External damage post bathroom job

diesel100

We had a chap (ltd company) fit a bathroom for us a few months back.


As part of the bathroom re-fit he had to re-pipe the boiler condensate pipe. His workmen (this one was a part time on the side working plumber/handyman) fitted the pipe.


After a few weeks we noticed a leak from external elbow from the condensate pipe dripping down the external wall and staining the bricks. (you can see the condensate leaking when the boiler is on) The chap came back and repaired the pipe.


About 6 months later we notice the same pipe leaking at the external elbow again! This time we notice it mist have been leaking for a few weeks now as there is more brick stain damage and some of the mortar is starting to erode/dissolve from the condensate.


I have been asking for the bathroom fitter owner to send someone to fix this pipe for over 2 weeks - each time he makes an excuse everyone is busy with jobs or he has no one else that can do it etc......I told him its getting serious with risk of structural damage now?
what do I do? Shall I give him more time or contact my home insurance?


Or get someone else in to do the job at my own cost?


any advice welcome.
thanks

JohnB47

What sort of pipe and elbow joint - copper, or plastic?

diesel100

JohnB47 wrote: »

What sort of pipe and elbow joint - copper, or plastic?

plastic as its a boiler condensate pipe.....from the boiler which is next to bathroom but pipe passes under bathroom floor to external outlet to a external downcomer collection unit

JohnB47

Well, it's safe to assume that the installer didn't use enough solvent weld in the joint. Ideally you would cut it out and put two new straight pieces of pipe, jointed with straight connectors, and a new elbow. The thing is, this would mean you buying a long length of pipe, three new joints and some solvent weld. Not too difficult really and would cost around £10 or £12 .

Also, although I've not used them, there are various products out there to fix leaks in low pressure joints like this -tubes of sealant, tape etc.

Maybe someone who has had success with one of these will chip in, otherwise perhaps go to a big diy store and see if they have an in-store expert who can advise.

diesel100

JohnB47 wrote: »

Well, it's safe to assume that the installer didn't use enough solvent weld in the joint. Ideally you would cut it out and put two new straight pieces of pipe, jointed with straight connectors, and a new elbow. The thing is, this would mean you buying a long length of pipe, three new joints and some solvent weld. Not too difficult really and would cost around £10 or £12 .

Also, although I've not used them, there are various products out there to fix leaks in low pressure joints like this -tubes of sealant, tape etc.

Maybe someone who has had success with one of these will chip in, otherwise perhaps go to a big diy store and see if they have an in-store expert who can advise.

would be difficult to cut as only just the elbow is sticking out of the wall.
any advice how to deal with trademen who refuse to come back for workmanship faults? chap now claims after 2 weeks he is wound down his business......2 weeks ago he said he was busy on another job!
can I report him to trading standards or even HMRC...as he wins work using his LTD co name, then asks for cheques to be paid to his Mrs for "cash flow purposes"