Powerflush not done properly

fabs35

Hi

Not sure if this is the best place to post this.

We had a new WB boiler fitted (together with a magnaclean unit) back in June 2010. Last month the heating stopped working and so we called the fitter back in. He spent a few hours and couldn't find the fault. He then called in WB who confirmed that the boiler was not the issue. The fitter then gave up.

We called in another gas engineer who said there was a huge amount of sludge still in the system plus a valve had been fitted incorrectly. He then did a powerflush as well as other 'corrections' and charged £325.

The question is should I go back to the original fitter to claim all/some of the £325 considering the powerflush had not been done properly?

Any advice would be appreciated.

keystone

Actually you should have been on your original installer's case BEFORE you allowed the second guy to do a power flush and "other corrections". On the grounds that the last person who touched it is responsible for it then the original installer could claim "interference by others so I have no further obligation or liability".

In your introduction you don't say if the original guy did (or was supposed to do) a powerflush as part of his original contract although you hint at it later on.

You also say that your original fitter "gave up". What does that mean? If that means he just walked off the job and ferused to do any more then yes you probably may have a case against him. If he disappered by mutual consent then you probably don't.

Cheers

fabs35

Thanks for the reply.

The original fitter agreed to do a powerflush before fitting the new boiler (as part of the installation). When he came back to look for the fault (to be fair) he did spend quite a bit of time doing checks including a further flush so he was quite surprised to hear that the main solution was a really thorough flush.

Once the fitter had tried everything he said he didnt know what else to do and left it at that. The second person that came said the main problem is the amount of sludge. Given that at that point we had no hot water or heating for almost two weeks (and with a two year old and pregnant wife at home) I gave the go ahead to get the work done.

Thanks

keystone

fabs35 wrote: »

The original fitter agreed to do a powerflush before fitting the new boiler (as part of the installation).

Did he have to do one for the boiler guarantee?

When he came back to look for the fault (to be fair) he did spend quite a bit of time doing checks including a further flush so he was quite surprised to hear that the main solution was a really thorough flush.

In other words you both took the second guys word for it even if it had not been necessary and it was something else. So you may have paid for an unecessary third flush. What were the "other corrections"? As a matter of interest how long was tyhe system flushed for on the original install, how long on the second time and how long on the third and last?

Given that at that point we had no hot water or heating for almost two weeks ....................................... I gave the go ahead to get the work done.

I can fully understand your practical and emotional reasons for doing so. Its muddied the pond contractually though IMO. Have you had a chat over a cuppa with the orginal guy about it? You might be able to reach some amicable arrangement. I don't think you'll gain anywhere by threatening anything.

and with a two year old and pregnant wife at home

Tsk - haven't you discovered whats causing it yet?

Cheers

fabs35

Hi Keystone

1) Yes apparently without a powerflush, the 5 year warranty is not valid
2) It is possible it was something else but the second guy came highly recommended (unfortunately once the boiler had been fitted). Not sure how long the first two flushes took but the third was a day and a bit. I'll dig out the second persons report and provide more 'technical' detaail.
3) I know I should really have got the fitter back but the priority by that stage was to get the thing fixed. I haven't yet gone back to the fitter - just wanted to understand where I stand first.
4) I'll have to start a new thread!!!

Thanks again

macman

If I am correct, a powerflush is not a requirement under the WB guarantee. A chemical flush is. But either way if it was not adequately flushed, then your warranty is invalid and the original installer is responsible.
Do you have the report produced by the WB engineer, as that is your only evidence now?

keystone

macman wrote: »

Do you have the report produced by the WB engineer, as that is your only evidence now?

If I've read it correctly the guy who did the 3rd flush was another gas engineer different from the WB man. It seems he was called in AFTER the WB man had been and said "nothing wrong with boiler". So theres three sets of prints all over it!

OP I presume its all functioning now? Should have asked really.

Cheers

Canucklehead

macman wrote: »

If I am correct, a powerflush is not a requirement under the WB guarantee. A chemical flush is.

Spot on. Ideally a RGI should follow the Benchmark spec. for installs but many cut corners to cheapen the spec. and make the cost more 'attractive' to consumers.

OP: is the pipework microbore?

Canucklehead