Yet More Copper Theft - pipTalk Forums

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OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2011-05-30 03:21 PM

YET MORE COPPER THEFT
30 May 2011

One would think
that I should
be used to this
by now . . .

but I could do
without it,
this third
copper theft
since February
and the umpteenth
theft
since 1983

especially as
I am told
that a geyser
requires
copper pipes,
not plastic,
so the copper pipe thieves
could be back
the day after
each time
I have it replaced
from now on
until infinity.

Owl

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

1 posted 2011-05-30 04:52 PM

Is the "geyser" a garden fountain, Diana?
I am a little stumped here, what am I missing?

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

2 posted 2011-05-30 05:15 PM

I am so sorry to hear this again Diana. You must have the patience of Job. Copper theft is something we have to deal with here too (though not on the same scale as you). Years ago when my son passed away we had a  special solid copper headstone put there and I think if it wasn't in an older part of the cemetary it would already be gone.
They took the copper vase
from my husbans niche a
couple of months ago.  so sad what our world is coming to.
                                Ida

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

3 posted 2011-05-30 06:07 PM

Thanks for your reply, Ford. I don't know what it is called in America, but here it is the word for the big metal cylindrical container in one's ceiling. It is filled with water which it heats for one's bath and hot water taps.

I am sorry you go through it there too, Ida. What inhumanity to rob one's remembrances of those who have passed on! Hugs. I don't know whether I'm patient or or simply passively resigned to it. The cost is the worst - also I could have walked in on them while they were busy when I came home at lunch time to check on Benji and Cleo - unless they were watching the house and my arrival and departure, of course which is very likely. Still it is scary.

Owl

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

4 posted 2011-06-01 03:53 AM

That's crazy, dear Diana, I am sorry. I don't think boilers here are made of copper only ...
Love and courage!
Margherita

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

5 posted 2011-06-01 09:20 AM

We have a lot of theft of copper wire in our area too, mostly from farms and any new industry going on. Copper has risen in price to 150% of what it was just a few years ago - as well as some of it being stolen for illegal "cooking" purposes. My thoughts are with you, my dear.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

6 posted 2011-06-01 11:34 AM

Thanks, Margherita.  I have had a day from Hell.

I am not sure what our geysers are made of, but what is stolen are the copper pipes on the outside of the house.

Fortunately I have since discovered that there are plastic heat-resistant ones called pex or something like that, so they don't have to be copper.  The pipe bought for the geyser is made of that (thank goodness, so they won't steal the new one), and the other pipes bought to replace the others stolen on Monday are made of ordinary plastic - thank goodness, but a bill of 1c is too much for me at the moment, and it is very stressful.  Also, today (I am supposed to be working on my own company on Wednesdays) was spent entirely on having it fixed and related matters.  Although fixed, it is still leaking because the criminals cut one pipe off very short.  The non-plumber guy (I can't afford a qualified plumber) is going to fix it tomorrow, but I can't bear to be without water any longer (3 days now) so I have turned the water on and am going to let it leak tonight.  It isn't leaking too much.  There are 3 options left, it seems - one is bearable - the other two are not.

No water is coming out of any hot taps yet - presumably because the geyser is not full enough yet.  Hopefully that is all it is.

I could happily have done without any of this.  Smiles.

Thanks, Karilea. We also have copper wire stolen - notably from telephone installations - but, also a lot of copper pipes, as in my three cases this year.  Smiles.

Owl

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

7 posted 2011-06-01 01:02 PM

Very stressful indeed, dear Diana! I wondered about a possible leaking actually.

How intensely I wish this world would evolve into a more civilized and harmonious one, where nobody needs to steal things, where a dignified life is possible for everybody ...

Love and hugs.
Margherita

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

8 posted 2011-06-01 01:59 PM

Thank you, Margherita. Generally criminals who steal copper pipes here, are drug addicts stealing just enough (they don't get much for the pipes they steal) to buy their next fix.

Owl

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