Do we assume too much ❓

[Someone-Else]

Observation
Not just here, but other forums too, I have seen replies that are something like.

Statement
"Yes, to solve your problem you need to "Push the top back so its at 45 degrees, get on the floor look up at the pump, put a baking tray under it, undo the two nuts, unplug the pump, squeeze in the pipe clip on each hose, remove pump, install new pump, and reverse the procedure"

Although the advice is genuine and correct, it assumes the questioner understands what is being said, BUT also has the tools to do the job and know how to use said tools.

Question

Sometimes the advice we offer (any DIY/ Help forum) is easy if you know who what and where, but is not easy for some. Another example is in my signature, how do people expect to work on anything electrical without a suitable meter (or other suitable indicator)
It's a question that I often wonder, but have never figured out the answer. Your thoughts please.

[dewaltdisney]

I try to craft an answer based on the question and what the poster has said. In most instances, you can tell if you are dealing with someone with a reasonable grasp of things or not but I do admit that you really do not know if they have the necessary tools available to them. I think electric advice is always the most challenging as a slip-up could be fatal.

DWD

[Neelix]

Too many diyers over simplify tasks and don't understand the complexity - plus they don't care if its done correctly or not.

Water - you can see
Gas - you can smell
Electricity - once you feel it, it may kill you instantly

Which is why , as a competent spark, I will not give step by step instructions for anything more than what I consider simple DIY tasks

[etaf]

Although the advice is genuine and correct, it assumes the questioner understands what is being said, BUT also has the tools to do the job and know how to use said tools.

Always going to be difficult to know the knowledge of the OP - sometimes you can tell, But they may not , and have to rely on them asking for further questions

difficult thing to decide and based on Safety to the OP - very difficult
But this is a DIY Forum, so where you put that line - suggesting using a chisel or Saw , jig saw , chain saw - all if misused could cause issues

people wanting to cut greenwood branches with a 125mm grinder , what blade to buy - maybe that was on a different forum

Where is the line drawn ?????
As a DIYer , BUT trained for a year full time in mechanic Engineer in an MOD school and then 3 years trained in a MOD - school on electronics - i have a engineering background, also worked with my dad - cabinet maker as a kid
as to a multimeter , yep, could be very dangerous ,

[chrrris]

Personally, I'm all for giving people enough info to do a job and expecting them to ask about anything that's unclear or they've got no experience of.

If there's anything that's not obvious but might cause a problem, or a dangerous situation, for the inexperienced, it should be pointed out for sure but everyone needs to accept personally responsibility for the safety and quality of anything they do. The business of treating adults like toddlers winds me up a bit, especially when I think of all the things we used to get up to as kids -- mucking around with the gas taps in the science labs at school, air-rifles in the local woods, building fires and potentially lethal tree houses, and rope swings, etc. People, especially youngsters, lead such sterile lives now that nobody seems to take personal responsibility for the consequences of their own actions, so you get this situation where people do whatever they're told and blindly assume everything's going to be fine without thinking for themselves. I guess I'm more for a Darwinian approach, broadly speaking.

[dewaltdisney]

I agree, I taught both my grandkids to shoot. My 10 year old granddaughter is very good and has a good eye. I also teach them tools and guide them in use. Mrs D flaps at times but the kids just accept the dangers and get on with it. Too much molly codling these days

DWD

[etaf]

Too much molly codling these days

Yep, my grandson on a climbing frame , people around mentioned "are you sure he should be up there" i was very near the frame
I was taught airpistol at 10 , and also had my children using air guns at a young age
many times as a kid, we would be in the woods , climbing trees , darts from guns , catapults and acorns, burning plastic milk crates - which were left at top of a road before the woods - brilliant for those wet old days in the woods

I also had my niece assist for a short while, till she lost interest help as i re-wired my brothers house in the 70's
Kids using tools , like i did with my dad , whenever i did DIY

so could not agree more DWD / Chrris

[Grendel]

Perhaps we do assume too much at times or at least I perhaps sometimes do. I do think that at times it's about finding a balance. Simple instructions for someone who hasn't the experience but I think it's right to assume that a questioner should have at least some basic grounding in a job and hopefully some sense if power tools are involved.

[Razor]

On the other hand someone could not work out how to remove the plastic bolt on a condensate trap and was given lots of advice.

Bear in mind that if he did not replace it correctly the flue ewuld have been open to the room and the appliance would have been immediately dangerous. Judging by his posts he was not competent to check the integrity of the appliances seals afterwards.

Not everything should be DIY'd...

[Megaross]

I never really assume anyone has the tools so much as "If you want to take it on you'll have to order some tools or hire/ borrow them"

There's a line to be drawn between the clueless willing to learn who ask the questions and do the research.

And the overinflated clueless who think "That'll do" on something that'll come to bite them later on.

Or more often than not a future owner - I'm 5 months in to undoing a shedload of bad DIY and neglect, some ugly, some skirting towards dangerous.

Never easy to know how competent someone asking for advice is. Depending on what they're asking for advice on you should pry as much as is necessary.

[Argyll]

Never assume it makes an 'ass' of 'u' and 'me' (ass u me)

They used to use that expression in the army all the time. Sorry going off in a tangent

[Megaross]

Well there's always the unexpected, isn't there.