Escala taps waterfall victoria plum screw corrosion fault failure urgent

Frampton22

If you have these waterfall taps, and have experienced problems, please contact me urgently. I have photos and information you will be extremely interested in.

Rob

I amended the title in order for more people to find the thread on Google.

Doozergirl

They came from Victoria Plum. I wouldn't recommend buying taps from Victoria Plum if you want longevity from them.

You get what you pay for.

Dan-Dan

Post #29

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5477883

Frampton22

I can only reply once an hour due to the restrictions on new members.
My taps were bought in Feb 2015. Escala taps bought now appear to have had redesigns in areas you would never see.

My comments here relate to the Feb 2015 purchase.
I have four taps....one has only just started showing signs of corrosion.
It was in an ensuite that is hardly used.
It shows what I believe to be clear design flaws.
The others show massive loss of an unknown metal and chrome.
The gauze is less able to stop this metal at its edges, especially if you have pushed it whilst cleaning.
I have a set of the newer version now.
You can clearly see the differences once you have taken the mesh block out.
I think there should be a national recall.
They cannot tell me the metals
They can only state that the ones currently sold are brass.
They cannot tell me the manufacturer.
They say they no longer have any of the original taps!!!
I have reported this to trading standards, and other relevant agencies for investigation.
I hope to provide photographs of these taps on a web page, Facebook, and use Twitter to identify where these taps are.
The video on Youtube is not mine, but it has had over 2000 views. Please add comments there.

They have said they intend to ask the manufacturer what this metal is, but would not give me a timescale.

No one looking at the corroded metal can show why this has happened in the way it has...........but I can.

This metal could possibly end up in your eyes and mouth.

Scratch your baths.

Please message me and i will give you my phone number
If these taps were not fit for purpose when sold, you should be entitled to redress.
I can provide photos, assistance, and an updated position. If you could also make your thoughts known to the relevant people that would help.
Thanks Rob

Frampton22

...Further to a point regarding the loss of metal

On removing the block, a small shard of chrome stuck in my finger drawing blood.
It was a nightmare and painful to remove.

This piece was free as the metal it stuck to had gone.

The mesh gauze is held by the pressure of two allen key pins.
When the corrosion gets to them, the gauze will become free, or first move.
There is no attachment to the tap on ANY of the edges of that gauze mesh.....depending on the fitting, cutting and shape of this will vary the gaps around these edges.
Was the mesh bent AT ALL on fitting.
Have you cleaned this, and applied ANY pressure TO that mesh.

Any of these things could allow a razor sharp flake of chrome through.

Eventually, it would seem that the block holding these pins will cease to be.

At this point everything might wash out.

My photos will help to illustrate this possibility.

I intend to take this to the Small Claims Court if it is not resolved satisfactorily.

andyhop

You bought cheap . A decent water fall tap from cross water is 5x the price of the low end junk you bought

I'm not saying It's right but when you buy purely in price this is what happens

Frampton22

Yes....I agree....but it must not be injurious to health.......at any price.....

....they must also be honest.....and the law should protect the interests of consumers.

I suppose buying something at five times the price guarantees safety.

I didnt buy on price alone.....

I bought on a review rating of close on 5/5.......and a five year guarantee.....

Would you consider that not purely on price?

And it is also incorrect that buying a cheaper product guarantees this happening, although it possibly makes it more likely.
Thats why I bought knowing it had a minimum of 5 years guarantee. One would assume the company believed it would last at least that long.

One individual who has been in contact has bought a house with these taps in. I believe he should have support regarding this matter too.

Hopefully we can ensure anyone who has made the mistake you have pointed out, has fair treatment in the eyes of the law, and doesn't feel that they should feel bad having purchased a product from a nationally recognised company, that advertises on television regularly.

Doozergirl

Life is short. So is the lifespan of VP products.
They should ask for reviews after a couple of years, not immediately after sale.

I don't even have the energy to read all these posts, I don't know where you're finding it to write them and make videos etc. If you've bought more than the one tap you'll have to give up work to complain about the rest of it when that fails too.

If it isn't ceramic and comes from Victoria Plum, it isn't going to be great.

Frampton22

Thanks Doozergirl,

I was unsure from your first post what your position was on this company, so it was good that your clarified this a second time.

I didnt make the video, or post the majority of comments that came from other unhappy purchasers.

It would seem that the author of the video has sought to dissuade people from dealing with this company, and where he will probably be mightily impressed that you are trying to assist in his cause, it might be best if you could add in a few examples and facts, otherwise it could look like uneducated baseless grandstanding.

Dictating the above messages probably took an hour tops, but have made sure just to concentrate on the salient points. I've no wish to write thousands and thousands of posts that nobody really wants to listen to, because that would be silly.


Having said that, Its obvious that you won't have the energy to read this, so I've popped a "thanks" up, hoping you will notice that.

Bruce_Harrison

We have one, hardly used, in a new en-suite installed before we arrived. The allen key screws are brass, the mesh is stainless, the block appears to be chrome plated aluminium alloy, and the fixing screws are stainless. The block is dissolving: as an competent chemist or metallurgist would predict.
Design fault.

KateHarlow50

Hi all

I have these taps! Bought in 2017 and they started to corroded where the water comes out and where it shoots off. Both sink and bath started corroding. My taps are imbedded in the wall, behind thick marble tiles. I bought these taps because I!!!8217;ve never had any problems with Victoria Plum!!!8217;s products, until now.

I contacted them back in March advising of the issue and was told I!!!8217;m the first person to have issues with the taps. I said the material seems to have a fault. They sent me replacements which I fitted and guess what, it!!!8217;s happened again!

So I googled and saw this. So much for !!!8216;I!!!8217;m the first person to have issues!!!8217;

I!!!8217;ve complained again and asked for two more replacements and asked what they!!!8217;re going to do as I!!!8217;m stuck with their taps now.