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This year’s disaster was a triumph

2011 DIY Disaster Competition results

They never seem to learn. And, like last year, the 2011 competition saw a bumper crop of DIY disasters.

As usual the judges were appalled, noting that it’s ‘amazing what people will do to avoid (paying a professional). If it wasn’t so dangerous it would be laughable’.

The entries ranged from dodgy air-conditioning attempts, through to life-threatening heating installations. Some we chuckled at, some we had to read twice to even believe. But they were all a serious reminder to DIY’ers of the importance of calling a licensed and qualified professional and never attempting the job themselves.

With over 80 entries, our judges certainly had their work cut out for them. Our thanks go to:

• Jeff Patchell, Founder and Publisher of the Connection magazines
• Ernie Kretschmer, Workforce Development Manager, Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland.
• Nazzareno Ottobre, President, Plumbing Trades Employees Union.

And congratulations goes to our winner, Bernard Byrna of Western Australia.

Read about his winning entry along with his plans for the $3,000 in cash and the website for his business valued at up to $3,000.

10 worthy runners up were also selected, each winning prize packs consisting of a Milwaukee 12V drill and drill set along with Bigdog and 2TUFF products. Check out these HVAC-R disasters.

Why is my cooling heating?

Steve Humphrey, VIC
Heating or Cooling?
‘I came across this ripper, with the owner asking me “Why her window was getting so hot when the system was on”. There are so many things wrong with this install, that I didn’t know where to start. And yes, that is a 240 volt feed running along the ground back to the switchboard. Classic.’

Travelling disaster.

Barry McKimmie, VIC
‘Portable Heating’
‘On call to fix a heater, a client thought he would show off the caravan he had just bought. He was quite pleased that the pot belly stove could be used for not only heating but cooking as well. It wasn’t until I gave him a speechless stare that he actually queried whether or not a pot belly stove would actually be safe in a caravan, let alone everything else that was wrong with the install.’

Double trouble.

Paul Ferreri, VIC
‘Shocking Split’
‘We were asked to remove and reinstall these two split system air conditions for a customer who was undertaking a renovation ... worst attempt at an installation I have seen in years ... at least they were consistent. The second unit was installed just as poorly.’

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