accommodation for that matter) it's not a bad trait! 😉
29 April 2017 - 9:19
Lena - good for the soul says:
Phew! Glad the medicine in the hull seemed to help!
Hug Lena
29 April 2017 - 7:05
Helena says:
Yes indeed! We will continue to open up from time to time, to double-check that everything is as it should be.
29 April 2017 - 9:20
Matts Torebring says:
One of the reasons we bought a new motorhome last year, was that there is a standard fitted, Cinderella combustion toilet in the motorhome. We fell in love with it, in our daughter and her family's summer cottage, the week before ElmiaHusbil.
In the summer cottage on Vånö, I helped Mågapinnen dismantle the frozen kitchen tap in the guest cottage. Now I know what kind of job it is.
In the motorhome, we discovered moisture in the ceiling, above the bed in the front cockpit. Naturally, we were as alarmed as you are. It turned out that the bed must not be on top when the car is stationary. Then there will be condensation, in the same way as with you.
We wish you a nice long weekend!
29 April 2017 - 7:22
Helena says:
The incinerating toilet seems smart! I like the idea and almost assume that it will become more and more common. Not fun with moisture in the motorhome either! Nice when you find out what it is so you know what to do about it.
29 April 2017 - 9:44
Maggan and Ingemar says:
Water leaks are no fun 🙁 We haven't found our leak in the campervan yet.
29 April 2017 - 8:49
Helena says:
Oh no! It's so difficult with water and the worst thing is when you can't find what it is! Then it's so difficult to know what to do ...
29 April 2017 - 9:45
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
There is always something to do in Houseboats and motorhomes. I had no water in the motorhome, the problem was that the pump had stopped working.
29 April 2017 - 9:25
Helena says:
Yes, that's it! And it's always something, it feels like ... 😉.
29 April 2017 - 9:45
Husis blog says:
As homeowners of all kinds, the owners and others are never out of work, there is always something to do. Water is always a real concern because it can destroy so much. It's good that it didn't seem to be more serious than it was in your hull.
29 April 2017 - 9:41
Helena says:
No, it's true, you will never be unemployed! 😉 And water is probably the worst, can cause major problems and can be difficult to track ... It does not seem to be worse this time, but we have to keep an eye on it and open up and look from time to time!
29 April 2017 - 9:47
Ama de casa says:
How scary to find water in the hull! Luckily it was "only" condensation and the fan helped.
Nice changes there, and I see that Peter got a dragon for the crane change... 😉.
Have a great Saturday!
29 April 2017 - 9:45
Helena says:
Haha, what's that? I wondered what you meant and looked at the picture. And yes, I can understand that the little bowl of dishwashing liquid (I think) looks like a drajja, haha. (I hope he didn't drink ;))
29 April 2017 - 9:49
Ama de casa says:
Haha! I thought it was a martini glass with a foot and everything - but now I've opened my eyes better 😀.
Although the martini glass was probably behind the photographer's back... 😉.
29 April 2017 - 11:44
Christian says:
Fight! Good thing Peter is so handy!
29 April 2017 - 10:15
Helena says:
It's very handy to have a handy man when you live in a houseboat 😉.
29 April 2017 - 19:13
Marina says:
It's good that you discovered it before it became so much that the house sank 😉 Jokes aside, so very sad, but lucky that you found it in time anyway.
29 April 2017 - 10:28
Helena says:
There will probably be a lot of water before it sinks ... and we have a bilge pump! The advantage of this, apart from pumping out the water, is that it makes a noise so we can tell if there is water in the hull.
29 April 2017 - 19:14
Snows says:
I'm glad you're as handy as you are and glad you discovered the water and were able to fix it.
Happy May Day!
29 April 2017 - 10:45
Helena says:
Yes, it is good to have a bilge pump I can say! In addition to pumping out the water, it makes a lot of noise. And it was the one that drew our attention!
29 April 2017 - 19:15
Solan says:
Oh well, there's always something. Good thing Peter is so good at practicality. Water leaks are never fun. We had one last year in the mobile home. But the danger is over, it seems, for Freedomhemmet. Nice that your motorhome has come home from the infirmary. 🙂
29 April 2017 - 11:22
Helena says:
We have also had water leaks in the motorhome. Not fun ... Our motorhome has actually not come home yet. I saw that several people thought so, but the only thing that happened is that we received a positive message and that it is underway ...
29 April 2017 - 19:16
Ditte says:
Water and boat/house boat is usually a good combo but then the water should preferably be around the boat and not inside it. Nice if this was "only" condensation but it looks hopeful. Ventilation and a fan will probably do the trick. And it seems to be true that an "accident" rarely comes alone,
I hope that's enough now...
29 April 2017 - 12:11
Helena says:
Yes, I also prefer the water on the outside of the boat... 😉 The toilet and the tap have been leaking for a while (drip, drip), but sometimes it takes several things before you get to grips with it...! 😉
29 April 2017 - 19:18
Johanna Utterberg says:
Not fun with water leaks and can believe that there are always things that need to be fixed in a houseboat! 🙂
29 April 2017 - 12:12
Helena says:
Yes, it's always something... But I can believe that there are things when you have a house too... 😉 .
29 April 2017 - 19:18
Ms M says:
Gosh... you've got water everywhere!
I guess it's true that when one thing happens, others come along. May my home stay together a little longer...
29 April 2017 - 12:48
Helena says:
We like water, but prefer it to stay on the outside of the boat 😉.
29 April 2017 - 19:19
Across the board says:
How lucky you are to be handy and fix things yourself. It's nice to be dry-shod even indoors.
29 April 2017 - 13:21
Helena says:
Well, I prefer a dry floor if you say so ... 😉 Peter is a carpenter and that is very good when you have a houseboat, I can say 🙂 .
29 April 2017 - 19:20
BP says:
Fortunately, Peter is so incredibly handy and can fix everything! However, I am happiest that it is dry in the hull now. What a relief!
29 April 2017 - 13:38
Helena says:
Yes, I agree, it's a relief! We will probably open up and check from time to time (haven't fixed the floor ;)), but so far it seems good!
29 April 2017 - 19:21
JoY says:
Unpleasant with water in the hull, nothing you want as a boat owner / in your home. You are skilled who can fix everything.
Hugs to you
29 April 2017 - 15:13
Helena says:
I don't know if we can fix everything, but Peter is a carpenter, so he can fix a lot! 🙂
29 April 2017 - 19:21
Mr Steve says:
Of course, living in a houseboat is a bit more adventurous than living on land. But then again, you're a thrill seeker so ....................
29 April 2017 - 20:11
Helena says:
Haha, yes we are ... But honestly, I think there's a lot to fix and look after on a house as well?
29 April 2017 - 20:28
Shamrock says:
Imagine not having to fix and tinker and instead just being able to enjoy yourself.
29 April 2017 - 21:09
Gunnel says:
Water is a necessity of life...but not everywhere. Seems exciting with a houseboat, but is still nothing I could imagine living on. I am a landlubber with a capital L. Have a nice weekend.
30 April 2017 - 8:55