Any fast help appreciated,plumber coming back

RLH33

IMO you asked him to do a job i.e. fix your leaking stopcock, for which he was going to be paid. He tried to fix it, it didn't work so it is still leaking, therefore he did not do what he was paid for. I think that is very bad if he has only been able 99% fix something but expect you to pay for it anyway - especially as it was his suggestion to do it that way anywa. If he didn't think it would work 100% then he should a) have told you of this risk, which would have given you the chance to weight up the options and maybe go for the more expensive job, or b) only repaired in the way that he was 100% sure would work.

My oh is an electrician and if he goes to repair/replace a faulty part etc but doesn't manage it then he doesn't charge them for the abortive work and only for the work that actually solves the problem.

Is the plumber a member of any organisations such as Corgi - if so then if he doesn't sort it out complain to them and they will investigate.

Fire_Fox

His repair failed so why should you be the one to pay for the leak to be fixed again?? Any workmanship is guaranteed for a reasonable period under the law. This plumber has incurred no cost in parts for the 'new' (old) stopcock he bodged on, just time which he chose to waste. You asked for the more expensive option to start with!

Sounds like a shyster, I would write to him stating the problem so you have a record of the situation. Give him a short period to rectify the problem at no extra cost, and state that you will call in a competitor for a second opinion after this and seek recompense through the small claims court.

diddlydi_3

Fire_Fox wrote: »

His repair failed so why should you be the one to pay for the leak to be fixed again?? Any workmanship is guaranteed for a reasonable period under the law. This plumber has incurred no cost in parts for the 'new' (old) stopcock he bodged on, just time which he chose to waste. You asked for the more expensive option to start with!

Sounds like a shyster, I would write to him stating the problem so you have a record of the situation. Give him a short period to rectify the problem at no extra cost, and state that you will call in a competitor for a second opinion after this and seek recompense through the small claims court.

Thanks for that Firefox

you also have reminded me,when he came back the 2nd time,I asked him what the difference was between 'Mending it for £100,or replacing it for £160"
as I was begining to realise that the same job would have been done -he replied that the "£100 job would not have been guaranteed"
I replied "great so because i have paid £160 then this is guaranteed" to which he replied " No but I would not have come back if you paid £100'

I have a plastic tub under the leak at the moment,he said the leak could right itself within a couple of weeks once the washer expands,so i will give him the benefit of the doubt & then write to him as you suggest.
I also have had a kind reply from corgi man,asking for a photo - I am just trying to find my camera & will post it
Thank you for your help

Fire_Fox

Legally it could only be not guaranteed if you had gone against the advice of a professional, and you didn't. Do not give him the benefit of the doubt - if you leave this any longer the plumber could say he warned you it was a temporary fix, or it was fine when he left it and you have damaged the repair since.

Write to him and ask for a proper repair under the guarantee. You can always leave threats of small claims court for a later letter if you don't feel comfortable with that.

Pssst

I would love to see a picture so that i could see how he connected the new valve to the old lead pipe?

The best way to fix would be to shut off at external stop tap,cut back a section of the lead pipe, fit a lead lock adaptor to adapt to copper,run some new copper to allow install of new valve.

boingsaidzebedee

What is required is---

2 Leadlock fittings-one for each side of the lead pipe---- £14.00
12 inches of 15mm.copper pipe

---

£ 1.00
1 new stopcock

---

£4.00
and a plumber who is at least competant.

Should take no more than half an hour for a competant plumber.

Contact him and say that your uncle who is an Income Tax inspector would like a word because cash payments without receipts can imply the intention of pocketing undeclared taxable income.

boingsaidzebedee

Sorry Pssst missed seeing your post.

But seems we agree.

diddlydi_3

Pssst wrote: »

I would love to see a picture so that i could see how he connected the new valve to the old lead pipe?

The best way to fix would be to shut off at external stop tap,cut back a section of the lead pipe, fit a lead lock adaptor to adapt to copper,run some new copper to allow install of new valve.

Thanks pssst

I will get a picture posted tomorrow,when I find my camera,the new stopcock looks just like my old stopcock,when i queried he said he had a reconditioned one in his van,as they are not made anymore.
Really appreciate your reply

diddlydi_3

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi
Stop using this guy .It sounds like he's dragging this out out and will milk it for all it's worth.
Sit back get the photo posted and lets see....
Corgi Guy.

PS where did you find this plumber?
Back later

thanks for bearing with me trying to put the photos on,I couldnt find how to upload them,hope this works

The stopcock is still leaking slowly,the white tub in he picture of the stopcock is what I am using to collect the water.

I got the number for the plumber from a walthamstow community website,there was one post on it that said he was honest & reliable,no call out charge etc,I thought a recommendation might be better than yellow pages!
I will be more wary in the future

Here are the pics

[IMG]http://<a href="http://s616.photobucket.com/albums/tt243/jaqdi/?action=view&current=DSCN3888.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt243/jaqdi/DSCN3888.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

[IMG]http://<a href="http://s616.photobucket.com/albums/tt243/jaqdi/?action=view&current=DSCN3888.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt243/jaqdi/DSCN3888.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

andyhop

pics should be,

For the money paid it should have been 2 new leadloocks and a new stoptap

He has charged you for fitting another used stoptap?

If he was to come back im sure with a little loctite he should be able to seal the joining face