Gas Boiler - who to trust and what is best?

bundly

Any gas experts on here who can advise?

Big nasty scary noises coming from my 25-year-old gas hot water and CH system.

Plumber No.1 says I need a new boiler, will cost £2k and switches off my boiler.

Plumber No. 2 says, "Nonsense, why get rid of a perfectly good boiler which is better than anything currently on sale, all you need is a Magna flush to clear out all the pipes and rads and it will be good as new. Cost £720". He switches the boiler back on!


Plumber 1 pops round to check something and just as he comes into my front hallway, the boiler started making the most horrific noise (felt like a Tube train was going beneath the house!) He was not happy that someone had switched the boiler back on. He disconnected the gas completely and condemned the boiler!



Plumber 1 quote:

1.Supply and fit a Vaillant EcoTec Plus 425 heat only boiler.(24kw)
2.Power flush the whole central heating system with a power flush machine.
3.Supply and fit a by-pass in airing cupboard.
4.Raise the new boiler in the compartment.
5.Electric work
6.Supply and fit a Magna Clean magnetic filter.
7.Pipe,fittings and labour
Total £2000

Plumber 2 quote:

To drain down the central heating system and to install a 28 mm Magna clean central heating filter on the return pipe work next to the boiler A Magna cleanse will be carried out on the system ensuring the majority of the system is sludge/ debris free
before re restating the new filter. Cleaners and inhibitors will be used. To fit only a new radiator to be supplied by the client
Subtotal £600.00 VAT (20.00%) £120.00 Total £720.00


I feel stuck. I don't want to be the MUG who coughs up for a new boiler when all she needs is a flush... but then I I don't want to be the MUG who coughs up for a flush when for £1,300 more I can have a flush AND a new boiler ...... hmmmm


Who to believe? What is the most sensible thing to do? Should I invite Plumber No 3?

Bundly

southcoastrgi

What boiler do you have make & model ?
Did plumber no 1 ask your permission to firstly turn off the boiler & on his 2nd visit disconnect it ?
Did plumber no 1 leave you any paperwork ?

Those are BG prices for a power flush, you could prob get it flushed for half that price, I charge £300 for a powerflush upto 10 rads & £200 if I am doing it in conjunction with a boiler change

bundly

Hi and thanks for replying.

It's an Ideal Classic.

No, he did not ask my permission to switch it off or to disconnect it.

No, he left no paperwork, he just sent me an email.

(Both No 1 and No 2 are on Checkatrade with very high ratings, BTW.)

Look forward to your advice.

Bundly.

southcoastrgi

The classic is a good old boiler, the first thing I would look at is the central heating pump is working & to make sure the roof tank (smaller one) has water in it & the ball valve isn't stuck up & that the cold feed from it isn't blocked, even if your boiler is a gas safe issue (which it doesn't sound like to me) he has to get your permission to either turn it off or disconnect it, he can recommend that it's turned off & you don't use it but he's not allowed to do either without your permission if he considered it AR (at risk) then he can ask to turn it off, if he thinks it's ID (immediately dangerous) then he can ask to cap the gas but if you say no then he will report it to Nat Grid who will attend & prob cap the gas, but like I said both of those require your permission for him to do (you won't have a choice if Nat grid want to cap it), plus he should have left you paperwork

bundly

Thanks Southcoastrgi.

I'm quite shocked to read that an RGI with 10/10 (as near as dammit) on Checkatrade has broken his code of professional conduct. I'll consider the rest tomorrow.

booty40uk

I'd avoid No1. He's already done his job wrong.


Try and get some recommendations rather than going through sites like checkatrade. Any cowboy can get a good rating on these sites.

bundly

Right I think it's all sorted now. The boiler isn't AR or ID; he turned it off (I misunderstood) because he worries that whatever makes the horrific noise will be damaging the boiler or some other part of the system.

I've decided to go ahead and get a new boiler as mine is so old and what they call "g-rated". I've had a few repairs done over the years and it will give me peace of mind to know I have a new installation that won't give me any more worry or expense for a few years.

Furts

bundly wrote: »

Right I think it's all sorted now. The boiler isn't AR or ID; he turned it off (I misunderstood) because he worries that whatever makes the horrific noise will be damaging the boiler or some other part of the system.

I've decided to go ahead and get a new boiler as mine is so old and what they call "g-rated". I've had a few repairs done over the years and it will give me peace of mind to know I have a new installation that won't give me any more worry or expense for a few years.

If you are looking for a few years peace of mind look closely at the warranty being offered on your replacement boiler. Mine is a Worcester Bosch and when fitted a couple of years ago came with a ten year manufacturers warranty. This, in my humble opinion, is a reasonable length of time, and also far preferable to a warranty with a dubious third party company like Homeserve.

bundly

Furts wrote: »

If you are looking for a few years peace of mind look closely at the warranty being offered on your replacement boiler. Mine is a Worcester Bosch and when fitted a couple of years ago came with a ten year manufacturers warranty. This, in my humble opinion, is a reasonable length of time, and also far preferable to a warranty with a dubious third party company like Homeserve.

The Vaillant one he wants to fit has a seven year guarantee.

Apparently these guarantees are only valid if you pay to have the boiler serviced every year and can prove that if anything goes wrong. Are you having that done?

Furts

bundly wrote: »

The Vaillant one he wants to fit has a seven year guarantee.

Apparently these guarantees are only valid if you pay to have the boiler serviced every year and can prove that if anything goes wrong. Are you having that done?

I strike an analogy with a new car. It will have a warranty for up to seven years, but in return the consumer has to play fair and have the car serviced - annually, or whatever is required. A boiler is similar - it has working parts and efficiency and safety should be concerns. Hence one has an annual boiler service to keep these issues satisfactory and to retain the warranty.

southcoastrgi

There are better boilers for the same cost
Look at Atag or Intergas
Personally I wouldn't fit WB