Boiler repairs and powerflush

lynseyb29

My hot water is failing to heat up from combo boiler. I have home emergency cover who have advised I require a heat exchanger, diverter valve and a powerflush. However they do not cover this.

My supplier is British gas and I was thinking of approaching them. Can anyone advise on roughly how much this will all cost?

Thank you

Premier_2

lynseyb29 wrote: »

...
My supplier is British gas and I was thinking of approaching them. Can anyone advise on roughly how much this will all cost?

Thank you

At least twice as much as a good local heating engineer will charge.

Get some quotes from local engineers.

dogshome

Hi lynseyB29 - You don't say who your 'Home Emergency Cover' is with and there are an awful lot of variations.
Boiler cover usually covers the replacement of worn parts - So read the small print for yourself - Power Flushing is not usually covered by the contract (May or may not be required as often it's recommended because it's an Extra Earner)

Brit. Gas are expensive compared to many local firms so it would be worth getting several quotes

lynseyb29

My cover is with walmsley, think it's part of Swindon. They told me they don't cover for sludge or descaling. Therefore they are not doing any of the repairs have just advised what I need to make the cover valid on future.

dogshome

Hi lynseyB29 - As I said earlier, Powerflushing is an extra earner.

Do I understand that Walmsley are not even offering to do the Powerflush at a cost to you, before carrying the Repairs that are free under your maintenance contract? If that's case it seems you have an insurance policy with a company who only collect premiums, but never pay out.

The order of work would be to do the Powerflush and then fit the new parts, and as winter is approaching your only option would seem to be getting a local guy to do the flush, then sending a copy of his bill to Walmsley with a demand that they do the repairs

lynseyb29

They came and looked At the problem and tried fitting a new switch but then said the home emergency does not cover for descaling and sludge! So it's up to us to sort it out now! I did read in small print wear and tear not covered?

ollski

British gas do a fixed price repair of 168 (app.) which will include the replacement of one part be it a 5 quid part or 500...bg powerflush is only worth it if you are on a contract as you pay more for the lifetime of contract guarantee.
I imagine your problem is covered with your current provider but difficult to say without a boiler model and proper fault description.

dogshome

Hi lynseyb29 - Small print says Wear & Tear not covered ! ? - So what is covered, Theft?

However, Walmley's repair men did try to fit spares before deciding the system needed flushing, so it would seem that you are indeed covered for the failed parts.
I can only suggest you pursue the route of getting a local guy to do the flush, then sending a copy of his bill to Walmsley with a demand they do the rest.

C_Mababejive

I would suggest you have a second opinion on the problem before spending a load of cash.

What make/model of boiler is it and how has the problem started/manifested itself?

macman

If you play that word association game then it seems that the correct response to 'British Gas' is always 'powerflush'!
It may just be the diverter valve. Get a local independent RGI in who knows your make/model. Mine was done last year and cost me only £65.

ollski

macman wrote: »

If you play that word association game then it seems that the correct response to 'British Gas' is always 'powerflush'!

Except, of course, that this has got nothing whatsoever to do with BG
I'm a bg engineer just spent the last hour talking a customer out of a powerflush because it wasn't what they needed.