Life in the Time of Hot Water in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Now, the water in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely hard, so the heating element becomes furred with chalk about twice a year and invariably bursts

Hot Water.

Many take it for granted. But for us?

Well maybe, maybe not, seeing that we are susceptible to "Chalk Attacks".

Living in a rural village we rely on a wood fired central heating and water system.

Our house has two apartments one up, one down. We live downstairs.

We have a wood burner that keeps us snug and warm and we use electricity for hot water.

We also have a central heating boiler that can warm the entire house and also provide hot water. This also runs off wood, or should I say, briquets made from compressed sawdust from the surrounding saw mills.

The central boiler also has an electric element for heating the water in the spring, summer and early autumn months.

Now, the water in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely hard, so the heating element becomes furred with chalk about twice a year and invariably bursts.

Normally theres no advance warning of when the heating element will “give up the ghost”.

When it does, we drain the boiler, cleaning out the excess chalk build up and remove and replace the element.

Not a too difficult task and to be honest, not expensive either.

BUT if its minus 10C outside, then it will be uncomfortable due to frozen fingers etc.

Definitely NOT what “Townies” or “City Dudes” experience, but I wouldn’t move from the village just because of this.