British Gas HomeCare - 8 year-old boiler condemned due to years of corrosion

Bounceback

My 8 year-old boiler was condemned 2 weeks ago due to corrosion. The BG engineer says that the corrosion at the rear of the boiler means the unit is no longer sealed/safe for use.

The boiler was leaking water so we called out BG, they came and diagnosed a problem with the heat exchanger. New one ordered, then engineer came to fit it. He condemned boiler as there was a huge amount of corrosion at the rear of the boiler where the water pipe attached. He told me that this couldn’t be seen until the heat exchanger was removed. Now we have no boiler and apparently no leg to stand on. If the boiler was less than 7 years-old they would have to replace it under the terms of the policy.

There is a second area of corrosion also on the heat exchanger – at the front. Incredibly visible once the outer cover is removed. Not just a bit of rust, but the metal has been eaten away to the point where the hole to attach the heat exchanger is not secure.

We have had British Gas HomeCare 200 since before our Potterton Suprima 60 was installed, BG have been servicing it and taking care of it since then. In fact we have had 8 breakdown calls since it was new as well as annual services. At no point have we been advised of any corrosion. The corrosion has clearly been going on for years (I have photos if it helps) – and I believe that BG should have spotted it and dealt with it within the 7 year time frame.

I have phoned and emailed but at this stage, no joy – last I was told it was ‘just one of those things’ and basically it is my tough luck that I am without heat and water and that I now need to purchase a new boiler... ANY advice or help will be so gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks, Jo

gas4you

I would agree that a 'proper' annual strip and service should have discovered this corrosion in the early stages.

But then usually, I can't comment on your particular case, BG don't often strip a boiler to service it. They just give it a 'safety inspection'.

I agree with your sentiments on responsibility, but apart from getting trading standards or a solicitor involved, I don't know where you stand on this.

Bounceback

Many thanks for your super quick response.

You are right about the 'safety inspection', but as the arm holding the heat exchanger has a huge chunk missing due to corrosion, I would have thought they would have fixed the leak causing it and during that time checked the other water pipe going into the heat exchanger.

I have got photos on flickr, but unfortunately I can't post a link as I am too new here.

Thanks a million for responding.
Jo

ollski

Corrosion can happen incredibly quickly in a combustion chamber and I think you will struggle to say it should have been noticed earlier when it may never have been evident. You may get some goodwill toward a replacement but to be fair they spotted the problem, got the parts and were well on the way through replacement so the will was there. I would persue it on the tack you are on and go for a compromise, you may find that an offer of meeting halfway on the replacement cost may work.

Bounceback

I have to say we have had the HomeCare for years, and with this boiler we have called them out 8 times over the last 8 years for breakdowns, they hadn't let us down until now, couldn't fault the service so far.

The corrosion is to the frame/bodywork of the boiler rather than in a chamber. If you PM me I should be able to give you a link to the photos, but I can't post on here as I am new.

Thanks a million for responding and advice.

espresso

Bounceback wrote: »

I have got photos on flickr, but unfortunately I can't post a link as I am too new here.

Simply post the link and remove the www or http and the start of the link. The no links for new users is to prevent spambots etc. taking advantage.

Bounceback

flickr.com/photos/59025089@N08/

Thanks for the advice. Web address above. I'm a newbie so appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks

espresso

Bounceback pictures here

jackieglasgow

Who installed your boiler?

Bounceback

Thanks espresso for the link.

Boiler was not installed by BG or else I'd be covered for a new one free under their terms.

The boiler is 8 years old and would have been covered for free replacement last year. It was serviced back in October and no mention was made of any corrosion either back or front. If you look at the photo the bit I am holding is immediately visible once the front cover was removed.

I think the corrosion is older than a year, and if so, did BG 'ignore' it to get them past the 7 year deadline?

jackieglasgow

How did you complain, and to whom?