Slanted pipe

alice60

As additional work, I asked him to replace radiators to make the house warmer. And I thought he would fo it in the end of bathroom renovation work. He didn't ask me about anything and replace my single ones which worked well on new singles  it didn't make any sense for me. I asked him to replace them onto diuble. When he replaced radiators first time, he didn't bleed them, haven't check the gas pressure. The radiators were cold, the gadpressure was low. I have done all that myself. 

Jeepers_Creepers

Hi Alice.

There's no right or wrong way - just different ways. They have their pros and cons - usually cost vs cosmetics.

Had the valves been TRV type, then - yes - they should ideally have been replaced. 'Manual' valves tend to be trouble-free, so again it's a case of extra cost for the improved cosmetics.

A plumber should really have talked the options through with you, tho'.

Why did he bend the pipe and not replace the valves? So as not to have to drain down the system. It's all very well for a different plumber to say how it 'should' be done, but I wonder if he'd also do the much longer job for the same cost?

If you don't look at it, you won't notice it :-)

I was visiting a friend a couple of years back and his son was there swapping a rad for a 'double' type. Same issue - how to tackle the pipe spacing from the wall, plus concerns about draining down what was an ancient system. We gave each other enough courage to try pulling the original rad outwards, bending the tails just enough, and then swapped for the double. He was sooooo pleased!

alice60

Thank you so much for your reply. Actually the valves were TRV and they were completely free.
Sorry  can you please tell me why to change them, just because they are new?
. A plumber didn't ask me what radiators I would like and didn't explained any options, and didn't duscussed the cost. I expected them to be done in the end. He charged for both £175 in the bill, even though someone else asked for this job £120. 
Another disappointment was taps installations in a new bath. He fitted the taps in the bath with the access either through the bedroom  built in wardrobe and adjacent wall/ or removing the baths, the panel, the screen etc. What would you say about these? Big mistake I have done. 

Jeepers_Creepers

alice60 said:

Thank you so much for your reply. Actually the valves were TRV and they were completely free.
Sorry  can you please tell me why to change them, just because they are new?
. A plumber didn't ask me what radiators I would like and didn't explained any options, and didn't duscussed the cost. I expected them to be done in the end. He charged for both £175 in the bill, even though someone else asked for this job £120. 
Another disappointment was taps installations in a new bath. He fitted the taps in the bath with the access either through the bedroom  built in wardrobe and adjacent wall/ or removing the baths, the panel, the screen etc. What would you say about these? Big mistake I have done. 

My apologies. Yes, the two examples you've shown have TRVs, and they look pretty old.

Most TRVs tend to start failing after, ooh, 10 years or so. Personally I'd have liked new ones with the new rads. I can see how you are disappointed.

I don't fully understand what was done with the bath taps - has he done this yet? And how?

alice60

Yes. He did. First of all he wanted to put them under a shower. I didn't like that idea as I thought they would be damaged by water as everyone in my house takes a shower regularly rather the a bath. Then he fitted it on a side by the wall ajacent to the bedroom. However he didn't explain to me what would happen if they leak. I found out about the way to access them from another plumber. And it was actually the first thing I was told - wrong position. So my intention now is to buy a new bath as I am going to replace tiles as they all are uneven: walls and floor. Finishing is horrible.

I also don't know what to do with a door which he cut at the bottom. I had someone else who took the tiles off. I think he didn't fit the door properly and that's why it couldn't be closed.  However the fitter cut the door without finding the fault. He could tell me it wasn't his work and I would be dealing with that problem myself. When he said he would cut the bottom I asked him not to do that. I haven't noticed that first as I was wearing glasses. Someone else pointed out at it.
Thank you for your reply. Very appreciated.

Jeepers_Creepers

alice60 said:

Yes. He did. First of all he wanted to put them under a shower. I didn't like that idea as I thought they would be damaged by water as everyone in my house takes a shower regularly rather the a bath. Then he fitted it on a side by the wall ajacent to the bedroom. However he didn't explain to me what would happen if they leak. I found out about the way to access them from another plumber. And it was actually the first thing I was told - wrong position. So my intention now is to buy a new bath as I am going to replace tiles as they all are uneven: walls and floor. Finishing is horrible.

I also don't know what to do with a door which he cut at the bottom. I had someone else who took the tiles off. I think he didn't fit the door properly and that's why it couldn't be closed.  However the fitter cut the door without finding the fault. He could tell me it wasn't his work and I would be dealing with that problem myself. When he said he would cut the bottom I asked him not to do that. I haven't noticed that first as I was wearing glasses. Someone else pointed out at it.
Thank you for your reply. Very appreciated.

Very hard for us to judge what exactly went on here, Alice. It does seem to involve the guy doing his best to act on your instructions.

For instance, bath taps almost always (in fact, always?!) are located under the shower head. Yes, they get soaked, but that's what they are designed to cope with. I have to say, it must have seemed a very strange request to the guy when he was asked to move the taps away from getting wet. It sounds as tho' he didn't have much alternative than to fit them on a side wall, tho' I'm struggling to visualise what this must look like...

I don't think a plumber should be expected to warn customers what could happen if taps leak as it's pretty obvious - something is going to get wet. Whether this is a wall or whether it's the underneath of a bath depends on where the taps were located. Have you ever heard of a plumber fitting normal bath taps and then warning the customer what'll happen if they leak? No. Most simply don't leak, and those that do it becomes obvious - and then it gets fixed.

IF the guy hasn't done a proper job in any of these respects, then he's obliged to come out and sort it. You have yer rights.

alice60

Thank you.

alice60

When replacing radiators do you need to pay extra for changing TRVs? Thank you very much.

Jeepers_Creepers

To replace the valves - TRV or not - requires the system to be drained down. This can be very straight-forward, or quite awkward depending on the system - age, alterations carried out, etc.

So, yes, it's more work so will usually cost more.

All I can say (as I have in your other thread) is - the plumber should have discussed this with you beforehand. Given you costed options so you were fully informed and could make your choice.

It isn't a 'crime' if he didn't, but it is pretty poor service.

alice60

Thank you very much. So that's why so many questions now.