Boiler Fitting - DIY ?

macman

matelodave wrote: »

Installing & plumbing a boiler isn't rocket science. There's nothing wrong with installing it yourself and having the final gas connection & commissioning done by a GSR engineer.

You might void the warranty if you don't fully comply with it's terms & conditions.

Assuming that you can find a GSR wiling to sign off someone else's work as their own, and then suffer the consequences should the worst happen.

Andy_WSM

matelodave wrote: »

My condensing combi was installed in my previous house 16 years ago and is still going strong (according to the bloke who bought it)

I said "modern" not 16 years old. I doubt many boilers being fitted THIS YEAR will still be working in 16 years time.

lemontart

google gas explosions, co poisoning and hse reports on such and what happens to folk who risk diy - that should hopefully put him and his dad off the idea. - http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/gas.htm

here are a few
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-sw-dangerous-boiler-installation.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/gas-safe-register-campaign.htm

I know it is not cheap but I would not put a price on life.

These are just a couple of reports, there are a lot that do not make the reports that end up been cut off for various reasons when problems occur.

southcoastrgi

nice to see that your partner & his family value your life so highly

southcoastrgi

matelodave wrote: »

Installing & plumbing a boiler isn't rocket science. There's nothing wrong with installing it yourself and having the final gas connection & commissioning done by a GSR engineer.

You might void the warranty if you don't fully comply with it's terms & conditions.

any decent RGI won't sign off anyones elses work & if you find one that will sign off a diy install then he is prob more dangerious than the fool who installed it

Mojisola

JuicyJossy wrote: »

2. Insurance - I know that if anything was to happen (e.g. the boiler exploded and damaged something or leaked of whatever) it wouldn't be covered in the insurance because it's not been fitted by a registered plumber.

I don't of any insurance that can bring you back to life or magically give you your health back after you've been pulled out of the wreckage of your house.

He says it will be cheaper which I'm sure it true as we won't pay for labour but is it really worth it ?

It will be cheaper to install - can you live with the potential consequences (damaged house, injured people, guilt) if something goes wrong?

cbrpaul

for a start its not a good idea to come onto a site as this , asking if its ok to DIY install a boiler, no no no no !!!!

malc_b

I would suggest you talk to local gas fitters first to find out if any will let you do part of the work and if so how much and what will it cost. AFAIK you can fit it (that is bolt it to the wall) and connect up the water pipe work but the gas side must (legally) be fitted by a gas safe registered person. Once you have the cheapest quotes for both options you'll know if it is worthwhile doing any of it diy.

You would also need to follow boiler maker's recommendation (BS rules too I believe) on running a cleaner through the system, installing inhibitor, etc.. The maker might also have something in the guaranty about only guaranteed if installed by registered trademan.

oldskoo1

I understand you wanting to fit a boiler yourself. I've read the instructions I understand roughly how it works, I reckon I could install one, would I? Never.

It's simply too dangerous. I've been dismantling things since my early teens. I love messing with stuff to see how it works but I wouldn't mess with a boiler.

What if you didn't seal it correctly
What if the flue wasn't connected correctly
What if you put the flue to close to a bedroom window
Do you know how to pressure test
What about pipe work changes
What about checking the expansion vessel and various pressure relief valves

Do you want to blow the side of your house out and possibly anything inside it? It does happen. Do you want a flue installed so long without support through a loft that it eventually sags splits and leaks carbon monoxide into the house, it does happen. Carbon monoxide alarms by the boiler won't protect you from dodgy flue installs.

When there is potential for explosion and death you get what you hope are the professionals in, the people that have to pay to have their knowledge tested at regular intervals with the latest advancements.

Pick a good installer with a good van and branded shirts, smart in appearance with the nesecary credentials. Avoid Del Boy in his battered escort van and scruffy generic chequered shirt.

George_Bray

JuicyJossy wrote: »

Hi I was wondering if someone can help me please.

>>there is a reason only gas safe registered people should fit boilers

The reason is that the trade body representing gas fitters managed to persuade the Government to ban any body else from doing the work. I think I'm right in saying the number of people killed in gas explosions was a lot lower than in road accidents so, as brutal as it sounds, one could argue it's more to do with commercial interests (unless it happens to you). The Government are happy for men to be killed in futile military adventures but they restrict DIY, just because a few people were killed or seriously injured.


>>neither him or his dad are gas safe registered.

Your boyfriend only needs to be 'competent' to work on his own house. As others have said, he'd certainly be declared incompetent if anything went wrong. It doesn't sound like anything has gone wrong with their previous installations, though, purely from a safety point of view.


>>it wouldn't be covered in the insurance because it's
>>not been fitted by a registered plumber.

Actually it's a Gas Safe registered person, you'd need. But I'm sure you're right that the insurance company would disallow a claim if, say, there was a fire and it was deemed a result of DIY gas work.

>>as it hasn't been fitted by a registered person, would
>>I still be able to call out a plumber to fix it ?

Again, it's a Gas Safe registered person you'd need. Many are also plumbers. As others have said, they'd probably not know who fitted it, unless the installation was such a botch job, they'd guess. I'm sure they'd fix it, so I suggest this is not an issue. Actually, at the same time, you could ask them to give it a service and check for safety aspects. So they'd then check nearly all the aspects which some other people are using to argue against doing a DIY installation.


>>the boiler they fitted in his parents home has broken at
>>least once a year since I've known him

If a boiler breaks down, it's more likely to be due to the failure of the boiler, rather than much to do with the installation. Boilers fitted by Gas Safe traders break down all the time. It's in their interest, because it provides extra work.


>>He says it will be cheaper which I'm sure is true as we won't pay for labour

I'm sure that's right. I fear that Gas Safe traders are effectively placing people in a position where they need to contemplate DIY work, because Gas Safe charges are so incredibly high. I never forget this is a money saving web site. My latest information, first hand, is only a few days old. Someone I know received a quote of £3000 to replace a boiler. I know the boiler can be bought online and delivered free for £1300. All these prices include VAT. So that leaves £1700 for the labour and any consumables. Is it fair and reasonable? Hardly - I'd call it a rip off. Why do I say that? Well, several other people I know have had the same type of boiler replaced and I've been amazed how quickly it's done, in about 4 hours. So it works out at about £400 an hour for labour. Do you earn that? Therefore, I can understand where your boyfriend is coming from, and why Gas Safe traders on here are so keen to push scare stories and other propaganda, to protect their market.


>>but is it really worth it ?

Only you can decide that. If I was you, relying on someone else, I'd probably be apprehensive, just like you are. If I was in a position like your boyfriend, needing to fit a new boiler, then maybe I would. If Gas Safe traders can learn how to fit a boiler, then so can I. It's not rocket science.

As other have suggested, the best compromise solution may be to get it checked and commissioned by a Gas Safe person. If you can find such a person, they might hopefully charge nearer to £250, than £1700 to do the entire job.