Adding radiator: DIY or cost?

ormus

although compression fittings are very simple for the DIYer, you really shouldnt use compression fittings under the floor.
best avoided if possible.

latecomer

Whats worse though - compression fittings under the floor or inexperienced solder joints.

Mind you I'm probably slightly biased as I can access the entire underfloor space so any future problems with joints can be rectified at any point.

jblack_2

If I was the plumber you ask to just do the soldering then I'd want to refill, bleed the system and get it up to running temp to make sure there are no leaks etc.

Yes, you could do this but I'd be charging for my time whilst you do:D.

You'll probably find it's not much more to get the whole job done by a plumber.

System

jblack wrote: »

If I was the plumber you ask to just do the soldering then I'd want to refill, bleed the system and get it up to running temp to make sure there are no leaks etc.

Yes, you could do this but I'd be charging for my time whilst you do:D.

You'll probably find it's not much more to get the whole job done by a plumber.

This is why many people try to avoid employing plumbers if at all possible.

I assume that if after you had refilled the system and got it to running temp, if one of your joints was leaking, then you would also charge for the extra time it takes to empty, redo joint(s) refill, reheat, and round we go again :rotfl:

euanT

ormus wrote: »

although compression fittings are very simple for the DIYer, you really shouldnt use compression fittings under the floor.
best avoided if possible.

Use push fit connectors - permanent and easy! Brass "Tectite" ones are best but plastic are cheaper

ormus

euanT wrote: »

Use push fit connectors - permanent and easy! Brass "Tectite" ones are best but plastic are cheaper

under the floor?
:eek:
i dont think so.
give me a soldered joint anyday.

jblack_2

BAA1 wrote: »

This is why many people try to avoid employing plumbers if at all possible.

I assume that if after you had refilled the system and got it to running temp, if one of your joints was leaking, then you would also charge for the extra time it takes to empty, redo joint(s) refill, reheat, and round we go again :rotfl:

No I would not. It would be down to my workmanship if it leaked so I'd obviously put it right at no cost. It's very rare that this happens but it is just one of those things that can and will occur.

What if;

I do just the soldering and leave without checking the work. The customer puts the floorboards back down and refills the system, not checking or noticing any leaks. A month later I get a call saying there has been a leak and it's caused damage.

Who'd be liable? The plumber? Or the customer who wanted to save a few £ by not letting me check the work properly?

CockneyMackem

sorry HH, this is not as straight forward as it used to be. firstly, no one has mentioned that if you are adding an extra rad, this needs to be flushed to BS 7593. Just because its new, it doesnt mean its clean. i flushed a new one the other day and got out a lot of crap. manufacturers of rads only pressure test them, they dont clean them out. the reason we do this is to make sure the "crap" does not get into the boiler(your guarentee will be void if this happens). also, ormus is right, soldered fittings should be used in unaccessible areas. I once had an engineer who used a pushfit fitting and it blew off causing £5m worth of damage. its something we recommend but at the end of the day, its your call. ive also fitted rads in the past without flushing and theyre still working fine now, 10 yrs later. if i were to do the job, i would be charging £250+VAT(dayrate) this will include installing the pipes, rad, powerflush, fill and vent, but i do have the tools to do this. GOOD LUCK!:)

System

jblack wrote: »

No I would not. It would be down to my workmanship if it leaked so I'd obviously put it right at no cost. It's very rare that this happens but it is just one of those things that can and will occur.

What if;

I do just the soldering and leave without checking the work. The customer puts the floorboards back down and refills the system, not checking or noticing any leaks. A month later I get a call saying there has been a leak and it's caused damage.

Who'd be liable? The plumber? Or the customer who wanted to save a few £ by not letting me check the work properly?

Fair enough jblack

Sorry, it's my previous bad experiences with plumbers that has tainted my view of the plumbing industry. It's wrong of me to tar all plumbers with the same brush.

jblack_2

I can understand that. When I first started out I was amazed/embarrassed by some of the things I saw other plumbers do and get away with. That was the main reason for becoming self employed.

I am also unable to employ anyone else as I know I'd spend too much time going over their work and redoing it to my standard:o.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad/unscrupulous tradesmen out there that just see pound signs, finding a good one is very hit and miss but they do still exist.