Faulty product?

LouJon70

Advice required please.

We had a bathroom fitted 12 months ago. Within 11mths we have had issues with the sink tap corroding.
We got back to the installer straight away, who in turn contacted the supplier.
The suppliers are refusing to exchange the tap. They have said it's a known issue and it's due to cleaning products!
 
Firstly, my initial thought was, if they know it's a known issue, surely it's not fit for purpose?
Secondly, would it not be covered under a 12 month guarantee?
And thirdly, is my contract with the company who fitted the bathroom or the company the installer purchased the tap from?
The installer is asking me to contact them direct?
I would also like to know who would stand to the cost of replacing the tap? 
Many thanks

The_Fat_Controller

If the tap was installed properly, I cannot see you can have any issue with the fitters.

You'll have to investigate what the installation instructions for the tap say regarding cleaning products as it could well be you that has been using something that is not fit for purpose, not the other way round.

A lot of cleaners that contain bleach can cause damage.

Lomast

Did you pay the supplier directly or did you pay the installer and they paid the supplier as that will effect who your claim is with.

LouJon70

Lomast said:

Did you pay the supplier directly or did you pay the installer and they paid the supplier as that will effect who your claim is with.

We paid the installer. They sourced all items and fitted.

LouJon70

The_Fat_Controller said:

If the tap was installed properly, I cannot see you can have any issue with the fitters.

You'll have to investigate what the installation instructions for the tap say regarding cleaning products as it could well be you that has been using something that is not fit for purpose, not the other way round.

A lot of cleaners that contain bleach can cause damage.

Thank you. I can't confirm if the tap came with any advisories, as the plumber sourced and fitted all products. I use the same cleaner on all other taps without issue?

Alderbank

we have had issues with the sink tap corroding.
The suppliers said it's a known issue and it's due to cleaning products!

Is it stainless steel? Stainless steel is mechanically tough but surprisingly susceptible to a wide range of household cleaning materials including lemon juice, household vinegar and household bleach
 

Firstly, my initial thought was, if they know it's a known issue, surely it's not fit for purpose?

Not necessarily. The cleaning products may not be fit for purpose though. The purpose of the tap is to turn on and off smoothly, deliver a good flow of water, not to drip. If it doesn't do one of those it would not be fit for purpose.

Secondly, would it not be covered under a 12 month guarantee?

Unlikely but we don't know. There is no standard for guarantees. They cover whatever the guarantor says they cover. They are different from your statutory rights, which are known and the seller cannot get out of.

And thirdly, is my contract with the company who fitted the bathroom or the company the installer purchased the tap from?

Your statutory consumer rights are with whoever you paid. As you paid the fitting company for materials and labour your consumer rights are solely with them.

I would also like to know who would stand to the cost of replacing the tap? 

If the corrosion is due to unsuitable cleaning agents then probably you.
If you could show by independent tests that it is a manufacturing defect (e.g. if the tap should have had a protective coating applied but this was not done satisfactorily) or due to faulty workmanship (e.g. if the fitters had damaged a protective coating) then your supplier, the fitting company, would have to replace the tap.

LouJon70

Alderbank said:

we have had issues with the sink tap corroding.
The suppliers said it's a known issue and it's due to cleaning products!

Is it stainless steel? Stainless steel is mechanically tough but surprisingly susceptible to a wide range of household cleaning materials including lemon juice, household vinegar and household bleach
 

Firstly, my initial thought was, if they know it's a known issue, surely it's not fit for purpose?

Not necessarily. The cleaning products may not be fit for purpose though. The purpose of the tap is to turn on and off smoothly, deliver a good flow of water, not to drip. If it doesn't do one of those it would not be fit for purpose.

Secondly, would it not be covered under a 12 month guarantee?

Unlikely but we don't know. There is no standard for guarantees. They cover whatever the guarantor says they cover. They are different from your statutory rights, which are known and the seller cannot get out of.

And thirdly, is my contract with the company who fitted the bathroom or the company the installer purchased the tap from?

Your statutory consumer rights are with whoever you paid. As you paid the fitting company for materials and labour your consumer rights are solely with them.

I would also like to know who would stand to the cost of replacing the tap? 

If the corrosion is due to unsuitable cleaning agents then probably you.
If you could show by independent tests that it is a manufacturing defect (e.g. if the tap should have had a protective coating applied but this was not done satisfactorily) or due to faulty workmanship (e.g. if the fitters had damaged a protective coating) then your supplier, the fitting company, would have to replace the tap.

This is all really helpful, thank you very much for the comprehensive advice.