How do I deal with an unprofessional plumber's work?

Ruski

Hmmmm.... it is a relatively unusual cylinder, but you have been overcharged IMHO... see here

Alex and SouthCoast will be along shortly to give more info - but a cyliinder swap like this is achievable in a day and as I understand it (unless you have a hot water pump seperately) there is no involvement with the CH pump to deliver your water. I suspect a gate valve has jammed in the semi-open position

Russ

Alex1983

What did the tank they took out look like? Did it look the same? Did you have a cold storage tank removed from the loft?

I don't know what you could do too recover some money as the install is very poor? Can you post a picture on twitter of the inside of the tank, just lift the black lid and picture inside, will see from the inside if it's brand new.

Building regs side it's not up to the requirements, there has to be temperature control on the cyclinder which isn't there and installation on the 1st meter of all pipework.

konark

The thing in the picture is out of the ark. You should have known the plumber was a fool when he told you 100 gallons of hot water would pour out onto the floor; these cylinders hold less than 100 LITRES.
and cost about £300-400. And new ones look very different to the one in the picture.

Did the original cylinder have an integral cold tank or was the cold tank in the loft; if so the cold tank is too low and is causing the poor flow in the tap.

Most plumbers are self-employed and advertise as 'Jim Smith and sons', when they hide behind a company name , particularly a naff one like Plumbing Company Number One, I'd be suspicious.

Also the gas leak rubbish he keeps spouting is total BS, he won't be on the Gas-safe register, probably won't even be a time-served plumber,.

AirBerry

Alex1983 wrote: »

What did the tank they took out look like? Did it look the same? Did you have a cold storage tank removed from the loft?

I don't know what you could do too recover some money as the install is very poor? Can you post a picture on twitter of the inside of the tank, just lift the black lid and picture inside, will see from the inside if it's brand new.

Building regs side it's not up to the requirements, there has to be temperature control on the cyclinder which isn't there and installation on the 1st meter of all pipework.

Alex1983 and others, thank you so much for your feedback.


Here is a link to the photos of the old tank system they replaced.

I also uploaded photos the inside of the tank.

I'm still anxious and nervous about this whole job done by this plumber. I really appreciate any advice.

https://twitter.com/Lady_Benedict

AirBerry

konark wrote: »

The thing in the picture is out of the ark. You should have known the plumber was a fool when he told you 100 gallons of hot water would pour out onto the floor; these cylinders hold less than 100 LITRES.
and cost about £300-400. And new ones look very different to the one in the picture.

Did the original cylinder have an integral cold tank or was the cold tank in the loft; if so the cold tank is too low and is causing the poor flow in the tap.

Most plumbers are self-employed and advertise as 'Jim Smith and sons', when they hide behind a company name , particularly a naff one like Plumbing Company Number One, I'd be suspicious.

Also the gas leak rubbish he keeps spouting is total BS, he won't be on the Gas-safe register, probably won't even be a time-served plumber,.

Thanks for that feedback.

I have not written the name of the plumbing company here or on twitter. I used the phrase "Plumbing Company Number One" to maintain my integrity. I do not trust this plumbing company. Yet, I still have to give them an opportunity to give me more evidence of their corrupt ways before I could publicly name and shame them!

Alex1983

It's a new tank, been sat for a long time but a new tank.

As I've said the quality of the work is pathetic and hasn't had the minimum done to meet building regs.

If they lag the pipework and fit a cyclinder stat I don't know if there is anything you can do as they removed the old obsolete tank and fitted new.

Do you live in a flat, your old tank was usually fitted in flats where you couldn't fit a cold feed tank in the loft, they have now fitted a tank on floor and reduced the head of pressure which could explain why your water pressure is now worse.

AirBerry

Alex, thank you so much for this information.

I live in a flat.

The plumber came on Tuesday to deal with the poor flow of hot water through the bath tap. He said he'll change the taps. Then, he said he has to put a new pump. I said I can't afford to pay the £250+ as I expect better quality work from the £2,160 that has already been withdrawn from my bank account.

He said he'll come in at 8 am today to put a new pump, "at no extra charge."

At about 7.52 am, he texted to say that the new pump hadn't arrived. So, he'll come on Saturday morning to do it.

This job should have been done exactly TWO WEEKS AGO!

(And this plumbing company still has not refunded the £200 deposit. So far, this plumbing company has taken £2, 360 for this!)

What would you do in my situation?

macman

They are telling you nonsense. There is no pump between the tank and the bath: A pump is only fitted to the CH circuit. Do not let them come back again, because they can see you are a soft touch and will simply use every visit to con you out of more money. Find a reliable plumber by way of personal recommendation, and send an LBA to these cowboys giving them 14 days to repay your deposit. And I suggest you cancel that card before they take any more off you.
PS: £2160 minus the VAT is £1728, not £1800-so if you'd paid cash that would have been another £72 conned by them. Did they even give you a VAT receipt?
Your card merchant will not accept a chargeback, as you accepted the (grossly inflated) price: it's the cash deposit you are asking to be returned.

Alex1983

I don't know, I'm sure someone else would be better qualified to tell you what you can do or not do.

I suppose the only complaint you can have is it's not up to current regulations and the flow is a lot worse then it was before, which you weren't told.

Don't think there's much you can do about the quality of the job, it doesn't look good but if it's not leaking then it is what it is.

Ruski

Agreed - looks like the old fortic was at raised level, which is why you have less head (pressure) going to the taps.

If they carry out the fitting of a pump to the system then I think that is a (botch) resolution - however I'd INSIST that as part of the work they fill up your bath with hot water and make sure the header tank doesn't run dry and starve the cylinder - there isn't much capacity in it and it might easily be emptied faster than it can refill if a pump is installed.

HTH

Russ