New Boiler Possible Problems with work

somebodysfool

Got my new boiler fitted today so am glad to be warm. I was very insistent when I agreed the quote that it included a power flush and was told it did. I realised quickly that they had put the boiler on without doing one and the plumber tried to blind me with science about why it didn't need one. However he did say he would see once the system had fired up and reassess from there.

I told him I had read the manual and it insisted on one as per warranty. He then said he could not do one on my tank has a loft conversion had taken place before we moved in and it looks as if they put the smaller tank in the big one in the emersion cupboard and it would flood the house.

I was very insistent I wanted my power flush as I had agreed it as part of the quote and the system is filled with sludge as BG keep telling me. Once powered up of course some of the raidiators have cold patches and one is totally cold and it is still very noisy. The boiler appears no better than the last one it keeps turning on and off every 2 minutes like the last one and it does not run continously. Surely this cant be right, he told me it was modulating and was supposed to this! Its a Potterton Suprema 18HE.

After being extremely persistent he finally agreed to put some chemicals in the small tank in the big one (if that makes sense) and said he would be back in a weeks time. He put powerflush on the receipt and said he would be back next Tuesdays. What happens if he doesn't come back as I have paid as he insisted and said it was on the receipt. Also how long does a power flush take as I have no idea what to expect he seem to mutter something about an hour or so but from what I have read that is not long enough.

He might be totally honest as he did say there was no point in doing one today until the chemicals had been in and he may have thought some chemicals would suffice. However I am not going to give BG another opportunity not to fix my boiler in the future which I know they can without a powerflush so want proof it has taken place. Interestingly when I read my warranty book he filled in the part that said he had done a power flush.

So to cut to the chase if he doesn't return to do it or he doesn't do it right ie its takes him an hour what are my rights? I paid by credit card so could I claim some money back off my original fee to pay for it to be done by someone else? Can you also explain what a powerflush entails so I have some knowledge.

I got him from a local website of providers who are supposed to be vetted and I also looked his corgi number up on the website so he is definetly certified. Why is it always me these things happen to. Of course I might just be a paranoid fool and if he does come back and do the work to my satisfaction will write him a glowing report on the website.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: :eek: Sounds as if you've found yourself a rogue.... a listing on 'vetting' website(or even CORGI registration, sadly) is no guarantee that someone won't be a bodger....recommendation from sources you trust i.e. friends, family, work colleagues, neighbours is the best way to go.

You can find details on powerflushing here and here.

Did you get a written, full specification quotation for this work? The 'Potterton Suprima 18 HE' are you certain this is the model name ?

Your 'installer' should have filled out the Benchmark Log (usually part of the installation manual) and the installation must be notified to Building Control (many RGIs will do this through CORGI

Is this the outfit you linked to on Ebay in another thread?

HTH

Canucklehead

somebodysfool

Yes they did fill in the manual and said they did it so if they don't then I guess its fraud and I could report them to trading standards its also clearly stated on the receipt.

It wasn't the Ebay one as I was unsure because he didn't take credit card and I know payment by credit card brings extra assurance. I will name the website if it all goes wrong (can I). I am going to contact them tomorrow to update them on what's happened without being too negative to see if that does the trick.

He has said he will come back so I might be worrying about nothing and I will read up on what a power flush is so if he does one I'll know . If he tries to do it on just one or two rads because the rest are hot what should I say. He is relying on our ignorance especially about how the tank is set up and I only stood a chance with him today because I had researched what was necessary. He was trying to tell me not to teach an expert his job but I know without a flush my warranty is invalid and my boiler will be as useless as the next one in a couple of years.

The system is a Potteron Suprema I have checked it out but it is badged under a different name Main.

dopester

somebodysfool wrote: »

Can you also explain what a powerflush entails so I have some knowledge.

This probably doesn't help too much, as I'm no expert on these matters, but an experienced boiler fitter wrote this post the other day at a different forum I visit - which I made sure to take a record of because seems very useful info to have for when I have my own boiler fitted.

Hi Mate,

I look after all the Gas works (servicing, repairs and replacements) for over 1000 properties of a Housing Association.

The going rate to swap a combi boiler for a new combi ranges between £1750 to £2250 generally (inc VAT). I'm having a new boiler fitted myself later this month. To comply with building Regs, a new boiler should now be a condensing boiler with TRVs (thermostatic valves) on all but one radiator (so the water has somewhere to circulate if you shut all the valves) and a digital controller.

Since I started at my work, I've persuaded them to only fit Worcester boilers and we have very little trouble with them. (I'd suggest a 24i Junior boiler for upto 2/3 bedrooms and a 28i Junior boiler for 3+ bedrooms). They also tend to live the longest historically (15-20 years is the expected lifespan, depending on use/treatment). If you choose anyone other than Worcester, the only other manufacturer I could recommend is Vaillant, although, we found these to be slightly more expensive to repair than the Worcester boilers. I would avoid Glow Worm at all costs - we have a street of new houses with these and they are forever failing.

When you do get the boiler changed, make sure the operative power flushes your existing system to remove and dirt & sludge, then refills with a good quality corrosion inhibitor (Fernox or Sentinel). It's also worth considering a scale reducer on the inlet pipe to reduce scale in the Heat Exchanger and to extend the boiler life. Keep an eye on the operative when the system flush is done, as, from my experience of dozens of replacements, many operatives are lazy and will avoid doing this unless you watch them like a hawk!

You should be left a new CP12 safety certificate, warranty card & instructions for use by the operative before he leaves. You should expect to receive a blue Building Regs compliance card through the post in 28 days after the installation - you will need this in future for the HIPS pack when selling your home, so if you don't receive it - breath fire at the installer until they send off for it.

Hope this helpz...

elektra

Oh dear - I was following your previous thread and hoping you were going to challenge BG on availability on parts.

If you don't get satisfaction regarding your current problem - if you installer is not a one man outfit , try going direct to senior level and also take advice from trading standards

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/